Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, May 13, 1990 TAG: 9005090276
SECTION: DISCOVER THE NEW RIVER VALLEY PAGE: 43 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: SU CLAUSON SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
From the north, the trail enters the New River Valley along Sinking Creek Mountain, dips back into Craig County through Sinking Creek Valley, then re-enters Giles at Johns Creek Mountain near Mountain Lake.
It continues over Potts Mountain, through the hamlet of Interior along Big Stony Creek to Peters Mountain, the boundary between Virginia and West Virginia. The trail straddles the ridge for the next 11 miles, then veers to the east above the town of Narrows.
It crosses the Shumate Bridge over the New River on U.S. 460 and heads up Pearis Mountain to Angel's Rest. The trail runs along the top of Pearis to the Sugar Run section of the county and Dismal Creek. It descends along the creek and out into Bland County.
Some of the most scenic spots for a day trip along this trail are the three-mile climb up Angel's Rest, the 11-mile trek across Sinking Creek Mountain near Newport, the five-mile round trip to Kelly's Knob near Newport, the Wind Rock area near Mountain Lake and the Pine Swamp Wilderness Area originating near Giles County's Big Stony Creek.
Pine Swamp Wilderness: Take U.S. 460 21 miles, turn right on Virginia 635 and continue 10 miles. Park at one of several wide spots on the shoulder along Big Stony Creek and follow a path into the woods on your left. In 100 feet, you should join the white-blazed Appalachian Trail as it ascends Peters Mountain.
In about three miles, you will make a wide curve around Pine Swamp Shelter and climb another mile to Pine Swamp, a strange boggy area on the side of the ridge. In May, the area is fragrant with azaleas; in July, keep your eyes open for blueberries.
Most hikers will want to turn around here. The more hardy might opt to continue hiking along the ridge for the next 11 miles, then make the four-mile descent to the Celanese Plant on U.S. 460 near Pearisburg. You can also hike 2 1/2 miles along the ridge to the blue-blazed Dickinson Gap Trail, which will take you two miles down the mountain to Virginia 635 several miles west of your parking spot.
Wind Rock on Salt Pond Mountain: Take U.S. 460 10 miles west of Blacksburg to Virginia 700, turn right and follow the twisting mountain road for 6 1/2 miles to Mountain Lake. The elevation levels off here at about 3,900 feet. Continue north about four miles past the lake on Virginia 613 (Virginia 700 becomes 613) to a parking lot. Look for the white blazes of the Appalachian Trail on your right.
Wind Rock, with a panoramic view of the wooded valley, is half a mile up the trail. Continue 2 1/2 miles, past Lone Pine Peak to the War Branch Trail. At a stand of virgin hemlocks, turn right and go back to Virginia 613. The parking lot is two miles to the north.
Kelly's Knob: Take U.S. 460 west from Blacksburg to Virginia 42. Turn east, go a mile, turn left on Virginia 601, bear right through Clover Hollow and up the mountain to Rocky Gap. The road goes from two-lane and paved to one lane and gravel. Park at Rocky Gap, look for the white trail blazes on the right and begin your climb.
Pass Johns Creek Mountain Trail on your left. In 1 1/2 miles, you will see Big Pond Shelter on the left. The pond is not big. Whether you will be able to see it at all depends on the amount of rainfall we've been having. In about two miles you come to a blue-blazed trail that leads 100 yards to White Rock and a spectacular view of Salt Pond Mountain.
Sinking Creek Mountain from Craig Creek to Sinking Creek: Take U.S. 460 west from Blacksburg for about six miles, turn right on Virginia 621 and go 14.2 miles. The trail starts on the left side of the road.
This is a long (11.2 miles) trek over Sinking Creek Mountain. You might want to camp at Niday Shelter, 1 1/2 miles from your parking spot, for an early start or use the primitive campsite at Cabin Branch (2.2 miles into the woods).
You will ascend the south slope of Sinking Creek Mountain for the first three miles, joining the Niday Trail at the mountain's crest. Here the Appalachian Trail runs west along the ridge line, crossing under the power line in about eight miles. You have a panoramic view of the Sinking Creek Valley from here. In half a mile, you descend into the valley, crossing a stile into a pasture and reaching a parking spot on Virginia 630. The trail turns to the right, crossing a bridge over Sinking Creek, then turning left onto Virginia 629. At 11.2 miles, the trail joins Virginia 42, which runs south to Newport or north to New Castle.
by CNB