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An incredible ridgeline climb of 1800 feet in 3.5 miles to the peak of Mt Trayfoot.


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Map Key

4.8

Miles

7.8

KM

Point to Point

3,377' 1,029 m

High

1,505' 459 m

Low

1,976' 602 m

Up

485' 148 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (5°)

33%

Max Grade (18°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

There is an entrance fee for National Parks.

Description

This incredible ridgeline climb begins at the junction of Paine Run Trail near its western terminus. A couple of switchbacks will lead you up to the beginning of the ridge. Once on the ridge, the trail follows it north while jumping back and forth between the west and east sides. The views from either side are spectacular in the late fall.

The ascent of the ridge is relentless with only a couple sections of switchbacks and even fewer level spots. The trail starts in the valley at around 1,500 feet and the summit of Mt. Tray foot is at around 3,300 feet. You'll reach the peak around the 3.7-mile marker where the trail finally starts to head downhill. The views from the summit may be diminished by tree leaves during spring and summer seasons.

As the trail heads back down, it will cross the trailhead of the Furnace Mountain Trail. The trail will terminate along the base of the Blackrock Peak access. Hikers can either take the Blackrock Spur Trail to the peak or continue around the base to the end of this trail at the connector trail that leads to either the Blackrock Parking lot to the north or the Blackrock Gap Parking lot to the south.

Contacts

Shared By:

Donovan Fitzgerald with improvements by Tara Landry

Trail Ratings

  4.2 from 6 votes

#10703

Overall
  4.2 from 6 votes
5 Star
50%
4 Star
17%
3 Star
33%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#271

in Virginia

#10,703

Overall
13 Views Last Month
1,602 Since Dec 1, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
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29%
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71%
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Photos

Looking up the rock pile to Blackrock from the viewpoint on Trayfoot Mountain trail underneath Blackrock Summit.
Oct 29, 2022 near Grottoes, VA
Looking towards Trayfoot from the Trayfoot Mountain trail at the viewpoint under Blackrock summit.
Oct 29, 2022 near Grottoes, VA
Looking back to the Trayfoot ridgeline that must be traversed to get here.
Nov 21, 2017 near Grottoes, VA
Expect to find this marker for the Furnace Mountain Trail if accessing it from Skyline Drive.
Jan 30, 2017 near Grottoes, VA
The lack of leaves allow a view from the peak of Mt Trayfoot.
Nov 21, 2017 near Grottoes, VA
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