The Experience
You will love: Shenandoah National Park backcountry with mileage and a summit vista. A wonderous forest hike with big trees, serenity to ride until the summit outcrop.
You need to know:
Your adventure begins at the Pass Mountain trail head, immediately entering a deep forest world of big trees and a quiet hush. The trail is 8.5 miles and has an elevation gain of over 1,700 ft. but is very gradual and less deliberate about the gainer. The initial parts of the trail are wide berthed easy to navigate single-track comprised of compacted dirt, roots and small rocks. This trail is very easy to navigate. A slow ascent creeps onto your trail , as you continue there will be pocket sized views of Marys Rock and Skyline Drive however its pocket sized. The trail continues to the Pass Mountain shelter at which point your adventure continues to the left until it reaches a "t" junction with the Appalachian trail (AT), turn right and use the white swash to navigate. The trail becomes a little more rocky and has a few points of up and down but you have already done your work on this trail. One mile later arrive at Double Bear rocks, a large outcrop facing Skyline Drive, New Market gap and a series of mountain vistas. The outcrop provides ample space to lunch, munch and snap photos. Once fulfilled, return to the Appalachian trail and turn right to return to the Pass Mountain trail and eventually to the Lee Hwy where your car is parked.
HIKE ON!
GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS
HIKE ON!
You need to know:
- No fee Required. Parking for the trail head is on the side of route 211 a major thoroughfare, be mindful crossing.
- Optimal entrance to this hike is parking on the side of Lee Highway. the trailhead is found across the double lane road. beware!
Your adventure begins at the Pass Mountain trail head, immediately entering a deep forest world of big trees and a quiet hush. The trail is 8.5 miles and has an elevation gain of over 1,700 ft. but is very gradual and less deliberate about the gainer. The initial parts of the trail are wide berthed easy to navigate single-track comprised of compacted dirt, roots and small rocks. This trail is very easy to navigate. A slow ascent creeps onto your trail , as you continue there will be pocket sized views of Marys Rock and Skyline Drive however its pocket sized. The trail continues to the Pass Mountain shelter at which point your adventure continues to the left until it reaches a "t" junction with the Appalachian trail (AT), turn right and use the white swash to navigate. The trail becomes a little more rocky and has a few points of up and down but you have already done your work on this trail. One mile later arrive at Double Bear rocks, a large outcrop facing Skyline Drive, New Market gap and a series of mountain vistas. The outcrop provides ample space to lunch, munch and snap photos. Once fulfilled, return to the Appalachian trail and turn right to return to the Pass Mountain trail and eventually to the Lee Hwy where your car is parked.
HIKE ON!
GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS
- 2 water bottle
- Lunch or heavy snack
- hiking shoes
- bug spray (warmer months)
HIKE ON!
