Elliot Knob

This one is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the little town of Staunton, VA.  Casey and I have found Staunton to be a great place to visit.  It's close to a mid-point between our two homes and such a cute little town.  Before we did this trip, we spent the night in the Old Staunton Inn, an adorable bed and breakfast within walking distance of a winery and some fun places to eat.  Once we had filled up on warm breakfast after our evening about town, we hit the road for this hike.

Elliot knob is a longer day hike, but more than doable in a day for a adult or child of average fitness.  Where it lacks in rock scrambling, it makes up for in a variety of sights.  The hike boasts small waterfalls, a few creek crossings, some scenic views, and a neat old watch tower that at least when we were there had a wide-open gate and no signs labeling it as off-limits to climb.

Even more, on our particular journey up the mountain, we met a redbone coonhound whom we named Staunton and then later, his friend, a treeing-walker coonhound whom we named Barkley.  Barkley and Staunton were clearly well-loved hunting dogs with GPS transmitters, so we left them to do their thing on the mountain, but they made for some excellent hiking buddies.

Me at Old Staunton Inn

First meeting Staunton, the redbone

Staunton decided that he would join us on our hike up the mountain

Staunton surveys the trail as we head to check out the waterfall

Mr. Staunton at the waterfall boasting lots of GPS collars

Staunton decided to join us at the waterfall.

And then there were two.  Barkley joined us for a short while before both dogs loped off into the woods after a scent.

View on the trail up

Terrifying stairs up the watch tower

View from the watch tower

Even more terrifying stairs back down from the watch tower

The watch tower from the safety of the ground