Clarke County Highpoint Trip Report

four points on Blue Ridge (1,920+ ft)

Date: July 4, 2007
Author: Brennan Connelly

I did the 2 southern areas first. The mowed area is almost certainly the higher of the 2. I parked in the County Line parking area and noted the blazes described by Mike Schwartz and concur that they probably mark the county line as well as the wildlife area boundary. The mowed area has a red gate at its entry with a lovely little hillock towards the back.

From the southern 2, I went back to the end of pavement and took a right on Blue Mountain Rosd which is initially well graded dirt but becomes paved a few miles in. It twists and turns its way down to Howellsville Road by the Shenandoah River. I took a right on Howellsville and followed it north to US 17/50. I took a right on 17/50 and followed it to the top of Ashby Gap and took a left on Blueridge Mountain Road and followed it to the tower as described in previous reports.

I parked at the gate and bushwhacked back towards the power line right of way which I followed until the last pole. I then cut across 50 yards of open woods to the driveway. There were a couple of cars and I wasn't in the mood to explain why I was trespassing so I stayed back in the woods and checked out a few HP possibilities. I also like the spot on the rocky outcrop as mentioned in Ryan Bowles's report from a few years back. I spent about 20 minutes surmounting numerous bumps until I was satisfied and covered in spider webs.