Climbed this from the Humpback Gap parking lot as part of a short day section hike on the AT. great views and sunny on top, Driving rain on the AT. Just what one expects along the Blue Ridge.
Multiple climbs of this one. Short and sweet, with great views and bouldering at the top.
tllwebb4 - Aug 24, 2013 6:11 pm Date Climbed: Apr 30, 2013
Chilly and damp
It was the winter that wouldn't end in the mountains of Virginia. End of April and cold up there, leaves not even coming out yet. Still, a nice mini-climb.
tbaranski - May 16, 2013 2:35 pm Date Climbed: May 10, 2013
I have hiked Humpback twice. The first time was probably back in the mid-to-late 90's and again in the early 00's. I remember its beautiful and I wish I had taken advantage of more that Virginia has to offer before moving out west.
For a while I was going up to Humpback every week. In college, my friends and I soloed up the face of the rocks (looking back, not the smartest thing to do.)
socialhiphop - Jan 9, 2007 7:12 pm Date Climbed: Jan 6, 2007
Great climb with a friend
This climb was GREAT, though it winded me. Not so my companion, who's hiked in China; she never sat down until the summit. Beautiful view (and not just of my companion). Does anyone clean the leaves from the trail? They made it a bit slippy.
rickford - Aug 10, 2006 12:03 am Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2005
a bit too crowded...
Decent Views, but way too many people!
hgrapid - Jun 26, 2006 2:22 pm Date Climbed: Jun 25, 2006
Change in trail
This trail is really interesting. It goes from wide and straight-forward to rustic and winding. Some tourist-hikers actually gave up and turned back. We continued on the trail confused, but shortly found we were going the right way all along. I guess they felt the trail should have an escalator or something. The view is tremendous!
CRiedel2 - Jun 5, 2006 12:24 am Date Climbed: Jun 4, 2006
2 Routes to Humpback Rocks
Kim and I hiked Humpback Rocks on a beautiful spring day today. The weather forecasts were conflicting, sun or rain? So, we decided to go ahead. It turned out to be a great day except a little rain on our return trip. It is true, the hike from the parking area is indeed steep, but the trail is very well maintained. There are great views from the rocks and room to play around up there. Soon after we got there it seemed everyone else started showing up, but still plenty of room for all and everyone was having a great time. I'd like to add that there is a less steep route if you start at the Humpback Rocks Picnic area, which is 2.8 miles long. The picnic area is at about mile 8.5 along the Blue Ridge Parkway. We started at the Visitor Center, through the parking area and up. Then we returned via the trail back to the picnic area and hiked the BRP back to the Visitor Center. It was a great round-trip with amazing views. Highly recommended if you're in the area!
Route Climbed: Across AT from Picnic area and up from visitors center Date Climbed: Daily from July 7, 2005 to August 10, 2005
I worked on this trail. I made the beautiful stone staircase very near the top of the trail. As I worked I noticed people came in very bad hiking attire. People would try to hike in sandals, white sneakers, skirts, and with no water. This hike may be short, but it is very difficult. It rises over 700 feet in .8 miles. It's steep. Please stay on the trail. I worked for five weeks to make that trail beautiful, I implore you not to ruin it by going off the trail.
Skyrune13 - Mar 25, 2024 3:53 pm Date Climbed: Mar 17, 2024
Steep climb to the top!Climb was strenuous for both of us being out of shape from winter. The view really helped us recognize we need to get back to walking more.
hightinerary - Nov 15, 2022 12:02 pm Date Climbed: Nov 13, 2022
Two-Hump HikeI hiked and scrambled to the top of Humpback Rocks, then continued south on the Appalachian Trail to the true summit of Humpback Mountain.
wannabepeakbagger - Oct 10, 2019 6:51 am Date Climbed: Oct 6, 2019
SUnday morningBusy spot on a Sunday morning. Relatively quick walk up, but definitely slower coming down due to wet rocks. Decent views at the top.
cgard61 - Aug 8, 2018 2:26 am Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2018
Lots of Company on the SummitGreat views and fun rocks to scramble around on. But the trail and summit area were very crowded and it was only a Tuesday in August.
indianabob - Sep 20, 2015 2:43 pm Date Climbed: Sep 10, 2015
Great day on the ATClimbed this from the Humpback Gap parking lot as part of a short day section hike on the AT. great views and sunny on top, Driving rain on the AT. Just what one expects along the Blue Ridge.
wanderweg83 - Feb 1, 2014 11:09 am
Humpback RocksMultiple climbs of this one. Short and sweet, with great views and bouldering at the top.
tllwebb4 - Aug 24, 2013 6:11 pm Date Climbed: Apr 30, 2013
Chilly and dampIt was the winter that wouldn't end in the mountains of Virginia. End of April and cold up there, leaves not even coming out yet. Still, a nice mini-climb.
tbaranski - May 16, 2013 2:35 pm Date Climbed: May 10, 2013
A fine viewGood stuff
WyomingSummits - Dec 31, 2012 12:03 am
Many hikes on this one!Very popular short workout hike. Great for laps up and down with a heavy pack. The views at the top are spectacular....even at night!
Wiktoria Plawska - Aug 16, 2009 10:13 am
Many times...I hiked this mountain tens of times, after my family and me go skiing in WinterGreen, we hike it up to view the sunset. It is very fun and short.
Outdooraholic - Oct 10, 2008 1:14 pm
When I was youngerI have hiked Humpback twice. The first time was probably back in the mid-to-late 90's and again in the early 00's. I remember its beautiful and I wish I had taken advantage of more that Virginia has to offer before moving out west.
Jim Carr - Jun 26, 2007 6:54 pm
Perennially FunFor a while I was going up to Humpback every week. In college, my friends and I soloed up the face of the rocks (looking back, not the smartest thing to do.)
socialhiphop - Jan 9, 2007 7:12 pm Date Climbed: Jan 6, 2007
Great climb with a friendThis climb was GREAT, though it winded me. Not so my companion, who's hiked in China; she never sat down until the summit. Beautiful view (and not just of my companion). Does anyone clean the leaves from the trail? They made it a bit slippy.
rickford - Aug 10, 2006 12:03 am Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2005
a bit too crowded...Decent Views, but way too many people!
hgrapid - Jun 26, 2006 2:22 pm Date Climbed: Jun 25, 2006
Change in trailThis trail is really interesting. It goes from wide and straight-forward to rustic and winding. Some tourist-hikers actually gave up and turned back. We continued on the trail confused, but shortly found we were going the right way all along. I guess they felt the trail should have an escalator or something. The view is tremendous!
CRiedel2 - Jun 5, 2006 12:24 am Date Climbed: Jun 4, 2006
2 Routes to Humpback RocksKim and I hiked Humpback Rocks on a beautiful spring day today. The weather forecasts were conflicting, sun or rain? So, we decided to go ahead. It turned out to be a great day except a little rain on our return trip. It is true, the hike from the parking area is indeed steep, but the trail is very well maintained. There are great views from the rocks and room to play around up there. Soon after we got there it seemed everyone else started showing up, but still plenty of room for all and everyone was having a great time. I'd like to add that there is a less steep route if you start at the Humpback Rocks Picnic area, which is 2.8 miles long. The picnic area is at about mile 8.5 along the Blue Ridge Parkway. We started at the Visitor Center, through the parking area and up. Then we returned via the trail back to the picnic area and hiked the BRP back to the Visitor Center. It was a great round-trip with amazing views. Highly recommended if you're in the area!
Scrambling Man - Feb 14, 2006 4:39 pm
A Nice Stroll Along the ATHiked in from the Gap with my wife in summer of 2003. Nice hike along the AT and back.
SteveinFXBG - Sep 28, 2005 11:24 pm
Route Climbed: Humpback Rocks Trail from Humpback Gap Parking Area Date Climbed: August 14, 2004I somehow managed to find a day without humidity in August. Views were the clearest I've seen in the summer in VIrginia.
SCCupsa - Sep 27, 2005 1:41 pm
Route Climbed: Across AT from Picnic area and up from visitors center Date Climbed: Daily from July 7, 2005 to August 10, 2005I worked on this trail. I made the beautiful stone staircase very near the top of the trail. As I worked I noticed people came in very bad hiking attire. People would try to hike in sandals, white sneakers, skirts, and with no water. This hike may be short, but it is very difficult. It rises over 700 feet in .8 miles. It's steep. Please stay on the trail. I worked for five weeks to make that trail beautiful, I implore you not to ruin it by going off the trail.
pilz8 - Sep 20, 2005 8:44 pm
Date Climbed: sept. 18 2005A very nice late summer peak in the blue ridge.