Hopefully you snapped lots and lots of gram-worthy photos on this hike. Our three year old is asking when we can go back! This hike is roughly an hour long with great views. Blackrock Summit is an easy hike to love. Calf Mountain Overlook - 2485 ft. 2. Shenandoah Overlook. The summit gives you an almost-360 degree view of the southern Shenandoah area and a large rock scramble to climb if you want to take in panoramic views. Blackrock Summit Parking to Browns Gap - Appalachian Trail - Shenandoah National Park The middle leg of our fifth day of "slack packing" on the Appalachian Trail (AT) in Shenandoah National Park was a 2.0 mile descent from the Blackrock Summit parking area to Browns Gap. Perfect if you're carrying up heavy camera gear! There are two route options, both are under 2 miles and are suitable for hikers of all experience levels. According to the sign at the beginning of the trail, it is "an easy hike with outstanding views and interesting geology. We will restore a minimum of 150 feet of the A.T. treadway below the summit of Blackrock immediately south of the Blackrock parking area on Skyline Drive to a condition as close as possible to that achieved by the CCC in the mid-1930s. Hungry? 38.206842, -78.749466 Note: Avoid starting the hike in the valley at the Paine Run Trail trailhead on VA340. Upon reaching the summit via the Appalachian Trail, as described above, rather than continuing around the boulders at the summit, turn right at the trail post to continue on the Blackrock Spur Trail. The park was re-opened to the public on May 6; however, large swaths of downed timber remain, especially on the mountain's westernmost flank above 3,200 feet. Do NOT park near Blackrock Gap (you will pass this first). At the .8-mile mark, turn left onto the Trayfoot Mountain Trail. I told you it was a short and sweet hike. Turn left and follow the AT up a gentle but steady incline. If you do Blackrock Summit, I also suggest the Trayfoot Mountain add-on. Overview I haven’t fully defined that term yet either, but when I do, Blackrock Summit will certainly be one of the featured outings. To find the trailhead, look to the end of the parking lot and find the trail Information board (pictured below). Alternatively, for those (me) who want a second pass across Blackrock Summit, turn left onto the Appalachian Trail for big rocks and booming views in another .1-mile. We suggest hiking the loop counter-clockwise, starting at Blackrock Gap. Great, short hike, with a great view. The Appalachian Trail passes only a few yards to the west of the parking area, and that is my preferred route for this hike. After taking time to enjoy the view, continue around the boulders to follow the Appalachian Trail. The Blackrock Summit Parking Area is located on the west side of Skyline Drive at mile marker 84.8. Drive North on the Skyline Drive for about 15-20 minutes to the Blackrock Summit Parking area at milepost 85. This was an experiment for us to see how the children would react to hiking and we can wait to try another. We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Blackstone is turning its attention to one of the most recession-resistant sectors of real estate. All information about 22932 Crozet, Crozet, Virginia - Blackrock Summit Parking. The final hike out … There's a decent campsite up there as well right off the AT that some other hikers were setting up for the night. For the short trail, park at Blackrock Summit Parking (milepost 84.8), which is very near the summit, and trek 1/2 mile and about 200 feet to the rocky summit. The adventure brochure also includes a trail map for the 1.0-mile loop hike, which follows along the Appalachian Trail and Blackrock Hut Road-Trayfoot Mountain Trail. In the camping area, several cars and trucks were crushed by falling trees, however, no injuries were sustained. Parking at MP 84.4 on the Skyline Drive. Although Shenandoah National Park is open year-round, Skyline Drive may be closed in the winter due to weather conditions. Jenkins Gap Overlook - 2355 ft. 5. The parking area at milepost 84.4 is quite large, able to accommodate more than a dozen cars. This area is used as a school bus turn around and should not be used for parking. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from April until October. Make sure you are parking at the Blackrock Summit parking area and not Blackrock Gap (which you will pass right before Blackrock Summit). If you park at the Blackrock parking area, it’s only a .5 mile walk to the summit. The second way is a 3.7 mile hike o... Moormans River Overlook is one of the few eastern facing overlooks in Shenandoah National Park’s Southern District, which makes this a prime location for watching the sun rise when in this part of the park. © 2020 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. Turn left to begin a mild ascent along the trail. The 1.8-mile loop hike took me just over 45 minutes to complete, including time spent ogling the glorious mountain and valley vistas. In a little less than a mile, the trail will open up and you will see a rocky talus slope (rock piles) to your right and left. Big Meadows itself is a wide meadow east of Skyline Drive at an elevation of about 3500'. Blackrock Summit Parking Area - Skyline Drive in Shenandoah. The route is only one mile roundtrip and involves relatively no elevation gain. This was my first time getting truly acquainted with the stretch of mountains between Calf Mountain and Blackrock. Blackrock Summit via Trayfoot Mountain and Appalachian Trail is a 1.1 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Grottoes, Virginia that offers the chance to see wildlife and is good for all skill levels. From the kiosk just beyond the parking area, proceed ahead on the red-blazed Duggan Trail. Simmons Gap Ranger Station. Range View Overlook - 2810 ft. 8. Once the trees open up, you will be treated to views of the mountains to the north. The path to the summit follows alongside the Appalachian Trail and loops around the main attraction before returning to the parking lot. cuit1-mile cir.75-hour hiking time Easiest 175-foot elevation gain From the Blackrock parking area at mile 84.4, follow the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) south. A talus slope (essentially a massive sloping field of large rocks) appears at the .5-mile mark. In a row, I did Turk Mountain (milepost 93.5, 2.5 miles), Calvary & Chimney Rocks (milepost 90, 3.2 miles) and Blackrock Summit (milepost 84.4, 1.8 miles). Blackrock is one of our long time favorite trails in this section of the park. From Brown Gap to the summit and back is a 5.1 mile adventure. We will do these things to … From the Blackrock Summit boulder field, this leaves a little more elevation gain to the highpoint. Near the top, the giant boulder pile comes into view through a tunnel of leaves. It is an excellent spot to view the sunrise while sitting on top of a boulder field with 360 views of the surrounding area. Blackrock is one of our long time favorite trails in this section of the park. I think you’ll agree that the views, which now include Trayfoot Mountain, are even more spectacular than those at Blackrock Summit. Staring at the Jones Run parking area turn left downhill following the blue blazed Jones Run trail. This ups the elevation and mileage, but not by much. This 270 degree view is a great spot in the park to watch both sunrises and sunsets. Easy gentle climbing up and down on dirt and gravel path. Blackrock Summit Parking to Browns Gap - Appalachian Trail - Shenandoah National Park The middle leg of our fifth day of "slack packing" on the Appalachian Trail (AT) in Shenandoah National Park was a 2.0 mile descent from the Blackrock Summit parking area to Browns Gap. Either park at the cul-de-sac here or continue on the rough but short gravel/mud road to the main parking area. For a trail map, visit here. Located at Milepost 84.4 on scenic Skyline Drive, it is an extremely accessible and easy hike. We're committed to building a better, more inclusive home for the modern outdoors. This loop heads from the parking area off Skyline Drive in the counterclockwise direction, up the AT and down the Trayfoot Mountain Trail/Blackrock Hut Road. That’s good since this is a rather popular destination in the park. According to the sign at the beginning of the trail, it is "an easy hike with outstanding views and interesting geology. I started at the Blackrock Summit Parking area. Park at Brown Gap parking lot (mm 83) on Skyline Drive & cross the road to begin the hike to the summit. For this hike, kids will choose a trail name, examine animal habitats and write a poem about the hike. I have taken my two boys (1 and 4) on this hike with no problem. Heads up as there are a couple of massive downed trees (but also ways to get around them). 1. Loft Mountain Wayside is just five miles north on Skyline Drive at milepost 79.5. There are two ways to the summit: the first is a 1.3 mile loop that starts at the Loft Mountain Wayside parking lot at mile marker 79.5 off of Skyline Drive in the southern district of Shenandoah National Park. From here, re-trace your steps along the AT to return to your car. It is ideal for watching the sunset or sunrise, but it’s a remarkable experience no matter what time of day you visit. The shortest option, a 1-mile circuit, follows the Appalachian Trail from the Blackrock Summit parking area, which is just north of mile marker 85 on Skyline Drive. 3. 3. Here you’ll find drinks, snacks, gifts and restrooms. Loft Mountain. Hikers will find … 3 & 16 months old and they loved it. The trail kiosk at the front of the lot suggests two hikes, including a short and sweet 1.0-mile loop hike to Blackrock Summit. Blackrock Summit Parking Area - Skyline Drive in Shenandoah. Falls Ridge Preserve: A Waterfall Hike with Caves, Cascades + Cliffs, Hawksbill Summit: 3 Hikes to the Highest Point in Shenandoah National Park, Hiking Bearfence Mountain: Two Ways to the Top, Millers Head Trail: A Hidden Gem at Shenandoah National Park. The trail then wrapped around the talus slope. The Blackrock Summit hike is one of three hikes in Shenandoah National Park with an adventure component. We took my parents up to the summit to watch sunrise for their first ever headlamp hike. Just above the lodge is Blackrock. You could also start at the Furnace Mountain Trailhead parking. From Brown Gap to the summit and back is a 5.1 mile adventure. Check out the elevation profile as the high point of the hike is actually on the Trayfoot Mountain Trail/Blackrock Hut Road to the southeast of Blackrock Summit. Continue on the trail and take a left at the sign post just beyond the summit area to return to the parking lot. Trailhead at Blackrock Summit parking area This hike starts on the Trayfoot Mountain Trail, which leaves the southeast corner of the parking area at an information board and yellow chain that blocks vehicle access. Go PRO to support our mission and get benefits like gear deals, no ads, and more! Past the gate is Panthertown Valley Trail #474. Note: Avoid starting the hike in the valley at the Paine Run Trail trailhead on VA340. Also, picnic tables. Blackrock Summit is the best view on this loop and one of the better views in Shenandoah National Park. At 1.9 miles into the hike, we passed Blackrock Parking area. Park at Brown Gap parking lot (mm 83) on Skyline Drive & cross the road to begin the hike to the summit. Calf Mountain Overlook - 2485 ft. 2. The trail is straight forward and simple, with beautiful views at the peak. Near the .2-mile mark, stay to the right for the white-blazed AT. Set in the South District of Shenandoah National Park, Blackrock Summit is one of several hikes I completed in one day that were a few short miles apart on Skyline Drive. Continue through the boulder field until you reach the junction with Trayfoot Mountain Trail, then turn left and follow the yellow-blazes back to the parking lot. This article was originally published on Mathprofhiker’s Hiking Blog . This area is used as a school bus turn around and should not be used for parking. With only 175-feet of elevation gain, the trail is an easy walk to the summit. Dundo Group Campground is a beautiful campground located at milepost 83.7 along the Skyline Drive with the Appalachian Trail pas... Overview That’s good since this is a rather popular destination in the park. In a little less than a mile, the trail will open up and you will see a rocky talus slope (rock piles) to your right and left. Turn left here to return to your car. Follow the AT south for about a half mile to Blackrock Summit. Immediately you'll cross over the Appalachian Trail-stay straight on the blue-blazed trail to Doyles Falls. Photo 2 shows a stretch of the AT here. If you park at the Blackrock parking area, it’s only a .5 mile walk to the summit. Highly recommended for a family friendly, easy stroll with a huge payoff at the top. This hilltop consists of a rocky, talus slope with vistas of the southwest. The second hike adds steps on the Trayfoot Mountain Trail. Please explore responsibly! 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