Rockfish to Reeds: SECTION 6

1.4 Miles

Howardsville Turnpike to Bear Spring

Rogers Switchback - This is the first switchback (going south) after leaving the Howardsville Turnpike and starting up Humpback Mountain. A maintainer from the Tidewater Appalachian Trail Club built this switchback during the Humpback AT Relo project. At the time, the way he used rocks with any pointy ends 'up' to junk the switchback and keep hikers from 'cutting' across gave it a distinctive look (like a dragon's back). The switchback has 'weathered in' .... doesn't look so much like a dragon any more, but it's a nice reminder of our friend from TATC every time we hike by.

Kyle Steps - Another Humpback AT Relo project, these steps were built by (and named for) a club maintainer who had some help from a couple of young volunteers. This is a good example of some great rock work and the steps are easy to hike and holding up beautifully.

Kyle Steps going south (Photo: Merlot 11-17-2012)

Rattlesnake Corner - This is a distinctive, sharp turn at a switchback with a big rock anchoring the turn. A rattlesnake was frequenting this 'corner' during the Humpback AT Relo project when this switchback was built and on at least one occasion, he rattled at folks who were off the trail nearby, gathering rocks. The snake eventually abandoned his favorite spot, but the name has remained.

Rattlesnake Corner heading south, view going up the trail & left turn

(Photo: Merlot 11-17-2012)

MacDougall Steps - A Regional ATC Rep conducted a rock workshop during the Humpback AT Relo project to build these steps and they are named after him. The workshop participants used a 'zip line' to get some very large rocks down a steep slope to the step site. The rock work is superb and the steps curve beautifully around a switchback in the trail.

The view up the MacDougall Steps (Photo: Merlot 11-17-2012)

Looking down the MacDougall Steps. (Photo: Merlot 6/2012)

Fan/Blackboard Rock - Not far up the trail from the MacDougall Steps is a large rock that reminds some folks of a fan and some folks think it looks more like a blackboard (large & relatively flat) .... except it's gray. It's an unusual rock and a good landmark.