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Neighbor Mountain/Jeremy's Run Last reviewed:
03/08 |
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Description: This is
a 14.2 mile Strenuous Circuit. Many in the literature describe this
hike in a counter-clockwise direction, descending along the creek
and then up the mountain. I feel one gets the fullest effect of
walking along a moving body of water when doing so up-stream. Not
only is it more optically esthetic but it is safer.You don't
have to turn your head so much to view the stream as you try to
negotiate a rocky trail. For these reasons I describe this hike
clockwise. The initial climb to the ridge is steep but short. You then descend down the AT to Neighbor Mt., climb up to its peak and then descend along some really nice switchbacks to the valley. You now have the rest of your day to slowly meander up the stream, crossing it some 14 times along the way. There is a short climb at the end to get out of the valley. In early spring the Jeremy's Run Trail is lined with pockets of Spring Beauties. I've not seen them myself but have been told there are large displays of Pink Lady's Slippers there around Mothers Day. The hike starts at the back of the Elkwallow Picnic Area NOT at the Elkwallow Wayside as indicated by the Google Maps. |
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Zipped National Geographic. TOPO! GPS and Universal GPX Files |
Trail Notes: From the picnic area walk down the white-blazed spur trail to the junction of the white-blazed Appalachian Trail. Turn left and at about 0.26 miles come to the junction with blue-blazed Jeremy's Run Trail. Bear left staying on the AT, climbing to the top of the ridge. Once you've gained the ridge your walk will be mostly flat for a while. At about 1.9 miles after the last trail junction reach the junction with blue-blazed Thornton River Trail. Continue straight, descending to a
saddle in the ridge. At 1.4 miles after passing the Thornton
River Trail arrive at a white-blazed spur trail leading to
the left and a Byrd's Nest shelter area. Continue straight.
Shortly the AT will bear left at a signpost and the
beginning of yellow-blazed Neighbor Mt. Trail. Continue
straight on the Neighbor Mt. Trail. Neighbor Mt. Trail (total length
of about 4.9 miles) climbs up and over 3 knobs, offering
views to your left and right, before descending along a
series of switchbacks to blue-blazed Jeremy's Run Trail. As
you descend you will get nice views of Knob Mt., the
Shenandoah Valley, Massanutten Mt. and Three Sisters, a
series of descending peaks on the western edge of Neighbor
Mt. Turn right onto Jeremy's Run Trail
and begin a relaxing 5-mile walk up the creek valley. As
noted in the description, there are 14 crossings along the
way. Some are easy and only a few occasionally difficult.
The severity depends on the time of the year and the amount
of recent precipitation.
There
are no more trail junctions until after you climb out of the
valley. Soon after that you will pass the intersection of
blue-blazed Knob Mt. Trail on your left. Continue straight.
Shortly after that come to the junction with the AT. This
time turn left and then right onto the spur trail to get
back to the Elkwallow Picnic area. |
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Name: Tony
Hike: Neighbor Mountain-Jeremy's Run
Critique: Beautiful hike! I agree with Midatlantichikes.com that doing the hike clockwise, and upstream on Jeremy's Run, is more scenic and probably safer. There are also many nice pools along the run, with a great campsite at the top of a set of falls 0.6 miles upstream from the Neighbor Mountain Trail intersection. Make sure to put this hike on your list!
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Name: Amy
Hike: Neighbor Mountain/Jeremy's Run
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Name: Mike Stinefelt
Hike:
Neighbor Mountain/Jeremy's Run ______________________________________
Name: Matt
Sullivan Hike:
Neighbor Mt/Jeremy's Run _______________________________________
Name: Greg and Sarah Hike: Neighbor Mt / Jeremy's Run
Date: 3/31/07
Rating: 5 _______________________________________ |
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