Wildcat Ridge Trailhead to Riprap Trailhead - Appalachian Trail - Shenandoah National Park

On the fourth day of our "slack packing" adventure on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (AT) in Shenandoah National Park we hiked from the Wildcat Ridge trailhead to Blackrock Gap. This included 5.6 miles on the AT and 0.1 miles of the Wildcat Ridge Trail to reach the AT. The first segment of the day was from the Wildcat Ridge trailhead down to the AT junction and then north 2.7 miles to the Riprap trailhead. We hiked the well-maintained trail in mid-April 2016.

Topographic map with GPS route

Elevation profile

Wildcat Ridge Trail leads from the parking area to the AT and beyond

Descending on the Wildcat Ridge Trail

AT trail junction marker

The trail climbs through a thicket of brush

Downed tree across the trail

Plenty of light reaches the trail in spring

Ridge lines are visible before the trees sprout leaves

Mountain laurel lines the trail

Hand-made gravel reduces trail erosion

Spring is yet to arrive on the ridge top

Trail descends through a dense forest of small trees

Switchback descending from the ridge

The descent continues via a second switchback

Lots of leaf litter along the trail

More evidence the trail maintainers have been working

Two ribbons of grass line the trail

Passing through a mountain laurel thicket

Natural riprap lines the trail

Long range views west from the riprap

More leaf litter and a linear descent

Pine trees provide some shade in a small mountain laurel thicket

A long, straight climb

Stone waterbar

The trail passes within just a few feet of the Riprap Trail parking area on the right

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/.