Jenkins Gap/Compton Peak/Fort Windham

The northern district of the Shenandoah National Park has so much to offer, so let’s explore some of it! This hike really packs a punch with a beautiful vista, an awesome rock formation, and the “park’s best example of volcanic columnar jointing!”

This hike will be around 5.6 miles with about 1350ft elevation gain. We will hike at a 2-2.5 mile pace, so PLEASE make sure you are comfortable with keeping this pace. We will depart at 9:30am sharp so please arrive early enough to get ready and be able to head out by 9:30.

We will depart the Jenkins Gap parking lot and head north on the AT until we come to the Compton Peak Trail where we will head east to the spectacular columnar rock formation. When we are done gazing we will retrace our steps, climbing the steep trail up and back to the AT, where we will continue north. We will cross the Skyline Drive and enter into the Compton Peak parking area where we will continue a short distance to the Dickie Ridge Trail off to our left. We will follow that to the Fort Windham Rocks where we will do a little climbing(if you’d like) and check out the view from the rocks. This is where we will take a little snack break before retracing our steps all the way back to the Compton Peak trail where we will take the west trail this time and check out the beautiful vista. Then we will climb our way back to the AT and follow it back to our vehicles.

Parking: We will park at the Jenkins Gap parking lot around mile 12.3 off the Skyline Drive.
Coordinates: 38.80711, -78.18104
A map of part of the area can be found at: https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/upload/ComptonGap_RoadTrail.pdf

Blue Mountain Hiking Club 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 the following DISCLAIMER/Liability Waiver:
The Blue Mountain Hiking Club (BMHC) and its Leaders and Organizers/ Participants do not take responsibility for any harm, bodily injury, accidents, or damage to personal property. By clicking “Attending” you are confirming that you understand that all outdoor activity such as hiking, backpacking, and trekking have an associated danger, and you will not hold any hike leader/organizer, participant, BMHC member, or any group associated pet responsible for any hazard to your well being. You are fully responsible for yourself and any person under the age of eighteen you bring with you on any hike or event.