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Loft Mountain Area - Shenandoah U.S. Department of the Interior

2/2020

A map of the Loft Mountain area in Shenandoah National Park,

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Hiking Trail Paved Road North 0 1.0 Kilometer Hiking Trail () Hiking Trail (Horses) Park Boundary 0 1.0 Mile Unpaved Road Stream Unpaved Road (Horses) Parking Building Viewpoint Waterfall

Emergency 1-800-732-0911 • Information 540-999-3500 • Online www.nps.gov/shen Frazier Discovery Trail Hike Markers & Blazes

1.2-mile circuit 1-hour hiking time Trail markers are at trailheads and Easiest 429-foot elevation gain intersections. The metal bands are stamped with directional and mileage From the north end of the Loft Mountain Wayside parking area at information. mile 79.5, cross Skyline Drive and follow the blue-blazed Frazier Discovery Trail. Go right at the intersection and follow the steep Trail blazes are found on uphill grade to where the trail joins the Appalachian Trail. Turn trees and rocks throughout left, staying on the blue-blazed trail and left again at the next trail the Park. The color identifies No pets post to descend to your starting point. . the trail type:

Doyles River Falls Hike Blue - Hiking trail White - Appalachian Trail 3.3-mile round trip 2.25-hours hiking time Yellow - Open to horses Moderate 1,189-foot elevation gain

From the trailhead at mile 81.1, take the blue-blazed Doyles River Trail. Cross the Appalachian Trail and pass the access trails to Doyles River Cabin and Browns Gap Road. Trail posts mark the locations of Upper (2.7 miles) and Lower Doyles River Falls. 1 stream crossing. Retrace your steps to return. Need to Know • Pets are not allowed on Frazier Discovery Trail. Where Jones Run Falls Hike allowed, pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all 3.2-mile round trip 2.5-hours hiking time times. Moderate 1,045-foot elevation gain • Do not attempt to cross streams during icy conditions or flooding. From the trailhead at mile 84.1, cross the Appalachian Trail and • Be sure you are physically able to complete the hike you’ve follow the blue-blazed Jones Run Trail to Jones Run Falls and chosen. return by the same route. 1 stream crossing. • Take plenty of water—at least a quart per hour. • When you return from your hike, check for ticks. Browns Gap Hike • Stay on the trail and avoid trampling sensitive vegetation. • Be sure someone knows where you are and when to expect 6.5-mile circuit 7-hours hiking time your return. Moderately Strenuous 1,400-foot elevation gain • It’s dangerous and potentially deadly to climb on the rocks near waterfalls. From Browns Gap Parking at mile 83, cross Skyline Drive and • Cell and GPS services are unreliable. take Browns Gap Fire Road to its intersection with Doyles River • Filter or treat water from streams before drinking. Trail. Turn right and connect with Jones Run Trail. At the Jones Run parking area take a right onto the Appalachian Trail and Hiking Difficulty Scale follow it back to your starting point. Easiest: Generally suitable for anyone who enjoys walking. Mostly level or with a slight incline. Generally less than 3 miles. Blackrock Summit Hike Moderate: Generally suitable for novice hikers seeking a bit 1-mile circuit .75-hour hiking time of a challenge. The terrain will involve a moderate incline and Easiest 175-foot elevation gain may have some steeper sections. Generally 3 to 5 miles. Moderately Strenuous: Generally challenging for an From the Blackrock parking area at mile 84.4, follow the unconditioned person. The terrain will involve a steady and Appalachian Trail (A.T.) south. At the trail post, turn right and often steep incline. Generally 5 to 8 miles. continue to the boulder field where you can see the layers and Strenuous: Will challenge most hikers. The hike will generally quartzite patterns on the rocks and a beautiful view. Continue be longer and steeper, but may be deemed strenuous because south on the A.T. around the slope. At the intersection, turn left of the elevation gain. Generally 7 to 10 miles. onto the Blackrock Hut Road-Trayfoot Mountain Trail and follow Very Strenuous: Only well-conditioned and well-prepared to the parking lot. hikers should attempt. Generally long and steep, and may include rock scrambling, stream crossings, and other challenging terrain. Generally 8 miles and over.

Trail maintenance and map funded by recreation fee dollars.