Alleghany County Highpoint Trip Report
Catherine Knob on Peach Bottom Mtn (4,175 ft)
Date: August 31, 1996
Author: Fred Lobdell
General: While Catherine Knob on Peach Bottom Mountain is listed as the county
high point, there is a second knob, about 0.4 mile east-northeast of Catherine
Knob, that also has a summit area surrounded by a 4,160-foot contour. It was
not possible to determine which was higher, so my recommendation is to climb
both knobs.
Access: Go about 5 miles southeast of Sparta on NC 18. Turn right (northwest)
on Cheek Mountain Road, a good-quality gravel road. Proceed generally west
along this road. You will note that much of the land on the right (north) side
is posted. After about 3 miles, there will be a dirt track heading north toward
a knob on which sits a couple of communications towers. This point on Cheek
Mountain Road is just before it begins a long descent to its intersection with
Doughton Mountain Road. If you start descending, you've gone too far.
There should be a large open shed a short distance up the slope.
I don't know who owns the land but it is not posted.
The Hike: Follow one or another of the dirt tracks up the slope. If you want
to go to the knob with the towers (elevation 4,120+ feet) bear left; otherwise
go right and head directly for Catherine Knob (4,175 feet). From the knob with
the towers you can get an overview of all three knobs on Peach Bottom Mountain.
It is an easy descent of about 150 feet and climb from the southwestern knob to
Catherine Knob. From there it is an even easier walk to the next knob to the
northeast (4,160+ feet).
Return the way you came or descend directly to your vehicle.
This is a round trip hike of about 3 miles if all three knobs are climbed,
with an elevation gain of a little less than 500 feet.