Rockytop and Big Run Portal Loop in Shenandoah National Park, VA

Hike Rockytop and Big Run Portal Loop Shenandoah National Park, VA

Class 1 13.4 miles 2400 gain 5-7 hrs Loop May 13, 2016
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Rockytop and Big Run Portal Loop GPX Track

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The Rockytop and Big Run Portal Loop is a larger loop hike in Shenandoah National Park that has both great views and pleasant water sounds, checking out the highs and lows of the park. I started from the Browns Gap Parking Lot and took the Appalachian Trail to the junction with the Big Run Loop Trail (blue blaze) and took this northwest. I reached the junction that would form the hike loop, left being the Rockytop Trail. I made a right in order to do the hike counter-clockwise, first descending the yellow-blazed Big Run Portal Trail. The hike drops about a thousand feet of vertical loss and reaches Big Run. The hike parallels and crosses the creek multiple times as it heads north. It's a nice and tame hike through the forest.

Then the hike heads up a switchback and starts to ascend back south, making its way along the Rockytop Trail. This trail ascends gradually along the ridgeline. I assume it's called "rockytop" due to the clearings covered in talus. The NPS trail does a good job at skirting the edges of the many humps along the way, preventing additional undulations. There are lots of nice views, including where a talus field has made it hard for trees to grow and therefore provides a nice overlook through the trees.

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Along the Appalachian Trail for a short time.
Along the Appalachian Trail for a short time.
Descending the Big Run Portal Trail.
Descending the Big Run Portal Trail.
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Big Run.
Big Run.
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Crossing Big Run.
Crossing Big Run.
Another creek crossing.
Another creek crossing.
The second half of the loop, now ascending the Rockytop Trail.
The second half of the loop, now ascending the Rockytop Trail.
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Great views along the Rockytop Trail.
Great views along the Rockytop Trail.
Humps along the ridgeline.
Humps along the ridgeline.
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A nice view along the Rockytop Trail with a cool talus field.
A nice view along the Rockytop Trail with a cool talus field.
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Continuing to make my way back to the trailhead along the Rockytop Trail.
Continuing to make my way back to the trailhead along the Rockytop Trail.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!