OverviewBM Maiden marks the intersection of Clinch and Garden mountains in SW Virginia. The BM is on the high spot and the highpoint of Tazewell county. Suprisingly it is the 7th tallest peak in Virginia. The summit is in the Jefferson NF, and this peak lies on the northern edge of the Beartown Wilderness. This 5900+ acre wilderness valley lies between Clinch/Garden Mountains, and Chestnut Ridge (The Appalachian trail follows Chestnut Ridge as it climbs up to Garden Mountain). It is remote (by east coast standards) and rugged with elevations ranging from 2200 in the valley to 4710 at the summit. There is one trail in the wilderness and Roaring Fork is a native brown trout stream. This is a beautiful area, I saw no sign of use when I camped in the wilderness. From the summit on the trail to Hutchinson Rock, there are some outstanding views of Burkes Garden. Burkes Garden is the highest valley in Virginia; almost completely surrounded by Garden Mountain it is often called "Gods thumbprint" (see link) BM Maiden is SSW of Hutchinson Rock). I suspect the only people who hike this mountain are peakbaggers, maybe some local residents.
Getting ThereThe usual route to the summit is via the Appalachian trail at Walker gap. This is accessed from Burkes Garden. Follow CR 727 from Burkes Garden to Walker Gap and the AT. Hike south to the Chestnut Knob shelter. From this point take a combination of roads and off trail along the Tennessee valley Divide to BM Maiden. Trip reports (TR) can be reviewed at the county highpointers website. Chestnut Knob can also be hiked via the AT from the south (Laurel creek).
On my climb I approached from the west, off VA 16. This area is called Thompson Valley and I bushwhacked up Garden Mountain (see my TR on the cohp website above). This route was steep and the summit plateau is an expansive nasty thicket of blueberries and laurel.
A challenge would be to summit from Roaring Creek in the Beartown Wilderness. This would involve >2000' gain. The only trails are overgrown RR grades and hunter trails. This would be difficult. I would be hesitant to park my car on the FS road along Laurel Creek as this is a remote area. There are hunter cabins, ask permission to park in someones yard near the TH.
Red TapeMy access was via private land. I obtained permission. The other 2 routes are NF land (see the TR's as noted above)CampingCamping at the shelter on the AT and there are spots at/near the highpoint. There was some water on the trail towards Hutchinson Rock.When to climbThe conditions should mirror the conditions at Grayson Highlands. Weather could be very challenging in winter. (When I climbed this peak in January 2006 it was snowing and windy but it cleared off.)WarningMany consider this one of the harder highpoints in Virginia. From Walker Gap it is 10+ mile RT. My route was significantly shorter (4.5 miles RT) but tougher. The summit plateau at the intersection of Garden and Clinch mountains is an impenetrable thicket of Laurel and Blueberries. (It took me 1 hour to go 0.3 mile.) There are trails on the ridgeline coming up from Thompson Valley and Hutchinson Rock, both start on private land. One needs to be proficient with map, compass, and crosscountry travel. The USGS quad in Hutchinson Rock. Images
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