Feathercamp Trail

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Trail Name Feathercamp Trail
Nearest City Damascus
State Virginia
Trail Marking Blue
Trail Use/Features Dnr hiking.png Dnr dog.png
Difficulty Rating Medium
Hiking Time 1 hr0.0625 Days <br />60 Min <br />
Distance:
round-trip/trail only
4.4 mi7.081 km <br /> / 2.2 mi3.541 km <br />
Trail Type In-and-Out
Climb/Descent Elevation 1,100 ft335.28 Meters <br /> / -1,100 ft-335.28 Meters <br />
Diff / High Point 1,100 ft3,327 ft1,109 Yards <br />1,014.07 Meters <br />
Parking 36° 38' 47.48" N, 81° 44' 9.79" W
Trailhead 36° 38' 47.48" N, 81° 44' 9.79" W
Nearest Medical Damascus, VA
Trip Reports Click Here
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Trail Overview

Connector for loop hikes involving the AT and Iron Mountain Trail along and in the Feathercamp Branch stream. Also called Feathercamp Branch Trail.

How to get there

From Kingsport, TN

  1. North on I-81 into Virginia.
  2. Take Exit 19 (Abingdon) and turn right/east onto US-58.
  3. Go 12 miles to Damascus.
  4. Continue through town on US-58 and travel another 3.5 miles to pull-off for AT crossing.

Route Description

The blue-blazed Feathercamp Trail is also known as Feathercamp Branch Trail as it travels along the stream "branch".

Distance from IMT (mi) Distance from AT (mi) Elevation (ft) Feature
-0.1 2.3 Sandy Flats parking lot
0.1 2.1 3307 Iron Mountain Trail - North
1.6 0.6 Begin to cross Feathercamp Branch stream eight times!
2.1 0.1 2265 Highway US-58
2.2 0.0 2230 End at Appalachian Trail

This trail is not the same as Feathercamp Ridge Trail, which is a 0.7 mile bike path connecting Iron Mountain Trail - North and Sawmill Trail in the Sandy Flats area.

Suggested 14 mile loop hike starting from Damascus is out of Fourth Street onto the Iron Mountain Trail - North, possibly camp at Sandy Flats shelter, down this Feathercamp Branch Trail, and back on the AT. Similar 15.4 mile loop was to take AT northbound for 5.5 miles to head upstream this Feathercamp Branch Trail to IMT westbound to connector over to AT and southbound 3.5 miles back to Damascus. Both would need a fast pace to complete in six hours with the elevation change.

Typical Conditions

Narrow rough single path through the stream valley – with multiple rock-hopping stream crossings, which can be done dry foot in normal flow levels.

Fees, Permits, etc.

No fees.

After the Hike

Enjoy a treat back in downtown Damascus - and check out gear at one of the outdoor outfitters.

Misc. Information

Looks like the project to replace the first 23 ft bridge used by the AT and this trail due to rotting stringers was cancelled in 2011. Reported replacement bridge cost was $62K because of regulation compliance. Project cancellation

Maps

Feathercamp Trail is shown as red line, while the Applachian Trail is in yellow.

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Photos