James River Face Backpack
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 5.71 mi
- Elevation gain
- 761 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 725 ft
- Max elevation
- 1,308 ft
- TrailRank
- 34
- Min elevation
- 668 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Coordinates
- 211
- Uploaded
- May 26, 2009
- Recorded
- May 2009
near Snowden, Virginia (United States)
Viewed 2643 times, downloaded 12 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
This is a relatively easy backpacking trip along the A.T. to a campsite adjoining Matt's Creek Shelter. This was done with a couple of 9 year old boys, and the campsite was ideal for that demographic, featuring a bubbling creek with large rocks and a snake sighting.
We did this as a loop to take in the abundant mountain laurel blooms along the second trail (the old alignment of the A.T.), but this is normally not recommended as it requires a return hike along highways and across a highway bridge that does not have much room. An in-and-out on the A.T. is a perfect overnight for younger backpackers, and allows them to experience the longest pedestrian bridge on the entire Appalachian Trail.
We did this as a loop to take in the abundant mountain laurel blooms along the second trail (the old alignment of the A.T.), but this is normally not recommended as it requires a return hike along highways and across a highway bridge that does not have much room. An in-and-out on the A.T. is a perfect overnight for younger backpackers, and allows them to experience the longest pedestrian bridge on the entire Appalachian Trail.
Waypoints
Mountain hut
866 ft
Matt's Creek Shelter
Standard shelter on the Appalachian Trail, with preference given to through hikers. There are a couple of fine campsites in this area.
Hiking
0 ft
Matt's Creek Trail Intersection
Intersection of the Appalachian Trail and the Matt's Creek Trail
Panorama
1,013 ft
Overlook
Side Trail to overlook of the Foot Bridge over the James River.
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