Thornton River Circuit-10.5 miles-Strenuous
Details
Starting Point - Elkwallow Wayside (Mile Marker 24)
Ending Point - Elkwallow Wayside (Mile Marker 24)
Hike Distance/Rating/Elevation - 10.3 miles/Strenuous/2200 feet of elevation
Disclaimer #1 - This hike is rated as a strenuous hike. Since this hike is rated as a strenuous hike, all hikers will start the hike on the wait list until I can verify the hiking experience of all hikers on the wait list. Those hikers, who have not hiked with me on a strenuous hike, will need to answer the following vetting questions before allowing those hikers on the hike.
- How often do you hike?
- What strenuous hikes have you done?
- When and what was the last strenuous hike that you completed?
The answers to these questions can either be emailed to me at patrickcory@hotmail.com or via Meetup messages. Hikers have within one week of their RSVP to send the answers to the vetting questions to me. Failure to answer the vetting questions within one week will move those hikers from the wait list to NOT GOING.
Hike Highlights - Elkwallow Wayside, Appalachian Trail, Piney Ridge Trail, Fork Mountain Trail, Thornton Hollow Trail, Thornton River Trail, Multiple Stream Crossings, Thornton River Falls
Disclaimer #2 - With winter hikes starting from Skyline Drive, there is unpredictability with Skyline Drive being open. There will be a backup hike if Skyline Drive is closed. The backup hike is going to be Buck/Buck Ridge up to Mary's Rock. The hike link for the backup hike is below.
https://www.hikingupward.com/SNP/BuckHollowMarysRock/
Hike Details - This is a circuit hike in the North District of SNP that I have been wanting to do in the past year. We are going to form carpools shortly 8:00 AM at the North Research Park. We are going to enter Shenandoah National Park through Thornton Gap and go up to Elkwallow Wayside at mile marker 24 on Skyline Drive. From Elkwallow Wayside, we are going to hike the Appalachian Trail northbound about a mile to the junction with the Piney Ridge Trail. We are going to turn right onto the Piney Ridge Trail. Along the Piney Ridge Trail, we are going to hike to the intersection with the Fork Mountain Trail. We will go right on the Fork Mountain Trail. We will hike the Fork Mountain Trail to the intersection with the Thornton Hollow Trail. At the intersection with the Thornton Hollow Trail, we are going to turn right onto the Thornton Hollow Trail. We will hike the Thornton Hollow Trail to the intersection with the Hull School Trail and the Thornton River Trail. We will turn right onto the Thornton River Trail. Along the Thornton River Trail, we will have multiple stream crossings. We will have multiple small waterfalls along this stretch of the Thornton River Trail. We will make the steady climb up to Skyline Drive. We will cross Skyline Drive and make the short climb up to the Appalachian Trail. We will turn right on the Appalachian Trail and complete the circuit back to Elkwallow Wayside. Please make sure to review the hike link below before signing up for this hike.
https://www.hikingupward.com/SNP/ThorntonRiver/
As is tradition with my hikes, there will be an optional post hike at a local restaurant or brewery. Carpools can be arranged accordingly for those, who wish to partake.
What to Bring - Broken in hiking boots, trekking poles, possibly traction, $8 for your driver if not driving, beanies and gloves, layers of clothing (not cotton or jeans), lunch/snacks, camera/phone, annual SNP pass if you have one
Disclaimer #3 - GetHiking Charlottesville's Organizers are not professional guides. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions you would take if you were hiking alone. With your RSVP you agree with this disclaimer - Disclaimer (https://www.meetup.com/GetHiking-Charlottesville-Charlottesville-VA/pages/21088739/Disclaimer/)