Appalachian Trail - Bluff Trail Loop |
Description: This is a 14.0
mile strenuous circuit hike (15.1 with a side trip to a vista
above Big
Devils Stairs) in the |
The hike begins in a parking lot on the west side of Skyline Dr between mile marker 12 and 13. ________________________________________ |
Zipped National Geographic. TOPO! GPS and Universal GPX Files |
Trail
Notes: Find the AT
sign post in the left corner of the parking lot and proceed
downhill following the yellow blazed Jenkis Gap Trail for just
a few steps. Shortly come to another signpost. Yellow blazed
Jenkins Gap Trail and the AT north goes right. White blazed AT
south goes left. Bear left and climb. After reaching the crest
of the first hill descend to and cross
Begin a gradual
climb up the back of
At about 0.64
miles from the last SLD crossing reach the summit of
Walk across the Gravel Springs parking lot. A yellow blazed trail (Harris Hollow Tr?) is to the left. Take the AT on the right. At a fork the AT will go right and blue blazed Bluff Trail goes left. Follow Bluff trail down to a trail intersection. Gravel Spring Shelter is to the right. Turn left to continue on.
Immediately come to another fork. Bear right on now yellow blazed Bluff Trail. As you switchback down the hill for a bit pass a Horse Trail on the left. At the last left switchback yellow blazed Harris Hollow Trail goes straight. Make the left switchback following the sign that states "Big Devil's Stairs - 1.3 miles". The Bluff trail is now blazed yellow.
In 1.39 miles arrive at the junction with blue blazed Big Devil's Stairs Tr on the right. If you wish to visit Big Devil's Stairs turn right here and follow the blue blazed trail approximately 0.55 miles. The trail will continue further down through the ravine but is blocked by private property at the park's boundary. At 0.55 miles there is a bit of an overlook on a rocky ledge that allows you to view the ravine. From this point retrace your route back to Bluff Trail and turn right. |
In 2.30 miles
reach
Printable/Downloadable Directions and Trail Notes Read about our latest trip there ________________________________________ ________________________________________
Name: Jimi
Hike: Mt. Marshall Trail / AT loop ________________________________________
Name: Laurie
Hike: AT/Bluff Trail Loop ________________________________________
Name: Matt
Hike: AT/ Bluff Trail Loop ________________________________________
Name: Cory
Hike: AT/Bluff Trail Loop ________________________________________
Name: ElliottsKnob
Hike:
AT-Bluff Trail Loop w/ Big Devil's Stairs
Name: Michael Eckert
Hike:
AT-Bluff loop-Big Devils ________________________________________
Name: Jeff
Schneider Hike:
AT/Bluff Loop http://www.marylandoutdoorclub.org/events/archivedetails.asp?eventid=513 ________________________________________
Name:
Dale Hike:
Appalachian Trail-Bluff Trail
Loop
Date: 6/26/2005 Ranking: 5 comment: A couple of corrections. Big Devil's Stair trail is 1.70 miles to the bottom (not .55) and I would like to make it very clear that anyone with bad knees/hips or who is afraid of heights should NOT start this trail. My wife and I had to "rescue" a lady who got on the overlook rock and completely froze up. M.R. Hyker notes: The Trail Notes here describe the first 0.55 miles of Big Devil's Stairs Tr down to the first overlook. The continuation of the trail ,or about 1.25 miles, is mentioned but is not discussed. The loop as described here w/o the side trip down BDS is hard enough. Adding the short descent and climb back up makes this a very challenging trip. I commend Dale and his wife. ________________________________________ |