AT - Little Rock Knob
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Trail Overview
--- Page being written 8/26/2012 Hike along the Appalachian Trail to the northernmost of the Roan Mountain balds – Hump Mountain. The 360 degree views are expansive as you look out in the distances to see Mt. Rogers in Virginia plus Beech and Grandfather Mountains in North Carolina. Nearer by are Grassy Ridge and Roan High Knob to the south. The “Sound of Music” theme song might just run through your head…
How to get there
From Kingsport, TN
- Take I-26 south to Exit 24 for US-321/TN-67 toward Elizabethton.
- Continue through Elizabethton and right at traffic light to stay on US-321 South.
- At Hampton, stay on US19E as it veers right.
- At Roan Mountain, continue straight on US19E for just under four more miles.
- Small (three car) pull-off on right.
(Alternatively at Steps 2-3, once just inside Elizabethton city limits, turn right on TN-362, then right again and follow Gap Creek Rd for 8 miles to US19E, thus bypassing around Elizabethton and Hampton.)
Parking here during the day should be fine, but TEHCC still does not recommend overnight parking on US19E due to repeated incidents of vandalism over the years. Arrange to be dropped off or hire a shuttle from Roan Mountain to leave your vehicle under their watchful care.
Route Description
Follow the white AT blazes southbound up and up, and then return. Pace was just over mile/hour going up and almost three mph coming back down.
| Distance (mi) | Elevation (ft) | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 2,880 | Trailhead at US19E |
| 0.5 | Campground at former Apple House Shelter | |
| 2.6 | 4,400 | Trail reaches a rock overlook with view down into Elk River valley |
| 3.0 | 4,560 | Reach grassy field called Doll Flats |
| 4.6 | Exit woods at fence sty to begin ascending Houston Ridge up the bald | |
| 5.5 | 5,587 | Summit Hump Mountain. Spin around to take in the views. |
Typical Conditions
Maintained Appalachian Trail. Varies from excellent dirt tread to a very rock path to a deep groove up the bald. Can have water flowing down trail if the water bars are not functioning. Trekking poles were well used on the return trip to stabilize the descent.
Fees, Permits, etc.
No permits or fees required. If camping, stay is the prearranged sites to minimize impact.
After the Hike
Misc. Information
Maps
<googlemap version="0.9" lat="36.16" lon="-82.015" type="terrain" zoom="13" scale="yes" icons="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/marker{label}.png"> http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/AT_US19E_to_Hump_Mtn.kml
(A) 36.177234,-82.01189 Parking at US19E (G) 36.1402,-82.01173 Hump Mountain (G) 36.15227,-82.01147 Doll Flats </googlemap>
Photos
Plaque on Houston Ridge for Stan Murray
