Purchase Ridge: Difference between revisions
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<!-- The following few lines create the "Infobox" table template. Please scroll down to edit the main content of the article. --> | <!-- The following few lines create the "Infobox" table template. Please scroll down to edit the main content of the article. --> | ||
{{Infobox Trail | {{Infobox Trail | ||
| Image Name = | | Image Name = NTSP - Purchase Ridge Overlook.JPG | ||
| City = Duffield | | City = Duffield | ||
| State = Virginia | | State = Virginia | ||
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#At Hampton, stay on US19E as it veers right. | #At Hampton, stay on US19E as it veers right. | ||
#Veer right at State Route 646 until reaching park entrance. | #Veer right at State Route 646 until reaching park entrance. | ||
#Continue to the | #Continue to just past the camp store on right to find the main trailhead. | ||
There appears to be multiple | There appears to be multiple trail access points. This main trailhead is between the camp store and Cove View campground area, and intersects with the [[Gorge Ridge Trail]]. From the cabins area, take the short connectors [[Buck Rub Trail]] or [[Cabin Trail]]. | ||
== Route Description== | == Route Description== | ||
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Are there any side trails that are worth traveling? --> | <!-- Detailed description of the route. Are there any side trails that are worth traveling? --> | ||
The main 2.1 miles of trail wanders up and around the summit. | The main 2.1 miles of trail wanders up and around the summit. The path has been improved in recent years with several switchbacks to eliminate straight up the hill approaches. It also has a couple of benches at intersections with the access trails. | ||
Once up the hill, there a small shelter (useful during the cold rain) and bench on the loop. Take a right (counter-clockwise) to reach the wood overlook structure on the northwest side. A slot in the forest has been cut to give a view down to the main tunnel. If your timing is great, then a train will be coming through the tunnel. | |||
Continue around the loop to reach the junction for the main trail to return back to trailhead. Alternatively, take the short [[Cabin Trail]] over to the roadway for the walk back. This latter makes an easy 3.25 mile total distance. | |||
== Typical Conditions == | == Typical Conditions == | ||
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees? --> | <!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees? --> | ||
Hard packed dirt - shared with bikes, so be alert. | Hard packed dirt - shared with bikes, so be alert. A walk through hardwood forest, so come in the spring for wildflowers and fall for the leaf color. | ||
==Fees, Permits, etc. == | ==Fees, Permits, etc. == | ||
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== After the Hike == | == After the Hike == | ||
<!-- Other things to check out while you're in the area. Restaurants, attractions, monuments, etc... --> | <!-- Other things to check out while you're in the area. Restaurants, attractions, monuments, etc... --> | ||
Check out the park visitors center. | Visit the camp store for ice cream or a soda. Check out the park visitors center. | ||
== Misc. Information == | == Misc. Information == | ||
Revision as of 06:35, 7 November 2012
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Trail Overview
Located in Natural Tunnel State Park. A couple mile hike from the campground to an overlook viewing the valley with the railroad tunnel.
How to get there
From Kingsport, TN
- Take Highway US-23 north into Virginia for 18 miles.
- At park sign, turn right onto State Route 871 for bit over a mile.
- At Hampton, stay on US19E as it veers right.
- Veer right at State Route 646 until reaching park entrance.
- Continue to just past the camp store on right to find the main trailhead.
There appears to be multiple trail access points. This main trailhead is between the camp store and Cove View campground area, and intersects with the Gorge Ridge Trail. From the cabins area, take the short connectors Buck Rub Trail or Cabin Trail.
Route Description
The main 2.1 miles of trail wanders up and around the summit. The path has been improved in recent years with several switchbacks to eliminate straight up the hill approaches. It also has a couple of benches at intersections with the access trails.
Once up the hill, there a small shelter (useful during the cold rain) and bench on the loop. Take a right (counter-clockwise) to reach the wood overlook structure on the northwest side. A slot in the forest has been cut to give a view down to the main tunnel. If your timing is great, then a train will be coming through the tunnel.
Continue around the loop to reach the junction for the main trail to return back to trailhead. Alternatively, take the short Cabin Trail over to the roadway for the walk back. This latter makes an easy 3.25 mile total distance.
Typical Conditions
Hard packed dirt - shared with bikes, so be alert. A walk through hardwood forest, so come in the spring for wildflowers and fall for the leaf color.
Fees, Permits, etc.
Daily parking fee for passenger vehicles into VA state parks is $2 weekdays, $3 weekends. Bring exact change.
After the Hike
Visit the camp store for ice cream or a soda. Check out the park visitors center.
Misc. Information
Maps
<googlemap version="0.9" lat="36.6985" lon="-82.738" type="terrain" zoom="15" scale="yes" icons="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/marker{label}.png"> http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Natural_Tunnel_SP_-_Purchase_Ridge_Trail.kml http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Natural_Tunnel_SP_-_Cabin_Trail.kml
(A) 36.70278,-82.73775 Parking at campground trailhead (E) 36.69343,-82.74472 Overlook (K) 36.69775,-82.73943 (K) 36.69663,-82.73845 0.5 Mile Marker and Bench (K) 36.69512,-82.74073 </googlemap>
Photos
- Placeholder1.jpg
- Placeholder2.JPG