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Shenandoah National Park: Skyland to Big Meadows via Appalachian Trail
Save this 13.6-miler for a weekday in the spring when crowds are thin and haze-free views stretch for miles (patches of flowers and wildlife, too).
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| Author: | Backpacker Magazine |
| Activity: | Backpacking |
| State: | Virginia (VA) |
| Distance: | 6.84 mi |
| Difficulty: | 5 / 10 |
| Rating: | Unrated |
-Mapped by Jeff Chow
TO TRAILHEAD: From the Thornton Gap Entrance, drive 11.1 mi. S on Skyline Dr. to the S entrance of Skyland.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
SKY01
| Distance: 6.84 mi | Points: 647 |
Skyland to Big Meadows
Points of Interest
SKY001
Location: 38.587433, -78.383614From the road into Skyland, hop on the AT and hike S, linking white blazes. Cross the cliffs of Pollock Knob (3,560 ft.). Good views between mountain laurel patches
SKY002
Location: 38.575165, -78.384369Pass Timber Hollow Overlook on L. Continue on the W side of the Blue Ridge, passing an overlook with views to Bettys Rock
SKY003
Location: 38.562599, -78.383835Keep S under the cliffs of Crescent Rock. More mountain views
SKY004
Location: 38.557117, -78.386986Refill bottles @ spring under Hawksbill Gap. Trail gains 300 ft. as it skirts around Hawksbill Mountain (4,051 ft.)
SKY005
Location: 38.554684, -78.403099Stay on AT
SKY006
Location: 38.553585, -78.408333Overnighters: Turn R and go .25 mi. to Rock Springs Hut. Deer hide in this hollow under the curiously-named Nakedtop peak
SKY007
Location: 38.549217, -78.412613AT swings W; more camping @ Rock Springs Shelter
SKY008
Location: 38.539452, -78.419197Keep S, passing side trail then crossing Franklin Cliffs
SKY009
Location: 38.534500, -78.421486Cross fire road @ Fishers Gap Overlook. From here, head SW, cross streamlet, and climb to Davids Spring
SKY010
Location: 38.529182, -78.434067Trail swings N of Big Meadows Campground. Retrace route to trailhead
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