AT Hike - Garden Mountain to Poor Valley

A nice hike along the ridge with many gradual ascents and descents until we hit Walker Gap and proceeded with a stiff climb to Chestnut Knob and a shelter. Took a lunch break at the shelter. The shelter was a rare four walled stome building.

After leaving the shelter we had a long gradual down hill hike to our car. There were many open spaces with some views as we hiked down hill.

We spent 6.25 hours on the trail.

This will be a 10.8 mile north to south one-way hike on the Appalachian Trail. The starting point will be at VA 623, Garden Mountain, at an elevation of 3880 feet, and end at VA 625, Poor Valley, at an elevation of 2300 feet. The hike will require an auto shuttle.

The hike starts with a short ascent of .2 of mile to the crest of Garden Mountain. Just to the right of the trail will be a view of Burkes Garden, which is a topographic bowl, a 9 mile long oval that was formed by a meteor. From the crest we have a short 400 foot descent and then the trail pretty much levels out for the next 4 miles. At 1.1 miles there is another view of Burkes Garden. The trail continues with many ups and downs until reaching Walker Gap at 3520 feet of elevation. From here we begin an ascent to Chestnut Knob, 4409 feet, and the Chestnut Knob Shelter at 6.1 miles. The shelter will be a nice place to rest. Again, more views of Burkes Garden.

At 7.1 miles miles we leave the woods and begin our descent from Chestnut Ridge, with many views. At 7.9 miles there will be a stream and a pond.  After reentering the woods at about 9 miles the descent becomes steep dropping from 3700 feet to 2300 feet and Poor Valley over about 1.8 miles.

Poor Valley gets its name from the poor soils in the area. Not suitable for farming or grazeing.

Plan on spending 7 to 8 hours on this hike.