Appalachian Summits - From Ashland-Lineville to Frederick
One of the most renowned, and far-reaching, regions of the United States, the Appalachian Mountains are notable for the individual forms within the chain of peaks and also for the history that they helped to forge. One of the oldest mountain systems in the United States at 480 million years in age, the Appalachians are physically subdued compared to younger American ranges like the Sierra Nevada and the Rockies, but they are nevertheless aweinspiring, and in some cases imposing, and even evocative.
Appalachian Summits explores this chain of peaks through an itinerary anchored by the high points of a number of Appalachian States. Beginning in the southern reaches of the mountain range, this journey visits Alabama's Cheaha Mountain, Georgia's Brasstown Bald, Tennessee's Clingmans Dome, North Carolina's Mount Mitchell (the highest point in the Appalachians), Virginia's Mount Rogers, Kentucky's Black Mountain, West Virginia's Spruce Knob, Maryland's Hoye-Crest, and Pennsylvania's Mount Davis. The flight also visits areas around these high points, landmarks both well-known and also less travelled.
Assistance on the trip will be available in the form of a 'Back on Track' button on the VFR Map -- however, be advised that using this will disable achievements tied to the activity.
Total Legs: 13 Total Distance: 812 Total Time(125kts): 6 hours 29 minutes
Leg 1
Ashland-Lineville to Richard B Russell Regional - J
Leg Distance: 82.05 Approximate time at 125kts: 39 minutes.
Ashland-Lineville(26A) to Cheaha Mountain(POI1)
Distance: 12.07NM Bearing: 5° 6 minutes
After lifting off from Ashland-Lineville Airport, head due north, toward a ridge of verdant, rolling mountains that culminates at the 2,413-foot-high Cheaha Mountain, the highest point in the state of Alabama. This is near the southernmost extremity of the Appalachians, where they appear more as hills as they do mountains.
Cheaha Mountain(POI1) to Jacksonville(POI2)
Distance: 19.79NM Bearing: 10° 9 minutes
Pass over the city of Oxford and then another small range of peaks to reach the small city of Jacksonville.
Jacksonville(POI2) to Piedmont(POI3)
Distance: 10.37NM Bearing: 53° 5 minutes
Follow Alabama State Route 21 to the town of Piedmont.
Piedmont(POI3) to Weiss Lake(POI4)
Distance: 15.61NM Bearing: 8° 7 minutes
North of Piedmont lies Weiss Lake, at 30,200 acres, it is the sixth largest lake in Alabama, and can be seen from the air for over one hundred miles.
Weiss Lake(POI4) to West Rome(POI5)
Distance: 18.66NM Bearing: 76° 9 minutes
Turn to the northeast, following the Coosa River, which leads into Weiss Lake, into Georgia and the city of West Rome.
West Rome(POI5) to Richard B Russell Regional - J(KRMG)
Distance: 5.55NM Bearing: 50° 3 minutes
Land at Richard B. Russell Regional Airport, northeast of West Rome.
Leg 2
Richard B Russell Regional - J to Blairsville
Leg Distance: 68.84 Approximate time at 125kts: 33 minutes.
Richard B Russell Regional - J(KRMG) to Oostanaula River(POI6)
Distance: 4.58NM Bearing: 62° 2 minutes
From KRMG, head northeast, roughly following the meandering Oostanaula River to Calhoun.
Oostanaula River(POI6) to Calhoun(POI7)
Distance: 9.45NM Bearing: 51° 5 minutes
At Calhoun, turn slightly to the south on a northeast heading.
Calhoun(POI7) to Coosawattee River(POI8)
Distance: 7.65NM Bearing: 73° 4 minutes
From Calhoun, follow Georgia State Route 156 to intersect with the Coosawattee River, which originates in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains, part of the Appalachians of Georgia.
Coosawattee River(POI8) to Reregulation Reservoir(POI9)
Distance: 6.66NM Bearing: 66° 3 minutes
Follow the Coosawattee River to Reregulation Reservoir.
Reregulation Reservoir(POI9) to Carters Dam(POI10)
Distance: 0.89NM Bearing: 50° 0 minutes
Continue to Carters Dam.
Carters Dam(POI10) to Carters Lake(POI11)
Distance: 1.83NM Bearing: 102° 1 minutes
Carters Lake is formed by Carters Dam, and is located in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains, part of the Appalachians. The name “Blue Ridge” derives from the bluish tint given to distant views of the mountains, which occurs due to atmospheric scattering from haze.
Carters Lake(POI11) to Ellijay River(POI12)
Distance: 10.93NM Bearing: 56° 5 minutes
Follow the Coosawattee River past the town of Ellijay to reach the Ellijay River.
Ellijay River(POI12) to Blue Ridge(POI13)
Distance: 10.63NM Bearing: 44° 5 minutes
Follow U.S. Highway 76 to the town of Blue Ridge, named for the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Blue Ridge(POI13) to Lake Blue Ridge(POI14)
Distance: 2.92NM Bearing: 90° 1 minutes
Head east, over Lake Blue Ridge, a large reservoir.
Lake Blue Ridge(POI14) to Blairsville(KDZJ)
Distance: 13.3NM Bearing: 99° 6 minutes
Follow U.S. Highway 76, staying to its south, to Blairsville Airport and land.
Leg 3
Blairsville to Sossamon Field
Leg Distance: 48.92 Approximate time at 125kts: 23 minutes.
Blairsville(KDZJ) to Beasley Knob(POI15)
Distance: 3.76NM Bearing: 76° 2 minutes
Take-off from KDZJ and pass to the south of Blairsville to reach Beasley Knob.
Beasley Knob(POI15) to Brasstown Bald(POI16)
Distance: 5.65NM Bearing: 97° 3 minutes
Head due east from Beasley Knob, gaining altitude to reach the highest point in Georgia, Brasstown Bald, 4,784 feet above sea level.
Brasstown Bald(POI16) to Chatuge Lake(POI17)
Distance: 6.89NM Bearing: 15° 3 minutes
From Brasstown Bald, gain a visual on and visit Chatuge Lake, a large reservoir to the north of the peak that straddles the Georgia – North Carolina border.
Chatuge Lake(POI17) to Nantahalla Lake(POI18)
Distance: 13.2NM Bearing: 33° 6 minutes
Fly over two ridgelines to Nantahalla Lake.
Nantahalla Lake(POI18) to Fontana Lake(POI19)
Distance: 13.83NM Bearing: 28° 7 minutes
Continue on course to Fontana Lake, formed by the Fontana Dam.
Fontana Lake(POI19) to Tuckasegee River(POI20)
Distance: 4.13NM Bearing: 68° 2 minutes
Pass to the south of Hurricane Mountain to reach Tuckasegee River, which flows into Fontana Lake, and is part of the complex system of rivers and reservoirs in this part of the Appalachian Mountains.
Tuckasegee River(POI20) to Sossamon Field(57NC)
Distance: 1.46NM Bearing: 104° 1 minutes
Follow the Tuckasegee River to Sossamon Field Airport and land.
Leg 4
Sossamon Field to Asheville Rgnl
Leg Distance: 56.57 Approximate time at 125kts: 27 minutes.
Sossamon Field(57NC) to Great Smoky Mountains National Park(POI21)
Distance: 1.79NM Bearing: 333° 1 minutes
Launch from Sossamon Field Airport and head to the northwest to fly over the border of Great Smokey Mountains National Park. The park, which protects the Great Smoky Mountains (part of the Blue Ridge Mountains of the Appalachians) lies on the Tennessee – North Carolina border and is the most visited national park in the United States, and as such, is both a natural and cultural icon of the country.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park(POI21) to Buzzardroost Mountain(POI22)
Distance: 1.07NM Bearing: 334° 1 minutes
Continue on course to Buzzardroost Mountain.
Buzzardroost Mountain(POI22) to Clingmans Dome(POI23)
Distance: 5.79NM Bearing: 2° 3 minutes
Turn to the north and fly to Clingmans Dome, which lies on the Tennessee - North Carolina border and is the highest mountain in Tennessee at 6,643 feet above sea level. It is also the highest mountain in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the highest point on the famed Appalachian Trail, which weaves throughout most of the chain of mountains.
Clingmans Dome(POI23) to Little Bald Knob(POI24)
Distance: 18.5NM Bearing: 98° 9 minutes
At Clingmans Dome, head due east to Little Bald Knob, located on the southeastern border of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Little Bald Knob(POI24) to Canton(POI25)
Distance: 13.72NM Bearing: 101° 7 minutes
Continue east, picking up the Pigeon River at the town of Clyde, to reach the town of Canton, North Carolina.
Canton(POI25) to Asheville Rgnl(KAVL)
Distance: 15.7NM Bearing: 119° 8 minutes
Gain a visual on Asheville Regional Airport to the southeast of Canton and land there.
Leg 5
Asheville Rgnl to Elk River
Leg Distance: 62.09 Approximate time at 125kts: 30 minutes.
Asheville Rgnl(KAVL) to Asheville(POI26)
Distance: 9.93NM Bearing: 359° 5 minutes
After lifting into the sky, pass just to the west of Lake Julian and then follow the French Broad River to Asheville, North Carolina.
Asheville(POI26) to North Fork Reservoir(POI27)
Distance: 12.11NM Bearing: 77° 6 minutes
At Asheville, turn to the northeast and gain a visual on North Fork Reservoir and set a course for it.
North Fork Reservoir(POI27) to Mount Mitchell(POI28)
Distance: 6.82NM Bearing: 38° 3 minutes
From North Fork Reservoir, head northeast, sighting Mount Mitchell, the highest point among a number of mountains. Mount Mitchell, 6,684 feet above sea level, is the highest mountain in the state of North Carolina and in all of the Appalachian Mountains.
Mount Mitchell(POI28) to South Toe River(POI29)
Distance: 9.78NM Bearing: 25° 5 minutes
Head to the north-northeast, picking up and following the meandering path of the South Toe River.
South Toe River(POI29) to Cloudland Mountain(POI30)
Distance: 11.63NM Bearing: 25° 6 minutes
Continue on course to Cloudland Mountain, which lies on the North Carolina – Tennessee border.
Cloudland Mountain(POI30) to Elk River(NC06)
Distance: 11.82NM Bearing: 81° 6 minutes
Head to the northeast, and sight the town of Banner Elk. Elk River Airport lies just to the west of town on the Elk River.
Leg 6
Elk River to Virginia Highlands
Leg Distance: 68.19 Approximate time at 125kts: 33 minutes.
Elk River(NC06) to Watauga Lake(POI31)
Distance: 12.61NM Bearing: 332° 6 minutes
After lifting into the sky, head to the northwest, crossing into Tennessee, to visit Watauga Lake, a large reservoir created in the 1940s by the Tennessee Valley Authority, which helped develop a number of hydroelectric dams and reservoirs throughout this part of the Appalachian Mountains.
Watauga Lake(POI31) to Mountain City(POI32)
Distance: 14.51NM Bearing: 61° 7 minutes
Follow Tennessee State Route 67 to Mountain City.
Mountain City(POI32) to Mount Rogers(POI33)
Distance: 16.79NM Bearing: 56° 8 minutes
Continue on course and pass into Virginia and visit the state's highest point, Mount Rogers (5,730').
Mount Rogers(POI33) to South Fork of Holston River(POI34)
Distance: 10.7NM Bearing: 292° 5 minutes
Turn into a west-northwest heading and take in the vista of ridges and valleys, noting the rivers running through the valleys, indicating the overall northeast-southwest trend of the Appalachians. Pass over the South Fork of the Holston River.
South Fork of Holston River(POI34) to North Fork of Holston River(POI35)
Distance: 2.75NM Bearing: 293° 1 minutes
Continue on course to the North Fork of the Holston River.
North Fork of Holston River(POI35) to Abingdon(POI36)
Distance: 7.84NM Bearing: 274° 4 minutes
Turn to the west, following the North Fork of the Holston River briefly, then sight the town of Abingdon.
Abingdon(POI36) to Virginia Highlands(KVJI)
Distance: 2.99NM Bearing: 251° 1 minutes
Follow Interstate 81 to Virginia Highlands Airport and land.
Leg 7
Virginia Highlands to Lonesome Pine
Leg Distance: 62.5 Approximate time at 125kts: 30 minutes.
Virginia Highlands(KVJI) to Holston River(POI37)
Distance: 9.7NM Bearing: 295° 5 minutes
After launching again, gain altitude and sight the Holston River, the next destination.
Holston River(POI37) to Clinch River(POI38)
Distance: 14.18NM Bearing: 294° 7 minutes
Pass north of Nickelsville and continue to the Clinch River.
Clinch River(POI38) to Big Cherry Reservoir(POI39)
Distance: 8.01NM Bearing: 295° 4 minutes
Maintain course and gain a visual on Big Cherry Reservoir, the next landmark over which to pass.
Big Cherry Reservoir(POI39) to Appalachia(POI40)
Distance: 6.66NM Bearing: 311° 3 minutes
Turn slightly to the north, passing just north of the town of Big Stone Gap to reach the small town of Appalachia.
Appalachia(POI40) to Black Mountain(POI41)
Distance: 5.46NM Bearing: 282° 3 minutes
From Appalachia, head across the border of Kentucky to visit that state's highest point, Black Mountain, which rises to 4,145 feet above sea level. Black Mountain lies within an area rich in coal, a mainstay of the economy in this part of the Appalachian Mountains.
Black Mountain(POI41) to Norton(POI42)
Distance: 12.74NM Bearing: 91° 6 minutes
At Black Mountain, turn back toward the east to visit the town of Norton, Kentucky, which grew to support the local railroad, which supported local coal mining activity.
Norton(POI42) to Lonesome Pine(KLNP)
Distance: 5.75NM Bearing: 64° 3 minutes
Pass to the south of the town of Wise and land at Lonesome Pine Airport.
Leg 8
Lonesome Pine to Mike Ferrell Field
Leg Distance: 66.91 Approximate time at 125kts: 32 minutes.
Lonesome Pine(KLNP) to Pilot Knob(POI43)
Distance: 9.09NM Bearing: 65° 4 minutes
Continue to the northeast after launching from Lonesome Pine Airport, to reach Pilot Knob.
Pilot Knob(POI43) to War(WAR)
Distance: 35.43NM Bearing: 74° 17 minutes
Continue on a northeast heading, paralleling the Clinch River, but staying north of it. Pass into the state of West Virginia, then visit the small town of War, formerly called Miner's City.
War(WAR) to Belcher Mountain(POI44)
Distance: 12.17NM Bearing: 50° 6 minutes
Parallel West Virginia 16, passing to the south of the town of Welch, to reach Belcher Mountain, a local high point.
Belcher Mountain(POI44) to Mike Ferrell Field(WV09)
Distance: 10.22NM Bearing: 59° 5 minutes
From Belcher Mountain, gain a visual on Mike Ferrell Field and land.
Leg 9
Mike Ferrell Field to Rainelle
Leg Distance: 41.6 Approximate time at 125kts: 20 minutes.
Mike Ferrell Field(WV09) to Rich Knob(POI45)
Distance: 7.29NM Bearing: 94° 3 minutes
After taking off from Mike Ferrell Field, gain a visual on Rich Knob, a local high point that stands 3,355 feet above sea level and is a local high point in the area.
Rich Knob(POI45) to Flat Top Lake(POI46)
Distance: 5.4NM Bearing: 63° 3 minutes
From Rich Knob, sight Interstate 77 and Flat Top Lake just beyond.
Flat Top Lake(POI46) to Freezeland Mountain(POI47)
Distance: 9.18NM Bearing: 60° 4 minutes
After passing Flat Top Lake, gain a visual on Freezeland Mountain, a heavily vegetated peak.
Freezeland Mountain(POI47) to New River(POI48)
Distance: 2.22NM Bearing: 55° 1 minutes
Just beyond Freezeland Mountain is New River.
New River(POI48) to Meadow River Wildlife Management Area(POI49)
Distance: 11.16NM Bearing: 64° 5 minutes
Paralleling Interstate 64, fly over the prominent peaks of Buffalo Knob and then Fish Mountain to reach Meadow River Wildlife Management Area, a wetland habitat known for deer, grouse, and waterfowl.
Meadow River Wildlife Management Area(POI49) to Rainelle(WV30)
Distance: 6.35NM Bearing: 12° 3 minutes
Turn north and land at Rainelle Airport.
Leg 10
Rainelle to Nrao Green Bank
Leg Distance: 54.17 Approximate time at 125kts: 26 minutes.
Rainelle(WV30) to Rupert(POI50)
Distance: 1.55NM Bearing: 64° 1 minutes
After taking off from Rainelle, fly over the Meadow River and the small town of Rupert.
Rupert(POI50) to Falling Spring(POI51)
Distance: 15.94NM Bearing: 92° 8 minutes
Sight the meandering Greenbrier River and the small town of Falling Spring on a pronounced westward bend in its course.
Falling Spring(POI51) to Marlinton(POI52)
Distance: 18.77NM Bearing: 50° 9 minutes
Parallel the Greenbrier River as it winds its way through the rolling topography of this section of the Appalachians to reach the town of Marlinton.
Marlinton(POI52) to Green Bank Telescope(POI53)
Distance: 17.21NM Bearing: 52° 8 minutes
The area around and north of Marlinton is one of the most remote parts of the Appalachian Mountains, and is part of the National Radio Quiet Zone, an area used to conduct scientific research and military intelligence where cellular phone and other types of radio transmitter use are restricted. The Green Bank Telescope, the world's largest fully steerable radio telescope, lies in the heart of this zone.
Green Bank Telescope(POI53) to Nrao Green Bank(WV52)
Distance: 0.7NM Bearing: 111° 0 minutes
Land at NRAO Green Bank Airport, which lies directly to the east of Green Bank Telescope.
Leg 11
Nrao Green Bank to Garrett County
Leg Distance: 77.69 Approximate time at 125kts: 37 minutes.
Nrao Green Bank(WV52) to Durbin(POI54)
Distance: 6.95NM Bearing: 9° 3 minutes
Due north of Green Bank Airport lies the historic railroad town of Durbin.
Durbin(POI54) to Spruce Knob(POI55)
Distance: 16.55NM Bearing: 65° 8 minutes
Spruce Knob, a high ridge of the Appalachian's Allegheny Mountains, is West Virginia's highest mountain, standing 4,863 feet above sea level.
Spruce Knob(POI55) to Harman(POI56)
Distance: 13.39NM Bearing: 11° 6 minutes
Follow the Dry Fork of the Cheat River north to the town of Harman.
Harman(POI56) to Hoye-Crest(POI57)
Distance: 19.02NM Bearing: 15° 9 minutes
From Harman, continue north above the Allegheny Mountains, passing into Maryland. Backbone Mountain lies just ahead, with the highest point, Hoye-Crest, ranking as the highest point in Maryland at 3,360 feet above sea level.
Hoye-Crest(POI57) to Deep Creek Lake(POI58)
Distance: 17.97NM Bearing: 29° 9 minutes
From Hoye-Crest, gain a visual on Deep Creek Lake, a reservoir that is the largest inland body of water in Maryland.
Deep Creek Lake(POI58) to Garrett County(2G4)
Distance: 3.81NM Bearing: 22° 2 minutes
Garrett County Airport: Land at Garrett County Airport, which lies just north of Deep Creek Lake.
Leg 12
Garrett County to Greater Cumberland Regl
Leg Distance: 47.88 Approximate time at 125kts: 23 minutes.
Garrett County(2G4) to Triple Point - West Virginia - Pennsylvania and Maryland(POI59)
Distance: 10.62NM Bearing: 332° 5 minutes
From Garrett County Airport, pass the town of Friendsville to reach the three-way border of Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
Triple Point - West Virginia - Pennsylvania and Maryland(POI59) to High Point Lake(POI60)
Distance: 12.73NM Bearing: 83° 6 minutes
Turn to the northeast, flying over the Youghiogheny River, then pass the town of Addison to reach High Point Lake, a small reservoir just to the west of Mount Davis.
High Point Lake(POI60) to Mount Davis(POI61)
Distance: 1.7NM Bearing: 86° 1 minutes
Continue past High Point Lake to Mount Davis, the highest mountain in Pennsylvania at 3,213 feet above sea level.
Mount Davis(POI61) to Mount Savage(POI62)
Distance: 14.68NM Bearing: 121° 7 minutes
Pass the town of Salisbury and then cross into Maryland to reach the town of Mount Savage, which lies on the banks of Jennings Run, a small river.
Mount Savage(POI62) to Cumberland(POI63)
Distance: 6.11NM Bearing: 126° 3 minutes
Pass to the north of Piney Mountain to reach Cumberland, a historic city located on the North Branch of the Potomac River. The topography around Cumberland made it a strategic point, and thus, a location of great significance where George Washington established an outpost during the French and Indian War and years later served as an important highway, railroad, and canal nexus.
Cumberland(POI63) to Greater Cumberland Regl(KCBE)
Distance: 2.04NM Bearing: 189° 1 minutes
Land at Greater Cumberland Regional Airport.
Leg 13
Greater Cumberland Regl to Frederick Mun
Leg Distance: 74.52 Approximate time at 125kts: 36 minutes.
Greater Cumberland Regl(KCBE) to Warrior Mountain(POI64)
Distance: 6.55NM Bearing: 97° 3 minutes
From KCBE, head east over gently rolling Appalachian lowlands to Warrior Mountain.
Warrior Mountain(POI64) to Little Orleans(POI65)
Distance: 10.83NM Bearing: 98° 5 minutes
Sight the winding Upper Potomac River from Warrior Mountain, passing over Little Orleans, which lies on its banks.
Little Orleans(POI65) to Upper Potomac River(POI66)
Distance: 15.43NM Bearing: 94° 7 minutes
Continue on course, passing over the Upper Potomac River.
Upper Potomac River(POI66) to Hagerstown(POI67)
Distance: 15.52NM Bearing: 101° 7 minutes
Hagerstown has one of the most distinctive layouts of any city in the world, as its divisions are defined by exposed ridges of Appalachian bedrock throughout.
Hagerstown(POI67) to Catoctin Mountain(POI68)
Distance: 11.66NM Bearing: 100° 6 minutes
Continue on an eastward heading from Hagerstown to Catoctin Mountain Park, one of the most subtlety beautiful parts of the Appalachians, featuring low, rolling mountains that are heavily forested. This is the vicinity of Camp David presidential retreat, chosen, in part, for it pleasant conditions and rustic Appalachian setting.
Catoctin Mountain(POI68) to Frederick Mun(KFDK)
Distance: 14.53NM Bearing: 174° 7 minutes
Follow U.S. Route 15 south-southeast to Frederick Municipal Airport, bringing this journey throughout the Appalachian Mountains to an end.
