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| The most remote area of Shenandoah National Park. |
The National Park Service calls. The South District of Shenandoah National Park is the most remote area of the park. How could this be? Skyline Drive is a ribbon of road that cuts 44 miles through the South District of the park. Along the route are developed areas. Such as the campgrounds and camp store at Loft Mountain and a picnic area at Dunno.
The South District is located between the entrance stations of Swift Run Gap to the north and Rockfish Gap at the southern end of the district. The South District proportionately has more federally designated wilderness areas. Then the North and Central Districts of the park. Because of this designation, the wilderness areas provide a more remote experience.
A few weeks ago, I made my way to the South District of the park, not because I was looking for a remote experience. Because I had a limited amount of time to visit the park. I had two simple goals for this short trip. First, I wanted to have breakfast with a view, and my second goal, I wanted to hike a trail I had not hiked before.
From Rockfish Gap to Jarman Gap is the narrowest section of the park. The boundary of the park is but a few 100 feet from Skyline Drive. This section of Skyline Drive was built as part of the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was deeded to Shenandoah National Park in the early '60s. Take a minute to read about the history of the Road to Nowhere. To learn a little bit more about this section of the South District.
I entered the South District from the Rockfish Gap entrance station. I proceeded north on Skyline Drive until I arrived at the parking area. For the trailhead located at Beagle Gap. The parking lot is located between mile markers 100 and 99 on Skyline Drive.
An interesting tidbit of information about this area. Bear Dean Mountain, Little Calf Mountain, and Calf Mountain. Are not in Shenandoah National Park. But what is called an Appalachian Trail Park? This section of the park is in the National Park Service inventory.
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| The dodgeway is the gateway to start the hike into the meadow. |
From the parking lot, enter the meadow through the dodgeway. Follow the Appalachian Trail across the meadow. At one time, this area was part of the Royal Orchard. Keep your eyes open at the top of the meadow. For a few of the Albemarle Pippin apple trees that still stand from the bygone days of the Royal Orchard.
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Spicebush Swallowtail.
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The hike to the summit of Little Calf Mountain is easy and well-suited for families and seasoned hikers. No matter how short a hike may be, I always carry a map. PATC Map #11 covers the South District. Please note, in August 2012 there was a re-route of the AT on Little Calf Mountain. This re-route will not be shown in the 2012 version of map #11. This out-and-back hike is about 2 miles with only 378 feet of elevation gain. This hike should take anywhere from 45 minutes to 1-hour hiking time to complete.
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| Brewing up coffee on a Camping Gaz Turbo 270. |
The peak of Little Calf Mountain sits at 2910 feet. Sometimes the meadow at the summit is cut, but this time it had not been cut and was a little overgrown. The meadow at Little Calf Mountain provides views of Bear Den Mountain. Which I recommend as a companion hike. On clear days it also provides views of Nelson County to the southeast. The City of Waynesboro into the valley to the southwest.
I found a great spot to fix breakfast and brew a cup of coffee at the summit just off the Appalachian Trail. I used my
Camping Gaz Turbo 270 Stove. This is totally old school but works well with a 100gr canister on shorter trips.
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| Hiking back down the trail you are reminded that you are not hiking in SNP. |
Back at my vehicle, I reference my map and come up with a plan on the fly, for the next trail I want to hike. It looks like Turk Mountain Trail will meet my second goal of the day. Just shy of 5 miles from my current location, I proceed north to the parking lot at Turk Gap.
Turk Mountain Trail is a blue-blazed side trail. An out-and-back hike of two miles with about 378 feet of elevation gain. Pick up the Appalachian Trail across Skyland Drive from the parking lot. Head south on the AT for 2-tenths of a mile, and then pick up the blue-blazed off to your right.
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| Wildflowers line the trail. |
This time of year Turk Mountain Trail still has its fair share of wildflowers growing on the side of the trail. About 2/3rds of the trail looked like the trail in the picture above. This changes once you start approaching the first talus field you get to. The last third of the trail becomes very rocky, and this makes the one-mile trail seem much longer than it is.
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| The view from the summit of Turk Mountain. |
There are two overlooks on Turk Mountain. Before reaching the summit, a small overlook faces east and the summit overlooks to the west. I planned to catch the eastern view back down the trail. But there were hikers already there, and due to COVID, I figured it was safer just to move on.
While both of these hikes were short they provided what I was looking for. In the short amount of time, I had. I was surprised by what Turk Mountain Trail had to offer. From wildflowers, talus fields, and summit views.
Trail Notes-
Activity: Day Hiking.
Route/Place: Appalachian Trail/ Turk Mountain Trail.
Activity Type: Day Hiking.
Trail Difficulty Rating: Little Calf Mountain -Easy & kid-friendly.
Turk Mountain Trail-Easy to moderate with a limited rock scramble.
Trail Conditions: Appalachian Trail is well maintained with signage and white blazes.
Turk Mountain Trail is well-maintained with a small section of the Appalachian Trail white blaze followed by a blue blaze on Turk Mountain Trail.
Trip Results: Successful.
Road Conditions: Road suitable for all vehicles- Access fee.
What you need to know before you go.
Navigate over to our other related articles on hikes in The South District of Shenandoah National Park
Now It's Your Turn-
Leave a comment about hikes you have done in the South District. What is your favorite trail or loop?
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