Pinnacles Loop (Rating: B)

You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike.

The hike is in the central district of Shenandoah National Park, with a length of about 7.5 miles and ~1800' of elevation gain.

• We will hike down from the Overlook on the Hannah Run Trail to the Catlett Mtn Trail.
• Where we'll turn left, go 200 ft to the next intersection, and
• Turn left on the Catlett Spur and head to our low point of 2165 ft where the Spur meets the Hazel Mountain Trail.
• There we'll turn left to head up to Skyline,
• Taking a short left jog to cross the road and onto the Meadow Springs Trail and up to the AT.
• Turning left we'll continue on the AT past Byrd's Nest #3 Shelter to "The Pinnacle", third highest peak in the park at 3514 ft and the highest point on our hike.
• After lunch/snack, we continue down the AT 0.1 mi
• Turn left and take a short 800-ft BUSHWHACK to Skyline Drive.
• Turn left and walk back on the road 0.4-mi to the trailhead and our cars.

Pace: We'll hike at ~2.5 mph when moving.

Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy

Rating: B
(although it is on the harder side of B-rated hike with a BUSHWHACK)

Leader: Harvey

Carpools: Feel free to organize carpools in the comment section below. It is 1-hr 20-min from Centreville Park & Ride to the trailhead you should leave there by 7:25a to reach Pinnacles Overlook by 8:45

Neither the Club nor the hike leaders are responsible for coordinating transportation to/from the trailhead. Carpooling is organized by the participants and they participate at their own risk.

Start time: 9:00 (try to be 15 min early to check in)

Trailhead: Meet at the Pinnacles Overlook on Skyline Drive just south of MP 35. Enter the park at Thornton Gap, proceed south on Skyline Drive.

Park Entry Fee: $30 or free with National Park Pass

You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, pace and elevation gain, including a bushwhack.

Trail Maps:
A pdf map of the hike can be downloaded here:
https://www.icloud.com/iclouddrive/034ZM_FvNVppn8VIj1vHu7Djg#Pinnacles_loop

A GaiaGPS map of the hike can be found here:
https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=14.3/-78.3175/38.6230&pubLink=aWIo752proPj9zakVwSWq1p5&routeId=ddb9db79-641d-40a1-8ba1-ac17852058d3