Signal Knob/Meneka Peak Loop
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Description: This is a strenuous 10.6 mile circuit
with outstanding views of Fort Valley, the Shenandoah Valley and the
Great North Mountain to the West. The usual route includes utilizing
the portion of the Massanutten Trail between
Signal Knob. You get more views, a nicer trail, a decrease in
mileage of about 0.5 miles and the loss of an additional 400
feet of elevation gain by retracing your steps to Meneka Peak Trail
and using that as a connector to the Bear Wallow/Tuscarora Trail.
This is the route described here.
The Signal Knob Parking area is on the west side of RT 678 and is signed.
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Zipped National Geographic. TOPO! GPS and Universal GPX Files |
Trail Notes: The Hike starts in the north-west corner of the parking lot. Pick up the orange-blazed Massanutten Trail (formerly Signal Knob Trail) and follow it up a stream.
About 20 yards before a spring house (concrete slab with white PVC pipe) cross the stream and begin a series of long switchbacks past Buzzard Rocks Overlook (1.2 miles from the start), Fort Valley Overlook (0.8 miles from the previous overlook) and finally to a large campsite about 0.7 miles from the Fort Valley Overlook. There is supposed to be another overlook here on a side trail heading north-east but the trail, as well as the overlook, appears to be overgrown. The footing can be tricky along this stretch because of the loose rock. Be Careful!
Continue to
climb but less steeply. Pass white-blazed Meneka Peak Trail on
the left at about 0.6 miles from the campsite. Continue
approximately 1 mile, passing the TV tower. Follow the sign to
a panoramic view of the
After relaxing
an ample amount of time retrace your steps to the Meneka Peak
Trail. Turn right and climb slightly to the highest point on
the west ridge and more views of
At 1.21 miles from the turn-off come to the intersection of the blue-blazed Bear Wallow-Tuscarora Trail. Turn left and follow it t through a series of switchbacks to the valley floor.
At about 1.7 miles from the last turn-off pass pink-blazed Rattle Snake Trail on your right and in 0.9 more miles the white-blazed turn-off for Elizabeth Furnace Campground on your right.
In about 0.8 miles the blue and now orange-blazed Tuscarora/Massanutten Trail will turn right at a stream crossing. Stay straight on the orange-blazed Massanutten trail and arrive back at the cars in about 0.5 mile. |
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________________________________________ Name: Mike Mayton
Hike: Signal Knob ________________________________________ Name: Carol Branscome
Hike: Signal Knob/Meneka Peak Loop ________________________________________ Name: Michael Eckert
Hike: Signal Knob /Meneka Peak loop ________________________________________ Name: Larry
Hike: Signal Knob /Meneka Peak loop ________________________________________
Name: Robyn Hike: Signal Knob-Meneka Peak
Date: 6.16.07
Rating: 5
Name: Cham Green
Hike:
Signal Knob - Meneka Peak Name: Jeff Schneider Hike:
Signal Knob / Meneka Peak Loop ________________________________________ |