Visit Smith Mountain via Peak 5495'

The usual route to Smith Mountain starts near the long-defunct Valley of the Moon Plantation -- we will attempt an alternate use-trail/fire-break route from near the end of Highway 39.

The firebreak has only about 100' of gain from highway 39, then we will plummet downward to Smith Saddle and then up again to Smith Mountain. We will take the opportunity to explore two lesser summits to the west of Smith.

From there we will descend via the usual route.

If we have extra energy, we can explore the 1 mi round-trip Lewis Falls...

Stats: 700' gain, 6 miles. Steep firebreaks for a lot of the trip... Lewis Falls may add a mile.