The Experience
You will love: Serenity in the Shenandoah backcountry, with limited elevation gain areas this is an all day hike with three big view outcrops!
You need to know:
Your adventure begins at the Jenkins gap parking lot, off skyline drive (mm 12.3 via the front royal entrance of the park). to locate the Mount Marshall trail you must walk up along the side of Skyline Drive for 0.2 miles. The trail will be located with a trailhead post on your left side.
The Mount Marshall (yellow trail marker) trail starts here and immediately jumps into the forest. You will be shocked at how quickly the trail plunges into serenity as sounds of traffic on Skyline Drive diminish and sounds of the forest amplify. The trail is single-track within a dense canopy of mature , towering trees. what I love about the trail is the constant coverage from the sun and elements via the canopy. The entire trail is considered backcountry, so set expectations with yourself that ticks are here, bears too and its best to prepare for both. To learn more about Ticks and bears , click the active links.
Continue for 3.5 miles until the intersection with the Bluff trail, turn right and continue your adventure on the Bluff trail. The Bluff trail will have small elevation areas for a little lung burn but in general it remains a steady saunter along the forest with occasional water crossings. at 2.3 miles the bluff trail meets the big devils stairs trail. Continue on the Bluff trail for another 1.6 miles until you reach the gravel springs hut (there is an actual spring here) to take a breather and snack up. From the hut, take the fire road up to the gravel springs parking lot (0.3 miles). At the parking lot, cross skyline drive and connect with the Appalachian trail (white marker) Note: the trailhead will also say browntown trail. Take this trail for 0.9 miles to your first rock outcrop and big mouth gasping view . this is a perfect place to lunch and give your legs a break and a pep talk! The view takes in Skyline drive, Shenandoah River and in the distance the Massanutten range and even past that the North Mountain range!
From here continue , 0.7 miles to another rendezvous with Skyline Drive, cross the drive and continue to a small parking lot. It is here, you will turn right and continue on the Appalachian trail (white marker) as it begins one of the tougher (but small) parts of the hike with a steady ascend to more outcrop views. At this stage of the hike, there will be a scattering of outcrops to choose from, all with spectacular views and good spots to catch your wind. After sunbathing on the rock outcrops its time to push forward and wrap this adventure up , and you have 3.4 miles to go! The remainder of the trail will be on the Appalachian trail, the first part is a 1.9 mile breeze down through forest and fern friendly areas back to ( wait for it) .... Skyline Drive. another cross over the drive and continue for 1.4 miles back to your car at the Jenkins gap parking lot. The finish of the trail combs through some small elevation points and wonderfully quiet areas however the most important point here is make sure to drink water while finishing. this hike was a big one ! At over 13 miles and while you are feeling great at the accomplishment don't forget to let your body know how much you appreciate it with routine water breaks all the way to your car.
This hike is best suited for tandem hiking , persons over 16 years old and with a good amount of hiking experience!
HIKE ON!
GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS
You need to know:
- Fee required to access park
Your adventure begins at the Jenkins gap parking lot, off skyline drive (mm 12.3 via the front royal entrance of the park). to locate the Mount Marshall trail you must walk up along the side of Skyline Drive for 0.2 miles. The trail will be located with a trailhead post on your left side.
The Mount Marshall (yellow trail marker) trail starts here and immediately jumps into the forest. You will be shocked at how quickly the trail plunges into serenity as sounds of traffic on Skyline Drive diminish and sounds of the forest amplify. The trail is single-track within a dense canopy of mature , towering trees. what I love about the trail is the constant coverage from the sun and elements via the canopy. The entire trail is considered backcountry, so set expectations with yourself that ticks are here, bears too and its best to prepare for both. To learn more about Ticks and bears , click the active links.
Continue for 3.5 miles until the intersection with the Bluff trail, turn right and continue your adventure on the Bluff trail. The Bluff trail will have small elevation areas for a little lung burn but in general it remains a steady saunter along the forest with occasional water crossings. at 2.3 miles the bluff trail meets the big devils stairs trail. Continue on the Bluff trail for another 1.6 miles until you reach the gravel springs hut (there is an actual spring here) to take a breather and snack up. From the hut, take the fire road up to the gravel springs parking lot (0.3 miles). At the parking lot, cross skyline drive and connect with the Appalachian trail (white marker) Note: the trailhead will also say browntown trail. Take this trail for 0.9 miles to your first rock outcrop and big mouth gasping view . this is a perfect place to lunch and give your legs a break and a pep talk! The view takes in Skyline drive, Shenandoah River and in the distance the Massanutten range and even past that the North Mountain range!
From here continue , 0.7 miles to another rendezvous with Skyline Drive, cross the drive and continue to a small parking lot. It is here, you will turn right and continue on the Appalachian trail (white marker) as it begins one of the tougher (but small) parts of the hike with a steady ascend to more outcrop views. At this stage of the hike, there will be a scattering of outcrops to choose from, all with spectacular views and good spots to catch your wind. After sunbathing on the rock outcrops its time to push forward and wrap this adventure up , and you have 3.4 miles to go! The remainder of the trail will be on the Appalachian trail, the first part is a 1.9 mile breeze down through forest and fern friendly areas back to ( wait for it) .... Skyline Drive. another cross over the drive and continue for 1.4 miles back to your car at the Jenkins gap parking lot. The finish of the trail combs through some small elevation points and wonderfully quiet areas however the most important point here is make sure to drink water while finishing. this hike was a big one ! At over 13 miles and while you are feeling great at the accomplishment don't forget to let your body know how much you appreciate it with routine water breaks all the way to your car.
This hike is best suited for tandem hiking , persons over 16 years old and with a good amount of hiking experience!
HIKE ON!
GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS
- 2 water bottles or a camelback
- hiking shoes or hiking boots
- heavy snack/ lunch
- Bug Spray
