NORTH MOUNTAIN SCENIC BYWAY RICH HOLE WILDERNESS TRAIL The 5.9 mile trail leads to the top of Brushy Mountain and is steep and rocky in places. Within one mile of the trailhead there is an overlook on the left that offers a great view of North Mountain and the valley below. A little further up the trail there is a view of a deep gully with Brushy Mountain in the background. There are many rock outcroppings and jagged boulders on this route to the top of Brushy Mountain. This is the place for some great pictures, so bring your camera. Wilderness areas are designated by Congress to preserve the natural character of an area. They are areas where the earth and community of life are untrammeled by people; where people are visitors who do not remain. Motorized equipment and mechanical transport are not allowed in wilderness areas, and group size is limited to ten people. www.virginia.org/Listings/OutdoorsAndSports/ RichHoleWilderness
DIRECTIONS: Take the Longdale Furnace exit 35 and go east on US Rte 850. After 1.3 miles, turn left onto FDR 108 and continue to the parking area, or continue east on US Rte 850 3.7 more miles to the Rich Hole parking area on the left.
WHITE ROCK TOWER TRAIL This 6.1 mile trail leads to the top of Mill Mountain and passes through several switch backs. It is steep and rocky in places with an occasional boulder along the way. At the top of the ridge is the old White Rock Tower site. The fire tower is gone now but the concrete foundation is still visible and there is an abandoned building and storage tank on the site. The trail turns southwest and follows the ridge, and eventually winds down to FR 333 in a series of switchbacks and steep stairs. In places rock cliffs are visible just off the trail. www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gwj/recreation/hiking/ recarea/?recid=78573&actid=50
DIRECTIONS: From I-64, take the Longdale Furnace exit 35 and travel east on US Rte 850 1.2 miles to FR 108. Turn Left and go 1 mile and turn right. Parking is approximately 0.32 miles ahead.
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