Chief Benge Scout Trail
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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
There are two routes to the High Knob Trailhead from Gate City, VA. One is direct for 25 miles on backroads in the Jefferson National Forest; the other, is 40 miles but less than ten minutes longer due to better highway road. Choice depends on what you are doing. The latter is better for an in-and-out hike from High Knob, while the latter would also be better for dropping off a shuttle car.
Better road route:
- 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.
Backroad route: Located off This is the westernmost point on the trail. To reach the trailhead, head north on Rte 619 from Ft. Blackmore. After 3.6 miles, you will need to make an abrupt right turn to remain on 619. The scenic gravel road heads straight up the side of High Knob for 14.9 miles past Ft. Blackmore before you turn right onto Rte 238. After 1.6 miles, turn right onto Rte 233. Follow Rte 233 to a parking area at the end.
Little Stony Creek Falls access point from Gate City, VA:
- Turn onto VA 71 north (no sign here).
- After one mile, turn left on VA 72 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 state route 664 and go 1.1 miles
- Turn left onto gravel forest service road 700 and go 1.4 miles
- At the road split take the left (forest service road 701) and go 1 mile to gravel parking area
Route Description
The 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.
| 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.
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. 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
The trail varies depending on what section. Can be steep trail. Multiple creek crossings. Some blowdowns reported to be still on the trail from 2009 and 2011 winter storms. So be prepared.
Fees, Permits, etc.
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
Maps
<googlemap version="0.9" lat="36.9" lon="-82.53" type="terrain" zoom="12" width="725" scale="yes" icons="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/marker{label}.png"> http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Chief_Benge_Scout_Trail.kml http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Little_Stony_Creek_Falls_Trail.kml
(G) 36.89352, -82.62847 High Knob trailhead (G) access point (G) access point (G) 36.8699, -82.4632 Little Stony Falls access point (G) 36.8609,-82.44625 Hanging Rock Rec. Area trailhead (C) 36.87133, -82.46203 Little Stony Upper Waterfall </googlemap>
Photos
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