Duncan Knob - part 2

From the first stream crossing until the Duncan Knob spur trail head, shown here in the photo, we had two more stream crossings. I have to admit I was surprised at the lack of traffic on the trails – only one mountain biker, a fire/EMT out with her dog, and another guy walking his two shepherd mixes out there – all these on the Massanutten Trail.

I wanted to include this photo because of all the information that was available to us at this point. The trails in GWNF are maintained by PATC. Here we have a guide post and two visible blazes – orange for Massanutten and Blue for the Duncan Knob spur. Plus, the little tent icon points to an excellent campsite about 200 yards from the sign, creek-side.

At this point in the trail we were three miles in. So far, the path had consisted of gentle climbs, the stream crossings, and some interesting forest views. But with about a mile to the Duncan Knob summit, we knew there was 800 feet or so of climbing ahead, and off we went.

This next photo shows our first view of the Knob itself, from a saddle formation just below. In this area there is another campsite, and the Hiking Upward site mentions it but says there is no water nearby. We noticed a small pond/puddle about a quarter mile from the camp, but I’d estimate that is very temporary and dries quickly.

There is still no indication of what’s ahead at this point…hikers are still about a quarter mile from what’s really interesting about this hike – the rock scramble. This is not a technical scramble, like what’s on top of Old Rag – it’s a field of large boulders strewn about. I think the word scramble fits this experience better – while you’re freelancing your way through, you never touch solid ground, and you are using all fours to get through. And – no blazes here to guide you through to the top.

Here are a few highlight shots of this formation. First, Tom and I as we prepared to began the scramble, the last blaze just behind us; an in-your-face photo of the terrain, and finally a look ahead to the summit.

Tomorrow’s final post on the hike will include views from up there – even though the summit is in the middle of the ridge, there are surprising views of Page Valley from there.