Feeling our oats after last week’s Triumphant Return to Hiking on the rollercoaster section of the AT, I cruised AllTrails for “hard” trails within a tolerable drive, glared suspiciously at the elevation maps, and made a list of the ones with no apparent Hip-Killing Flat Spots.
Thus we landed on Monument Knob via Big Red and Bartman Hill Trail. At 12 miles, we were not up to the full distance, having been off the wagon for two years. but half of it is on the AT going up to Monument Knob, and half is puttering around in Greenbrier State Park, which is undoubtedly lovely, but flatter. So we went for the jugular — climb up to the AT on Bartman Hill Trail, then straight up the AT to Monument Knob (aka The Milk Bottle).
Max elevation: 1549 ft
Min elevation: 866 ft
Total climbing: 1694 ft
Total descent: -1696 ft
Average speed: 2.60 mi/h
Total time: 03:23:31
Greenbrier State Park has excellent clean, modern bathrooms down by the lake shore. Automatic flushing toilets, hurricane-force hand dryers. Five stars. Don’t be fooled by the portapotties near the larger picnic areas! Entry is $3 per person, and the bathrooms are #worthit.
From the South parking lot, you can cross the road directly to the Bartman Hill Trail and climb 0.6 miles up to the Appalachian Trail. Turn right at the AT to head south to The Milk Knob. There is nothing notable to photograph on the trail, just miles of blissful trees and mostly-up-and-down trail. On a lovely May day, we passed many through-hikers headed north. They were all chipper and friendly.
Despite appearances on the elevation map, this section of the AT turned out to have too much flat for my hips, but it was delightful to be back on the trail.
Stats
| Distance | 6.91 miles |
| Elevation Gain | 417 feet |
| Moving Time | 3 hours, 05 minutes |
| Total Time | 3 hours, 11 minutes |
| Average Pace | 27 minutes per mile / 2.2 mph |
| Water Consumed | 0.75 liters |
| Food Before | oatmeal with berries |
| Food During | 2 Clif bars |
| Temperature Range | 66 to 74°F |
Equipment
| Pack | CamelBak Blowfish hydration pack |
| Navigation | iPhone 11 with AllTrails Pro |
| Shoes | Hoka One One Speedgoat 4 Gore Tex trailing running shoes |
| Used Poles? | No |
| Clothes | Socks: Wigwam Ironman Triathlon running socks Gaiters: Outdoor Research Thru lightweight summer gaiters Bottom: cotton capri tights Shirt: short sleeve wicking tee Shirt: long sleeve wicking tee |
Recording
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/monument-knob-via-big-red-and-bartman-hill-trail-59b1def
See my current gear, clothing, and thoughts about it on the Hiking Gear page.