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Piney Ridge - Piney Branch Loop Last reviewed: 07/04 |
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Description: This is an 8.7 mile moderate circuit hike having a little of everything the Shenandoah has to offer: ridge lines, a view, rock outcrops and lots of waterfalls and rapids. The first 4 miles is a brisk walk down Piney Ridge followed by an equivalent amount of walking along Piney Branch. At first, Piney Branch Trail zig-zags through a flat rocky area only occasionally following the stream. After climbing up a series of switchbacks the scenery suddenly changes. The valley narrows and for nearly 2 miles you pass waterfall after waterfall, some at eye level, others 50+ feet below you. Most require some degree of bushwhacking in order to explore them close-up. Except for one short section of trail the climb out of valley is relatively gradual. There are 4 stream crossings in all. The lower two may pose some degree of difficulty during periods of high water.
The hike starts at the Piney Branch Trail kiosk near a maintenance building. The driveway is not marked but obvious.
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Trail
Notes: From the parking area find
the bulletin board and trail post for Piney Branch Trail between the
parking area and
Follow the AT to the
For the next 3.7 miles the walk is all downhill. At 2.0 miles from the last trail junction pass the Dwyer graveyard on the right marked by a cairn and then the junction with the blue-blazed Fork Trail. Piney Ridge Trail goes to the left. To shorten the hike by 1.1 miles and miss the lower 2 stream crossings turn left here and pick up the directions later. Otherwise continue straight onto Fork Trail.
Continuing on Fork Trail
for 1.09 miles, come to the junction of yellow-blazed Hull School
Trail. Turn left, following it down to Piney Run where you'll make
your first crossing. Turn left, walking upstream. For a short
distance
Re-cross Piney Branch and
in 0.67 miles from the last trail intersection pass blue-blazed
Piney Ridge Trail on the left.
In about a half of a mile
the valley will narrow and you'll have to negotiate a series of
switchbacks taking you high above the stream. Soon after this the
views begin as stream climbs swiftly to meet you. None of the falls
or rapids are right on the trail but a few are easy enough to
bushwhack to. Others are harder to
reach.
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In about a mile re-cross Piney Branch and begin a steep climb out of the valley. The stream will be below you and to your left. There are more waterfalls here but they are harder to see and to get to. Soon the steep climb will lessen and at 2.39 miles from the last trail junction you'll come to a T intersection. Poole Bridge Trail comes in from the right. You'll turn left staying on Piney Branch Trail.
Dip down and cross Piney
Branch for the last time. A couple of nice long switchbacks will
help you almost to the top of the ridge. The last 0.5 miles will be
a straight climb, crossing what appears to be a trail, but is
actually the route of some survey posts, and the AT before reaching
the parking lot and your vehicle.
Critique this outing! _______________________________________ Name: Michael Eckert
Hike: Piney Ridge-Piney Branch Loop _______________________________________ Name: Charlie
Hike: Piney Ridge - Piney Branch Loop _______________________________________ Name: Liz Hester
Hike: Piney Ridge/Branch Loop _______________________________________ name: Tony
Hike Date: 3/29/2003 Ranking:
3 _______________________________________ |
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