AT – Compton Peak & Fort Wyndham Rocks (Rating: B)
Details
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.
This is a 7+ mile hike on the AT and nearby trails. The hike starts at Jenkins Gap and heads north crossing Skyline Drive to the Dickey Ridge Trail to the Springhill Trail and then back on the AT where we head south back to Jenkins Gap.
- Going north, we will look at the East Compton Overlook where there are columnar basalts (see picture above). If you've never seen these, the hike is worth it just to view this geological phenomena.
- On the Dickey Ridge trail, we will take a very short side trip to the Fort Wyndham Rocks.
- On Compton Peak on the way back south, we'll have lunch at the West Compton Overlook.
At each of the above 3 stops we'll be hiking on the 570 million year old Catoctin Formation which is a metamorphosed basalt or greenstone. For more on this unique rock that makes hiking in Shenandoah so "rocky", visit the National Park Website at: https://www.nps.gov/shen/learn/nature/greenstone.htm
Hike Grade: B - moderately difficult
At 7+ mi + 1200+ft/400ft/mi = 10+ equiv. miles which makes this a B-hike https://nvhc.com/hikeinfo/ratings/.
Hike Maps:
Shenandoah National Park pdf map:
https://www.icloud.com/iclouddrive/0RN4nPpBP4js6ME7YpsHL5Cjw#Jenkins_Gap_to_Fort_Wyndham_Rocks
GaiaGPS interactive map:
https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=13.6/-78.1748/38.8197&pubLink=fDozx6TyCv6nsX0PCQhDZaGq&trackId=d23ad047c4f263f5514829f082929514
Driving Directions:
From the north entrance at Front Royal, drive south on Skyline drive to Jenkins Gap, between MP 12 and 13. The Parking lot is on the right (west side of Skyline Dr) somewhat hidden from the road. (GPS 38.8072, -78.1810) Don't confuse the parking lot with the Jenkins Gap Overlook which is more visible and on the east side of the road.
Park Entrance Fee: $30/car
Carpools: Feel free to arrange carpools in the comment section below.
Dogs: Permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy