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Number of Vehicles
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Map &
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The northern 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 lots 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 for more on the upper lot. There are pictures of the trail crossing and the parking lots in the Pictures for this section.
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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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At least 30 in lower lot
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David Cullen
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Enter the National Park (fee) at Thornton Gap. Go south on Skyline Drive. The upper parking for the Panorama Gift Shop (now removed) is the first right. The marker on the attached map is at the entrance to the lot.GPS: N38.6599 W78.3199 The street view to the west from this point shows this entrance.
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A spur trail leaves from the southwest corner of the parking lot and meets the AT in a short distance. Northbound to Section 7 is right. US 211 is 0.2 miles in that direction. Southbound to Section 8 left. Updated 08/27/18
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40 or more in upper lot
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David Cullen
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At the Panorama Parking Lot, there is nothing more than restrooms, a few picnic tables, recycle bins, and educational signs. The gift shop is long gone. 05/02/11
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50 or more in the two lots
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MalteseCross @ Comcast.net
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The trail head for the blue-blazed Meadow Spring Trail l is at mile 33.5 of Skyline Drive, 1.9 miles south of Thornton Gap (US 211) and 32.1 miles north of Swift Run Gap (US 33). There is no parking right at the crossing but there is a small parking lot just to the north. GPS at trail crossiing N38.6379 W78.3142. GPS at parking area 38.6384 W78.3136. The lot is clearly visible on the satellite view of the attached map. The marker is at the actual trailhead. The trail itself can be seen in the west street view from this point. The street view to the north shows the parking area.
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The AT Guide describes this as a steep climb, a level section, then another steep climb to the AT. Junction with the AT is 0.7 miles from Drive. Southbound is left, northbound right. Coordinates at the AT intersection are N38.6420 W78.3206. 1/8/2010 Updated 08/18/18
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5-6
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David Cullen
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A 0.3 mile long service road leads from Mile 33.9 of Skyline Drive to the Bryd's Nest #4 day-use shelter. The intersection with Skyline Drive is 2.3 miles south of Thornton Gap (US 211) and 31.6 miles north of Swift Run Gap (US 33). The marker on the attached map indicates the intersection. GPS N38.6359 W78.3190 The west street view from this point shows the service road.
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I have never parked here or hiked the service road. It appears that parking is limited at the intersection. Roadside parking might be possible. Alternatively one could park at the Meadow Springs Parking Area at Mile 33.5 of Skyline Drive and walk south along the drive 0.4 miles to the intersection. Any parking safety contributions here should be for the intersection. GPS of Byrd's Nest #4: N38.6343 W78.3236 08/28/18
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Very limited roadside may be possible
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David Cullen
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This trail head for this trail is at at Mile 36.2 of Skyline Drive, 4.7 miles south of Thornton Gap (US 211) and 29.3 miles north of Swift Run Gap (US 33). meets Some roadside parking may be possible but the best parking is at Jewell Hollow Overlook 0.2 miles away. (See Mile 5.2 below)
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If coming from the Jewell Hollow Overlook parking walk 0.2 miles north (compass east) along Drive. The distance will be less if you park in the northeast part of the overlook area. This blue-blazed trail goes left (north). It meets the AT in 0.1 miles. Northbound AT is right, southbound is left. Coordinates at the AT intersection are N38.6276 W78.3366. The marker on the attached map is at the trail head. GPS:N38.6273 W78.3371 Rotate the street view to the north to see the trail. Look for the typical Shenandoah cement post trail marker. 08/29/18
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Very limited at trail head. Use Jewell Hollow area
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David Cullen
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Jewell Hollow Overlook is at Mile 36.4 of Skyline Drive, 4.9 miles south of Thornton Gap (US 211) and 29.1 miles north of Swift run Gap (US 33). Parking area is on the west side of the drive. The marker on the attached map is near one of the entrances. The whole paved area can be seen on the satellite view. Rotate the street view from the point of the marker from the west to north to see the parking area.
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Spur trail leads west 75 feet to meet AT. This spur trail leaves from the "finger" of parking area at the southwest end of the overlook area. See satellite view of map. Southbound AT is left, northbound AT is right. 1/8/2010 Updated 08/29/18
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20-30
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David Cullen
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Entrance to Pinnacles Picnic Area is at Mile 36.7 of Skyline Drive, 5.2 miles south of Thornton Gap (US 211) and 28.8 miles north of Swift Run Gap (US 33). Drive to the back (west end) of the parking area to find the AT. There is parking there. The marker on the attached map its placed at this point. GPS; N38.6235 W78.3437 Dispersed parking is also available throughout the picnic area.
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The northbound AT circles around the west and north sides of the picnic area. It can be picked up at several points. On the west side there is a large sign about the Appalachian Trail and inviting people to walk on a portion of it. See Pictures for this section to see views of the AT and the parking in the picnic area. 08/30/18
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20 near trail
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David Cullen
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Corbins Cabin Parking Area is at mile 37.9 of Skyline Drive, 6.4 miles south of Thornton Gap (US 211) and 27.6 miles north of Swift Run Gap (US 33). The small parking area is on the on the west side of the drive. The marker indicates the parking area. GPS: N38.6157 W78.3506 The street view at this point to the north and east show it.
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Corbins Cabin Cutoff Trail goes east from the parking area. The AT comes very close to the drive on the west side and a short unblazed trail on the west side leads to the AT. Note: Right here the Drive is going east-west so "west" is compass north. 3/4/06 Updated 08/31/18
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8-10
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David Cullen
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The trail head is on the west (compass north) side of the drive at Mile 38.4. This is 7.1 miles south of Thornton Gap (US 211) and 26.9 miles north of Swift Run Gap (US 33). The marker on the attached map indicates this point. GPS: N38.6133 W78.3600, The street view to the north from this point show the trail head. While roadside parking might be possible, best parking is at the north end of the large Stony Man Parking Overlook to the south (GPS: N38.6623 W78.3622). From the north end of that area it is about 0.1 miles to the Trailhead. The following gives a rotatable image of the north end of the Stony Man area: https://goo.gl/maps/43GSzPMALwk
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Initially this is the Nicholson Hollow Trail, but in a few feet, the Crusher Ridge Trail goes right. It follows an old road along the crest of a low ridge, meeting the AT in about 0.1 miles. Southbound is left, northbound is right. Coordinates at the AT intersection are N38.6144 W78.3592. 1/8/2010 Updated 09/01/18
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Probably 0 at trailhead, many at Stony Man Parking Area
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David Cullen
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This has the same the same trail head as the Crusher Ridge Trail. See previous entry (Mile 7.0) for parking information..
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The trail head is on the west side of the drive at Mile 38.4. The Crusher Ridge Trail goes right in a few feet. Continue straight ahead. It is 0.1 miles to the AT. Southbound is left, northbound right. Coordinates at the AT are 38.6147 -78.3606. Note: Most of the Nicholson Hollow Trail is east of Skyline Drive. What is described here is an extension on the west side. 1/8/2010 Updated 09/01/18
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Probably 0 at trailhead,30-40 at Stony Man Parking Area
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David Cullen
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The huge Stony Man Overlook is at Mile 38.6 of Skyline Drive, 7.3 miles south of Thornton Gap (US 211) and 26.7 miles north of Swift Run Gap (US 33).
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The marker on the attached map indicates the southern entrance to the overlook/parking area. GPS: N38.61025 W78.3637 The street view to the west from this point shows the area obviously under construction (2009). This has long since been finished. A short (200 feet) spur trail leaves from the south end of the parking area and meets the AT. The spur begins near where the darker car is parked in the west street view. See also Pictures for this section. At the junction of the spur and the AT, southbound AT is left, northbound right. 1/8/2010. Updated 09/01/18
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30-40
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David Cullen
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The Little Stony Mt. Parking Area is at Mile 39.1 of Skyline Drive, 7.6 miles south of Thornton Gap (US 211) and 26.4 miles north of Swift Run Gap (US 33). See attached map. The marker indicates the parking are (GPS: N38.6057 W78.3664). The street view to the west from the point shows the area. It can also be seen on the satellite view.
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A short spur trail leads 150 feet to the AT. Northbound is right, southbound left. 11/16/09 Updated: 09/01/18
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8-10
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David Cullen
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This southern end of this section is at the crossing of the north entrance road to Skyland resort, a few feet west of the road's intersection with Skyline Drive at Mile 41.7, 10.2 miles south of Thornton Gap (US 211) and 23.8 miles north of Swift Run Gap (US 33). The Stony Man Nature Trail Parking area is on the north side of the entrance road. The marker on the attached map indicates the trail head for the AT/Nature Trail which goes north from the lot. GPS: N38.5931 W78.3756 See last Picture for this section for a view of the trail head. See the first Picture for Section 9 for a view of the parking lot.
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The northbound AT (to section 8) coincides with the Stony Man Nature Trail until near the summit. The southbound AT(to Section 9) crosses the entrance road. 1/8/2010 Updated 09/01/18
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20
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David Cullen
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