The Buck Hollow/Mary's Rock loop in the SNP can be broken into two hikes; or done as one large loop. The Buck Hollow/Buck Ridge main portion of the hike offers much more solitude than the section from Skyline Drive up to Mary's Rock. However, both offer great scenery.
From the parking area on US211 head up the Buck Hollow Trail crossing Buck Hollow stream and in 0.2 miles come to the intersection of the Buck Ridge Trail. Stay right remaining on the blue blazed Buck Hollow Trail.
The Buck Hollow Trail climbs the valley crossing the stream several times before becoming steeper and arriving at Skyline Drive and the Hazel Mountain parking area. At this point you can either continue up to Mary's Rock or shorten the hike by 3.0 miles and turn left on the yellow blazed Hazel Mountain Trail.
To continue up to Mary's Rock cross Skyline Drive, walk 50 yards left uphill and turn right onto the Meadow Spring Trail. Head uphill on the Meadow Spring Trail for 0.6 miles passing ruins of an old homestead about halfway before meeting the intersection of the white blazed Appalachian Trail and ridge line.
Turn right on the AT following it for 0.8 miles before arriving at the junction of the Mary's Rock Lookout Trail. Turn left uphill on the Mary's Rock Lookout Trail for 0.1 miles and come to the Mary's Rock vista.
To return, retrace your steps back along the AT and down the Meadow Spring Trail to the Hazel Mountain parking area on Skyline Drive. To continue stay right through the closed gate onto the yellow blazed Hazel Mountain Trail and in 0.5 miles come to the intersection of the Buck Ridge Trail.
Go straight on the blue blazed Buck Ridge Trail as it continues downward on Buck Ridge. The last 0.5 miles of the Buck Ridge Trail is very steep on loose rock so watch your footing. Arrive back at the intersection of the Buck Hollow Trail you ascended earlier 2.5 miles from where you left the Hazel Mountain Trail.
Turn right on the Buck Ridge Trail and arrive back at US211 and the parking area in 0.2 miles.
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Hiker
Reviews For The Buck Hollow Hike (5 Most Recent)
This is not so much a review as a suggestion to check the SNP website (listed below) for road status. There is also a phone number on the website you can call to make sure Skyline Drive is open so you can get to your trail head. Skyline Drive is closed intermittently due to the different types of weather this time of year. I wish we had checked ahead!!!
We initially were going to hike Stony Man Mountain and then on the way back to Thornton Gap stop at Meadow Spring and hike up to St Mary's Rock. At the Thornton Gap Entrance we were told by the Ranger that Skyline Drive Southbound was closed due to a recent Ice Storm and trees still down.
On to Plan B, we hiked to St Mary's Rock going South on the Appalachian Trail near the Panorama Restaurant, which you can see from the Thornton Gap Entrance. This is a nice alternative way to get to St Mary's Rock and is only about 3.7 miles roundtrip. This is a well maintained part of the A. T. and we enjoyed great views most of the way up. The temps were in the mid 30's and the wind was blowing at the top making it feel much colder, so bundle up. The views at the top of St Mary's are pretty spectacular.
By:
Rating:
Date of Hike: Wednesday, November 28, 2007
I did this hike with three friends on a sunny, 40 degree, and windless late November day. The trail was dry and it was just a wonderful day for a hike. The scenery going up (Buck Hollow and Meadow Spring trails) is fairly average, but the views from Mary's Rock are spectacular. Photos at:
The Hazel Mountain and Buck Ridge trails going down have no great views, but we encountered much Bear poop and lots of Mountain Laurel (which would be lovely when blooming in the spring). As noted in the description, the grade near the end is extremely steep with loose gravel. I measured it at 38% for about 2/10 of a mile at the steepest part using a GPS with a barometric altimeter! Hiking poles will be a big help on this hike. Other than this steep section, the trails were in great condition. My edited GPS track log found this hike to be 9.3 miles for the round trip.
By:
JeanC
Rating:
Date of Hike: Sunday, August 19, 2007
I did the Buck Hollow/Buck Ridge Trail loop starting from the Meadow Springs parking lot on Skyline Dr. That meant the first 2.8 miles was all downhill...rocky and unstable, a bit steep in some places. I developed a little knee pain by the end of that part. Then the trail takes a hard right, onto the Buck Hollow Ridge Trail...and my knee forgot all about the pain as it worked on climbing the steep slopes. The initial climb is practically vertical...and I can see how coming DOWN it would be seat-of-the-pants adventure. Better to climb it. What a work out! The views at the top are lovely. I only passed one other climber...who said he saw a bear. The critter scampered away. But I never saw him. The ascent includes some rock scrambles and, indeed, very overgrown narrow trails. Long pants are suggested.
By:
foggh
Rating:
Date of Hike: Saturday, August 18, 2007
After seeing JeanC review posted 8/19/07, I laughed outload and agree on everything. SO I decided to log on post my hike on the same route the day before Sat 8/18. Yep, parked at Meadow Springs, hiked down Buck Hollow (which would be nicer in spring with some water flowing) and saw alot of Bear Scat along the trail every where there was a Berry Bush.! I passed only 1 couple who had parked at the lower lot, and only was doing Buck Hollow. I stopped to eat my lunch where Buck Hollow meets Buck Ridge trail. Then the accent started up-and-up-and-up, I swear a couple of times I was crawling on my hands and knees gasping for breath (no bear scat here). when got to about 2,300ft elev on the ridge trail you start seeing some nice views, and you can see the Mt Hazel overlook on Skyline Dr. There are a few boulders to climb at about 2,400ft (nothing like Old Rag, which I did in July 2007) and then the trail levels out thru alot of brush/overgrowth. Alot of bumble bees on that yellow wildflower stuff. I didnt see a blue blaze for a long time on that leg, and was beginnig to think I got sidetracked onto a wildlife trail, but I finally saw the blase and back to the main trail. Great for Solitude and a cardio work-out.
By:
Mindy
Rating:
Date of Hike: Saturday, July 07, 2007
We did the big loop covering Bucks Hollow and Mary's Rock. Going up was terrific and very beautiful. I loved the fact that it was so quiet. I gave this hike only 3 stars because the Bucks Hollow Ridge on the way down was in horrendous shape -- totally overgrown. Also, the last .5 miles are beyond steep as the warning provides. Fell more than a few times and it was just very uncomfortable and not very fun trying to get down. I'm in really good shape and hike every weekend. That part just wasn't up my alley but others may prefer it.
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