Reddish Knob

Elevation: 4101 ft.

Reddish Knob is a favorite location to watch fall hawk migration. A visit around the third week of September could reward visitors with sharp-shinned, Cooper’s, broad-winged, red-shouldered and red-tailed hawks in seemingly unbelievable numbers. Other migrating raptors that may appear include bald eagle, peregrine falcon and American kestrel. Later in the season, golden eagle and northern goshawk are also possibilities. In addition to raptor viewing the summit also offers a scenic mountain vista to enjoy.

The drive into Reddish Knob is worth taking slowly with the windows rolled down to listen for ruffed grouse, wild turkey, and other animals who might run onto the road, as well as warblers, vireos, and flycatchers above.

A female ruffed grouse crossing the Reddish Knob Spur road. Photo Credit: Lisa Mease/DWR

The woodland that leads to Reddish Knob supports exciting birds that only breed at this high altitude–red crossbills, veery, and black-throated blue, Canada, and mourning warblers have all been found. Use the pullouts along the way to check for these birds as well as the wildflowers and butterflies, such as eastern tiger and spicebush swallowtails and great spangled fritillary. Briery Branch Gap, at the intersections of Reddish Knob Road, Reddish Knob Forest Service Road, Briery Branch Road, and Flagpole Road, is a good place to park and walk around, or begin a hike to Flagpole Knob.

Notes:

• Use extreme caution on these roads, most are unpaved, winding, narrow, deeply rutted, and very steep with precipitous drop-offs; during winter months or after rain, they may be impassable.
• As with all Virginia Bird & Wildlife Trail sites within the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests, please visit the Alerts webpage to check this location’s status before heading out.