Loft Mountain. While walking alongside the river a black bear crossed the river and passed right in between my husband and me. Riverview Park / Rivanna Trail. The first day, we didn't see a single person :) The trail had not seen any maintenance yet this year and there was a lot of downed trees. The first beaver pond at the head of the marshland where Big Run … We ran this trip as a two-night backpack, though it could easily be made into a one night trip or a day hike. Shenandoah National Park - South River Falls. DIFFICULT 9.7 mi. Kodak moment: Take the side trip down Doyles River Trail to photograph several waterfalls. Take the Doyles River Trail downhill from the parking area. (Circuit) Nights: 2. I drove to Doyles River Trail Parking and set out, stopping to heat up breakfast and coffee on the porch of the PATC's Doyles River Cabin. Hike to the ruins of an Episcopal mission. Shenandoah National Park - Bearfence Rock Scramble. share Share . We did this loop starting at Skyline Dr north of the Loft Mnt store on Patterson Ridge Trail. If you are entering on foot, horse, or bike the fee is $15 per person. MODERATE 5.5 mi. When you get to the Doyle’s River trailhead, there is an unmarked path to the right. mile 79.5, cross Skyline Drive and follow the blue-blazed Frazier Discovery Trail. Jones Run Falls Loop via Doyles River Trail. it got so unexpectedly cold we ended up doing 2 day/1 night but it was an amazing hike. Since Eric had to be back in time to get to "Hamilton," we decided to do the shorter loop of about seven miles. 1 0 obj From the lower falls to Jones Run Falls & it's parking lot is uphill, but not as steep as it was between the Upper & Lower Doyles Falls. Elkton, Virginia, United States. At 0.6 miles, the trail reaches the summit and intersection with the Big Run Loop Trail. Do not use the water without effective treatment. No pets. Trip#: 99 Last Update: 25-Oct-2011 . 1 review | | MODERATE #29 hike out of 152 in Shenandoah National Park | MODERATE. If you want to shorten the hike to about 6.5 miles you can take the Brown's Gap Fire road up to the AT. Description: This is a strenuous 11.4 mile trek (12.2 miles if you visit the swimming hole) in the southern district of Shenandoah National Park utilizing Patterson Run, Big Run Portal, Big Run Loop, AT and Frazier Discovery Trail. It was a little damp and buggy the trail down. I posted the first part yesterday. DIFFICULT 18.2 mi. There are three significant waterfalls along the Doyles River – Jones Run trail. The Big Run Loop Trail leads down from the overlook to Big Run Portal Tail. One downside, at least on our trip, is that we have a rather large number of ticks hitch a ride on us and our puppies. Charlottesville, Virginia, United States. We didn’t see a single person until we got to the AT! The next morning we proceeded along the route and started coming across people right away, all of whom had hiked in from the other direction. Definitely start with Patterson, though. This circuit is a fairly flexible trip with an optional extra day of backpacking along Big Run Portal for a total of three nights. Cross the Appalachian Trail (AT) and descend rather steeply for 0.3 mile to an unprotected spring that flows from a pipe in a stone wall on the left. After reaching the Big Run Overlook, we are going to cross Skyline Drive to the Doyles River Parking Area. 2 0 obj We had to park at the Dundo picnic area because the Park Service had blocked off all the other parking spots due to crowding on a really nice August day. (See page 200.) Dundo Overlook Loop via Jones Run Trail. It’s a steep up hill then your along the ridge for a bit with views through the empty branches of the mountains on both sides. After 0.9 miles, the trail crosses back to the east side of Skyline Drive. I only encountered 2 other hikers and 1 bear that was more interested in the stream than me. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. DIFFICULT 11.4 mi. <> I felt like we were rock climbing getting up out of the basin and then a steep, constant incline all the way back up to the parking lot. I was alerted I was off trail about 3 times during this hike because the red line was in between the AT or whatever blue trail I was parallel to so I literally would have been walking through the woods quite a bit if I didn’t look ahead on the map quite a bit to see what trail it eventually turned into and I was just take the trail from the start. Turn left almost immediately onto Rose River Loop/Skyland-Big Meadows Horse Trail. %PDF-1.5 The SNP website has it listed as one of their “backcountry camping” trips. (Circuit) Nights: 2. See Map MS-5. We started around 3pm and got to our campsite right at the bottom there were 3 other backpacking groups not too close but across the stream. The primitive campground contains two vault toilets, 16 … 7. started at Doyle's River parking and hiked north around loft mountain before crossing skyline and getting into patterson because the loop will bring you right back to the Doyle's parking lot. The Patterson Ridge and Big Run Portal Trails are true backcountry. Doyles River Falls Hike One of the stream crossing you had to walk on a log to cross without getting wet. Distance: 3.0 miles. The decent down to the camping site via Doyle’s River was quite the decent at a fast past, we had 45lb packs on and haven’t been backpacking for awhile it was a good work out. It was also a lot easier on the toes but harder on my sore legs. The Rivanna River Greenbelt Trail is a part of the Greenbelt trail system that the City of Charlottesville. At 0.6 miles, the trail reaches the summit and intersection with the Big Run Loop Trail. Take the Doyles River Trail back to the Appalachian Trail in the morning. Hike to the Big Run Loop Trail and Appalachian Trail on day two before camping downstream off Jones Run Trail. Christine Says… Although, the wind, rain and (yes!) Just beyond the spring, the trail forks. It's small, but beautiful. Distance: 18.1-26.8 mi. The last few miles along the AT and Frazier Discovery Trail just seemed to go on forever and we were so happy to get back to Loft Mtn Wayside and have a bean burger before getting in the car to head home. Appalachian Trail: Doyles River Overlook to Pinefield Gap On this 8.8-mile hike, you’ll wind around Big Flat Mountain and gaze at Shenandoah peaks from Ivy Creek Overlook. Permits Rocky Mountain Loop. I would recommend this as a day hike or a 2 day loop. This little known waterfall is located close to the more popular waterfall, Doyles River Falls. EASY 2.3 mi. Both trails had good waterfalls and spots to stop off for a minute we did encounter quite a bit of traffic especially on Big Run coming up. EASY 3.6 mi. DIFFICULT 18.2 mi. Lots of water(falls), plenty of wildlife, amazing scenery. (The shorter - upper - one is quickly joined by other cascades making it appear taller.) We started on Patterson, which was quite the 3 mi descent, then had a pleasant, flat walk along Big Run Portal. 9. 48 Big Run Loop, Skyline Mile 81.1 205. The map for it is on All Trails. In 0.9 mil, bear right to stay on Rose River Loop Trail. We hiked the 6.5 mile loop from the Jones Run trail head, with our maps and equipment , down to the intersection with the Doyles River trail, returning by the Browns Gap Road and the Appalachian Trail. 4. I suggest wearing long pants! Shenandoah National Park - Bearfence Rock Scramble. We split the 6.3 mile hike into two shorter hikes with a 0.7 mile hike down the northern leg of the Frazier Discovery Trail to the Mountain Loft Wayside before retracing our steps 0.7 miles back up … 19. Day three we had a very short day back to the car. After some back and forth, we decided to go to Doyles River Falls. DIFFICULT 9.7 mi. Look for places to camp below the confluence of Jones Run and Doyles River. The Rockytop Trail, to the right, goes to the lower end of Big Run.) We hiked north from Browns Gap to the intersection with the Doyles River Trail. Cross Skyline Drive and hike north in grass a short distance. All in all, it was a great weekend. To help you choose, we've put together a list of backcountry trip iteneraries, available in downloadable PDFs. Jones Run Falls Loop via Doyles River Trail. We hiked this trail on 10/13. Be sure to look at Dark Hollow Falls just uphill from the trail and fire road junction. Easy hike to beautiful views. Last 6 miles is a bit tough. We did this as a 3 day/2 night backpack. Immediately you'll cross over the Appalachian Trail-stay straight on the blue-blazed trail to Doyles Falls. probably about 4-5 miles up hill at the very end. You can also purchase a park specific annual pass for $55. 52 Blackrock Summit, Skyline Mile 84.8 219 Elkton, Virginia, United States. Day 2 was a breeze! <>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612.16 792.07] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S>> A not-too-difficult hike to a very pretty waterfall. Loft Mountain. Big Run, Doyles River, and Frazier. It is definitely not maintained on this trail and I would definitely recommend this hike as a fall winter loop because I imagine it would really be overgrown in Spring and Summer. Hike to an 83' waterfall. 8. Be ready for them. Difficulty: Strenuous Beginner/Experienced. Doyles River-Jones Run Loop Details. 6. Turn left, staying on the blue-blazed trail and left again at the next trail post to descend to your starting point. Note: This page is not visible to the public - only to site admins. This circuit is a fairly flexible trip with an optional extra day of backpacking along Big Run Portal for a total of three nights. second day started easy enough just getting up onto the ridge on the way to Jones run. Alternative: For a shorter loop hike, you can take the Browns Gap Fire Road. Big Run is a river of 13 miles in length, located one-and-a-half miles west of Spruce Knob in Monongahela National Forest, in Pendleton County, West Virginia. The Doyles River Tr picks up where the Jones Run Trail ends. The Rivanna River Greenbelt Trail is a part of the Greenbelt trail system that the City of Charlottesville. Blackrock via Appalachian Trail. 7. Doyles River-Jones Run Loop Details. We did this as a backcountry backpacking as recommended by SNP. stream That spot didn’t seem bad to camp but we found an even better one! Trailhead: Doyles River parking lot at MP 81.1 on Skyline Drive. 50 Austin Mountain-Furnace Mountain Loop, Skyline Mile 83.0 211. All three of the falls were gorgeous. serious up hill. We started by going south on Patterson trail so we hit Doyle's River first. Beautiful hike. The difficulty levels for finding campsites and hiking can vary from the given levels with adverse weather conditions and other environmental factors. Kodak moment: Take the side trip down Doyles River Trail to photograph several waterfalls. We camped at the intersection of Jones Run and Doyle’s River. endobj Big Run, Doyles River, and Frazier Loop is a 16.8 mile loop trail located near Elkton, Virginia that features a great forest setting. For day two, seek out a spot near the junction of Jones Run and Doyles River Trails. MODERATE 5.5 mi. There are beautiful waterfalls on both the Doyles River Trail and the Jones Run Trail. It is a tributary of the North Fork South Branch Potomac River Description. Turn left onto the AT and go 1.6 miles (crossing the Drive once and passing through Doyles River Overlook) to the marker at the junction with the Doyles River Trail. JC, Will and I headed up to the PATC Doyles River Cabin for the weekend. 46 Frazier Discovery Trail, Skyline Mile 79.5 198. Doyles River Lookout Loop via Big Run Loop. We saw a bear about a mile into our day at Doyle’s River, so start early and you might see one! 6. Wayside Exit: 79 MP - Loft Mt. Hiking the shaded trail down Doyles River and then up Jones Run was fantastic, and I'm really glad that I added it onto my trip. Jones Run/Doyles River Hike Comments: Archived Comments: By: Erin E. Rating: Date of Hike: Saturday, August 25, 2018: My dog and I did this loop in the clockwise direction and had a blast! Trip Name: Big Run, Doyles River, and Frazier Description: Wilderness valley, excellent camping and fishing, three popular waterfalls Entry: 79 MP - Loft Mt. There were a lot of people on this trail, which was a stark contrast from the day before. easy going first day down to big run portal crossing the river 3 times with camping along the river. Go right at the intersection and follow the steep uphill grade to where the trail joins the Appalachian Trail. Do not use the water without effective treatment. The trail will descend rapidly for 1.3 miles to Upper Doyles Falls (28' waterfall), then another 0.3 miles to Lower Doyles Falls (63' waterfall). I headed into the South District from Rockfish Gap on a warm late January Saturday with three friends. 3. We hiked north from Browns Gap to the intersection with the Doyles River Trail. Staring at the Jones Run parking area turn left downhill following the blue blazed Jones Run trail. The next morning we started back in the reverse direction, going uphill, which was back on track for the intended route. As mapped, you'll park at Loft Mountain Wayside at milepost 79 on Skyline Drive. Patterson Ridge Trail was overgrown but still easy enough to follow. We were tired and decided that instead of hiking south along the AT to pick up where we were supposed to be, we would just cross over Skyline and go down Doyles River Trail and set up camp earlier than planned. Big Run, Doyles River, and Frazier Loop is a 27.0 kilometer loop trail located near Elkton, Virginia that features a great forest setting. There are beautiful waterfalls on both the Doyles River Trail and the Jones Run Trail. It's about a two and a quarter mile hike down the mountain. I’m glad I went counterclockwise! overall very beautiful hike but be prepared to get a workout. As you climb, sometimes steeply - especially in the middle, you will enjoy many cascades and pools as well as the focal points: 28 and 63 feet waterfalls. The Doyles River-Jones Run loop is a nice six-mile hike that takes you past three sizable waterfalls and a lot of beautiful stream scenery. I saw one person until I reached the AT. The trail grades are generally moderate as you descend Browns Gap Fire Road, passing a Confederate grave to then follow Doyles River, crashing in a bouldery canyon with big falls and lesser cascades. %���� The segment starts with a 0.3 mile 11% grade before moderating to about 6% for the next 800 feet. The trail is rated as moderate and is primarily used for hiking, camping, and backpacking. The left fork climbs rather steeply for 400 feet to the locked Doyles River Cabin. Despite the late summer low water flow the falls were still enjoyable, and I am planning a return hike in the spring. 6. 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