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Edition 11/21/2009
Section 7b
MIDDLE MOUNTAIN
Left Prong Wilson Creek to VA 606
9.2 miles, 0.5 mile road walk
Parking
1. North end of section: From I-64 Exit 27, take VA 629 north 9 miles to FDR 125, left 1.1 miles, park on right after crossing creek.
2. Clifton Forge Reservoir parking: From I-64 Exit 24, enter Clifton Forge on Business US 60
Rose Avenue becomes Sioux Avenue, goes under I-64 and becomes VA 606, Sulfur Spring Road, go 2.7 mile past I-64 and turn right on gravel road and go 0.4 mile.
3. South end of section: Same as 2., but dont turn on gravel road and park on right side of VA 606. Shuttle North to south: Continue west on FDR 125 8.8 miles to VA 606, left 2.0 miles.
South to north: Continue west on VA 606 2.0 miles to FDR 125, right 8.8 miles. Maps USGS 7½ Quadrangles: Healing Springs, VA; Clifton Forge, VA
National Geographic Map Trails Illustrated Map 788 Covington Alleghany Highlands Trail Description, North to South Miles Data
0.0 North end of section: FDR 125 crossing of Left Prong Wilson Creek. Just east of creek, Great Eastern Trail follows blue-blazed Middle Mountain Trail to right, first dropping, then climbing. No horses allowed at this point (they may climb up Middle Mountain from Brown Hollow Trail).
0.3 Intersection with yellow-blazed Brown Hollow Trail to left with signs. GET continues uphill on Middle Mountain Trail.
2.6 Intersection with Salt Stump Trail, forking to left. Salt Stump Trail leads into Douthat State Park.
2.8 Intersection with new trail to Sandy Gap, forking to right.
3.7 Intersection with Sandy Gap Trail, to right. Immediately after this intersection is Blue Suck Trail, to left leading into Douthat State Park.
4.3 Stony Run Trail leads ahead into Douthat State Park, while Middle Mountain Trail and GET go right.
5.3 Middle Mountain Trail becomes Fore Mountain Trail as trail crosses from Bath County and Warm Springs Ranger District to Alleghany County and James River Ranger District.
5.8 As ridge crest descends, an incomplete trail relocation (blazed and cleared, but not graded) goes left.
6.2 Incomplete trail relocation rejoins graded trail near crest of Pine Spur Ridge. On crest of Pine Spur Ridge, Fore Mountain Trail turns left as unmaintained trail continues ahead. Trail descends with switchbacks.
8.1 Relocated Fore Mountain Trail turns left.
8.5 Trail reaches a moss road; go right on moss road.
8.7 Trail leaves moss road to right, descends to gravel road. Go right on gravel road.
8.8 Cross large culvert over Smith Creek and beyond gate is parking area for Clifton Forge Reservoir. Gravel access road goes to right, which Fore Mountain Trail follows.
9.2 Gravel road ends on VA 606, Sulfur Spring Road. South end of section. GET continues across VA 606, to the right. Trail Description, South to North
Miles Data
0.0 South end of section: VA 606, Sulfur Spring Road at intersection with gravel road to Clifton Forge Reservoir. Great Eastern Trail follows gravel road.
0.4 Parking for Clifton Forge Reservoir and gate. Go by gate and cross large culvert over Smith Creek.
0.5 On far side of Smith Creek, find Fore Mountain Trail leading uphill to left away from road. Trail leads up hill and to a moss road.
0.7 Trail makes a sharp left turn off moss road (caution! in 2009 this point was poorly blazed. If you get to a point where the moss road intersects with a road to the right, you missed turn. If so go back, and it is easier to see.)
1.1 Trail reaches old trail and turns right and begins long ascent up Pine Spur Ridge.
3.0 High point on Pine Spur Ridge. Fore Mountain Trail turns right at intersection with unmaintained trail to left. Just past this, there is an incomplete trail relocation (blazed and cleared, but not graded) forks right as graded trail descends more steeply.
3.4 Incomplete trail relocation rejoins graded trail on Middle Mountain ridge. Go right, uphill.
4.0 Fore Mountain Trail becomes Middle Mountain Trail where Alleghany County and James River Ranger District become Bath County and Warm Springs Ranger District.
4.9 Intersection with Stony Run Trail, which leads right into Douthat State Park. Middle Mountain Trail turns left.
5.5 Intersection with Blue Suck Trail to right, which leads into Douthat State Park; then Sandy Gap Trail to left.
6.4 Intersection with new trail to Sandy Gap, to left.
6.6 Intersection with Salt Stump Trail to right, which leads into Douthat State Park.
8.9 Intersection with Brown Hollow Trail to right. Horses following Middle Mountain Trail must use Brown Hollow Trail to go toward Wilson Creek and FDR 125.
9.2 Middle Mountain Trail descends to Left Prong of Wilson Creek and ends on FDR 125, Smith Creek Road. GET turns left onto FDR 125. North end of this section as FDR crosses Left Prong Wilson Creek. Trail condition report GET Guidebook Contents |
