Veach Gap 7 miles, 1300' Elev Gain

Join a Hike to Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence!

The 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence is a once-in-a-generation milestone, and one exciting way to mark it is to join a historic hike that connects you to the Revolutionary War.

Veach Gap is tied to a Revolutionary War-era road built by General George Washington’s forces. The Veach Gap Trail follows part of Morgan’s Road, an old roadbed constructed during the Revolutionary War. Washington ordered Colonel Daniel Morgan to build it as a potential retreat route in case the Continental Army was defeated at the Yorktown campaign. While the war ended in a decisive American victory and the retreat was never needed, the road remained in use for years as a local trade and travel route

• Purpose: Designed as a strategic escape route from Yorktown, linking the Continental Army’s position to the interior of Virginia.
• Construction: Built over the eastern ridge of the Massanutten Range, following a ridge line that offered a relatively direct path away from the Chesapeake Bay.

Veach Gap is a moderate out-and-back hike known for its scenic beauty and diverse terrain and is less than 8 miles with an elevation gain of 1200'.
This trail winds through the scenic George Washington National Forest, situated close to Fort Valley and Elizabeth Furnace, on the Massanutten Mountain. The terrain becomes increasingly rocky, providing a moderate challenge; you will encounter two stream crossings and observe a unique geological formation.
The planned hiking pace is 1.5 - 2.0 miles per hour.

TIDBITS
· The rock formation is shaped like an upside-down ‘U’. This is called an anticline, and it’s a very unusual geological feature in our area.

HIKING GUIDES: https://www.hikingupward.com/GWNF/VeachGapSouthForkOverlook/

DIRECTIONS/TRAILHEAD/PARKING**: SR 744/Veach Gap Road is off of SR 678, Fort Valley Road, and the Trailhead is 0.8 miles at the end of SR 774, Veach Gap Road.

AGENDA: We will follow the trail along Mill Run, and 1 mile in, we will encounter water crossings. When we arrive at the trail junction, the Tuscarora Trail veers off to the right; instead, we will head left, following signs for “Sherman Gap Tr." and we will be on the Massanutten Mountain Trail-orange and blue blaze. The descriptions from hiking guides state, "next 1 ½ miles are relatively uneventful, but eventually, the route briefly cuts sharply to the south and traverses a rock field that occasionally offers window views back toward** Fort Valley and Little Crease Mountain. A little over three miles from the trailhead, the trail will crest the Massanutten ridgeline. A short walk northward leads to the first of three overlooks. The second is slightly better, but the third and final vista is the winner: this is the so-called “The Point” Overlook**, named for the hairpin bend in the Shenandoah River visible more than 1,000 feet below. A large outcropping of rocks offers hikers a chance to take in the scenery. We will hike past the overlooks and turn around.
We will take a lunch break at "The Point Overlook".

PARK FEES: None

WHAT TO BRING: The Ten Essentials. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and warm/cool layers. Bring plenty of water, snacks/meal, and trekking poles if you use them. Dress in layers. https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html
I highly recommend bringing an additional pair of socks and gloves. There are water crossings.

Wear "blaze orange," also known as hunter orange, a fluorescent orange color. This is essential for visibility and safety during hunting season, as it helps prevent accidents by making you distinguishable from game animals.

Please leave pets at home. Thanks!

Notes:

• RSVP to register for this hike. If your plans change, update your RSVP.
• To find out more about PATC, click here.
• Consider becoming a member of PATC. To join, click here.

Hike attendance is limited at the leader's discretion, and PATC rules strictly require children under 18 to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.