Milam Gap to Big Meadows Amphitheater - Appalachian Trail - Shenandoah National Park

Continuing our late May 2019 trip to Shenandoah National Park, we hiked another short segment of the Appalachian Trail. This segment was 2.6 miles from Milam Gap north to the Big Meadows Amphitheater. Along the way, we passed the Tanners Ridge Cemetery at 1.1 miles, Lewis Spring at 1.6 miles, and a fantastic viewpoint at 2.2 miles.

For the first 0.6 miles, the trail was fairly level with an elevation range of only 25 feet. This section was often muddy due to recent rains and poor drainage. In the next 0.5 miles, we climbed three hills of 40- to 50-foot height before reaching Lewis Spring. From Lewis Spring, the trail climbs 300 feet to the viewpoint in 0.6 miles for an average grade of 9½%. The trail then descends 100 feet in the final 0.4 miles with an average grade of less than 5%.

Topographic map with GPS route

Elevation profile

Narrow and dry footpath

Wide and muddy footpath

A new social path on right avoids muddy track on left

More mud

Rocks embedded in the trail near a culvert

Follow the blazes

Water bar with flowing water

A muddy mess beyond the water bar

Approaching Tanners Ridge Cemetery

The trail makes an angled crossing of Tanners Ridge Fire Road

The northbound trail marker is hidden from the road

No horses

A straight and level trail

Passing a rock outcropping

Lewis Spring

The trail crosses another fire road

Beginning the ascent

Trailside boulders

Sidehill climbing

More boulders

Nearing the summit

A short social trail to the left leads to...

...a fantastic view of Roundhead Mountain and the Town of Stanley

Another view

Back on the trail

The trail narrows

Amphitheater trail marker

A Shenandoah National Park entry fee of $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, or $15 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 ($80 for a lifetime), Access Pass (free with a documented disability), and Military Annual Pass (free for active-duty personnel). Also available is a Shenandoah Annual Pass for $55. 

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/.