Spring in SNP: Thornton River Loop Plus Thornton River Grill - A Stren 10 Miles
- March 24 · 9:30 AM
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Springtime in SNP: Thornton River Loop Plus Thornton River Grill - A Strenuous 10.6 Mile Hike with Several Streams!
Thornton River is a loop hike that descends through some of the park’s best bear country. It passes artifacts of the mountain people and meanders along one of the park’s most beautiful streams. We will enjoy waterfall-filled hollows, lush forests, some unusually large trees. This area is known for being great for bear sightings and we are timing this with after hibernation for our best chances on getting to see some of these magnificent creatures.
Hike Pace
This hike will be led at a moderate pace of about 2.5mph and the average hiking pace used as a baseline in most hiking books. (most common pace).
Trail Information
Nearby City: Rileyville
Length: 10.6 total miles
Elevation Gain: 250 Feet
Trail Type: Loop
Skill Level: Strenuous
Duration: About 5 to 6 hours but depends on hike pace
Season: Year-round
Total climb: 1,850 feet
Trailhead Elev: 2,500 feet
Top Elev: 2,750 feet
Local Maps: National Geographic Trails Illustrated Topographic Map 228; Map 9, Appalachian Trail and Other Trails in Shenandoah National Park, North District
Topo Map: Thornton River Topographic Map
Guide Book: Hiking Shenandoah National Park Guide Book
Note to Hike Leaders:PATC Map 9, Book "Hiking Shenandoah National Park". Also on Trails.com. Contact Kellie if you need the book, map, or Trails.com leadership team login credentials.
Weather Information
We hike rain, snow, or shine! Click here for up to the minute weather information for the trailhead.
Carpool Information
There are 2 carpools for this hike!
Baltimore Area Carpool
To carpool or caravan with the hike leader from the Baltimore metro area, meet at Savage Station. Click here for directions to Savage Station.
DC Area Carpool
To carpool or caravan from the metro DC area, meetup at the Centerville Park and Ride. Click here for informationand directions to the Centerville location.
If you can drive or want to carpool from additional locations, please post your location in the comment section below. For those who need a ride, reach out to the drivers. Make friends, and support the environment - by just offering a ride!
Directions to the Trailhead
Click Here for Directions to where we Meetup for This Hike.
If you have any questions regarding directions, please contact the hike leader at the number provided below.
Hike is at 10:00 a.m.
Carpool meetup time at Savage is 7:00 a.m.
Carpool meetup time at Centerville is 8:00 a.m.
Park Entrance Fee
Many of us have annual passes for Skyline Drive for up to 6 in the same vehicle, so if you ride or meet up at the entrance with someone that has one then it will be free for you to enter the park. Please make arrangement yourselves for this either via email or in the comment section below. The entry fee for Skyline Drive for all vehicles is $15 for a single car so I highly recommend making arrangements to carpool with someone who has a pass, OR, meeting up with one of us who has a pass near the entrance and ride in with them. Enough of us have passes, that you should not have to pay to enter the park.
Fido is Welcome on This Hike With Leader Approval. Please Contact the Leader Via Phone or E-Mail for More Information So That You Can Make An Informed Decision
Let's have good times and see you on the trail!
Brian: [masked]
Sandy: [masked]
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Kellie Carlisle
Much thanks to Sandy and Brian for leading this hike. Sounds like it was a very good one!
March 27
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Brian Crowe
Thanks to everyone who attended and sorry Liz for missing you. Since we had to do a alternate hike due to the risk of closure/ advice of rangers I appreciate everyone going with the flow we can't beat mother nature after all. I will have Kellie repost this hike for around the time the trees bud/spring flowers and a little more early start time to enjoy more.
2 · March 26
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Christine Zapp
Hey Mike,
Here is what l found on Mary's Rock Legend of the hike we did today and btw, nothing yet about her jumping off the rock, sighh..Mary's Rock has its fair share of legends of how the rock was named. One story claims that Francis Thornton wed Mary Savage and brought her up the mountain to show her the lands they would own together. Another legend claims that Thornton had a daughter named Mary, who climbed up the mountain when she was young and came back with a bear cub under her arm. Yet another states that it was named after the wife of William Randolph Barbee.[1][edit]Mary's Rock Tunnel
Mary's Rock Tunnel is a 610-foot (190 m) long tunnel blasted through the mountain that Skyline Drive passes through. Constructed in 1932, it is considered one of the engineering feats of Skyline Drive.
[edit]
2 · March 24
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Sandy Balliet
Well what can we say Mother Nature and the Skyline Drive Park Rangers were against us. Despite all that we managed to hike an alternate route(Mary's Rock) and every had a great work out with a superb view.
2 · March 24
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Liz Jordan
So sorry I missed the hike. I got to Elk Wallow Wayside at 10 am and didn't find anyone ... now I know why. Long drive for no hike ... guess that will teach me to check meetup.com before leaving on a hike. The good news is I now have my season pass to the park so I'll look forward to future hikes. :) Hope you had a great time! Liz
1 · March 24
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Christine Zapp
Thanks Sandy for your leadership, wisdom, and support. Enjoyed spending time with you both on the hike and lunch!
1 · March 24
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Christine Zapp
Sorry l missed saying goodbye to leader Brian and others. Was checking out the GPS tracker without glasses, hehe and did not walk over from the parking lot, thinking l would have opportunity to thank you Brian during our lunch meal and mingle with the others. Guess that plans got turned around because of the park closing, the original lunch meal was cancelled. Anyways, was a pleasure seeing everyone! Thanks Sandy for carpooling, and the company of Irina and Mike!
March 24
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David Caviness
Brian and Sandy – Thank you. You did a great job overcoming SLD being closed and coming up with a good alternative hike for us. It was a great day in the woods and a fun group of strong hikers to enjoy it with!
5 · March 24
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Brian Crowe
I just got home from leading today and was notified the hike is listed as 9:30 at the top and 10 at the bottom. My mistake no clue how I missed that the hike is at 9:30 sharp! We had to alter the time to get to the grill before 3pm our reservations are for 2:30 was the latest they would seat us. Sorry again hope everyone checks this!
March 23
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Chris
How does this impact the carpool times? Assume Centerville is at 7:30am instead of 8am then?
March 24
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Brian Crowe
Also the streams in GWNF where a little high but not to bad to the point we needed water shoes, expecting the same in SNP.
1 · March 23
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Brian Crowe
I would like to get a final count for lunch in sperryville to call for resorvations since the grill has limited space. Please click "reply" below this post if you intend to go and just give me a yes, if you dont want to go dont respond. Thanks
March 12
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Christine Zapp
Brian,
When talking water shoes, r u meaning the actual ones used to in pools etc or waterproof boots. I am thinking the first?February 28
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Brian Crowe
I mean water shoes, boots even water proof ones have there limits(as in water depth). However these river crossings are pretty easy so long as there has not been recent rainfall so may or may not be needed. Either way sturdy boots are required for proper footwear. Thanks Christine.
March 9
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Kellie Carlisle
Christine, here is a link that has gear suggestions along with links to what the items are. http://www.midatlanti...
1 · March 22
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Priya
Hi. I live in Rosslyn just off of 66 and would love a ride from there or from a metro station along the orange line. Please let me know if that works for anyone.
March 19
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Christine Zapp
If there is anyone in the Tysons Corner area and find it easier to meet and park at LLBean parking lot, we can then ride to the hike or to Centreville lot to pick up additional peeps and move on from there. Anyone? If not, would appreciate riding with someone from Centreville. Thanks!!
March 18
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Sam
Hi all, I don't know who the drivers are, but may I get a ride with someone from Centerville?
February 28
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Christine Zapp
Hey peeps, l live in NOVA up by Tysons Corner and plan to meet at the Centreville location. Anyone have room in their car for me at that point? Thanks, l prefer not to drive.
February 7
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Sam
I am in Alexandria and so the Centerville car pool will work best. Anybody carpooling from that area, that I may ride with?
February 7
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Brian Crowe
Greetings, if you are attending this hike I will give a heads up there are 4 river crossings that normaly are a easy rock hop but if the area gets alot of rain proir to hike or snow I suggest you bring water shoes in your pack or a extra pair of socks! Should be a non-issue. Also please include in your RSVP or a email to me if your going to eat after the hike so I can make reservations to make sure they save space for us its a small place.
1 · February 6
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Christine Zapp
I love Skyline Drive! Looking very forward to meeting new friends on this hike. The word strenuous scARES me, but am practicing more and more.Yess Brian, hook me up for lunch. Thanks!!
February 6
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Brian Crowe
This hike isn't to bad, two hills one is 800ft. Gain other is close to 1100ft but its over some mileage. Wear good boots and have plenty of water 2-3L depending on your condition and other factors plus bring some healthy quick snacks for energy. What is your hiking level at now? Mileage, difficultly, ect..
February 7
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Christine Zapp
GM Brian, no idea what my level is, l have always just hiked on own or with 1- 2 friends but they tell me to slow down,lol, yet have no idea how to compare that with experienced group hikers. I have done places like Great Falls, C&O , George Washington Parkway, and Prince William Forest Park and hiked up to 10 - 12 miles within 4- 6 hours if that gives u any idea. I would say moderate but still have lack of understanding what that term is in the eyes of experienced hikers. Hope this gives you a clue. I have both good hiking boots and boots that are waterproof and will have a back packed just right. I would say my lack of experience is in elevation but l am relatively healthy for my age,lol. Looking forward to meeting you.
February 7
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13 attended
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Sarita K
Pre-Approved for Very Strenuous Hikes! 03/19/2013
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irina rickard
Certified Hike Leader
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Lyndal
Pre-Approved for Very Strenuous Hikes!
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Becky R.
Pre-Approved for Very Strenuous Hikes!
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David Caviness
Pre-Approved for Very Strenuous Hikes!
Your organizer's refund policy for Spring in SNP: Thornton River Loop Plus Thornton River Grill - A Stren 10 Miles
Refunds offered if:
- the Meetup is cancelled
- the Meetup is rescheduled
- you can cancel at least 2 day(s) before the Meetup
Additional notes: Refund only if you cancel 48 hours PRIOR to the start time of the hike..
Payments you make go to the organizer, not to Meetup. You must make refund requests to the organizer.
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