Hogback Mountain Lookout Site

Status: Former Lookout
Elevation: 3,474 feet
Prominence: 1,154 feet
State: Virginia
County: Warren (County Highpoint) and Rappahannock
AT Access: Trail over the top

If you have more information about this site, please contact me.

Hogback Mountain is the highest peak in the northern portion of Shenandoah National Park. In the winter of 1942-43, CPS workers built the fire lookout tower and a cabin on the summit. CPS camps provided public service in civilian work as an alternative to military service for conscientious objectors. This helped cushion the blow for the National Park when losing CCC labor.

Hogback Lookout Tower on a 1950 map

Hogback Mountain Lookout 1991 Renick Proffitt photo

AT as it passes over Hogback Mountain

The AT goes right by the spur road gate up to the summit of Hogback Mountain. It is a steep road but short. I tried to find a trail down the other side as to not backtrack down the road but I could not find one and the brush looked very uninviting. The summit is not interesting at all but the peak does have over 1,000 feet of prominence, so there is that. There are nice views from the saddles on both sides of the peak along the AT route. Enjoy them because going northbound the trail is about to drop down and back into endless trees.

Powerline going up the east ridge of the mountain

View from the AT on the East side of the mountain.

Nearing the summit of Hogback Mountain