Rockingham County High Point Trip Report
Flagpole Knob
Date: October 2, 1999
Author: Ron Tagliapietra
I recommend ascending VA 257 and FS 924 from the east.
This route is paved to Briery Branch Gap. I reached the gap from the west.
If you wish to do this, turn east from US 220 at the first paved right north of
VA and near a cluster of trailers. Follow this to highway 25 and that to Sugar Grove.
When 25 ends at 21, go left through "town" and take the right just beyond the
bridge and the ATCO station/country store. This road becomes gravel
quickly -- and steep -- but remains passable for the many miles to the gap.
The northbound gravel road is the route to the summit. Most people will
probably be willing to drive all the way, but I parked at one of the earlier
of the many turnouts and walked the rest. Piped spring on left is key landmark.
Right hand fork at start of last gap has dirt piles to stop vehicles
but continues to a summit. However, I think the route continued a little
(though the left track is easier to use with a spur) to the obvious summit,
where one of two campsites probably covers the BM. Decent views.
However, when you have returned to Briery Branch Gap, I highly recommend taking
the paved road going south (one lane with turnouts), which is signed 3 miles
to Reddish Knob (at 2.7, a spur goes left for 0.3 mi. to the summit parking area).
Reddish Knob is higher than Flagpole Knob (but across a county line),
has (borderline) 2000-foot prominence, and has great 360 view. Note footings
for lookout tower, but no BM again.
This is what most people come up here for - don't miss it.