Mile
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Hiker Rated
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Number of Vehicles
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Map &
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Gravel Springs Gap is at Mile 17.7 of Skyline Drive, 13.8 miles north of Thornton Gap (US 211). The drive right here is going east-west. A parking area is on the "east" (actually south) side of the road. See attached map.The marker indicates the entrance.GPS: N38.7679 W78.2336 To see the lot on the street view, rotate the view at this point to the south.
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The AT crosses the road here. Northbound is on the "west" (actually north) side of the drive, southbound is on the "east" (actually south) side. The northbound trail can be seen by rotating the street view to the north. The southbound trail crosses the parking lot.06/05/2016 Updated: 07/29/18
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8-10
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David Cullen
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The AT crosses Skyline drive at Mile 18.9, 12.6 miles north of Thornton Gap (US 211) . Roadside parking might be possible here for a few cars. Closest designated parking are is 0.3 miles south (Keyser Run Fire Road).
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The marker on the attached map indicates the crossing. GPS: N38.75864 W78.2510. Rotate the street view from this point to the east to see the northbound trail. Rotate to the west to see the southbound trail. 01/14/10 Updated 08/23/18
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Limited roadside parking
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David Cullen
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Parking for the Keyser Run Fire Road is on the east side of Skyline Drive at Mile 19.4. This is 12.1 miles north of Thornton Gap (US 211). Note: On the most recent Google map Keyser Run road is called the Jinney Gray road.
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The Keyser Run Fire Road actually runs down the east side of the ridge. The marker on the attached map indicates the intersection of the two roads. GPS: N38.7576 W78.3565. The lot can be in the south street view from this point. A spur trail goes west across the Drive and meets the AT in about 100 feet. Northbound AT is right, southbound is left. 06/05/2016 Updated 08/23/18
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8-10
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David Cullen
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Little Hogback Parking Overlook is at Mile 19.7 of Skyline Drive, 11.8 miles north of Thornton Gap. The parking area is on the west side of the road. Since the Drive is running east-west right here, the parking area is compass north.
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The marker on the attached map indicates the entrance to the parking area. Rotate the street view from this point to the north to see the parking area. GPS: N38.7584 W78.2622 Short spur trail (50 feet) leads to AT. Southbound is left, northbound is right. 08/24/18
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10
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David Cullen
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Best parking is at the Hogback Overlook at mile 20.9 of Skyline Drive, 10.6 miles north of Thornton Gap (US 211). The marker on the attached map indicates the trail crossing. The large parking area can be seen on the satellite view to the west of the crossing. Coordinates at the crossing are N38.7620 W78.2774.
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The AT crosses the Drive north (compass east) of the overlook. The northbound trail goes east up a gated service road to radio towers. To see this rotate the street view from the point indicated by the marker to the north. Rotate the street view to the west to see the southbound trail. Look for the white blaze. The southbound trail goes east, crosses over one of the summits of Hogback Mt. and recrosses the Drive in 0.3 miles (See Mile 3.4.) 08/24/18
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None at Trail Crossing
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David Cullen
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The marker on the map here indicates the Hogback Mountain Parking area. The street view from this point can be rotated to show the entire parking area. From here one may walk either south or north a short distance to pick up the AT. Coordinates at the parking area are N38.7628 W78.2794. 08/24/18
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15-20
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David Cullen
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There is a parking area adjacent to the AT at Mile 21.1 on Skyline Drive, 10.4 miles north of Thornton Gap (US 211). The parking area is on the west side of the Drive. Even more parking is available at the Hogback Overlook a short distance north on the Drive (at Mile 20.9 of Skyline Drive). Parking numbers given are for the closer parking area. See Mile 3.1 for more information about the Hogback Overlook parking,
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The marker on the attached map indicates where the AT crosses Skyline Drive here. Choose the street view option from this point to see the area. Rotate to the east to see the northbound trail. Rotate to the west to see the southbound trail and part of the lot adjacent to the trail. More of the lot is visible in the north view. Coordinates at the crossing are N38.7610 W78.2820. 08/24/18
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15
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David Cullen
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Rattlesnake Point Overlook is at Mile 21.9 of Skyline Drive, 9.6 miles north of Thornton Gap (US 211) . The parking area is on the east side of the road. The marker on the attached map indicate the overlook parking. It can clearly be seen on the satellite view. Coordinates at the parking area are N38.7516 W78.2887.
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The AT crosses the Drive about 500 feet south of the overlook parking area. The trace of the AT shown on the map is accurate here. Choose the street view option and click on the point where the trail crosses the road. The street view to the north shows the northbound trail, while the view to the south shows the southbound AT. Coordinates at the crossing are N38.7510 W78.2902 There is no parking at the trail crossing. 08/25/18
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8
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David Cullen
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The trail crosses Skyline Drive at Mile 23.9, 12.6 miles north of Thornton Gap (Us 211). This is being included for completeness only. A much better place for either parking or dropping off is at the nearby Elkwallow Wayside. See next listing (Mile 6.0)
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The marker on the attached map is at the trail crossing.GPS N38.7389 W78.3075 In the street view to the west, the southbound trail can be seen going to the right . The northbound trail is in the south view but is harder to see. It goes to the left Look for the Shenandoah National Park concrete trail sign pillar. 08/25/18
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0 to very limited
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David Cullen
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Ample Parking at Elkwallow Wayside (snack bar, gift shop, gas station) in Elkwallow Gap. Entrance to this is at Mile 24.0 of Skyline Drive, 7.5 miles north of Thornton Gap (US 211). This area is on the west side of the drive.
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The marker on the attached map indicates the northern parking area for the Elkwallow Wayside. The GPS coordinates are N 38.7388 W 78.3098 It is close to the trailhead for the Elkwallow Trail. This trail goes north from the wayside and reaches the AT in about 0.1 mile. At that point the northbound AT goes right, the southbound goes left. The northbound trail soon crosses Skyline Drive. 06/02/16
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30-40
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David Cullen
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The entrance to Elkwallow Picnic Area is at Mile 24.2 of Skyline Drive, 7.3 miles north of Thornton Gap (US 211). It is on the west (compass north here) side of the Drive. Drive to back of area. Parking for 8-10 cars there with dispersed parking available elsewhere in the picnic area.
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The location of the rear parking lot is indicated by the marker on the attached map. Parts of it can be seen in the satellite view. GPS: N38.7409 W78.3120
A spur trail leads west 200 feet from the lot to the AT. Southbound AT is straight ahead, northbound is to the right. I believe this area is Day Use only. 08/25/18
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8-10
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David Cullen
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The marker on the attached map indicates the entrance to the picnic area. This road can be seen on the north and west street views from this point. Coordinates at the entrance are N38.7381 W78.3107 08/25/18
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David Cullen
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Parking for the Thornton River Trail is at mile 25.4 of Skyline Drive, 6.1 miles north of Thornton Gap (US 211). Parking area is on east side of Drive. The marker shows the location of the parking area. The street views to the south and east from Skyline Drive near this point show the parking area. The trail head is about 200 feet south on Skyline Drive. Coordinates at the parking area are N38.7238 W78.3201
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The majority of the Thornton River Trail lies to the east of the drive. However a portion of it is on the west side. Go west on the Thornton River Trail. This climbs fairly steeply and meets the AT at the top of a ridge. At the AT intersection southbound is left, northbound is right. This junction marks the western terminus of the Thornton River Trail. Coordinates at the junction are. N 38.7217 W 78.3241 . 1/6/2010 Updated 08/26/18.
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8-10
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David Cullen
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The street view to the on the attached map shows the westbound Thornton River Trail leaving Skyline Drive. The view to the north shows the parking area few hundred feet away. Coordinates at the trail head are N38.72325 W78.32090. 06/03/16
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David Cullen
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The Neighbor Mt. Parking Area is at Mile 26.8 of Skyline Drive, 4.7 miles north of Thornton Gap (US 211). The parking area is on the west side of the road. The marker on the attached map indicates this lot. The street view to the south on the attached map shows the lot The coordinates for the parking area are N38.7077 W78.3307.
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A blue-blazed trail goes west from the parking area for about 0.1 miles to meet the AT. Northbound AT is right, southbound is left. Coordinates at the AT are N38.7070 W78.3318. 1/6/2010 Updated 08/26/18
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David Cullen
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Large parking area for Beahms Gap Overlook is at Mile 28.5, 3.0 miles north of Thornton Gap (US 211). This is on the west side of the drive. See attached map. The marker indicates the parking area. Rotate the street view at this point clockwise from south to north to see the entire parking area. Coordinates N38.6947 W78.3198
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A spur trail leads west 0.1 miles to the AT. Right on the AT is northbound, left is southbound. Alternatively one could walk south along the road. The AT crosses the road just south of the parkway (See Mile 11.4) 3/8/2006 (Updated 08/26/18)
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20-30
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David Cullen
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See previous entry (Mile 11.1) for information about parking at Beahms Gap. There is no parking right at the crossing but the huge Beahms Gap parking area is only a few feet to the north. See Mile 11.1. Coordinates at crossing N38.6941 W78.3196
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The AT crosses the Drive here south of the parking area. The marker indicates the crossing. Rotate the street view on the map to the east to see the southbound trail. Rotate to the south to see the northbound trail. 08/26/18
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0 at crossing
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David Cullen
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The AT crosses Skyline Drive just north of the US 211 interchange in Thornton Gap. Northbound on the drive this crossing is shortly after the entrance station. Southbound it is just before the overpass over US 211. The marker on the attached map indicates the crossing. GPS N38.6625 W78.3227
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This crossing is being included for completeness only. Parking appears to be non-existent. It might be possible to use it as a quick drop-off point. The marker on the attached map indicates the crossing. GPS N38.6625 W78.3227 The street view from this point to the north shows the northbound trail. It starts up a service road, then bears left into the woods. The south view shows the southbound trail towards the crossing of US 211. 08/26/18
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0
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David Cullen
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The southern end of this section is where the AT crosses US 211 in Thornton Gap. There is no parking there. To the east of the trail crossing is an exit for Skyline Drive (Mile 31.5). Best parking is probably in parking lot for the now removed Panorama Gift Shop. The lower lot is accessible from US 211. It is on the south side of the highway. This entrance is indicated by the marker on the attached map. The street view to the south from this point shows the entrance. Coordinates at the entrance are N38.6606 W78.3219. There are stairs which allow pedestrian access between the two lot but there is no connection for vehicles. Access by vehicle to the upper lot is from Skyline Drive (fee to enter park). See mile 0.2 of Section 8 for more on the upper lot. There are pictures of the trail crossing and the parking lots in the Pictures for Section 8.
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Both lots and the trail crossing can be seen on the satellite view on the attached map. To reach AT from lower parking lot, walk west along shoulder of highway about 0.1 mile to reach AT crossing where there is a pedestrian crosswalk. Coordinates at the crossing: N38.6610 W78.3234. The trace of the AT shown on the map is accurate. To go south on Section 8, go left. To go north on Section 7, go right across the highway.
To reach the AT via the upper lot, take the short spur trail from the southwest corner of that lot. This meets the AT in a short distance. To the right (north) it is 0.2 miles to the highway crossing. Southbound is to the left. 08/27/18
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30-40 in each lot
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David Cullen
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