Evening star., 1928-06-10
cAprlha in
AmnsP Bane eMappdW Condition

south of Manassas Gap, TO Waynesboro.
a distance of some rs miles.
In addition to the section from Har-
pers Ferry to Linden, 1t is expected a
section of the trail from Thornton Gap
south through Skyland to Fishers Gap,
distance of about Is miles. will be
completed some time this Spring. This
Is a region rich in mountain scenery.
and includes Stony Man, 4,03l feet, and
Hawks Bill 4,061 feet. Stony Man Is
located in Skyland, $500 feet above sea
level.
Skyland Is a paradise for hikers, be-
cause of It's extensive trail system, lead
ing to many scenic points. In this sec
ton are interesting canyons to be ex-
plored. notable among which is White
Oak Canyon, in which are no less than
seven major waterfalls, more than so
feet high, where the White Oak Run
drops more than 1000 feet in less than
2 miles. Kettle Canyon is also well
worth exploring. and the upper end is
almost within stones throw of Sky
land. Hidden by primeval forest, Dry
Run cuts so deeply into the side Of
Stony Man Mountain here that ice
may be found even In August.
The Blue Ridge can be reached from
Washington at points as follows: At
Harpers Ferry by the B. g. o. in an
hour and 40 minutes, at Bluemont
in Ashby Gap. by bus in 2l2 hours.
at Linden in Manassas Gan by the
Southern Railroad in 2I2 hours. at
Panorama in Thornton Gap by bus in
3!2 hours. The construction of the
Trail from Thornton Gap south will
enable the hiker to approach the Sky
land region from the top Of the ridge
and avoid the circuitous journey
through Luray
An interesting two-week hiking
trip can now be taken by starting at
HarpGs Ferry and following the ridge
into the Skyland region. While the
Trail has not yet been constructed be-
tween Linden and Thornton Gap, the
experienced hiker could traverse this
section by using old roads and trails
The route would involve some detour-
ing and careful attention to the topo-
graphic map. but the principal peaks
could be climbed If desired From
Thornton Gap there will be a direct
trail to Skyland where several days can
be profitably spent in climbing peaks
and exploring gorgeS of that region.
The trip could be extended, If desired
some IS miles south of Skyland by using
existing trails and roads
A party could either carry equipment
for camping over night (there are
numerous places along the route where
provisions may be purchased) or
could travel light by stopping at houses
along the way. A cateen should in no
case be overlooked as there are long
stretches where water is not obtainable
without dropping few hundred feet
from the crest of the ridge.
The Trail will serve as a gateway for
mixers to the Shenandoah Park, ex-
tending into that region some IS miles
Ultimately the club expects to carry the
trail southwark to connect up with the
work being done by group in Char
lottesville. Va, and northward to the
Pennsylvania Line. and to construct
tributary trails as well as lean-to
shelters at strategic points.
HISTORICALLY, the crest Of the
Appalachians served as an Indian
trail from North to South before the
discovery of America by white men.
The Washington explorers continually
are running across remnants of a very
ancient trail through the rocks. The
Indian tribes. IL Is explained Travelled