Upper Skyland Loop (South) to Upper Skyland Loop (North) - Appalachian Trail - Shenandoah National Park

We returned to Shenandoah National Park in mid-October 2020 to hike a bit more of the Appalachian Trail during the fall leaf season. Because of the pandemic, we were able to book a room at Skyland on short notice instead of the usual several month lead time. On our first day, we awoke to beautiful weather, with the mountains above the valley fog and below the higher clouds. However, the wind quickly picked up and pushed the fog up the mountain leaving us with visibility less than 50 feet at times. Due to the poor visibility, we decided to skip ahead to the segment of the AT between the south and north service roads at Skyland. However, that section of the AT had been temporarily rerouted on July 1, 2020, while a park contractor repaired or replaced water lines in the area. The park service provided a fairly well-marked detour as well as maps at either end of the detour. Most of the route followed roads around the complex providing us with little opportunity to get lost along the 0.8-mile detour. However, we did manage to wander off the trail and into the staff dormitory area. Instead of turning around, one of the residents told us to continue on the driveway and we would soon be on the trail again.

View from our Skyland balcony

Parking near the stables at Skyland Upper Loop (service road south)

Stable driveway

Detour map

Appalachian Trail detour begins at the stable driveway

Typical "trail" conditions

Detour trail blaze

Walk straight across Skyland Lower Loop to remain on Upper Loop

Continue on Skyland Upper Loop

Nearly to the top of the hill

Turn left at the double blaze into the Skyland parking lot entrance

Continue straight toward the parking lot

The parking lot is finally in sight

Migrate toward the sidewalk on the left

Another temporary blaze

Go down the ramp toward the office and restaurant

Another map and double blaze between the Office and the Crafts & Gifts Shop

Follow the ramp down between the office and the restaurant

Pass the outside dining

Another double blaze

Paved sidewalk behind the restaurant

Head into the woods

Another blaze

Typical sidewalk conditions

Double blaze on a tree means we turn, but which direction?

Only a blue blaze to the left...

...and no blaze at all to the right

We chose right and walked through the staff dormitory area

Residential staff parking

Approaching Skyland Lower Loop

We should have been walking up this road...

...but we found the detour without further problems

Back on the detour

Passamaquoddy Trail junction

Parking lot junction

Stony Man parking lot on Skyland Upper Loop

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 https://www.appalachiantrail.org/.