Massanutten West

Signal Knob

This was a very popular hike on a very popular day.  This wasn't the peak leaf day, but it was close enough for most people.  The thing that amazed me is how many people were up there on boulder fields with nothing but cameras and cell phones.  I carry quite a bit of crap on day hikes.  I like to have water and I usually plan my hike around a brown bag lunch.  Part of the reason I carry a first aid kit is because I tend to hike alone.  I carry foul weather gear, no matter what.  The mountains can surprise you with weather at any time, as evidenced by my hike on October 27.  That day, the NWS said there was 0% chance of precipitation.  Um, right.

Anyway, it was a pretty rugged hike.  The up part was well regulated, but the footing really sucked if you weren't expecting a lot of block fields.  I was, so it was no big deal.

Part of the reason I didn't take the Signal Knob Trail all the way to that overlook was that I was really interested in Fort Valley views.  I was also sick of seeing other people.  I figured that most people would stay on the beaten path, and they did.  The Meneka Peak trail and views of the Fort Valley for quite a long way.  It was a very worthwhile hike.  The part of the Tuscarora Trail that I used for the descent was not particularly notable.

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