Buchanan County High Point Trip Report

Big A Mountain (3,706 ft)

Date: June 10, 2001
Author: Fred Lobdell

Big A Mountain lies on the Buchanan - Russell county line, but is the high point only for Buchanan. There is a complex of towers at the summit. I first did this one on July 22, 1998, and revisited it on this date, in company with Ken Oeser, Bob Packard, and Kevin Williamson. The route given here is that of the second visit. (We won't discuss the first visit, where I took the wrong road and found myself doing a rough bushwhack, including a very steep final 50 feet to the summit, only to find that a road went all the way to the top.)

From the county line on VA 80, go west on 80 a half mile to the first PAVED left turn. This looks like a driveway, but is actually the road to the top of the mountain. Turn left. The pavement ends after about a half mile, and after another half mile the road begins to climb, a bit steeply in places and with some switchbacks. One more mile brings you to the summit area. A passenger car would probably have some difficulty with this last mile, but a high-clearance vehicle should have no problem, and in fact we were able to take a pick-up to the top. Walk around the towers to be sure you have covered the high ground.