Edition 2/10/2010

Section 6a
US 250 to Benson Run Road
7.7 miles

Parking

  1. North end of section: From I-81 Exit 225, take VA 262 south to US 250 west 24 miles, parking at Confederate Breastworks (historic site & guided trail) on right. 
  2. South end of section:  From I-81 Exit 225, take VA 262 south to US 250, west 17 miles, left on VA 629 (Deerfield Valley Road), go 5.9 miles, turn right on FDR 173, and go 4.8 miles on FDR 173 (Benson Run Road) at a sign saying "Entering Highland County", on north side of road.  The final 2.5 miles is difficult driving, with frequent puddles, but passable to most cars. 

Shuttle

South to north: go back east on FDR 173 4.8 miles, turn left on VA 629 and go 5.9 miles, then left of US 250 and go 6.5 miles. 
North to south: go back east on US 250 6.5 miles, turn right on VA 629, after 5.9 miles, turn right on FDR 173 and go 4.8 miles. 

Maps

  USGS 7.5' Quadrangles: McDowell, VA; Deerfield, VA
  National Geographic Map 791 - Staunton Shenandoah Mtn

Trail Description, North to South

Miles   Data
0.0 North end of this section on US 250 at Confederate Breastworks.  Great Eastern Trail starts east  (left) on US 250 for about 80 yds and crosses onto gravel road.  Street sign says "Shenandoah Mountain Road", but it is not evident which road this refers to. 
0.1 Gravel road has a turnaround and some parking places, just before a road gate.  Continue on gravel road. 
1.0 Wildlife clearing.
1.3 Intersection with road entering from right side of trail. 
1.4 Trail leads left (Signal Corps Knob or Georgia Camp Trail, depending on source).
1.6 Limited view of Cowpasture Valley to the west.
1.9  Trail reaches ridge top. 
2.3 Intersection with logging road on left side of trail.  This mile-long road was cleared in 1976. 
3.1   Road continues to climb around the west face of the ridge.  Trail turns left at the ridge point and follows the face of the ridge. 
3.4 Trail leads to broad mountain top.  Wildlife pond is found to the right.  Water is not safe for human consumption.  A road leading west from the waterhole intersects Shenault Shanty Road. 
4.7 Tims Knob is located just ahead to the east.  The view to the east is of Hodges Draft drainage. 
6.4  Rhododendron thicket found to the right. 
6.7 Trail reaches a gentle northwest slope.  Some evidence can be seen of an old logging site. 
7.7 Trail intersects with Forest Development Road 173.  End of this section.  GET continues across FDR 173. 

Trail Description, South to North

Miles   Data
0.0 South end of section at Forest Development Road 173 (Benson Run Road).  Great Eastern Trail follows Shenandoah Mountain Trail north. 
1.0 At end of a gentle northwest slope, there is some evidence of an old logging site visible. 
1.3 Rhododendron thicket found to the left. 
3.0 Tims Knob is located to the right.  The view to the east is of Hodges Draft drainage. 
4.3 Trail leads to broad mountain top.  Wildlife pond is found to the left.  Water is not safe for human consumption.  A road leading left from the waterhole intersects Shenault Shanty Road. 
4.6 Trail comes to road on west face of the ridge.  Follow road to right, downhill. 
5.4 Intersection with logging road on right side of trail.  This mile-long road was cleared in 1976. 
5.8 Trail leaves ridge top. 
6.1 Limited view of Cowpasture Valley to west. 
6.3 Trail leads east (Signal Corps Knob or Georgia Camp Trail, depending on source). 
6.4 Intersection with road entering from left side of trail. 
6.7 Wildlife clearing. 
7.6 Road gate followed by turnaround and parking area.  Continue on road.
7.7 Gravel road ends on US 250.  Follow US 250 to left about 80 yds and cross to Confederate Breastworks Parking.  North end of this section.  GET continues north on Shenandoah Mountain Trail, on right side of wall, just left of pit toilets. 

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