Monument Trail via the AT

The Monument Trail loop can be accessed from the Monument parking lot inside the park or from the trailhead parking area outside the park. This adventure leaves from the AT parking lot just off route 23 before reaching the High Point State Park Office. The parking lot is down an unmarked paved road. At this time the road does not appear on google map but the parking lot does. From the parking lot there is a trail marked with blue dashes. Follow this until it ends on the Iris Trail designated with red discs on a white background. After a short distance the Iris trail merges with the Appalachian Trail (AT on maps, white markers on trail). The AT exits just south to the Park headquarters and crosses Route 23. After crossing the road, the trail is well marked crossing a field and then into the forest. This 1.2 mile section is very rocky and steep in some sections. Nearly one mile in there is an observation platform that offers expansive views to the south and east toward the High Point Monument. After descending a hill, turn left onto the Monument Trail (red and green markers). The trail passes Lake Marcia and crosses Kuser road. Across the road walk up a side road where the Monument Trail will re-enter the forest. The trail continues east for two miles until it turns back west and begins to climb High Point Mountain. After one more mile you reach the Monument parking lot. Stay right of the large rock as the trail continues behind a bathroom and to the right of the monument. There are several good viewpoints off the parking lot. After a steep downhill, the trail will cross a road and re-enter the forest near where you turn off the AT. Re-join the AT and return south back to the trailhead.