Editing Chief Benge Scout Trail

{{Trail
|Banner Image=File:CBST Trail Sign.JPG
|Trail Highlight=Long single trail good for backpacking
|City=Norton
|Trail Marking=Yellow
|Trail Use=Hiking, Camping, Fishing
|Trail Features=Waterfalls, Vistas, Mountains
|Difficulty Rating=Hard
|Hike Time=10 hrs
|Trail Distance=18.7 mi
|Round Trip Distance=37.4 mi
|Trail Type=In-and-Out
|High Point=3,450 ft
|Low Point=1,360 ft
|Elevation Gain=-99
|Elevation Loss=-99
|Elevation Change Direction=North-to-South
|Parking location=36.89352, -82.62847
|Trailhead location=36.89352, -82.62847
}}
{{Trail Map|Other Trails=Little Stony Creek Falls|Zoom Cancel=yes}}

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== Trail Overview ==
Chief Benge Scout Trail (CBST) is a good overnight backpacking opportunity or hike a section.  Things to see and enjoy vary from High Knob overlook, cold mountain lakes, following streams in deep gorges, and Little Stony plunge waterfall.

== How to get there ==
<!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. -->

There are several routes to the High Knob Trailhead from Gate City, VA.  One is direct for 25 miles on backroads in the Jefferson National Forest; another, is 40 miles but less than ten minutes longer due to better highway road.  Choice depends on what you are doing and how much time available.  

<u>Better road route to High Knob</U>:
#Take US23 north for 33 miles around to Norton, VA.
#Turn right/east on Hoot Owl Hollow Road/Route 622 for 1.5 miles.
#Turn right/south on Alley Valley Road for just under three miles.
#Turn sharp left/NE on FS Road 238 for half mile.
#Turn right/SW for short road to the former site of the High Knob Observation Tower. 

<u>Backroad route to High Knob</u>:
#Take VA71 east out of Gate City for couple of miles.
#Turn left/north on VA72 for 11 miles to Ft. Blackmore.
#Turn left/north on Big Stoney Creek Road for 3.6 miles.
#Veer right/north to take Alley Valley Road/FS 213 for half mile, then first left to stay on Alley Valley Road for another winding 7.5 miles. 
#Veer right/NE on FS Road 238 for half mile.
#Turn right/SW for short road to the former site of the High Knob Observation Tower.

<u>[[Little Stony Creek Falls]] trailhead</u>: 
#Take VA71 east of Gate City for couple of miles. 
#Turn left/north on VA72 and proceed north (through Ft. Blackmore and Dungannon, then past USFS Hanging Rock Recreation Area) for about 29 miles. The last road section will be very curvy. 
#Turn left onto VA664 and go 1.1 miles 
#Turn left onto gravel FS Road 700 and go 1.4 miles 
#At the road split take the left (FS Road 701) and go 1 mile to gravel parking area.

<u>For a car drop at Hanging Rock Rec. Area, then starting at High Knob</u>:
#Take VA71 east of Gate City for couple of miles.
#Turn left/north on VA72 and proceed 22 miles north (through Ft. Blackmore and Dungannon) to USFS Hanging Rock Recreation Area.
#Drop off shuttle vehicle.
#Continue north on VA72 another eight miles to Norton, VA.
#Turn west on Highway US58 for nine miles to Exit #1.
#Take exit south onto Alley Valley Road/FS 213 for four miles. 
#Turn sharp left/NE on FS Road 238 for half mile.
#Turn right/SW for short road to the former site of the High Knob Observation Tower.
#You're now at High Knob to begin the trip.

== Route Description==
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
The [http://www.explorescottcountyva.com/article.php?id=38 Scott County Chamber of Commerce] has an excellent write-up of CBST with trailhead access and general description.  Below is a summary until others can contribute more details.

{| class="wikitable" border=1"
|-
!Access Point
!Distance (mi)
!Elevation (ft)
|----
|High Knob 
|0.0
|
|----
|High Knob Lake
|1.0
|
|----
|Mountain Fork
|3.9
|
|----
|Edith Gap
| 
|
|----
|Bark Camp Lake
| 
|
|----
|Little Stony Falls
|16.6 
|
|----
|Hanging Rock Rec. Area
|19.2 
|
|----
|}

Distances are from High Knob.  The last section is an extension onto [[Little Stony Creek Falls]] trail.

Access at Mountain Fork is from FS Road 704 which is locked for winter from Sept 15 thru May 15.

The recommended backpacking route is to drop off a vehicle at Hanging Rock Rec. Area, then start at High Knob so overall heading downhill.  At Bark Camp Lake which is roughly mid-way, the trail splits to go around both sides as Lakeshore Trail.  Travel around the northern shore for campground with showers and bathrooms (open April into October), or proceed around southern shore for a backcountry spot. The following day continues downstream, then past falls on Little Stony Creek to the car shuttle.

== Typical Conditions ==
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees?  -->
The trail varies depending on what section. Can be steep.  Multiple creek crossings.

==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
<!-- Please list any Fees, Permits, Regulations, etc. that may be required on this trail.-->
Camping is at High Knob Lake and Bark Camp Lake, which have $10-12/site fees.  Hanging Rock and High Knob Recreation Areas have $3 day use fees.

== Misc. Information ==
<!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. Any seasonal features, factoids, etc...? -->


== Photos ==
{{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=High Knob trailhead
|Marker Location=36.89352, -82.62847
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=High Knob Lake access point
|Marker Description=Picnic area
|Marker Location=36.8915, -82.61927
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Mountain Fork access point - locked in winter
|Marker Location=36.88812, -82.58563
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Edith Gap access point
|Marker Location=36.88128, -82.55355
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Bark Camp Lake access point
|Marker Location=36.8677, -82.5157
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Little Stony Falls access point
|Marker Description=[[Image:CBST Trail Sign.JPG|150px]]
|Marker Location=36.8699, -82.4632
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Hanging Rock Rec. Area trailhead
|Marker Description=[[Image:Little Stony Creek Falls trailhead sign.JPG|150px]]
|Marker Location=36.8609,-82.44625
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Waterfall
|Marker Title=Little Stony Upper Waterfall
|Marker Description=[[Image:Upper Falls Little Stony Creek.JPG|150px]]
|Marker Location=36.87133, -82.46203
}}