The Experience
You will love: crossing streams, meandering trails under never ending tree canopy and a robust summit view.
You need to know:
Mount Pleasant (renamed Henry Lanum trail) is set in the foothills of the George Washington National Forest and conjoins with another hiking favorite Cole Mountain. To get to the trailhead know that your better equipped with an SUV or truck with some clearance as the road will turn into a rutted mess of rocks and mudholes. Have no fear, the trail is in better condition than the road. At the trailhead, start to the right and follow the blue markings for the entire trail. This trail allows you to pick up speed as it starts relatively flat for the first .08 miles until it begins to slowly snake up and through the forest. There are a few stream crossings to be mindful of (especially if it rained recently). The trail is consistent with most found in the area, its single-track, toughed dirt and small rocks. at around the 2.5 mile mark look for a very clear sign declaring a right turn to find your way up to the summit. The summit trail is a little bit of an incline and some rocks and steps to be mindful. The summit is a rock outcrop showcasing neighboring Cole Mountain and the entire range of hills and mountains. Once you have drank enough of the view, return back to the trail sign and now veer right for a 2.75 mile jaunt back to the parking lot. I will tell you the blue markings become more random and less routine along this route but the trail is clear enough to stay on course. Overall this is a family friendly, pet friendly and fun friendly hike that If you are looking to expand your day can be married up with cole mountain (same parking lot) for a nice 12 miler.
HIKE ON!
GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS
You need to know:
- can easily combine with cole mtn
- also known as the Henry Lanum Trail
- parking is limited
- primitive camp sites available near summit
Mount Pleasant (renamed Henry Lanum trail) is set in the foothills of the George Washington National Forest and conjoins with another hiking favorite Cole Mountain. To get to the trailhead know that your better equipped with an SUV or truck with some clearance as the road will turn into a rutted mess of rocks and mudholes. Have no fear, the trail is in better condition than the road. At the trailhead, start to the right and follow the blue markings for the entire trail. This trail allows you to pick up speed as it starts relatively flat for the first .08 miles until it begins to slowly snake up and through the forest. There are a few stream crossings to be mindful of (especially if it rained recently). The trail is consistent with most found in the area, its single-track, toughed dirt and small rocks. at around the 2.5 mile mark look for a very clear sign declaring a right turn to find your way up to the summit. The summit trail is a little bit of an incline and some rocks and steps to be mindful. The summit is a rock outcrop showcasing neighboring Cole Mountain and the entire range of hills and mountains. Once you have drank enough of the view, return back to the trail sign and now veer right for a 2.75 mile jaunt back to the parking lot. I will tell you the blue markings become more random and less routine along this route but the trail is clear enough to stay on course. Overall this is a family friendly, pet friendly and fun friendly hike that If you are looking to expand your day can be married up with cole mountain (same parking lot) for a nice 12 miler.
HIKE ON!
GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS
- 2 water bottle hike
- Trail Bars, snacks or Lunch
- HIKING SHOES
