A long, steep, but manageable scramble to the top of Rich Patch Mountain (Montgomery Knob is connected and lower). Went off trail for the last time this season as spring flowers are beginning to come up at this elevation. The summit is about a quarter mile off the remote Upper Hoop Hole Trail and remains in the Jefferson National Forest. Completely worth the anaerobic effort at times. The views are tremendous! Purgatory Mountain with the young James River snaking around the valley. The Peaks of Otter are straight off in the distance on a blue sky day.