Class 2 5.6 miles 1100 gain 2-4 hrs Out + Back Jun 23, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Strickler Knob GPX Track

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Many seem to start from the Massanutten Trailhead, which requires losing/regaining an additional 800 vertical feet and adding some mileage, but it's possibly a prettier hike. Instead, I started from the Scothorn Gap Trailhead. I crossed Passage Creek and a "Road Closed" sign, then followed an old road which comprises the first half of the hike. The trail heads up to Scothorn Gap and passes a small pond barely visible from the trail. The Scothorn Gap Trail hit a junction with the Massanutten Trail (orange blaze), which I followed south to the ridgeline. Once at the high point of the ridge, pink blazes mark the unofficial Strickler Knob Trail on the right. You know you've missed the Strickler Knob Trail if you start descending.

The Strickler Knob Trail follows the rocky ridge crest, some boulders to hop over and a couple of short Class 2 scrambles. The views become interesting farther along the ridge, and the trail is well-traveled enough and marked with blazes, so getting lost probably won't happen. The summit block required a Class 2+ move, and the views were really great.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Strickler Knob
2760 ft
20 rise

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Scothorn Gap Trailhead, starting across Passage Creek and passing a "Road Closed" gate.
Scothorn Gap Trailhead, starting across Passage Creek and passing a "Road Closed" gate.
Along the Scothorn Gap Trail, just an old road through the forest.
Along the Scothorn Gap Trail, just an old road through the forest.
Image 2 from gallery
Image 3 from gallery
Image 4 from gallery
Looking back as I ascend along the Scothorn Gap Trail.
Looking back as I ascend along the Scothorn Gap Trail.
A small clearing .
A small clearing .
Small pond on the left, barely visible from the trail.
Small pond on the left, barely visible from the trail.
Junction with the Massanutten Trail. I followed the orange blazed Massanutten Trail (left in this photo).
Junction with the Massanutten Trail. I followed the orange blazed Massanutten Trail (left in this photo).
Along the Massanutten Trail.
Along the Massanutten Trail.
Image 10 from gallery
Junction with the unofficial Stricker Knob Trail (right), which used pink blazes. Continuing too far would result in descending away from the ridge.
Junction with the unofficial Stricker Knob Trail (right), which used pink blazes. Continuing too far would result in descending away from the ridge.
Along the Strickler Knob Trail.
Along the Strickler Knob Trail.
Image 13 from gallery
Some light boulder-hopping.
Some light boulder-hopping.
Image 15 from gallery
The views become more interesting.
The views become more interesting.
Strickler Knob Trail has a Class 2 section.
Strickler Knob Trail has a Class 2 section.
Close-up of the Class 2. The trail continues for a short time more.
Close-up of the Class 2. The trail continues for a short time more.
Final bit of scrambling to the Strickler Knob block.
Final bit of scrambling to the Strickler Knob block.
Nice little scramble through a notch.
Nice little scramble through a notch.
Last Class 2+ move to the top.
Last Class 2+ move to the top.
Strickler Knob, view south at a great view.
Strickler Knob, view south at a great view.
Strickler Knob, south view close-up.
Strickler Knob, south view close-up.
Strickler Knob, view north the way I came.
Strickler Knob, view north the way I came.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!