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Seldom ridden in its entirety, the SMT is a backcountry adventure.


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Map Key

27.3

Miles

43.9

KM

Singletrack

3,873' 1,181 m

High

1,556' 474 m

Low

3,095' 943 m

Up

4,564' 1,391 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

28%

Max Grade (16°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Unknown

Bikes are prohibited in Ramsey's Draft Wilderness Area.

Description

The most commonly ridden section of this trail is the Southern Traverse - IMBA Epic. The section North of Rt. 250 is not often ridden as it travels through the Western boundary of Ramsey's Draft Wilderness Area. From Rt. 250, this trail is taken to access Road Hollow. Also, the Northernmost couple miles of this trail also known as "Tearjacket" was recently rebuilt by the SVBC and is recommended to be ridden as an out & back because it dead ends into wilderness.

The SMT is a historical landmark, predating the civil war.

The Southern Traverse - IMBA Epic section of Shenandoah Mountain Trail (447) singletrack picks up after a 4 mile fire road climb on Benson Run Rd (aka USFS 173) from Deerfield Valley. At the saddle, catch the trail heading south. The route will climb up towards the summit of the The Bump at 3634 feet. This section of singletrack has long straights that are tight, twisty and smooth with some super technical rock gardens scattered throughout.

The only intersection to worry about along the route is the Jerkemtight juncture. There are 2 different singletrack trails heading off the west side of the ridge and 3 jeep trails heading in different directions. Look for the 2 singletrack trails. The Shenandoah Mountain Trail (447) is the one that heads more southerly. Marshall Draft Trail drops straight down the western slope towards Sugar Tree road.

Continue on the Shenandoah Mountain Trail (447) as it drops a bit to meet up with the ridge again. The route then skirts around North Sister Knob at an elevation of 3,292 feet and then coils up onto South Sister Knob at 3088. From here you'll begin a screaming 1,100 foot descent; some of the sweetest you've ever experienced. The trail ends at Scotchtown Draft - Route 627.

Contacts

Shared By:

Shenandoah Bicycle with improvements by Jeff Monroe

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 5 votes

#8226

Overall
  4.4 from 5 votes
5 Star
40%
4 Star
60%
3 Star
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2 Star
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1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#201

in Virginia

#8,226

Overall
11 Views Last Month
5,290 Since Jan 2, 2015
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Photos

One of the highlights of the 11-mile ridge run on the Southern Traverse
Mar 16, 2013 near Monterey, VA
Mountain Laurel blooms on the Southern Traverse
Mar 16, 2013 near Monterey, VA
Checking the map at the intersection of Benson Run Rd and the Shenandoah Mountain Trail. Take a left to ride towards an 11 mile singletrack traverse
Apr 8, 2013 near Monterey, VA
When the canopy opens up along the Southern Traverve, the views are spectacular.
Mar 11, 2013 near Warm Sp…, VA
Western side Shenandoah Mountain Trail
Sep 10, 2017 near Monterey, VA
Near the top of the climb to gain the ridge.
Mar 11, 2013 near Monterey, VA
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