Big Schloss

Big Schloss
Elevation 2,964 ft (903 m)
Location
Big Schloss

Shenandoah County, Virginia / Hardy County, West Virginia, U.S.

Range Ridge and Valley Appalachians
Coordinates 38°56′26″N 78°39′57″W / 38.94056°N 78.66583°WCoordinates: 38°56′26″N 78°39′57″W / 38.94056°N 78.66583°W[1]
Topo map USGS Wardensville, Wolf Gap, Woodstock
Climbing
Easiest route Hike

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 means castle in German, and it is 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 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.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Big Schloss". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved Mar 29, 2013.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Big Schloss". SummitPost.org. Retrieved 2011-05-07.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 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.
  4. ↑ "Big Schloss Trail Bridge Replacement - Shenandoah County, VA - GW & Jefferson National Forest". Retrieved 2010-08-29.

External links