Sarah GoochExplorer

The parking area for the Hightop Mountain hike is one mile south of the Swift Run Gap entrance on Skyline Drive. If you’re looking to add extra mileage to your hike, you can also park at the entrance and pick up the Appalachian Trail just south of the overpass (doing so will add 1.2 miles each way).The easy-to-navigate hike follows the white-blazed Appalachian Trail for the entire route. The ...

Walking in either direction, the trail is easy to follow. If you take the loop counter-clockwise, you will reach the Grinnell Glacier parking area in just over a half mile (which is an alternate starting point for this trail). Follow the signs and continue left to rejoin the trail. About a mile later, you will reach the southern boat dock. I would recommend the short detour here, which will tak...

There are two route options, both are under 2 miles and are suitable for hikers of all experience levels. The shortest option, a 1-mile circuit, follows the Appalachian Trail from the Blackrock Summit parking area, which is just north of mile marker 85 on Skyline Drive. With only 175-feet of elevation gain, the trail is an easy walk to the summit. Once the trees open up, you will be treated to...

The large open meadow at the summit of Cole Mountain is a unique and breathtaking experience that is worth the 5.8 mile hike. Cole Mountain is frequently referred to as Cold Mountain, but the official name listed by the United States Geological Survey is the former. This hike is in the George Washington National Forest and starts a few miles north of Route 60 in Central Virginia. The parking...

House Mountain provides two amazing views via two out-and-back hikes, for a combined hike of 8.75 miles. If you’re short on energy and/or time, the 6 miles round trip to Big House Mountain is (in my opinion) the better of the two overlooks. Either way, keep in mind that this hike covers a great deal of elevation gain across primitive trails. Allow plenty of time to complete one or both! The...

The main trail to the Middle Gaylor Lake is about 1.5 miles round-trip, but if you’re looking for more adventure, you can hike a little further to Upper Gaylor Lake (which will add a mile to your trip) or continue on to the Great Sierra Mine (which will add 2 miles to your trip). The Gaylor Lake Trail begins off the parking lot next to the Tioga Pass entrance. If the lot is full, there is ano...

Chimney Rock (also referred to as Chimney Top) is a hidden gem in the Monongahela National Forest that offers some of the best views in the state of West Virginia.  There are several trail options that pass this overlook, including a 24 mile point-to-point backpack of the North Fork Mountain Trail, but this adventure details the hike via the Landis Trail off of Smoke Hole Road.  This is the sho...

Tenaya Lake is located alongside Tioga Road in the park's Tuolumne Meadows region. There is a family-friendly trail that surrounds the lake. Though some spots along the trail on the western shore may require fording the waters, the 2.5-mile trip is an easy hike for all to enjoy. Many others prefer to find a sunny spot along the shore to relax and enjoy the views and the clear waters. Parking...