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Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Turk Gap to Wildcat Ridge Trailhead - Appalachian Trail - Shenandoah National Park


Our shortened third day of hiking on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (AT) in Shenandoah National Park continued with a 2.3 mile from Turk Gap to the Wildcat Ridge trail junction. To reach the parking area at Wildcat Ridge required an additional 0.1 mile hike up the Riprap Trail for a segment total of 2.4 miles. We hiked in mid-April 2016.

The trail quickly moves away from Skyline Drive and then ascends a ridge before closely following the Albemarle and Augusta County boundary to the top of an unnamed hill approximately 600 feet above Turk Gap before descending and crossing Skyline Drive at 1.9 miles. After crossing the roadway, the trail slowly descends below road level and intersects with the Riprap Trail. A right turn leads up to the road and the parking area.

Topographic map with GPS route

Elevation profile

Trail marker at Turk Gap parking area

The trail winds through open forest with lots of leaf litter

Evidence of trail maintainers' work

Climbing the unnamed hill

Obstructed, but still great views before the trees leaf out

The trail continues to climb

One of two switchbacks along this segment

The top is in sight

More evidence of trail maintainers atop the hill

An unusually bent tree

Open forest along the crest of the ridge

Mountain laurel lines the trail

In summer, this will be a green tunnel

Back in the open forest

Gentle descent to Skyline Drive

Roadside trail marker

The trail continues on the west side of the roadway

The trees are a bit larger than on the ridge

A typical side-slope area of the trail

More mountain laurel

Wildcat Ridge Trail intersection

A short hike up the blue blazed Wildcat Ridge Trail leads to the parking area

A Shenandoah National Park entry fee of $20 per vehicle, $15 per motorcycle or $10 per person is valid for seven consecutive days. Other fee payment options include the America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands passes including the Annual Pass ($80), Senior Pass ($10 for lifetime), Access Pass (free with documented disability) and Military Annual Pass (free for active duty personnel).

The Shenandoah National Park website is https://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm.

The Appalachian National Scenic Trail website is https://www.nps.gov/appa/index.htm.
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy website is http://www.appalachiantrail.org/.

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