Virginia Creeper Trail: Difference between revisions

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(Fixing formating, need * for list)
(set city to damascus as that's the set parking location)
 
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<!-- The following few lines create the "Infobox" table template.  Please scroll down to edit the main content of the article. -->
{{Trail
{{Infobox Trail
|Banner Image=File:Virginia Creeper Trestle 12.jpg
                    | Image Name = Virginia_Creeper_Trestle_12.jpg
|City=Damascus
                    | City = Abingdon/Damascus/ Whitetop
|Trail Marking=None
                    | State = Virginia
|Trail Use=Hiking, Biking
                    | Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Biking}} {{Dogs}}
|Difficulty Rating=Medium
                    | Difficulty Rating = Easy to Medium
|Hike Time=2 hrs
                    | Hike Time = several
|Trail Distance=34.67 mi
                    | Distance = 34.3
|Round Trip Distance=34.67 mi
                    | Elevation Gain = ~1400
|Trail Type=Segment
                    | High Point = 3520
|High Point=3,597 ft
                    | Latitude = N36°42.555
|Low Point=1,729 ft
                    | Longitude = W81°58.298
|Elevation Gain=694 ft
                    | Medical = Abingdon, VA
|Elevation Loss=2,213 ft
<!-- DON'T EDIT THE GOOGLEMAP TAG -->
|Elevation Change Direction=East-to-West
                    | googlemap =
|Parking location=36.63427, -81.78257
<googlemap lat="36.634266" lon="-81.782570"  zoom="9" width="270" type="map" height="180" selector="no" controls="small">
|Trailhead location=36.63427, -81.78257
36.70925,-81.971633
Abingdon Trailhead
36.634266,-81.782570
Damascus
36.599613,-81.624985
Whitetop Trailhead
</googlemap>
}}
}}
<!-- End Infobox template table-->
{{Trail Map}}


<!-- Start of Main Page -->
__TOC__


== Trail Overview ==
== Trail Overview ==
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<!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. Any seasonal features, factoids, etc...? -->
<!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. Any seasonal features, factoids, etc...? -->
The trail is managed by the Virginia Creeper Trail Club. [http://www.vacreepertrail.org/ website]
The trail is managed by the Virginia Creeper Trail Club. [http://www.vacreepertrail.org/ website]
== Maps ==
<!-- You can place pictures, PDF's, links, or even create a Google map with your waypoints and place it here. -->
<googlemap version="0.9" lat="36.6347" lon="-81.782570" type="terrain" zoom="11" width="725" scale="yes" icons="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/marker{label}.png">
http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/VCT_Whitetop_to_Damascus.kml
(G) 36.70925,-81.971633
Abingdon Trailhead
[[Image:Virginia_Creeper_Trail_-_Abingdon_Trailhead.jpg|150px]]
(G) 36.6780,-81.9351
Watauga Trailhead
(G) 36.634266,-81.782570
Damascus
(G) 36.599613,-81.624985
Whitetop Trailhead
(G) 36.6504,-81.8865
Alvarado Station
[[Image:Virginia Creeper Trail - Alvarado Station.jpg|150px]]
(L) 36.65458, -81.90332
Trestle #12 over Holston River South and Middle Forks
[[Image:Virginia Creeper Trestle 12.jpg|150px]]
</googlemap>


== Photos ==
== Photos ==
<gallery>
{{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}}
<!-- Place any pictures from this trail below. Ideally we would have a picture of the trailhead to help people know when they found it -->
{{Map Marker
<!-- Add a picture by typing Image:imagename.extension  -->
|Icon Type=Trail sign
Image:Virginia_Creeper_Trail_-_Abingdon_Trailhead.jpg|Abingdon Trailhead
|Marker Title=Abingdon Trailhead
Image:Virginia Creeper Trail - Alvarado Station.jpg|Alvarado Station
|Marker Description=[[Image:Virginia_Creeper_Trail_-_Abingdon_Trailhead.jpg|150px]]
<!-- Do not remove the end gallery code.-->
|Marker Location=36.70925,-81.971633
</gallery>
}}
 
{{Map Marker
<!-- Finally add the trail to any Categories it should belong to. -->
|Icon Type=Trail sign
[[Category:Virginia]] [[Category:Easy]] [[Category:Hiking]] [[Category:Biking]]  [[Category:Dog Friendly]]
|Marker Title=Watauga Trailhead
|Marker Location=36.6780,-81.9351
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Damascus
|Marker Location=36.634266,-81.782570
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Trail sign
|Marker Title=Whitetop Trailhead
|Marker Location=36.599613,-81.624985
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Parking
|Marker Title=Alvarado Station
|Marker Description=[[Image:Virginia Creeper Trail - Alvarado Station.jpg|150px]]
|Marker Location=36.6504,-81.8865
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Trail bridge
|Marker Title=Trestle #12 over Holston River South and Middle Forks
|Marker Description=[[Image:Virginia Creeper Trestle 12.jpg|150px]]
|Marker Location=36.65458, -81.90332
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Parking
|Marker Title=Green Cove Station
|Marker Description=[[Image:VCT - Green Cove station.JPG|150px]]
|Marker Location=36.61923, -81.64457
}}

Latest revision as of 15:06, 8 December 2019

Virginia Creeper Trail

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Virginia Creeper Trestle 12.jpg
Located Damascus, Virginia
Trail Marking None
Trail UseThings allowed to do on or near the trail

HikingBiking

FeaturesThings to see on or near the trail


Difficulty Rating Medium
Hiking TimeTime from car and back. Includes any time hiking to access this trail. 2 hrs0.125 Days <br />120 Min <br /> round trip
Distance: 34.67 mi55.796 km <br /> trailStrict non-repeating trail length / 34.67 mi55.796 km <br /> round tripTypical or shortest length from the car, hike the trail, and return to car
Trail Type Segment
Low / High Point 1,729 ft576.333 Yards <br />526.999 Meters <br /> / 3,597 ft1,199 Yards <br />1,096.366 Meters <br />
Elev. Gain/LossSee link for details of calculation. Gain/Loss is direction dependent. 694 ft211.531 Meters <br /> / (2,213 ft674.522 Meters <br />) – East-to-West
Trip ReportsFrom user "hiked it" submissions<br />Recent is within last 90 days No hikes logged yet
NearbyWithin 5 mi<br />Click link to view list No other Trails within 5 mi
Parking 36° 38' 3.37" N, 81° 46' 57.25" W Map
Trailhead 36° 38' 3.37" N, 81° 46' 57.25" W Map
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Trail Overview[edit]

The Virginia Creeper Trail (VCT) is an excellent Rails-to-Trails conversion features forested path with 47 wooden trestles and bridges over creeks and rivers. Extremely popular bicycling ride.

How to get there[edit]

The VCTC website provides car GPS addresses for the trail access points:

  • Abingdon Trailhead- 300 Green Spring Road, Abingdon, VA 24210
  • Watauga Trailhead- 24350 Watauga Road, Abingdon, VA 24211
  • Alvarado Station- 21198 Alvarado Road, Abingdon, VA 24211
  • Damascus Town Park- 301 S Beaver Dam Ave, Damascus, VA 24236
  • Straight Branch Trailhead- Near 25738 Jeb Stuart Highway, Jefferson National Forest Damascus, VA 24236
  • Taylors Valley Trailhead- 23530 Taylor Valley Road, Jefferson National Forest, Damascus, VA 24236
  • Creek Junction Trailhead- 21285 Creek Junction Road, Jefferson National Forest, Damascus, VA 24236
  • Green Cove Station- Green Cove Community Center, 41221 County Road 600, Jefferson National Forest, Damascus, VA 24236
  • Whitetop Station- Whitetop Gap Road, Whitetop, VA 24292 (Note: this is NOT Whitetop Mountain but the community of Whitetop, VA)

Route Description[edit]

The route is obvious due to its former railroad bed and well-worn path. There are two sets of mile markers - one for the former railroad, the other from Abingdon. The VCTC is also installing numbers on the trestles for more guidance and to aid emergency responders.

Out and back trips can be taken from any of the access points or shuttle can be arranged. Popular routes are taking a shuttle to Whitetop and riding 17 miles back down to Damascus or starting at Abingdon over to Damascus and back.

Typical Conditions[edit]

Wide gravel trail with wooden trestles from former railroad. Well maintained due to its high use.

Fees, Permits, etc.[edit]

The VCT is free to walk/ride. If you have your own bike and just need a shuttle (leaving between 8AM and 3PM), it's typically $14. Rental a bike for $15-18 (4 hours) or $20-21 (all day), and then the shuttle is around $10. Ride down from Whitetop to Damascus is considered half day, while all the way to Abingdon is full day.

The following bike shops are available in Damascus:

And in Abingdon:

Misc. Information[edit]

The trail is managed by the Virginia Creeper Trail Club. website

Photos[edit]




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