Life Outside Fall 2017 - 16

PAT & CHUCK BLACKLEY

DEVILS MARBLEYARD
Steepness and size combine
for a one-of-a-kind spot in the
Virginia mountains.

To extend the hike, continue past the upper
overlook to the North Ridge Trail. Follow the NRT
for about a mile, then turn left onto the South Ridge
Trail. Follow that about 1.5 miles to the Boston Mill
Road, which will bring you back to the visitor center.
Get There: The park is located just two miles
south of Paris. From I-66, take Exit 23 onto U.S.
17 north. In about 6.4 miles, you'll see the park's
main entrance on state Route 710. dcr.virginia.gov/
state-parks/sky-meadows
Strickler Knob, Luray
What to Expect: Hiking to and from this
vista, you'll trek 8.6 miles through the 1.8
million-acre George Washington National
Forest. One of many rock promontories along the
71-mile Massanutten Trail, Strickler Knob offers
one of the best views in the region. An almost
360-degree panorama provides sweeping views
of Page Valley, the peaks of Shenandoah National
Park, New Market Gap, and the Shenandoah Valley.
The Hike: From the parking lot at the Massanutten
trailhead, head east (toward Waterfall Mountain)
for .6 miles and take the white-blazed Massanutten
Connector Trail toward the ridge. Continue .5
miles, then hang a left onto the orange-blazed

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Fall 2017 \\ LifeOutside Magazine

Massanutten Trail. Follow for 1.9 miles to the
yellow-blazed Scothorn Gap Trail and turn right
uphill, continuing for .6 miles until you arrive at
the ridge and the intersection of the pink-blazed
Strickler Knob trail. Follow the pink blazes along
the rocks to the summit stack (.7 miles).
Get There: From I-81, take Exit 264 and proceed
toward New Market. In New Market, turn left
onto U.S. 11 north, go a couple of blocks and hang
a right onto U.S. 211 east. Proceed 8.5 miles and
turn left onto Egypt Bend Road. Continue for
5.7 miles, then turn left onto Fort Valley Road.
After 4.1 miles, the name will change to Camp
Roosevelt Road. Follow for .4 miles and turn left
onto Chrisman Hollow Road. Continue .8 miles
to the trailhead.
Old Rag Mountain, Shenandoah
National Park
What to Expect: The hike to this 3,291-foot
peak is one of the most popular and wellpraised in the country. Located on the eastern side
of the 200,000-acre park, the 9.1-mile circuit features
many panoramic views and a neat but demanding rock
scramble. Wildlife and seasonal wildflowers abound.
The Hike: There are a couple of ways to hike Old

http://dcr.virginia.gov/

Life Outside Fall 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Life Outside Fall 2017