Mile
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Hiker Rated
Parking Safety |
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Directions
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Number of Vehicles
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Map &
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A PATC lot is on the north side of the Route 9 approximately 6 miles east of Charlestown and about 3 miles west of the intersection with VA 671. It is probably a quarter mile east of the intersection of Route 9 and West Virginia Route 32.
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There's a small parking lot right by the AT at Keys Gap where it crosses Route 9 (street view--google map 2018 attached) 07/08/20
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10-12
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Jeffingramsr @ gmail.com
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We have not accessed this site. Shannondale road extends off a sizable development west of the AT. If you have the AT map for the section you should be able to pick your way through it.
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Possible parking for 1 or 2 cars, according to day hikers from the area. Short access trail from AT to Shannondale Rd. is well marked. 04/02/08
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1-2
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dennisf6 @ localnet.com
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I have placed the marker (See attached map) for the end of the driveable section of Shannondale Road at the intersection with Eagle's Nest Road. The actual end may be further but the road overlay does not show Shannondale Road continuing past this intersection. I would use the directions feature of the map to find your way through the maze of roads in this area. I know nothing of the parking in this area.
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I have not accessed the trail via this route either, but have seen the junction of the AT and the very well defined old road (not passable to vehicles at this point.). The trace of Shannondale Road can clearly be seen going east from the intersection with Eagles Nest Lane on the satellite view of the map. The AT trace can also be seen going north-south on the east (Virginia) side of the view. The dotted line is the VA-WV state line. The coordinates at the intersection of Shannondale Road and the AT are 39.2092 -77.7921 . 1/9/2010
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Not known
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David Cullen
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We accessed this in Fall of 2021. At Shannondale and Eagles nest rd, continue up Shannondale - very steep road. Access is at the top dead end with room for two cars. It is kind of a maze of mountain homes but everyone is friendly and seemed happy to help. 09/30/22
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2
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Lenorayocum @ outlook.com
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To reach the Blackburn Trail Center from the north, take VA 719 south from the community of Hillsboro. Watch for a not well-marked turn of VA719 to the left in about a mile. Approximately 3 miles from Hillsboro, turn right on VA 713 (Appalachian Trail Road). In 0.6 miles state maintenance ends. Go right following signs for Blackburn Trail center. Apparently people going to the center can ignore the Private Road--No Trespassing sign. Follow the gravel road about 2 miles to the center. There is a parking area for 4-6 cars on the left just before a gate. If the gate is open, you can continue another 100 yards or so to a second parking area for about 6 cars by some old chimneys. Beyond this there is a sign that says -- Authorized Vehicles Only --.
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Continue up the road to the trail center. Follow the more northerly of the two blue-blazed trails to the AT, the one that goes toward the campground. This trail climbs very steeply to the AT, passing a spur trail to the right to a camping area. At the junction with the AT, the northbound AT is right, southbound is left. Coordinates there are 38.1895 -77.7997 . 4/10/2006
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4-6 cars in each of two lots
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David Cullen
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Alternatively the Blackburn Trail Center may be reached from the south. From VA 9 about 4 miles east of Snickers Gap, take Business VA 9 (W. Loudon St.) into the town of Round Hill. Go left (north) on VA 719 and continue about 3 miles to VA 713 (Appalachain Trail Road). Go left (west) and continue as above.
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4/8/2006
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David Cullen
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The location of the Blackburn Trail Center is indicated by the marker on the attached map. It is not at the position indicated by the Blackburn Trail Center legend.
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Warning: The road to the center is a private narrow dirt road. The PATC and the neighbors are responsible for its maintenance. Grading it is an expensive proposition, so it may be rough. The last part of it is fairly steep. It is probably not suitable for large vehicles. Turning around at the end would be difficult. 01/21/18
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David Cullen
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The parking at Blackburn Trail Center is still available for about 4 cars at the designated trail parking. The last mile if the road to the center is challenging even for a Subaru outback. The parking felt safe. 10/31/21
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4
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caroledellinger1 @ gmail.com
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See previous entries (Mile 6.2) for directions to Blackburn Trail Center, operated by the PATC.
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This is the more southerly of the two blue-blazed access trails from the center to the AT. It is not as steep as the other one. It reaches the AT in 0.3 miles. Northbound AT is right; southbound is left. Coordinates at the AT are 39.1968 -77.8008 Updated 12/7/20
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David Cullen
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From VA 7 Snickers Gap go North 1.6 miles on Va 601 (1st road E. of Snickers Gap Parking) to gated access road on left.
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This is a gated access road in to the tower near Crecent Rock. It is 1/2 mile in to the trail, 2/3 of which is road walking. There is NO PARKING on the EAST side of 601, but space for 2 or 3 cars on the shoulder on the West (gate) side of the road,often used by locals, such as rock climbers getting in to Crescent Rock. PLEASE, pick up litter where ever you park so the local residents feel more kindly toward us hikers! As we picked up litter here a passing driver thanked us. 01/09/10
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0
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dennisf6 @ localnet.com
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Follow VA 601 north from its intersection with VA 7 in Snickers Gap (See Mile 13.5) to the access road mentioned in the listing. According to the Google Map this is 1.6 miles. The road actually crosses into West Virginia here. The access road mentioned above is not included in the road overlay on the map, but is clearly visible on the satellite view. Note the parking restriction in the previous listing.
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This access is not mentioned in the AT Guide to Md/ N VA but is on the AT map. It is shown more clearly in an inset of the area around Crescent Rock. I have never used this access, so all the information is from that map. The gated road leads to a communication tower seen in the clearing in the center of the satellite view. From there an old road leads to the AT. The northbound trail to Blackburn Center goes right, the southbound trail to Crescent Rocks goes left. Coordinates at the AT intersection are 39.1366 -77.8425 . 01/09/10
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David Cullen
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NOTICE: There is no parking on either side of VA 601. "No Parking" signs have been posted on both sides of the road. Furthermore access to the trail at this point is not allowed since it requires crossing private property. 4/8/2015
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0
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at @ rohland.org
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There is parking is on VA 679 just north of the intersection with VA 7. Note that there are two intersections of these two roads. The relevant one is the more eastern. It is about 0.2 miles west of the intersection of VA 7 and VA 601. The A marker on the attached map indicates the entrance to this parking area. The area can be seen on the satellite view just to the east of the marker. Click on the camera next to the instruction starting 'Go left...' and rotate the street view to the north. This looks down VA 679 from VA 7. The entrance to the lot is just where VA 679 curves left.
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Northbound AT goes into the woods at the north end of the parking lot. To continue southbound to the southern terminus of Section 2 follow the route shown by the blue line on the map. Cross the median at the crossing for VA 679, then go left (east) along the shoulder about 0.1 miles until the AT goes right up a gravel driveway to Section 3. (Marker B). Click on the camera icon by Marker B and rotate the street view to the south to see this driveway. The southern terminus of section 2 (and northern of Section 2) is supposed to be a marker in the median of the highway, but I did not see it. 1/8/2010
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6-8
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David Cullen
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N39.07.008 W077.51.156
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This is the GPS reading for the small parking area on VA 679. 10/14/07
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at @ rohland.org
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UPDATE NOTICE: Hikers who find the VA 679 lot full and park on the shoulder of 679 (as is currently happening) will have their cars towed by Clarke County (as is currently happening). If the 679 lot is full, hikers should go to the Snickers Gap DOT lot. 4/8/2015
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at @ rohland.org
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The official southern end of this section is in the median strip of VA 7 about 0.1-0.2 miles west of the intersection with VA 601. There is a large VA DOT commuter parking lot at this intersection (south of VA 7 and west of VA 601). This has ample parking. This lot can be seen on the satellite view of the attached map. Click on the camera icon by Marker A and rotate to the southeast to see the entrance to the DOT lot..
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To reach the official south terminus of the section, walk along VA 7 to meet the AT (Marker B). According to the AT Guide, there is supposed to be an AT sign somewhere in the median, but I did not see it. The route is shown by the blue line on the map. If going northbound to Section 2, go straight ahead (west) for about 0.1 miles to the intersection with VA 679, turn right, cross the highway and go up VA 679 to the other parking lot. The southbound trail to Section 3 goes left down an old driveway. Click on the camera icon by B and rotate to the south to see this driveway and to the west to see the route down the highway. 1/8/2010
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Ample at DOT lot
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David Cullen
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39.115317, -77.847067
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This GPS reading is for the VA DOT lot east of the AT. updated 12/7/20
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at @ rohland.org
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Car windows of multiple cars smashed by paintballs. 04/28/14
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2-4
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kmcginley @ appalachiantrail.org
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UPDATE NOTICE: Hikers who find the VA 679 lot full and park on the shoulder of 679 (as is currently happening) will have their cars towed by Clarke County (as is currently happening). If the 679 lot is full, hikers should go to the Snickers Gap DOT lot. 4/8/2015
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at @ rohland.org
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Per a March 28 2023 news article published in 'The Winchester Star', police are investigating thefts from at least seven vehicles parked at this lot. Thank you to the ATC for alerting us to the situation. 03/29/23
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WardandDA @ gmail.com
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