The Trayfoot Trail
The following is taken from Guide to Paths in the Blue Ridge,
The Appalachian Trail and Side Trails, PATC.
TRAYFOOT TRAIL
Distance 4.8 Miles
This trail traverses one of the outstanding side ridges in the southern
Shenandoah National Park. Trayfoot Mtn. is the long spur forming the
north wall of the valley of Paine Run thru which the old Blackrock Road
runs. The route extends from Blackrock (3,092 ft.) west to the summit
of Trayfoot Mtn. (3,380 ft.) with its firetower. Beyond, it follows a
long ridge southwest with splendid views west over Paine Run and the
Shenandoah Valley, descending steeply to the Blackrock Gap Road at
Paine Run, where the stream breaks thru the jagged ridge. Along the
route are spectacular rock formations.
The elevation of Blackrock is 3,092 ft., that of Trayfoot 3,380 ft. and
Paine Run, where the trail meets it at Horse Head, is 1,401 ft. By
reason of the difference in elevation between Trayfoot and Paine Run,
some 1,900 ft., this trip is easier if taken from Blackrock to Paine
Run. The old road up Paine Run (3.9 m.) to Blackrock Gap, while
somewhat rough, is passable by car except after heavy rains; it is,
however, barred at the Skyline Drive. It affords a return route to The
Appalachian Trail and Skyline Drive.
This is a graded trail built by the CCC in 1937-8.
For map, see SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK—SOUTHERN SECTION (P. A. T. C. Map
No. 11).
BLACKROCK to PAINE RUN (BLACKROCK GAP ROAD)
North to South
This trail commences at the west end of Blackrock on The Appalachian
Trail (2.42 m. from Browns Gap and 1.28 m. from Blackrock Gap). From
Blackrock (3,092 ft.) follow graded trail west, descending thru
quartzite boulders to sag (2,950 ft.) at .27 m. Beyond, ascend
steadily. At .33 m. take left fork. (Right is old fire trail coming in
on right at .51 m.) Take right fork at .55 m. and ascend steeply. (Left
is old fire trail slabbing across southeast side of mountain, missing
the firetower, and rejoining graded trail at 1.4 m.) At .75 m., on west
spur of Trayfoot, cross fire trail and telephone wire, bearing left,
uphill.
Reach firetower on Trayfoot Mtn. (3,380 ft.) at .92 m., with splendid
view in all directions. Beyond tower, continue southwest over slight
rise at 1.02 m. Follow ridge crest with view down over Paine Run to
left and Stull Run to right. At 1.4 m., fire-trail which forked left at
.55 m. comes in on left. Trail descends gradually with ascents and
descents, crossing knob at 1.57 m., at 1.82 m. and at 1.97 m. Descend
steeply, with views on each side. Cross rocky knob at 2.58 m.
At 3 m. is fine view west over Shenandoah Valley. Cross a rock top at
3.26 m. with views of Calvary Rocks Ridge. Descend steadily. At 4.18
m., opposite jagged exposed knob on ridge opposite, turn sharp left
(east), descending. At 4.75 m. turn right on old wood road.
Reach dirt Blackrock Gap Road at Paine Run at 4.8 m.
To left on road, it is 3.9 m. to Blackrock Gap on Skyline Drive; to
right it is 4.1 m. to Grottoes on Va. Highway 12. This point is about
150 yds. east of Horse Head, where Paine Run breaks thru this ridge
with spectacular rocks on each side and is :/4 m. beyond the junction
of Va. Highway 661 with a road coming across Paine Run from the
southwest. The trail beginning is beyond (east) two fords on Paine Run,
.I m. apart, with a small cleared site on the south side of the road.
(A fireroad, paralleling the ridge, joins the Blackrock Gap Road, .2 m.
west of where the dirt road crossing Paine Run joins Va. Highway 66 1.)
PAINE RUN TO BLACKROCK
South to North
For beginning of this trail, see last paragraph of preceding section.
From Blackrock Gap Road (O m.) follow old wood road north for 250 ft.,
then bear left into graded trail. Ascend steeply, soon bearing west. At
.62 m., opposite jagged rock on Calvary Rocks Ridge, turn right
(north), ascending along ridge.
Ascend steadily. Cross rocky top at 1.54 m. At 1.8 m. is fine view west
over Shenandoah Valley. Ascend steadily along crest, crossing knob at
2.22 m., at 2.83 m., at 2.98 m. and at 3.23 m.
At 3.4 m. take left fork, graded trail. (Right is old fireroad slabbing
southwest side of mountain, missing firetower, and rejoining graded
trail at 4.25 m. on east side of mountain.)
At 3.88 m. reach firetower on Trayfoot Mtn. (3,380 ft.), with splendid
view. Beyond, bear left, descending spur. At 4.05 m. cross fire trail
and telephone line, bearing right, downhill. At 4.25 m. old fire trail
comes in on right; 200 ft. beyond take right fork, graded trail.
From sag at 4.53 m., ascend thru quartzite rocks. Reach The Appalachian
Trail at west end of Blackrock at 4.8 m., with splendid view.
To left on The Appalachian Trail, Browns Gap is 2.42 m. to right
Blackrock Gap is 1.28 m.