Reddish Knob- The Lazy Man's Sunset
by Meghan Tocci

Photo by Buddy Harlow
Perhaps it's what makes this experience a novelty, but is the timing of a sunrise or a sunset convenient for anyone? Thanks to Ben Franklin, daylight savings time shakes the schedule up every season. But if you want to catch a sunrise you're going to have to be awake and ready anywhere from five to seven a.m. guaranteed. As far as sunsets go? Well, pack a dinner, because you're looking to post up anywhere from six to nine pm.
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When you're looking to catch the beginning or end of the day, it's great to watch it from the comfort of your porch. But we're in the Shenandoah Valley. Nestled in a basin of towering Appalachian ranges. Catching the sun's coming and goings from the peak of a mountain is the best way to get your return on investment.
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Of course this means you have to actually climb a mountain. I get winded by a dozen stairs, so hiking up a mountain at three a.m to see the sun arrive is a thing of nightmares. My night vision is also lacking. So hiking back down a mountain in the dark is best left to Bear Grylls.
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Feeling completely turned off to the idea of a sunrise/sunset hike yet? Don't be. There is a solution 40 minutes outside of Harrisonburg, and its name is Reddish Knob.
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Reddish Knob is a peak in the George Washington Forest popular with mountain bikers. Why? Because it has a paved road all the way up the winding, horror-film-looking- trail. This means you can drive to the peak without breaking a sweat and without sacrificing the views. A 360 degree view to be exact, with a peak into Virginia and West Virginia. It's accessible year round and it's free. Reddish Knob encapsulates the concept of working smarter not harder.
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Just plug these coordinates into your GPS (38°27′44″N 79°14′30″W) and go see for yourself. Perhaps even enjoy your first legal drink at sunrise.
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Photo by Buddy Harlow