|
| By:
|
Rating:  |
Date of Hike: Sunday, July 9, 2017 |
Got a late start and because didn't want get caught by darkness just went to the intersection with the Compton Trail. Possum Rest Overlook pretty much obscured by trees this time of year. I'm sure it's spectacular in the Fall/Winter. Saw 2 bear cubs right after Possum Rest, and a through hiker saw a cub in the area from Spring Road to Possum Rest.
I'll do this hike again, probably in the Fall.
|
|
| By:
|
Rating: |
Date of Hike: Saturday, July 1, 2017 |
| Nice hike. Basalt Columns are great. The 8.5 miles is one way. I "only" did out and back to Compton peak. Lots of AT through hikers. They are so friendly. Many had a story to share.
|
|
| By:
|
Rating: |
Date of Hike: Saturday, June 13, 2015 |
Did this as an out and back hike, turning around at mile 7 after going out and doing the west overlook and basalt columns. This hike was much more challenging than I originally anticipated and the 90+ degree heat and high humidity didn't help. I disagree with the original rating of 4 for views and would give this somewhere between a 2 and 3 instead. I think that it might be more of a 4 in the fall/winter when leaves have fallen but there are not many views aside from the overlooks at mile 7 and Possums Rest Overlook.
After crossing Joy Spring Rd. at mile 1.4 the trail is gradual up hill and starts getting much steeper with switchbacks as you hit mile 2 all the way to mile 3.6. You can definitely make great time on the Compton Gap Trail and then it is uphill once again after you cross Skyline and head up Compton Peak.
Bring plenty of water if you're doing this in the summer! Overall it was a nice hike but I was hoping for some better views. I can definitely see how this would make for great training if you're planning on transitioning to longer hikes.
|
|
| By:
|
Rating:  |
Date of Hike: Saturday, March 14, 2015 |
| I am going to leave a review here but we went Chester north to Manassas Gap. This takes you over High Knob, on the AT through the protect scenic corridor. Lovely day as the rain held off. There are some grassy balds, similar to Cold Moutain/ Mt Pleasant area with old apple trees. Parkiing on Rt 522 and Rt 55 are easily recognized and plentiful. We saw our first through hiker "flip flopping" from Harper's Ferry to Georgia. Several sources of water and the Denton shelter was quite nice with picnic table and rocking chair. Distance was about 8.5 miles of relatively easy hiking. Enjoy.
|
|
| By:
Kellygirl
|
Rating: |
Date of Hike: Saturday, September 27, 2014 |
| I completed this hike as an out and back, starting from 522 and ending at Compton Peak. The two side on Compton Peak were really cool. It was a beautiful day outside and enjoyed the hike. I didn't find the hike that strenuous but I do believe it was around 14 miles round trip. This is a good hike for people who want to transition to longer hikes.
|
|
| By:
|
Rating:  |
Date of Hike: Saturday, December 15, 2012 |
| Definls Postpile National Monument in California is another great example of columnar basalt. http://www.nps.gov/depo/photosmultimedia/index.htm
|
|
| By:
|
Rating: |
Date of Hike: Saturday, December 8, 2012 |
| http://www.meetup.com/hiking-162/photos/12088162/ We started at Compton Gap Parking lot, hit Fort Windham Rocks and then Dickey Ridge. Thought you might enjoy some pictures from Fort Windham Rocks. Great for little kid scramble. We lucked out to see a bear standing in the road on this 70 degreee December day along with hang gliders--ok the hang gliders were not standing in the road, but you'll see that when you check out our pictures.<
|
|
| By:
|
Rating: |
Date of Hike: Saturday, April 28, 2012 |
| We did this hike as an out and back hike. By the time we were done, the GPS gave us 16.75 miles in 7 hrs 28 min. We started out on route 522 parking and hiked the entire trail all the way to Jenkins Gap following the map. We also went a little further on Skyline Drive to the Jenkins Gap Overlook to take some pictures, which is where our turnaround point was. We then headed back down the trail, to the Route 522 parking lot. We did not do the east and west overlook again but did add the 4H Center hike on way back that was just over ½ mile out and back. When we got back to the parking lot we also kept going just a little past the parking area crossing the street and heading north on the AT just to give us the 16.75 mile finish. We started at 10:15 and the parking area was just about full we had to squeeze in a small grassy area that most likely was not meant for parking. This was an enjoyable Spring hike with a wide variety of wildflowers everywhere, the few waterfalls were nice, and the shelter and 4H Center were very welcoming and well taken care of. We rate this hike as a 5 star only because we did it as an out and back which made it more of a challenge.
|
|
