Humpback Rock Plus Bonus Views-8 Miles-Moderately Strenuous
Details
Starting Point - Humpback Parking Area
Ending Point - Humpback Parking Area
Hike Distance/Rating - 8 Miles/Moderately Strenuous
Trailhead GPS Coordinates - 37.968503, -78.896569
PLEASE NOTE: This is a moderately strenuous hike starting from the Humpback Rock Parking Area just after Mile Marker 5 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are no vetting questions for this hike. This is still a challenging hike that will primarily use the Appalachian Trail. This is an out-and-back and circuit hike. You still need to be in good shape to complete this hike. The noted Meetup time pinned location is the site and location for the organized carpool. For those going straight to the trailhead, I will post a comment closer to the hike with the expected arrival time at the trailhead of the organized carpool.
Hike Highlights - Humpback Rock Trail, Appalachian Trail, Humpback Rock, Humpback Mountain, 3 bonus vistas that most people don't go to
Hike Details - This hike leader is coming out of hike leader retirement to lead a couple hikes each month starting in September. We are going to start the hike from the Humpback Rock Parking Area and steeply climb up to the 360-degree views that is Humpback Rock. After making the steep climb up to the viewpoint, we will soak in the views and take a whole bunch of pictures. After soaking in the views, we will climb to the junction of the Appalachian Trail. We will turn south on the Appalachian Trail and continue to climb Humpback Mountain. At the summit of Humpback Mountain, we will do a bushwack to another viewpoint. After soaking in those views, we will continue on the ridgeline to the 2nd and 3rd vista points. These 2 vista points are on the Appalachian Trail. At the 3rd and final vista point, we will have lunch and enjoy the views. This will also be our turn around spot. We will retrace our steps back to the Appalachian Trail junction from Humpback Rock. We will continue north on the Appalachian Trail and complete the circuit back to the cars at the parking area. There will be an optional post hike social gathering at one of the breweries in the Crozet area. We will have a choice of either Pro Rx Nata or Blue Mountain Brewery.
What to Bring - Good Day Pack, Good Hiking Boots/Shoes, Layers for Possible Cooler Fall Weather, Sunscreen, Tick Repellent, Lunch/Snacks, 3 to 5 Liters of Water/Electrolytes depending on the Weather, Camera, Money for your Driver is participating in the organized carpool, Money for the Post Hike