Trimble Mountain Loop

Description: This is a moderate but short loop in the Todd Lake Recreation Area of the GWNF. I would not recommend this to someone who needs to travel several hours to get to the trailhead but if you live in the region or are camping/visiting the Todd Lake area and you want a nice but short workout than this is a good choice. From the official trailhead on FR95 it’s a 4 mile loop. If you wish to start at the campground add another mile. As described here, the first 2.5 miles (short version) is a long gradual climb with some flat sections before you reach a nice westward view. The last 1.5 miles descends quickly and steeply back to the start. 

Directions from US250 (West) and VA Rt42:

  1. Drive through Churchville.
  2. Turn right onto Rt42 North (Scenic Highway).
  3. Travel 5.3 miles and turn left onto Rt760 (Bunker Hill Rd).
  4. In about 3.4 miles come to the T-intersection with Rt747 (Free Mansion Rd). There is a graveyard on the right and a church on the left. Turn left.
  5. Rt747 merges into Rt730 straight ahead (Stokesville Rd).
  6. Come to a sharp 4X intersection. Bear to the left on Maggie Lane to stay on Rt730.
  7. Cross a one lane bridge. Rt730 will make a sharp right turn. Do not turn but stay straight on Rt718.
  8. Turn left onto FR95 at a USFS sign. Pass Wild Oaks Tr Kiosk on the right. Turn right into the RV dumping station. You should be able to park there without blocking the station. If you pass a Todd Lake sign on the right you missed the dumping station.

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Printable/Downloadable Map

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Zipped National Geographic. TOPO! GPS and Universal GPX Files

GPS Text File for Non-TOPO! Users

  

Trail Notes: If you are starting from the campground follow the campground road back to its entrance, cross the Todd Lake access road and follow the signed Todd lake Trail down to a trail junction. Turn right at the junction and walk out to a signpost for the Trimble Mt Tr on the breast of the dam. Turn right and descend a short distance off of the dam but quickly turn left onto a wide, grassy road in front of the dam. Follow it out to the above dumping station. 

From the dumping station cross FR95 and pass the Trimble Mt Tr sign on a footpath. Cross a short footbridge. Soon arrive at a clearing where the trail splits. Going in either direction will work but you will find the grade to the left a bit easier going. In about 2.5 miles from the dumping station arrive at a nice view of the surrounding mountains. 

Descend, steeply at times, over the next 1.5 miles to the clearing you passed through earlier. Turn left and retrace your steps back to the car/campground.

Critique This Outing

 

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