Skookum Traveler: Marys Rock and the Pinnacles (VA)

Anomalous boulder in the woods, on the AT.

Summits number 6 and 7 (of Sixty) were scaled on another fine Saturday in the Shenandoah (June 15). We drove up early Friday evening to find a few campsites still available at Mathews Arm. On the way in, Kris spotted a bear on the hillside above the road—our first big critter sighting out East. By the time I got turned around to take a second look, Mr. Bear had departed, so we headed for camp. I lit up the charcoal and roasted some brats for dinner. Eggs for breakfast cooked up nicely over the hot coals and we were soon packed and on our way to Marys Rock.

6. Pinnacles: The moderate approach we chose begins along Skyline Drive at Jewel Hollow and follows the A.T. as it climbs the scenic ridge to a rock outcrop called the Pinnacles. The name is a little puzzling, since the rocks seem more like nubbins than pinnacles. I leaned over the edge and could see that from below and to the west the formation might look like a row of pinnacles all scrunched together—or not. But because the rock has a name and happens to be the highest point in the north section of the park, I deemed it sufficiently mountain-like to count as one of my coveted Sixty Summits. Kris snapped a photo for further confirmation. After a short rest and a nibble, we marched on.

7. Marys Rock: The trail descended a couple hundred feet to a saddle and an empty camp with a rock shelter and an outhouse. Just beyond, another good overlook which did not appear to be an official campsite was occupied by two tents. The trail passed a junction with the Meadow Spring Trail, which is also the shortcut route to Marys Rock. We quickly arrived at another split where the A.T. descends to Thornton Gap and a spur leads a few dozen strides to Marys Rock, about 3.5 miles from the car. A large overlook offers excellent views across a wide horizon. The rocky summit knob is a thirty-second walkup from there. We lingered long on our lofty lanai and lunched leisurely.

I’d offered Kris the option of descending Meadow Spring a half-mile to the road and I would continue to the car and pick her up later, but she was enjoying the hike too much to cut it short. The return over the Pinnacles was just as scenic going as it was coming. We also repassed a rotten log in the middle of the trail that had seemed freshly turned over by a bear in the morning. Distinct claw marks were visible where I could imagine a front paw casually reaching out to flip the thing over for grubs. An ice cream stop on the way home capped off another lovely day out East.

Miles (RT): 7.0 miles; elevation gain: 1,000 feet

Cumulative mileage and gain: 21.1 miles / 5,490 feet