The spruce-covered summit of Bluff Mountain offers little in the way of views, but it is a beautiful setting for a picnic. It is a 1,100-foot climb from the Parkway over Punchbowl Mountain to the summit, which is said to be haunted by the ghost of Ottie Cline Powell, a young child who wandered away from school one autumn afternoon in the late 1800s. his body was later found here; a plaque marks the spot.
From the Parkway, cross the road from the parking area and climb south on the Appalachian Trail. At 0.4 mile, you’ll pass a quarter-mile side trail that leads to Punchbowl Shelter, which stands on the shore of a pretty pond.
Continue hiking on the AT. In half a mile you will pass over the wooded summit of Punchbowl Mountain. At two miles, you’ll reach the summit of Bluff Mountain (elevation 3,373 feet) at the site of an old fire tower. Return to the Parkway by retracing you steps north on the AT.
Getting There: from I-81, take US 60 east through Buena Vista to the Parkway. Drive south on the Parkway to mile 51.7; park at the pull-off on the east side of the Parkway. The hike begins across the road.
Visual courtesy: summitpost
