The AT travels through the James River Face Wilderness (8,903 acres) designated by Congress in 1975 for most of this section. From the trailhead parking lot, the trail enters the wilderness area and reaches Matts Creek Shelter at 2.2 miles. It then begins a 2.7 mile climb on Hickory Stand's north spur with excellent views of the James River Gorge, Little Rocky Row, Big Rocky Row and Bluff Mountain from the trail as it follows the ridge for nearly two miles. The trail intersects with the Sulphur Spring Horse Trail (4.9 miles). The AT passes a campsite at Marble Springs (8.1 miles) and begins a steep climb to High Cock Knob, 2,383 feet above the James River Gorge! The knob is named for a bear hunter's roosters who perched in a big oak tree near the summit of the mountain!! The AT then descends to the end of the section at Petites Gap.