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Map &
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The intersection of VA 635 and US 460 is 2 miles west if the the town of Pembroke (via US 460). It is shortly before westbound US 460 crosses the New River. Go north on VA 635. Go 9.8 miles. Just before a bridge over Stony Creek, look for a parking area on the left. There is a USFS information kiosk there. The marker on the attached map indicates the parking area. GPS: N37.41855 W80.6045. The parking area can be seen in the north and west street views from this point.
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The lot has a trailhead kiosk that includes information on Peter's Mountain and a map of the location vis-a-vis the AT. At the back of the parking lot, there is a blue-blazed access trail which leads 0.1 miles to the AT. No signage from the AT, but again, obvious trail and its location so close to the road would make it hard to miss if you were looking out for it from the AT. At the AT intersection, southbound to Section 33 is left, northbound to Section 32 is right. (Revalidated April 2024 by Nancy H.)
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5-6
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David Cullen
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This blue-blazed side trail supposedly meets VA 635 7.4 miles from US 460. Several years ago I drove back and forth looking for the trailhead but saw nothing even remotely promising.
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According to the current AT Guide to Central Virginia (3rd ed., 2014) this trail descend steeply for 1.4 miles to meet VA 635. However the guide notes that the trail is unmaintained and that "blazes are difficult to discern at the top of the trail but may be more visible farther down." The usefulness of this trail as an access would appear to be limited to non-existent. I am including it here only because it is mentioned in some guides. 08/08/19
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Not known but probably very limited
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David Cullen
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From Pearisburg, go north on US 460 for about 8 miles to the town of Rich Creek. Go right (east) on US 219 for another 8 miles, then go right on County Road 219/21 (Painter Run Road). In 1.3 miles bear left on County Road 219/24. This is called Spruce Run Road on the Google Map. It is called Green Valley Road on others. The trailhead is another 0.6 miles on this road. Note: There may be brown USFS directional signs "Appalachian Trail Access Sugar Camp Farm" along the route.
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Parking is in a grassy area on the right (south) side of the road. There is a sign that reads "Sugar Camp Farm". GPS:N37.4239 W80.6763 A blue-blazed SIDE trail which leads 2 miles from the north (West Virginia) side of Peters Mountain to meet the AT on the crest. GPS coordinates at the AT junction: N37.4122 W80.6693. The northbound AT goes left (east) while the southbound goes right (west ). For a detailed description of the trail see: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/groundhog-trail-leads-to-appalachian-trail--2 08/10/19 April 2023 update: trail was well maintained and blazed. TRAILFORKS indicates the trail is 1.8 miles and an elevation gain of 1,245 ft.
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6
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David Cullen
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Hiked this access trail twice two weeks ago. No problem driving in - although it's a skinny road and you hope no one is coming from the other direction. The Trail was well-maintained (a trail maintainer was working at the base of the trail when I finished one day). My biggest concern was getting the cows off the trail so I could pass through! 10/17/20
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fussymary @ aol.com
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The trail from the parking area up to the intersection with the AT has been recently re-blazed, it is easy to follow. Note that as of late Dec 2023 there is still pipeline construction along the road into the trail head, and at times traffic is stopped. 12/28/23
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weaver1776 @ bellsouth.net
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Heading West on US 460 from Pearisburg, turn right onto Clendenin Road (aka VA 641), which is about 0.8 miles after crossing the bridge going over the New River. Follow Clendenin Rd/VA641 for about 1.5 miles. Go left on gravel Pocohontas Road. The parking is on the right in 0.1-0.2 miles. It is just past the point where the northbound AT goes left into the woods.
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I have not seen this particular parking area so everything is based on "book" information. I am not sure how Pocohontas road and this parking area have been impacted by the controversial pipeline construction. The interactive AT map supplied by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy shows a parking area on Pocohontas Road. The satellite view of a Google map (attached) based on the given GPS coordinates (N37.3660 W80.7482) shows a parking pull-off on the right (east) side of the road. The red marker indicates this parking area. To reach the AT walk back down Pocohontas Road towards Clendenin Road to the point where the northbound trail goes west into the woods. The southbound trail continues down Pocohontas Road. Note: This access point and the one for Clendenin Road (Mile 15.3) result from the relatively new relocation of the AT on Peters Mountain.
For a description of the new route see http://www.wanderingvirginia.com/2014/08/appalachian-trail-reroute-hike.html
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2-3
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David Cullen
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I parked here overnight in June 2019. There were sign posted regarding pipeline construction activity but there was none going on while I was there. Parking for 2-3 cars along side of road close to trail head. 09/10/19
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2 - 3
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soilman67 @ hotmail.com
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Heading West on US-460 from Pearisburg, turn right onto Clendenin Road (aka VA 641), which about 0.8 miles after crossing the bridge going over the New River. Follow Clendenin Rd/VA641 for about 1.5 miles. Parking is on the left immediately after passing the Pocahontas Rd. entrance to Jefferson National Forest. (7/28/18)
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Parking is a simple pull-off from the road on the southbound side. I parked overnight without any issue. There has been a lot of activity 30ft away at the Pocahontas Rd entrance to Jefferson National Park as part of the Middle Valley Pipeline project with the U.S. Forest Service having a constant presence at the entrance, so it seemed quite safe to park a car there at this time. 08/15/18
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2-3 vehicles
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eriksprince @ gmail.com
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The marker on the map attached to the previous listing indicates the parking area. GPS:N37.36465 W80.7495 The AT crosses VA 641 here. The northbound trail goes north ( left if coming from US 460) towards Rice Field Shelter. The southbound trail goes south (right if coming from US 460) towards the New River and Pearisburg. There are photos of the parking area and the surroundings in the Pictures for this section (33). 08/08/19
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David Cullen
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The AT reaches an entrance road to the Celanese plant just to the west (compass north) of the US 460 bridge across the New River. The entrance road is the first right after crossing the river westbound. The intersection of US 460 and the entrance road is indicated by the marker on the attached map. GPS N37.3434 W80.7593. The street view to the east from this point shows the road. The northbound AT goes east into the woods from the entrance road. The southbound AT follows the road south and then west under US 460, climbs up to the highway bridge and crosses the New River over on a pedestrian walkway on the west side of the bridge.Note: The route of the AT shown on the map is the old one. The Peters Mountain relocation begins a short distance after the northbound AT leaves the entrance road.
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Some older sources suggest parking on the grass along this road. I parked on the grass on 6/02/11 and soon got a visit from Celanese Security telling me I couldn't park there. I was referred to the old mall at the other end of the bridge. See Mile 19.4. At best this access should be considered as a quick drop-off point and I am not entirely sure about even that being allowed. 08/10/19
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No Parking
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David Cullen
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The official northern end of Section 34 is at the east end of the US 460 bridge just west of Pearisburg. GPS: N37.3381 W80.7565 The Celanese plant is on the other side of the New River. There is no parking possible at this point. Closest parking is the Giles Farm Bureau a bit further south on US 460. (See next listing.)
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The marker on the attached map indicate the official southern end of Section 33 and northern end of Section 34. Northbound (to Section 33) goes across the bridge. The route across the bridge may be seen by rotating the street view to the north. The southbound trail to Section 34 enters woods. It can be seen if the street view is rotated to the west. A tree with a white blaze is in the background. The view to the east shows the Farm Bureau parking lot where parking is available. 11/29/09 Updated 05/22/19
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0
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at @ rohland.org
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Parking is possible at the Giles Farm Bureau (formerly a defunct shopping mall) about 0.1 miles further east (compass south) on US 460. The marker on the attached map indicates the Farm Bureau parking lot. It can be seen on the street view to the east and south. GPS of lot: N37.3375 W80.7550
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This business is fine with AT hikers using the street facing parking. However, crossing 460 on foot requires caution. 04/28/19
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10
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Caroledell81 @ gmail.com
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