On Tuesday morning, following our trip to Mt. Rodgers, two reluctant and weary hiking companions rode with Mel and I to Kentucky to achieve what promised to be little more than trespassing. Due to the summit being owned by a coal mining company and the FAA having a facility near the top, the internet "forum" of highpointers warned this to be a challenging task of peak bagging.

From Appalachia (VA) we drove on Route 160 for approx. 11 miles to the Kentucky-Virginia state line where Route 160 turns abruptly east (right) at the crest of the ridge and starts downhill. There are TWO roads here. The narrow paved road to the right leads to an FAA facility and the highpoint. Drive 1.7 miles (slightly past the FAA Long Range Radar Facility on the right) where the paved road becomes a dirt road. Turn left onto a spur road and a metal gate. From here walk .2 miles to the lookout tower on the summit.

We drove to within 500 feet of the summit tower, ignored the metal swing gate and "No Trespassing" signs, and left our companions to guard the car, and began the short walk to the top. The USCS benchmark is supposed to be under the do-not-climb tower, but we didn't search too hard for it. We recorded our presence with a camera and departed. We drove the 8 hours back to Arlington, Virginia listening to books on tape, and thanking our friends for their understanding.

Melinda and Mel at the summit. The USGS benchmark is located under the tower behind us.

Black Mountain is located near Appalachia, Virginia.