Rocky Mount is one of a few 9+ mile circuit hikes in the southern section of the Shenandoah National Park. With three different ascents, the last being at the end of the hike, this 2,840 foot loop can feel longer and higher than it actually is. The reward is the great panoramic view from the Rocky Mount summit.
From the concrete post marking the Rocky Mount Trail head on Skyline Drive, 200 yards before Twomile Run Overlook, start down the blue blazed Rocky Mount Trail as it descends along the ridge. Views of Massanutten Peak to the west are visible along this section of the trail. Massanutten Peak marks the southern tip of the 45 mile long Massanutten Range.
The Rocky Mount Trail will level out, then follow the ridge on its west side, pass through a small gap, then climb on its north side before descending steeply to the intersection of the Gap Run Trail 2.2 miles from Skyline Drive. At this point the Rocky Mount Trail you had been following heads back uphill.
Turn right downhill onto the Gap Run Trail. The trail initially descends steeply before crossing Gap Run in 1.9 miles. In another 0.4 miles arrive at a concrete post trail marker. Turn left remaining on the Gap Run Trail. The overgrown road to the right is private property. In 0.4 miles from the concrete post there is a large camping area on the bank of Gap Run. Continue along the trail for another 0.2 miles and arrive at the Rocky Mount Trail junction.
Turn left onto the blue blazed Rocky Mount Trail, cross Gap Run, and in 0.5 miles the trail makes a switchback to the right. At this point the trail begins the steep climb the 1.6 miles up to the Rocky Mount summit.
In 1.3 miles from the summit arrive back at the junction of the Gap Run Trail you descended earlier. Continue straight on the Rocky Mount Gap Trail, as it now heads uphill, retracing your route the 2.2 miles back to Skyline Drive and hike start point.
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Hiker
Reviews For The Rocky Mount Hike (5 Most Recent)
This was a fantastic hike. I didn't see a single person on the trial all day, probably because it was a weekday. I do wish that I had realized that this was going to be a considerably strenuous hike before I left, however. I completed the hike in just over 5 hours but ended up sleeping the entire next day because of it.
As far as difficulty goes, this one is probably about 20 - 30% more so than Old Rag, depending on how much time you allot yourself.
I definitely recommend camping on the little creek that runs through the far end of the circuit.
By:
ironmanjt
Rating:
Date of Hike: Saturday, April 21, 2007
Perfect day in the area. As far as solitude goes, we didn't see a single person on the entire hike. Considering this was the first really nice day of the spring, I think that says alot about this hike. The climb up Rocky Mount about halfway through the hike is quite difficult, gaining around 1800 feet in under two miles. I didn't think the views lived up to the '4' billing, but were close. I'm also not sure how streams got a '1' as there were several (admittedly small) streams that had to be crossed - but easy to do so on the rocks without getting wet. I'll definitely return to this one.
By:
clenore
Rating:
Date of Hike: Tuesday, August 15, 2006
I've done this one a couple of times now. If you want a hike with lots of variety, lots of wildlife, and no other hikers, this is a great loop. It's not really all that hard, and if you want to make it an overnight, the Gap Run campsite is nice. There's water in Gap Run even during drought, so you don't have to carry a lot of it in. The views from the white rock cliffs at the top are good, and it's a lunch spot you won't have to share with anyone--unlike Blackrock, Old Rag, and such. If you spend the night, do hang your food properly. I saw three bears the first time I hiked the loop, and you can see where they've turned up big rocks all over the place looking for grubs. I've also heard that the rangers put 'bear baits' of some sort in the area a while back to get a population count. I've heard bobcats along the Gap Run trail, too.
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