One-night Backpack @ Shenandoah / Moormans River @ 18.5 miles + 3300 ft gain
Details
▪ Moderate level of difficulty – some experience required. This trip is NOT beginner friendly!! Water levels are a bit low, but still an opportunity for a decent splash and hopefully an all-out swim!!
OVERALL PLAN
▪ Day 1 = 10 miles @ 1070 ft gain + swimming
▪ Day 2 = 8.4 miles @ 2240 ft gain
▪ Backcountry campsite Saturday night along Moormans River, on the north fork near ‘Shop Run’, after we pass Big Branch Falls.
PACE
▪ Hike your own hike whether faster or slower – no expectation for the entire group to always stay together. Please be prepared with offline maps and/or route knowledge should you find yourself alone at some point.
TRAIL MAP
▪ AllTrails custom map link:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-august-29-2023-ca75910?u=i&sh=xmmxy1
TRAIL DESCRIPTION
DAY 1
▪ Start @ Wildcat Ridge Parking Area (Skyline Dr mile 92.1).
▪ AT SOBO for 2.4 miles to Turk Mountain Parking Area (Skyline Dr mile 94.2).
▪ SE on Turk Branch Trail for 2.4 miles to South Fork Moormans River Road (horse trail).
▪ N for 2 miles on South Fork Moormans River Road to the intersection of Sugar Hollow Rd & Black Rock Gap Rd (“Blue” swimming Hole on this stretch).
▪ N for 1.9 miles on Black Rock Gap Rd which transitions to North Fork Moormans River Trail to the Big Branch Falls Spur Trail (1/3 mile RT spur to waterfalls).
▪ Continue N for one mile on North Fork Moormans River Trail and look for a backcountry campsite near ‘Shop Run’.
DAY 2
▪ N for 2.8 miles on North Fork Moormans River Trail (some portion aka Blackrock Gap Rd) to Blackrock Gap Parking Area (Skyline Dr mile 84.4).
▪ AT SOBO for 5.6 miles back to Finish @ Wildcat Ridge Parking Area.
EARLY OUT OPTIONS
▪ Two early out options on day two at Skyline Drive parking lots…participants are responsible for their own shuttle arrangements to make this happen.
#1 – Blackrock Gap @ 2.8 miles
#2 – Rip Rap @ 5.5 miles
Shenandoah National Park Pass – YES
Our parking area/start point is INSIDE Shenandoah National Park. ONE pass required per vehicle.
Shenandoah Backcountry Permit – YES
Event host will take care of permits for the entire group.
Pets Allowed – YES