Mile
Marker |
|
Hiker Rated
Parking Safety |
|
Directions
|
Comments
|
Number of Vehicles
|
Map &
Weather
|
Source
|
|
Montebello is two miles E of the Blue Ridge Parkway (Milepost 27.9) on VA 56. From the heart of "downtown" Montebello (general store and post office)go southeast on VA 56 8.2 miles to parking lot at the Tye River. Parking lot is on right side of road. There is a parking pull-off on the other side of the road. These can be seen on the satellite view of the attached map. The marker on the map show the entrance to the parking lot. GPS: N37.83845 W79.0231 Rotate the street view from the point of the marker to see a ground level view of the parking.
|
The northbound trail to Section 16 crosses the road from the parking area and soon goes over the Tye River footbridge which can be seen in the satellite view due east of the parking area. The southbound AT to Section 17 leaves from the the northwest corner of the parking area and begins the long climb to the Priest. 11/24/2009 Updated May 2023
|
20
|
|
David Cullen
|
|
Parking Lot: 37.830773, -79.083305
2024 update: Meadows Lane leaves VA 56 1.5 miles east of the Montebello Country Store or 7.5 miles west of the AT crossing of VA 56 at the Tye River. Signs at the intersection with VA 56 warn this is a 4x4 high clearance road. The quality of the road has varied over the years from good to barely passable. There are 2 small stream crossings. From the VA 56 intersection it is 3.8 miles to the parking area. This area is indicated by the marker on the attached Google map.
You MUST access Meadows Lane from the intersection with VA 56
|
This road (currently in Google Maps as Meadows Lane) has multiple names associated with it: VA 826 and Crabtree Farm Road and FR 263. Signs at the intersection with VA 56 warn this is a 4x4 high clearance road. Ability for further travel ends at Meadows Lane/Upper Crabtree Falls Parking. You will walk the .5 miles compass south to meet the AT (on Google this is still shown as Meadows Lane). The southbound AT goes right while the northbound trail goes left. The intersection is marked by white blazes on rocks on either side of the road. GPS at the crossing: N 37.8242 W 79.0822 02/01/18
There is a pit toilet at the parking area
|
10-15
|
|
David Cullen
|
|
|
Parked in Crabtree Meadows Parking and hiked 1/2 mile up to meet the AT (there is currently a sign directing you). Meadows Lane Gravel road was in decent condition. I drove a Mazda CX-5. There are 2 stream crossings along the way and many potholes. Took me about 15-20 minutes one way in. 04/10/24
|
10-15
|
|
ateditors@rohland.org
|
|
See MM 5.7 above for details on Meadows Lane Road access.
Gated Cash Hollow Road (AT access)/limited parking-3 cars max: 37.83135, -79.09292
Crabtree Meadows/Spy Rock Parking (Secondary parking .5 miles further up Meadow Lane): larger parking area and pit toilet: 37.83081, -79.08364
There is a trailhead sign indicating access to the AT, but the access trail is NOT blue blazed as of May 2023
|
From Route 56, take State Route (SR) 826- Meadows Lane for approximately 3.25 miles. Cash Hollow Road is the gated fire road that you will use as your access point to the AT. It is about .5 miles to the AT with some elevation gain (reminder that if you park at Spy Rock Parking, you increase that distance to 1 mile to the AT). SOBO goes right at intersection, NOBO goes left.
Attached Map shows intersection of Route 56 and SR 826 (Meadows Lane) with gated Cash Hollow intersection (labeled as Massie Mill) and Crabtree Meadows/Spy Rock Parking
Our April 2022 experience: absolutely needed a high clearance vehicle in a few spots and I have no doubt the road is one major storm away from needing 4x4. Quite narrow, but pull-offs here and there should you need to share the road with an oncoming vehicle. You will cross a stream at 0.5 and 1.2 miles. The pull-off areas are right at the gated Cash Hollow fire road and at the co-located car camping area (at approximately 3.25 miles). For those who use alltrails, the Spy Rock Trail entry helps with knowing current conditions on 'Meadows Lane' and gives a better visual of the location of Cash Hollow Road which takes you to the AT intersection. Spy Rock is a popular destination for campers too increasing the parking traffic in the area. updated May 2023
|
3
|
|
WardandDA @ gmail.com
|
|
EMERGENCY TRAIL EXIT ONLY PRIVATE GATED COMMUNITY. NO TRESPASSING SIGNS ARE CLEARLY POSTED
GPS: 37.8419111,-79.1311578 (Spy Rock Road-formerly known as Fish Hatchery Road)
Montebello is two miles E of Blue Ridge Parkway (Milepost 27.9) on VA 56. From the heart of downtown Montebello (general store and post office) go E on VA 56 1.2 miles to VA 690 and sign for state fish hatchery. Go right on VA 690 for 0.3 miles to Fish Hatchery. Road bears right and becomes dirt (it is single lane, so drive slowly). You will arrive at a gated road. The AT intersection is one mile from the gate along Spy Rock Road.
|
The following is a copy-paste from the Appalachian Trail Conservancys Trail Updates:
The USDA Forest Service has closed the parking lot located behind the Montebello Fish Hatchery in Nelson County, and the associated trail that formerly provided access to Spy Rock.
The public can continue to access Spy Rock via an alternative route. Hikers should be aware that this alternative route is approximately 6.5 miles in length round-trip and has fewer trail blazes and other directional signage. All hikers should carry a map of this alternative route and be well-prepared for this longer distance hike.
Parking for this alternative route is located at the end of State Route 826 Meadows Lane. State Route 826 is maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation and is not suitable for some passenger vehicles. The road is recommended for travel only by higher clearance, four-wheel drive vehicles.
Directions to Spy Rock:
From State Route 56, take State Route 826 Meadows Lane for approximately 3.75 miles to its end point at the Crabtree Meadows parking area.
From the Crabtree Meadows parking area, hike back along State Route 826 for 0.5 miles and turn left onto Forest Service Road 596 Cash Hollow Road.
Hike along Forest Service Road 596 Cash Hollow Road for 0.5 miles to the intersection with the Appalachian Trail.
Turn right (south) on the Appalachian Trail and continue for 2.1 miles to the intersection with Spy Rock Trail, Forest Trail number 732.
Note No parking is allowed on or along Forest Service Road 596 (Cash Hollow Road).
For more information on Spy Rock, please contact the Glenwood and Pedlar Ranger District office at 540-291-2188. 05/20/21
|
0
|
|
WardandDA @ gmail.com
|
