TR: Massanutten Mt. - Duncan Knob and Strickler Knob
Oct 19, 2014 19:37:20 GMT -5
Post by WoolyBully on Oct 19, 2014 19:37:20 GMT -5
Last year during a day hike to Duncan Knob we took notice of the great views and nice level tent sites at the top of the knob. Fast forward a year, we decided to this as an overnight backpack trip on October 17-18, 2014. We arrived at the Gap Creek Trail / Crisman Hollow Rd. trail head at 4pm, and hiked a fairly steep 1.5 miles to the Duncan Knob spur, and then up a very steep tallus slope up to the top. The last part was pretty tough going, especially with carrying the extra water. Upon reaching the top we met one other party already set up on the west side of the plateau. Real nice folks with ties to the area. We set up on the east side, while only about 50' away from the other group, we may as well have been 500' away due to separation afforded by the rock formations in between the sites. A bit windy, but great views at sunset and sunrise.
On Saturday after a leisurely breakfast we proceeded down the slope, a little easier after getting rid of some food and water. We then descended eastward on the Gap Creek Trail and then turned south on the Massanutten Trail. We stashed our packs and then proceeded out the spur to Strickler Knob. The pink-blazed spur (which I consider the mother of all rock hops) winds out along the ridge top for about .5 miles to the Knob, offering some great views along the way. By this time the wind had picked back up and the skies were clouding up, so we were not inclined to stay very long. We met several parties on our way back from the Knob, and then more as we approached the main trail.
Donning our packs we proceeding along the Massanutten Trail, the Scothorn Gap Trail, and then retraced our steps back down the Gap Creek Trail to the car. Pretty much level or downhill all the way from Strickler. Lots of cars at the trailhead. We had a nice lunch at Artisan's Grill in Luray, and back to the park and ride by 5pm.
On Saturday after a leisurely breakfast we proceeded down the slope, a little easier after getting rid of some food and water. We then descended eastward on the Gap Creek Trail and then turned south on the Massanutten Trail. We stashed our packs and then proceeded out the spur to Strickler Knob. The pink-blazed spur (which I consider the mother of all rock hops) winds out along the ridge top for about .5 miles to the Knob, offering some great views along the way. By this time the wind had picked back up and the skies were clouding up, so we were not inclined to stay very long. We met several parties on our way back from the Knob, and then more as we approached the main trail.
Donning our packs we proceeding along the Massanutten Trail, the Scothorn Gap Trail, and then retraced our steps back down the Gap Creek Trail to the car. Pretty much level or downhill all the way from Strickler. Lots of cars at the trailhead. We had a nice lunch at Artisan's Grill in Luray, and back to the park and ride by 5pm.
