Editch gap overloop hike12/24/2022 ![]() You should look for the orange-blazed Massanutten Trail at the head of the parking lot. The Stephens Trail departs from the back of the parking area. We began in the Stephens Trail/horse trailer parking area on VA675. Box Turtle, Swallowtail on Rhododendron, Indigo Bunting Butterflies were fluttering all around the trail, taking pauses on the blooming trees and wildflowers. All the trees were covered with new, spring green leaves and/or blossoms. The trail was lined with brilliant, pink rhododendrons. It was dry, sunny, breezy and in the low 70’s. Sunday afternoon was the kind of day that is custom made for hiking. We’ve hiked it in winter and fall before, but this was the first time we’ve hiked it in the spring. The view from atop the Kennedy Peak Tower It gives hikers gorgeous views of the bends in the Shenandoah River. Kennedy Peak is an beautiful seven-mile out-and-back hike in the Lee District of George Washington National Forest. Unless you are very certain you are legally parked, we suggest following the updated route outlined below, starting from the horse trailer parking area for the Stephens Trail about a mile lower on the mountain. If you attempt to park there, be sure to pay attention to the the new ‘No Parking, Tow Away’ signs. Add to this the fact that city manager, Fred Ramey, has staked his and the city’s future on outdoor tourism, and you get a truly outstanding weekend race experience.NOTE: Parking at Edith Gap was greatly restricted starting in fall 2020. The course is well-marked and in great shape with awesome volunteers throughout. Year after year, race director, Susan Howell and husband Steve put on a great race. Using this as my annual benchmark race, I’ve been making steady progress and getting better at this ultramarathon thing:-) Next year’s goal sub-7:30:00įinal Thoughts. Outside of this, it’s all go!īetter Each Year. There are two sections requiring a little more care - the steep section immediately below Flag Rock Road and some rocky technical trail before crossing over into Legion Park. From here, it’s just a matter of how much you have left in your quads to keep things rolling along. Reaching the High Knob aid station on the way back is a great, great feeling because it’s nearly all downhill from there. After the downhill, it’s a long, steady climb back to the top with each passing mile taking a little more energy than the last until finally making the top. ![]() After departing the aid station, it’s mostly downhill from Edith Gap, but with the trail being technical and slick, it’s not a great place to let things fly unless you’re used to this type of running. Here, the trail becomes more technical with a lot of unsteady rock forming the trail. Past the lake, the running is still pretty solid until the climb up to Edith Gap. ![]() The trail here is fast single track all the way to High Knob Lake. From the aid station, you pass by just short of High Knob Tower and descend on the backside of the mountain. The final bit up to the paved road to High Knob is all double track and good, if slower, running. ![]() The steepest section, just below Flag Rock Road, is a tough climb requiring some serious effort. A brief respite downhill is here before moving up the mountain again. The opening stretch has a bit of road to spread things out before heading up the mountain on a mix of single and double track to the Norton Reservoirs. On race morning, I was thinking something around 8:30:00 would be great. Leading into the race, I wanted to set a new best in the 50K which would be anything under 9:15:15, but I’d been running well all year and came in feeling great. ![]()
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