Augusta County Highpoint Trip Report
Date: August 31, 2004
Author: Don Desrosiers
I came up the FR from 42, so we should now have at least 3 different ways to get to the top of this one.
From the intersection of VA 39 and VA 42 in Goshen, go north on 42 for 17.8 miles (Hotshot HQ is at 12.9
and GWNF sign is at 15.9) and turn left into the VERY SMALL parking lot. If coming from the north, at
the intersection of 42 and 254 in Buffalo Gap, go south 3.4 miles to the top of a small rise and the trailhead
on the right. Note: this trailhead comes on you very suddenly. There is a small sign with "1065" and room
for two cars if you park nicely.
The first half mile or so is a fairly gentle rise to about the 2500 foot mark. After that, it keeps at you until
about the 3700 foot level. The climb will abate somewhat at the point that you can see the
radio towers in front of you.
For the most part, you are pretty much paralleling the power line up. The short scrub has grown
up somewhat, so the walk is not bad, although it might be brutal in a couple of places at midday in July.
Go past the small pond on the right and follow the obvious trail to the top.
There is a fire tower at the top.
The gate was unlocked so you could climb it but is blocked just before the top.
The actual HP is open to interpretation.
The jumble of rocks is the highest thing but I suspect it is man-made. Your call on this one.
Hike statistics: About 2.5 miles and 2-1/3 hours round-trip, with 2,300 feet of elevation gain.