Blackrock Summit Parking to Browns Gap - Appalachian Trail - Shenandoah National Park

The middle leg of our fifth day of "slack packing" on the Appalachian Trail (AT) in Shenandoah National Park was a 2.0 mile descent from the Blackrock Summit parking area to Browns Gap. An informative display is located at the end of the parking area with the AT just a few yards further west. The trail descends at an uneven pace, but the overall grade is less than 4%. After 0.5 miles, the trail crosses to the east side of Skyline Drive. Just 200 yards beyond the road crossing the trail passes immediately beside the Jones Run parking area. The trail passes below the Dundo Picnic Area at about 1.2 miles and recrosses Skyline Drive at the end of the segment at Browns Gap. There isn't much to see along this stretch of the trail, but it is a very nice walk in the woods after the climb to Blackrock Summit.

Topographic map with GPS route

Elevation profile

While some trees have been cut out of the path, another has fallen

While most of the trail is in great condition...

...there are a few obstacles to go over or under

Approaching Skyline Drive

The trail crosses the road and parallels it before turning east into the woods

The wind has sculpted many of the trees in this forest

AT and signpost at Jones Run trailhead

Jones Run trailhead parking area from the AT

Another straight segment of the trail

Side trail up to the Dundo Picnic Area

Cedar Mountain (3330')

One of the few relatively level parts of the trail

Small wildflowers along the trail

More wildflowers

Stone retaining wall on the trail

Skyline Drive and Browns Gap parking area are visible through the thicket

A faint path leads to the road crossing

The AT crosses the road and heads up the hill at Browns Gap

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/.