Thornton River Circuit Hike (New Date)

(Our first attempt at this hike along the Thornton River was a total washout.)

This 10.6-mile strenuous circuit hike with 2100 feet of elevation gain, suitable for experienced hikers, starts at the Elkwallow Wayside in the northern section of Shenandoah National Park. From there, our itinerary will take us down the Piney Ridge Trail and ultimately along the beautifully scenic Thornton River. We will need to cross this river several times as we ascend to the Appalachian Trail to complete our circuit. We will hike past a few artifacts of the settlers who inhabited these mountains before the Park was established.

Bring plenty of water, snacks, lunch, bug spray, sunscreen, sturdy footwear, and about $25 for transportation and trip fees. ($5 for the trip fee, $13 for mileage reimbursement, and a shared portion of the $30/car SNP admission fee. We can often avoid the park admission fee since someone in each car will usually have a SNP pass.)

We will make our usual pit stop at Sheetz to stock up on lunch and/or snacks before entering the park. There may also be an optional dinner stop on the way home at the pleasure of the participants. We'll carpool at 8:30 a.m. from the Kiss & Ride Lot of the East Falls Church Metro Station.