Mount Pleasant Loop
Amherst, Virginia
Details
Distance
5.98 miles
Elevation Gain
1427 ft
Route Type
Loop
Description
Added by Christin Healey
Mount Pleasant Loop is a great beginners backpacking trip or hiking day trip to see west and east facing summits and to catch a great sunset and sunrise. One of the prettiest backcountry campsites I have ever experienced with easy access to water, dog friendly and very secluded. A true local gem.
From the Mount Pleasant Parking Area, take the blue blazed Pompey Mountain Trail that is just beyond the horse gate. As it's a loop, you can start at either entrance, but I prefer heading left to get the longer leg of the hike before the summit (always better to have an easy journey down in the am). At mile 2.5, you will intersect with the Henry Lanum Memorial Trail and there is a sign for the summit of Mount Pleasant.
There are also places to camp in this area if you prefer to not camp near the summit or all those spots are taken. It's .5 miles to the summit and some of the prettiest backcountry campsites in Virginia. There are three sites up there, all with small rocky fire pits. Going during the week, I was the only one there hiking and camping.
Near the summit, there are two lookouts -- one east facing and one west facing. Turn left for east, and right for west. The two lookouts are one of my favorite things about backpacking to this spot. The next morning, or when you are done enjoying the view, just head down to the intersection of Henry Lanum Memorial Trail and head left to complete the 6.15 mile loop. If you want, you can combine this trail with Cole Mountain for a 12 mile trip.
The Mount Pleasant Scenic Area is part of the George Washington National Forest, and does not require any passes or permits for entrance, camping, or hiking. This is a pretty off the radar area, but be warned that Boy Scouts do bring their troops here, but they camp near the parking area and not near the summit. Enjoy this little known gem!
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Mount Pleasant Loop Reviews
The parking lot is all the way at the top of a tiny gravelly road that will tear up your car, but the hike and the views are so worth it. It's a great sunset hike, but a little scary walking back in total darkness so definitely bring headlamps/flashlights or set up camp for the night! There definitely aren't very many people, even on a summer weekend evening, so if you're looking for a serene spot to catch a gorgeous sunset, this is the hike for you.
5.0
This is a beautiful hike which I've done twice while running the Mountain Masochist 50 Miler. It's one of the prettiest views in the area and definitely worthy of your time and energy. My only suggestion is to avoid hiking it the first weekend of November as there will be ~350-400 people on this trail throughout the day as this summit hike is part of the Masochist Trail Run and the road to the trailhead will be massively congested. It's a great atmosphere but likely the most crowded weekend of the year!
5.0
This hike has a high reward to hiking effort ratio. I hiked it as an out and back along the Henry Lanum Trail...it gets the steepest along the spur trail to the summit, but it is not a difficult hike overall. The views from the two summits are much better than the nearby Cole Mountain in my opinion, and I only encountered 8 other hikers on a summer weekend. Definitely a hike to add to your list!
5.0
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