Shenandoah National Park: Matthews Arm Loop

MAL01

Distance: 16.81 mi	Points: 2191	Calories: none
Total Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi
Active Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

MAL001

Location: 38.760948, -78.281746
From parking lot, turn L onto Appalachian Trail @ Skyline Drive; after .2 mi., turn R to descend S on Sugarloaf Trail

MAL002

Location: 38.746849, -78.274872
Turn L onto Pole Link Bridge Trail, heading E through thick forest with dense bramble underbrush; camping opportunities just off trail (permit required)

MAL003

Location: 38.750092, -78.267937
Head straight across abandoned Jinney Gray Rd. to meet Little Devils Stairs Trail; yellow poplars line the path with their large, showy flowers

MAL004

Location: 38.748798, -78.263229
Cross riffles of a small stream; begin 1,200-ft. descent of Keyser Run on Little Devils Stairs Trail. Water rushes through the narrow, rocky gorge over numerous chutes; campsites @ hollow’s end before park boundary

MAL005

Location: 38.731041, -78.258240
R @ parking lot up the deserted roadbed of Keyser Run; 30 yards later, veer R through gate

MAL006

Location: 38.722752, -78.272049
Explore a Piedmont legacy at the hushed grounds of Jenkins/Keyser cemetery on R; continue S on Keyser Run, flanking Pignut Mtn. (2,531 ft.)

MAL007

Location: 38.713760, -78.278160
L onto Piney Branch Trail; in .1 mi., turn R and cross Piney River to continue on Hull School Trail through old-growth ash at N end of Fork Mtn.

MAL008

Location: 38.705292, -78.292213
R @ 4-way onto Thornton Hollow Trail heading N between narrowing rock walls and winding river; look for rock fences and old farm sites

MAL009

Location: 38.716011, -78.313759
After crossing North Fork Thorton River, turn R off trail for primitive campsites in sheltered clearing and rest up before 600-ft. climb back to Skyline Drive

MAL010

Location: 38.723919, -78.320030
Crest the Blue Ridge, cross Skyline Drive, and head L on Thornton Trail; in .4 mi., turn R onto Elkwallow Trail, traversing rising ridgeline

MAL011

Location: 38.742970, -78.315353
R onto Elkwallow Trail. Pass Elkwallow Shelter; at Skyline Drive, head N toward precipitous eastern pitch of Jeremy’s Run

MAL012

Location: 38.759079, -78.300011
Cross 50-foot wood-slat bridge over gently gurgling stream; forgotten water well on R

MAL013

Location: 38.759472, -78.297493
Cross road and parking lot at Matthews Arm Campground; pick up Matthews Arm Trail for slight NE incline

MAL014

Location: 38.763470, -78.293098
Straight onto Tuscarora Trail through clusters of yellow witch hazel trees; gear down for 500-ft. ridgeline ascent

MAL015

Location: 38.757710, -78.286148
Crest rocky knoll and head L onto AT to car