Jump Rock: Rockbridge County, VA

Shadow the Dog and I headed out from the swinging bridge trailhead on a route that took us over Round Knob and up to Jump Rock which offers commanding views to the north and east.  You can see our route here.

The swinging bridge itself is a bit wobbly, as a swinging bridge should be, but it seems sturdy and has fencing
 along the sides to prevent falls.


The route to Jump Rock takes you through wilderness areas where, as you get further from the  trail head, the paths are little used and are not clearly marked.  Look out for improvised trail markings such as stacked stones and bits of flagging tape left to mark the way. Today the trails were even harder to find because of the snow cover, but even on a good day it's easy to get lost, so it's a good idea to check your position regularly.

The route goes through mature forest and over rocky terrain.  There are steep grades throughout the hike, so be ready for some climbing.

The final approach to Jump Rock is a steady grade, but not particularly steep, and if approaching from Round Knob, you'll see the distinctive silhouette of Jump Rock to the east.  The vegetation changes drastically as you approach Jump Rock, as the exposed ridge line creates an environment best suited to shrubs and gnarly trees.  Look carefully and you'll see a few short American chestnut trees as you approach the summit.  Only a few feet high, these trees are somewhat isolated from the blight that devastated the species and even bear fruit in the fall.

It's nice to spend some time at the top of Jump Mountain, taking in the surroundings.  Often you'll see vultures and hawks making their rounds at eye level as you look out from the precipice.

There's also this, about halfway up the mountain.

The way down is fairly quick.  Shadow the Dog and I took the northern path down, which took us along the banks of the Maury River for a muddy slog to reach the swinging bridge.  I hadn't been this way before, but because of the snow, I was able to follow some fellow hikers' tracks back down and easily found the way, which is now captured in this GPS track.

The trail is best in the spring and fall when the leaves are coming in or changing color.  Winter offers its own advantages, though.  The views are clearer in some places because the trees are bare, especially as you look west towards Lake Merriweather.

There's a boy scout camp at Lake Merriweather, and this is  private property, so be sure to stay clear of the lake and the trails surrounding it.  Because of new regulations, you'll need a hunting/fishing licence or a special permit to access these trails.