Mile
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Hiker Rated
Parking Safety |
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Directions
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Comments
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Number of Vehicles
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Map &
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Fishers Gap is at mile 49.3 of Skyline Drive, 17.8 miles south of Thornton Gap (US 211) and 16.2 miles north of Swift Run Gap (US 33). Official southern end of this section is where trail crosses gated Red Gate Fire Road 350 feet west of Skyline Drive. I have never used it but there is some roadside parking just to the east (compass south) of the trail crossing. This can clearly be seen on the satellite view of the attached map. The marker on the map indicates the intersection of Red Gate Fire Road and Skyline Drive. GPS:N38.5335 W78.4209 This is right next to the north entrance road to Fishers Gap Overlook. The north street view from the point of the marker shows some of the parking pull-off. Note: Ample (and probably better) parking is available at Fishers Gap Overlook. See Mile 0.1 below. Any Parking Safety contributions here should be for the Red Gate Road parking.
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It is just a short distance down Red Gate Fire Road to the trail crossing. There the northbound trail to Section 9 is right, the southbound to Section 10 is left. GPS at trail crossing N38.5343 W78.4216. The AT overlay on the map is slightly off here. For a picture of the trail crossing see https://goo.gl/maps/AEcRL6Zk3k82 . Parked cars can be seen in the background. 09/07/18
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5-6
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David Cullen
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Fishers Gap Overlook is at mile 49.3 of Skyline Drive, 17.8 miles south of Thornton Gap (US 211) and 16.2 miles north of Swift Run Gap (US 33). Overlook is on west (compass north here) side of Drive. The marker on the attached map indicates the parking area. GPS N38.5340 N78.4225 For a rotatable picture that shows both the view from the overlook and the parking area see https://goo.gl/maps/EPzsLnUHxT62 .
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From the overlook a short spur trail (100 feet) leads west (compass north) and downhill to the AT. Northbound AT is to the right. Red Gate Fire Road the division between Sections 9 and 10 is 0.1 miles in that direction. Southbound to Section 10 is to the left. 11/18/2009 Updated 09/08/18
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20-30
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David Cullen
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Entrance to the Big Meadows area is at mile 51.2 on Skyline Drive, 19.7 miles south of Thornton Gap (US 211) and 14.3 miles north of Swift Run Gap (US 33). Ample parking at the lodge and the amphitheater. The markers on the attached map here show parking around the amphitheater. GPS: N38.5308 W78.4397See next listing for more detail about parking at the lodge.
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The AT in this area is looping around the Big Meadows area. To reach the AT at this point go east from lodge on paved walk or west from amphitheater. At trail junction on the west side of the Amphitheater, go north (and downhill) a short distance to reach AT. Southbound is left, northbound is right. This side trail, the lodge and the amphitheater can all be seen on the satellite view on the map. For a map of the roads and trails in the Big Meadows area, see: https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/upload/BigMeadows_RoadTrail.pdf
3/26/08 Updated 05/27/19
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Ample
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David Cullen
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See previous entry (mile 1.6) for directions to Big meadows. and a link to a map of the Big Meadows area. Best parking for this access point would probably be at Big Meadows Lodge. The marker on the attached map indicates the lodge parking area.
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There are signs from the lodge to Black Rock. According to the map this route goes through the parking lot then goes left (west) into the woods passing Black Rock and descending to the AT.The marker on the attached map indicates the APPROXIMATE place in the parking lot where the trail turns into the woods. GPS at this point N38.5278 W78.4416 From the lodge it is 0.2 miles to Blackrock (view) and another 0.1 mile to AT. Southbound AT is left, northbound is right. 05/27/19
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Ample
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David Cullen
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See previous entries for directions to Big Meadows. Continue south (compass west right here) from the entrance to the Big Meadows Area for 0.1 miles. A service road (AKA Lewis Spring Road) goes off to the right at mile 51.4 of Skyline Drive. 19.9 miles south of Thornton Gap (US 211) and 14.1 miles north of Swift Run Gap (US 33). Just beyond this is a small parking area. The marker on the attached map is at the intersection with the service road. GPS: N38.5169 W78.4416. The street view to the north from this point shows the service road while the one to the west shows the parking. These features are also readily seen on the satellite view.
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To reach the AT walk compass north on gated service road. The AT crosses 0.3 miles from Skyline Drive. Southbound AT is to left, northbound is to right. 05/28/19
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5-6
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David Cullen
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Alternate parking is at the Big Meadow Wayside/ Byrd Visitor Center at the entrance to the Big Meadows area or at the parking area for the Rapidan Fire Road on the west (compass south) side of Skyline Drive. Both these areas are clearly visible on the satellite view on the map in the previous listing. GPS at entrance to Big Meadows N38.5170 W78.4392. GPS at Rapidan Road parking N38.5165 W78.4402. Note: If submitting a Parking Safety contribution about one of these alternate areas, please state which one.05/28/19
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Ample parking at wayside, 10-12 at Rapidan Fire Road
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David Cullen
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This gated road intersects the Skyline Drive at Mile 51.6 of latter. I'm not sure of legality of parking of grass on either side of the road. Better parking is probably at Tanners Ridge Overlook just to north of the intersection. The overlook is on the west side of the road. The marker on the attached map indicate its position. Rotate the street view to see this parking area. Tanners Ridge Road and and Tanners Ridge Cemetery where the AT crosses are also seen on the satellite view. GPS of overlook:N38.5163 W78.4438 GPS at intersection of Skyline Drive and Tanners Ridge Road: GPS N38.5143 -W8.4449
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Go west on the Tanners Ridge Road for 0.1 miles to intersect the AT at Tanners Ridge Cemetery. Southbound Trail is left, northbound trail is right. 11/18/09
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8
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David Cullen
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There is a large parking lot on the west side of Skyline Drive in Milam Gap at Mile 52.8. This is 21.3 miles south of Thornton Gap (US 211) and 12.7 miles north of Swift Run Gap (US 33). The marker on the attached map indicates the southern entrance to the lot. The lot is clearly visible on the satellite view. If you rotate the street view from this point to the you can see the lot. The crosswalk indicating the actual AT crossing of Skyline Drive can be seen in the south view. GPS N38.49985 W78.4456
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The AT crosses Skyline Drive here just south of the parking lot. Nortbound is on the west side, southbound is on the east side. 11/17/09 Updated 07/28/18
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20
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David Cullen
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Bootens Gap is at Mile 55.1 on Skyline Drive, 23.6 miles south of Thornton Gap (US 211) and 10.4 miles north of Swift Run Gap (US 33). The Drive intersects Conway River Fire Road here. This goes east from drive. Small parking area immediately after turning onto road. The marker on the map indicates the lot. The street view to the east gives the view from Skyline Drive to the fire road and the parking area. GPS N38.4684 W78.4576
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The AT is just to the east of the parking area. Coming from the lot the northbound trail is to the left (north) and southbound trail is to the right (south). 3/26/2008 Update 07/28/18
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6
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David Cullen
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Parking area is at Mile 56.4 of Skyline Drive, 24.9 miles south of Thornton Gap (US 211) and 9.1 miles north of Swift Run Gap (US 33). It is on the west side of the road. The marker on the attached map indicates the position of the lot. Rotate the street view from this point to see it. It also can be seen on the satellite view. GPS: N38.4525 W78.4670
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Blue-blazed BearFence Mt. Trail goes east across the road from the parking area. It is 0.1 mles to the AT. Southbound is to the right, northbound is to the left. 11/18/09 Updated 05/28/19
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15
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David Cullen
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Parking area is at Mile 56.8 of Skyline Drive, 25.3 miles south of Thornton Gap (US 211) and 8.7 miles north of Swift Run Gap (US 33). It is on the west side. The marker on the attached map marks the entrance to the parking area which is actually the upper trailhead for the Meadow School Trail which descends to the west. The street view from this point to the south shows the Slaughter Trail intersection with Skyline drive.l.The view to the north shows the parking area. GPS N38.4473 W78.4695
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Walk down the Drive for a few hundred feet to a dirt road heading east. This is the yellow-blazed Slaughter Trail. Follow this for a short distance to intersect the AT. Southbound is right, northbound is left. 2/26/06 Updated 05/29/19
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6
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David Cullen
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The entrance to Lewis Mt. Campground is at Mile 57.5 of Skyline Drive, 26.0 miles south of Thornton Gap (US 211 and 8.0 miles north of Swift Run Gap (US 33). The trailhead for this short access trail is in the campground. I am not sure if parking is available or allowed if you are not staying in the campground. It is probably best to park near the campground store. The marker on the attached map indicates the location of this parking area. GPS: N38.43794 W78.4785 For a map of the Lewis Mountain area see https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/upload/LewisMountain_CampgroundMap.pdf
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If parked at the store walk south about 0.1 miles along the road on the east side of the campground. According to the NPS map referenced in the Directions, the trailhead for this very short access trail is near Campsite 2. The trail leads east to the AT. At the junction, southbound AT is right, northbound left. 05/29/19
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20-25 near Campground Store
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David Cullen
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The marker on the attached map indicates the trail head for the access trail in the Lewis Mountain Campground. GPS at the trailhead: N38.4374 W78.4785. The coordinates at the AT intersection are 38.4630 -78.4770. 05/29/19
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David Cullen
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The entrance to Lewis Mt. Campground is at Mile 57.5 of Skyline Drive, 26.0 miles south of Thornton Gap (US 211 and 8.0 miles north of Swift Run Gap (US 33). The trailhead for this short access trail is in the campground. I am not sure if parking is available or allowed if you are not staying in the campground. It is probably best to park near the campground store. See Mile 10.3. The marker on the attached map indicates the trailhead. GPS: N38.43475 W78.4777 For a map of the Lewis Mountain area see https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/upload/LewisMountain_CampgroundMap.pdf
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If parked at the campground store, walk through the campground. This blue-blazed trail, which is an old road, leaves from the southeast corner of the campground near Campsite 16. It meets the AT in a short distance. Coordinates at the AT intersection are N38.4120 W78.4880. Southbound AT at the intersection is right, northbound is left. The old road which is the route of this trail is clearly seen on the satellite view on the map. 05/30/19
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David Cullen
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Pocosin Fire Road goes east from the Skyline Drive at Mile 59.5 of Skyline Drive, 28.0 miles south of Thornton Gap (US 211) and 6. miles north of Swift Run Gap (US 33). The small parking area is on the left a short distance after turning onto the fire road. The marker on the attached map indicates the intersection with the Skyline Drive. If you rotate the street view from this point on the attached map, the fire road can be seen. Some cars can also be seen further down this road. They are parked at the parking area.
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The AT intesrectw the fire road about 0.1 mile from the Skyline Drive. If coming from the parking area or Skyline Drive Northbound AT is left, southbound right. 11/19/09 Updated 05/30/19
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4-5
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David Cullen
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This gated old road intersects with the Skyline Drive at Mile 61.8 of Skyline Drive. This is 30.3 miles south of Thornton Gap (US 211) and 3.7 miles north of Swift Run Gap (US 33). There is no parking lot here, but roadside parking is possible. There is also parking at Baldface Mt. Parking Overlook about 0.3 miles north on the Drive. There is a sign at this overlook giving the history of the CCC camp once located on the old road.
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Number of parking spaces listed is for the overlook. The road is unblazed. Go east from the Drive passing the site of an old CCC camp (nothing visible). The road intersects the AT in about 0.1-0.2 miles. Northbound is left, southbound is right. Straight ahead the road ends at an old quarry. 3/1/06 Updated 05/30/19
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10-15
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David Cullen
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GPS at overlook: N38.3973 W78.5074; GPS at intersection of Skyline Drive and old road:38.3922 W78.5077
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The attached map shows the route from Baldface Mt. Overlook to the junction with the old road. The overlook is the northern end of this access. The overlook can be seen in the satellite view and also by rotating the street view. The location of the junction of the old road at the southern end of the access with Skyline Drive is shown by the red marker. Rotate the street view of the map to the southeast to see the wood road. 1/10.2010 Updated 05/31/19
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David Cullen
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This fire road meets Skyline Drive at Mile 62.7 of the latter. This is 31.2 miles south of Thornton Gap (US 211) and 2.8 miles north of Swift Run Gap (US 33). Parking is at South River Overlook just south of the intersection. Overlook is on the east side of the Drive. See attached map. The parking area is visible on the satellite view. The marker indicates the intersection of Skyline Drive and the fire road. Rotate the street view from this point to the east to see the fire road. Rotate to the south to see the parking area and beyond it, the entrance to the South River picnic area. GPS for intersection of fire road and Skyline Drive: N38.38435 W78.5170 GPS for parking area N38.3838 W78.5174
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Go east downhill on South River fire road which is yellow-blazed. This intersects the AT in 0.3 miles. Northbound is left, southbound right. GPS coordinates at the intersection of the fire road and the AT are N38.3860 -W8.5132 . 1/10/2010 Updated 05/31/19
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10-15
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David Cullen
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The entrance to the South River Picnic Area is at mile 62.8 on Skyline Drive, 31.2 miles south of Thornton Gap (US 211) and 2.8 miles north of Swift Run Gap (US 33). It is located on the east side of the Drive at entrance: N38.3833 W78.5184 Dispersed parking available throughout the picnic area. with small parking areas near the South River Falls trail head which is indicated by the marker. GPS at trail head: N38.3811 W78.5170
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Follow South River Falls Trail which leaves from the back of the picnic area. It is 0.1 miles to the AT. Southbound is right, northbound is left. GPS at jct with AT. GPS at this point N38.3803 W78.5161 2/26/2006 Updated 06/01/19
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David Cullen
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This road intersects Skyline Drive at Mile 63.1 of latter. Parking area is on the west side of the road 0.1 mile south of the intersection. The route between these two points is shown on the attached map. The red marker indicates the intersection. The street view from this point to the east shows the road. The marker at the southern end of the route indicates the entrance to the parking area. This lot can clearly be seen on the satellite view. GPS at intersection: N38.38125 W78.5223; GPS at parking lot: N38.3805 W78.5239
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From the parking area walk north on Skyline Drive to the gated fire road, which is paved for the first few feet. It intersects the AT in about 0.1 miles. Northbound is to the left. Southbound is straight ahead on the road. The AT follows the road for about 0.2 miles then bears right (south). 1/11/2010 Updated: 01/06/19
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10
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David Cullen
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Swift Run Gap is at Mile 65.5 on the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. US 33 crosses the Blue Ridge here. This is the southern end of Section 10 and the northern end of Section 11. The park service has allowed for parking along the Skyline Drive shoulder on both sides of the bridge/overpass. However most of the parking seems to be on the north side of the overpass. Probably the best parking is where the northbound AT leaves Skyline Drive. This on the eastern side of Skyline Drive directly across from the entrance road from US 33. This area is indicated by the marker on the attached map. GPS:N38.3578 W78.5453 The satellite view shows cars parked at several places.
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Rotate the street view at the marker on the map to the east see the parking spaces and the northbound trail to Section 10 climbing sidehill behind them. Rotate to the south to see the view down Skyline Drive. The southbound trail to Section 11 trail follows this over the US 33 overpass then goes right back into the woods. See Section 11 (Mile 0.0) for more details. 1/11/2010 Updated 06/01/19
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Numerous spots on shoulder that has been allowed for by park service.
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at @ rohland.org
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