Itinerary
Pinnacles of the Dan, Virginia
Day Hike
Boy Scout Troop 9
8 April 2006

Description

The Pinnacles are cone shaped mountains that rise over 1000 feet from the floor of the Dan River Gorge near Mayberry and Meadows of Dan, Virginia. The Dan River makes a loop around the mountains. The area is owned by the City of Danville Power Company, who allows day access to the mountains and dam area. On one side of the Pinnacles, the Dan is dammed, water is transported by aqueduct through the mountains and over a valley. At one time the Appalachian Trail went through the area and actually crossed on top of the suspended aqueduct. A map is available here.

The hike climbs a very steep trail to a saddle between the Pinnacles with views of the Dan in both directions. To the east, there is a climb up to the peaks of the Pinnacles, where the suspended aqueduct is impressive in the distance. The old trail across the aqueduct is no longer open, so the climb of the Pinnacles is the end of that trail. There is a an old trail along the river, which allows access up to a beaver dam. The trail continues under the beaver pond, so for now this is as far up river as you can get. The river trail requires some bushwhacking and at least one river crossing.

Schedule

Saturday 7:00 a.m. Depart, Chapel of the Cross
  9:30 a.m. Register with the Power Plant Operator and obtain permit

Lunch At the saddle or on top of a Pinnacle

Afternoon Hike up the river to the beaver dam
3:00 p.m. Leave for home
5:30 p.m. Return to Chapel of the Cross

Messages and Trip Status

Telephone contact may be tried; call 593-0290 (Mr. Filpus) or 740-4351 (Mr. Hock). Much of the area has poor cell phone coverage.

Personal Equipment

See the day hike equipment list for details. Sneakers are recommended as foot gear; boots are fine too. Assume extremes of weather; i.e., pack clothes for 25OF to 85OF. Send some combination of sunscreen, hats and light-weight, long-sleeved shirts: sun protection may be an issue.

Food and Group Equipment

Food (except Saturday lunch) will be coordinated at the troop meetings. Bring a bag lunch for Saturday. Saturday's dinner will be left in the cars.

Water

Assume that no water will be available along the trail. The saddle trail is dry. The river water is not filterable. Start full. 

Driving Route

Estimated travel time is two and a half hours.