Rockingham County Highpoint Trip Report

Date: May 11, 2008
Author: Scott Surgent

A break in the rain - the Weather Channel says the big system moving through will disappear then another big one will come through late Sunday (today). Given that, I made a very early run at Slate Springs Mountain (Rockingham VA cohp) and Reddish Knob (likely p2k peak).

The drive from Winchester area past Harrisonburg took about an hour. I followed VA-257 through Bridgewater, Dayton, and Ottobine to Briery Branch then up the paved forest road to the Briery Gap on the WV/VA line. No rain but blowing very heavily and very cold - low 40s. I chanced my little Chevy Malibu rental about a mile up the road toward Slate Springs Summit but then parked when I hit some big mud patches and walked from there.

Moved fast to stay warm. Views were nice but probably nicer in clear weather.

Back to my car, I drove back to the gap then up the paved road to Reddish Knob summit. This was a disappointing top - the paved parking area and guard rails are covered over in graffiti. I beat the rain barely, getting a good soak when back on I-81.