hecull
11-14-2005, 05:08 AM
Shoe Creek is a trail in the southern end of GWNF. A single trail some 5 miles long. You can find it in the DeLorme Virginia Atlas and Gazetteer on page 54 at B3. GPS coords to the trail head are N37'50 W79'07. It is easily found off of route 56 as it starts off marked as FR-826, which is a mile east of the Montebello fish hatchery on route 56.
From Hampton Roads I took 64W just past Charlottesville to pick up the Blue Ridge Parkway south. Getting off the Parkway onto route 814(a twisty, washed-out dirt road) to route 56, where I went west about six miles to get to the trail head at FR-826.
The trail starts as a regular dirt road, but gets less and less improved as you go along.
Along the fire road, you come to a parking area for some hiking trails. There are pit toilets there. Past the parking area the fire road becomes a trail.
The trail is bordered on one side by private land(right side going down,) and by the Priest Wilderness(left side going down) on the other. The Wilderness area is off limits to trucks, as is the private land without permission. Though there are some VERY inviting obstacles on either side, be aware, they are legally off-limits. Locals have told tales of officials seizing trucks in the Wilderness area, and armed owners encountering trespassers on private land.
The entire trail is green level, with maybe a couple lines on some obstacles being blueish. A stock 4x4 Tacoma would be fine here, with a locker being nice in a couple spots, but not a necessity.
Taking the trail from the given directions you are going down the mountain about 1,000 feet in elevation. It's single track, and encountering other vehicles presents a challenge with the downhill truck(s) having to potentially back up a long way in some areas to get clear and let the uphill truck(s) by.
Coming back up the trail is a bit more challenging. Though still in the green area of difficulty, it's a very long climb to get back up. Watch your temps closely in the summer months especially.
According to the Atlas mentioned above, there are some additional trails and off-shoots that I have not explored in the area.
A worthwhile trip for the scenery if nothing else, wheeling wise, nothing too exciting, though a nice change from the Harrisonburg area of GWNF. At Shoe Creek there's more rocks and less mud.
Kyle
From Hampton Roads I took 64W just past Charlottesville to pick up the Blue Ridge Parkway south. Getting off the Parkway onto route 814(a twisty, washed-out dirt road) to route 56, where I went west about six miles to get to the trail head at FR-826.
The trail starts as a regular dirt road, but gets less and less improved as you go along.
Along the fire road, you come to a parking area for some hiking trails. There are pit toilets there. Past the parking area the fire road becomes a trail.
The trail is bordered on one side by private land(right side going down,) and by the Priest Wilderness(left side going down) on the other. The Wilderness area is off limits to trucks, as is the private land without permission. Though there are some VERY inviting obstacles on either side, be aware, they are legally off-limits. Locals have told tales of officials seizing trucks in the Wilderness area, and armed owners encountering trespassers on private land.
The entire trail is green level, with maybe a couple lines on some obstacles being blueish. A stock 4x4 Tacoma would be fine here, with a locker being nice in a couple spots, but not a necessity.
Taking the trail from the given directions you are going down the mountain about 1,000 feet in elevation. It's single track, and encountering other vehicles presents a challenge with the downhill truck(s) having to potentially back up a long way in some areas to get clear and let the uphill truck(s) by.
Coming back up the trail is a bit more challenging. Though still in the green area of difficulty, it's a very long climb to get back up. Watch your temps closely in the summer months especially.
According to the Atlas mentioned above, there are some additional trails and off-shoots that I have not explored in the area.
A worthwhile trip for the scenery if nothing else, wheeling wise, nothing too exciting, though a nice change from the Harrisonburg area of GWNF. At Shoe Creek there's more rocks and less mud.
Kyle