[GaliWalker]

Furnace - Blackrock - Austin Mountain loop (Shenandoah National Park, 12/18/18) Let the holiday season begin! On a daytrip to pick up my daughter from school at the University of Virginia (Charlottesville), I decided to - obviously - tuck in a hike at Shenandoah National Park. The hike was to begin from Browns Gap on Skyline Drive, then head over Austin Mountain all the way down to the foothills west of Shenandoah and finally back up over Furnace Mountain, for a 13.3mi loop. Unfortunately, as I reached Skyline Drive and attempted to drive over to Browns Gap I encountered a closure of the entire southern section of the road; around 300 trees had come down across the road due to a recent ice storm and were still being cleared! What to do? I decided to drive down to lowest point of my hike, at the end of Brown Gap Road, and start my loop hike from there. That would have been my preferred choice anyway, but I had been unsure if that trailhead would be accessible, given that it was December. I had no problems reaching it, and I think I only lost about 15min in this little bit of inconvenience. The time was only 7:30am - I'd left Pittsburgh at 2:10am - and I had plenty of time for my hike and still make my date with my daughter. I headed up Browns Gap Road for a few hundred yards, crossed the Shenandoah National Park boundary and soon after that hung a right turn to ford crystal clear Madison Run. A moderate but consistent climb for the next 1.8mi (1,100ft of elevation gain) took me up to a saddle, where I took the 0.5mi spur trail to Furnace Mountain's summit. A rocky outcrop provided a nice view to the north and northeast of the spine of Austin Mountain, which was to be my hike's return leg. Behind Austin Mountain I could see Lewis Mountain, which had been my backup destination. I hung around for a half hour here, enjoying the crispness in the air - the temperature was just below freezing - and brilliant sunshine.

1- Morning sunshine

2- Austin Mountain folds

3- GaliWalker, basking in sunshine

Back on the main trail, I continued my climb up the mountain, hiking along a wooded ridge. In fact, almost all of the hike was along one ridge system after the other. Just below the summit of Trayfoot Mountain I picked up the Trayfoot Trail and then the Blackrock Connector Trail in quick succession. The latter took me to the summit of Blackrock, a huge pile of blocky boulders. For some reason I'd never heard about how cool this place is. The trail passed right through an interesting crack in the rocks right below the summit, which sported expansive views in nearly all directions. The timing wasn't right for the best photography, but I've made a mental note to return in better lighting.

4- Passage

5- Looking back at Trayfoot Mountain's flanks

6- Atop Blackrock Summit

From Blackrock I took the Appalachian Trail north, crisscrossing an empty Skyline Drive a few times, until I hit Brown Gap. I was running a bit behind, so I put the camera away for the rest of the hike. Let me provide you with some words instead: - 0.8mi on the Madison Run Fire Road: Crisp leaves, rustling in protest as my flying boots scattered their ashes to right and left. - 0.3mi on the Big Run Spur Trail and then 0.4mi on the Rockytop Trail, all uphill: Sunshine, filtering its way through pine trees and stark hardwoods. Soft yellowing pine needles, deadening my footsteps. Pine-scented air, the headiest and most intoxicating of perfumes. - 3.3mi on the Austin Mountain Trail: Scree slopes, preening in the afternoon sunshine, anticipating the inattentive footstep that would lead to a twisted ankle. Down, down and steeply down. - 0.9mi on the Madison Run Fire Road: The crystal clear blue waters of gurgling Madison Run, my playful companion. Stats: 13.7mi, 3060ft elevation gain, 6hrs

[awilsondc]

[Bernardo]

Galiwalker, nice hike! As you know Shendoah is full of history. Stonewall Jackson twice moved his army from the Shenadoah Valley to the piedmont via Browns Gap. There is a living remnant of the nearly extinct American Chestnut just off the AT near the summit of Blackrock Mountain.