Big Schloss is a peak in the Great North Mountain range of the Ridge and Valley Appalachians, with an elevation of 2,964 feet (903 m).[2] The peak is located in George Washington National Forest on the border of Virginia and West Virginia, though according to Topozone, the actual summit is in Virginia.[2] The trail is part of the Lee Ranger District. It features a rocky outcropping of white sandstone with expansive views into Trout Run Valley in West Virginia and Little Schloss Mountain in Virginia.[2][3]
German settlers gave Big Schloss its name. Schloss is German for "castle", and the name is a reference to the rocky outcrop.[2][3] German was the common language in the area for several years.[3]
A number of hiking trails lead to Big Schloss. Hikers may ascend from Wolf Gap Recreation Area[4] via the Mill Mountain trail, or a circuit hike coming from FDR Rt. 92.[3] The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club maintains the trails leading up to Big Schloss. A bridge provides access to the Big Schloss rock outcropping. In the Fall of 2010, the bridge was replaced with new stairs, 20' of new handrails, and two new concrete abutments.[5]
References
- ^ "Big Schloss". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved Mar 29, 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Big Schloss". SummitPost.org. Retrieved 2011-05-07.
- ^ a b c d Kohlbrenner, Wil (2001). "Big Schloss Group". Guide to Great North Mountain Trails (First ed.). Vienna, Virginia: Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. p. 54. ISBN 0-915746-89-1.
- ^ "Wolf Gap Recreation Area". U.S. Forest Service. Archived from the original on 2017-06-04. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
- ^ "Big Schloss Trail Bridge Replacement - Shenandoah County, VA - GW & Jefferson National Forest". Retrieved 2010-08-29.
External links
- "Big Schloss Trip report". Retrieved 2011-05-08. with extensive details of the flora in the area