Archive for the ‘Shenandoah Valley’ Category
Little Devil’s Staircase Trail - Shenandoah National Park
Posted by Chris | Filed under Shenandoah Valley, State Parks, Trail Information
Description: This is a strenuous 5.4 or 7.8 mile loop in the Shenandoah National Park. Most of the work comes early on as you climb steeply up and over rocks, gaining 1500 feet of elevation in about1.8 miles (1000 ft over a mile). If you think your buttocks muscles need some tightening-up then this is your hike! But honestly, once you’ve gained the ridge top almost all of the strenuous part is over. The short version of this hike utilizes a fire road as a return route and passes a graveyard along the way. The longer route follows Piney Branch with several nice little falls and cascades along the way. You’ll have to cross it twice but usually without much difficulty.
Trail notes: From the parking area follow the blue blazed Little Devil’s Staircase Trail North. At first the gorge is wide and the tread is rocky. As you proceed along the gorge will get much narrower and steeper … and, of course, rockier. You’ll cross Keyser’s Run several times as it percolates between all of the rocks and boulders. Be sure to look behind you as you climb for partial views. Near the end the trail gets very steep and then makes a hard left and reaches the ridge on a much more gradual pitch.
At 1.88 miles from the start reach a 4-way intersection. To the left and right is yellow blazed Keyser Run Fire Road. Straight ahead is blue blazed Pole Bridge Trail. If you opt for the shorter route turn left onto Keyser Run Fire Trail. In about 2.2 miles pass Bolen Cemetery and arrive at the intersection of Hull School Fire Road. Turn left, remaining on Keyser Run Fire Road and follow it back (1 mile) to your cars.
For the longer loop, continue straight through the 4-way intersection onto blue blazed Pole Bridge Tr. In about 0.93 miles turn left onto blue blazed Piney Branch Trail. Descend 2.8 miles to the intersection of Yellow blazed Hull School Fire Road. Turn left here.
At 0.78 miles from the last trail junction arrive at the junction of yellow blazed Keyser Run Fire Road (left and straight). Proceed straight on Keyser Run Fire Road for about another mile to get back to your car.
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Originally Published at MidAtlanticHikers.com/VA http://www.midatlantichikes.com/id156.html
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Jenkins Gap/Hickerson Hollow Circuit - Shenandoah National Park
Posted by Chris | Filed under Shenandoah Valley, State Parks, Trail Information
Description: This is a pretty arduous but rewarding hike in the northern section of SNP. It can be done either as a moderate 7.5 mile loop w/ a 1500 foot gain in elevation or a strenuous 12.2 mile “lollipop” circuit with over 2000 feet of elevation gain. There are views both east and west from Compton peak although the west view is by far the best. There is another vista as you leave the park on the AT and a nice lunch spot at the Tom Floyd’s Wayside. A one mile road walk will bring you back into the park on the Hickerson Hollow Tr along a picturesque stream of the same name. If you opt to do the shorter loop but still want to take in the views on Compton Peak add a 2mile out-and-back at the beginning or end of the trek for a total distance of around 9.5 miles.
If doing the shorter loop follow Skyline Drive to about Mile Marker 10.2 and park at the Compton Gap Parking Lot on the left. If doing the entire trek continue past mile marker 12 and park at the Jenkins Gap parking lot on the west side of the drive.
Trail Notes: For the long version start at the Jenkins Gap Parking Area. Follow a spur trail a short distance to the junction with the white blazed AT. Turn right on the AT and follow it for 1.2 miles to a concrete post marking a 4X intersection.
Take in the views and then continue to follow the AT as it switchbacks down to Skyline Drive in 0.76 miles. Cross the drive into the Compton gap Parking area. This is the start of the shorter hike.
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North Mountain Trail
Posted by Chris | Filed under Shenandoah Valley, Trail Information
Description: North Mountain Trail follows North Mountain and drops into the Longdale Recreation Area. The trail can be accessed in three ways.
Total Distance: 9.5 miles
Location/Directions: The trail can be accessed in three ways. One access is to exit I-64 at the Goshen exit and proceed south on FDR 447 to the trailhead. Another access is available from Longdale Furnace by taking the Longdale Furnace exit off I-64 and turning onto west U.S. 60. Then turn left onto the State Route 770. Continue up 770 to the trailhead at the intersection of FDR 447 and Route 770. The third access to North Mountain Trail is from the Longdale Recreation Area.
Parking is available at the intersection of FDR 447 and State Route 770 and at the Longdale Recreation Area in the first parking lot. Parking is also available on FDR 271 if the recreation is closed.
Difficulty: More Difficult
Elevation Gain: N/A
Maps: N/A
Finding the Trailhead: The trail begins at the intersection of FDR 447 and State Route 770.
The Hike: North Mountain Trail offers some of the best viewing opportunities on the district. The trail was built by the CCC’s in the 1930’s by the men from the natural Bridge Camp. From the Beginning to its end, North Mountain Trail travels nine and one half miles through terrain that varies in elevation from 1,700 to 3,200 feet. It starts on North Mountain at the intersection of FDR 447 and State Route 770 just south of the radio tower. The trail heads southwest along North Mountain and offers occasional views to the east and west. Brushy Mountain and Mill Mountain areas visible to the west while Collierstown and Lake Robinson are visible to the east.
At mile 3, narrow rock stairs descend between huge boulders. There is a wide view of the surrounding landscape from atop the boulders. This trail offers an opportunity for some great pictures of the surrounding landscape. The views from the top of North Mountain are spectacular especially on clear, cloudless days.
The trail takes a sharp right turn to head down off the mountain and into Longdale Recreation Area. It drops down off the ridge and follows a drain for a short distance until it intersects with the end of an old skid road. Then it turns south to go around the nose of a ridge and drops down into Bob Downy Branch. Soon after reaching Bob Downy Branch the trail crosses FDR 271. (Tri County Road). The trail follows Bob Downy Branch to the intersection with Yaccr’s Run Trail. Yaccr’s Run Trail and North Mountain Trail share the rest of the hike into Longdale Recreation Area. The entire hike should take four to six hours and can be hiked in either direction.
The trailhead at FDR 447 and State Route 770 is difficult to access in the winter months because of snow and ice accumulations on the road surfaces.
Dark Hollow, Shenandoah National Park, VA
Posted by Chris | Filed under Blue Ridge Parkway, Shenandoah Valley, Trail Information
Description: Moderate hike with two waterfalls and tons of wildlife.
Total Distance: 5.5 miles round trip
Location/Directions: Luray, VA – Drive to Big Meadows, just south of Mile Post 51 on Skyline Drive. Turn in and follow signs to Amphitheater parking area. Trails begins behind the amphitheater.
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 1400 feet
Finding the Trailhead: Trail begins behind the amphitheater.
The Hike: Circuit passes Rose River Falls and the site of an old copper mine. Erosion has all but obliterated all traces of the mine. The circuit continues on past Dark Hollow Falls and offers view points from the Appalachian Trail as it circles the Big Meadows picnic and camping areas.
