SHORT
MOUNTAIN
NATIONAL FOREST TRAIL
This is the Grand Daddy of all the trails in this part
of the
valley. It is not for the "weak of heart" because there are
some areas in which the trail is very narrow and steep,
in particular on the north end of Short Mountain where the
trail ascends to the top ridge. At the north end of this
mountain (elevation 2811 ft) you will have a "bird's eye view"
through Edinburg Gap into Fort Valley. As you continue
south down the ridge of the mountain you can see through
Taskers Gap into Fort Valley in one direction, and if you look
in the opposite direction you will see the valley on the other
side of the mountain with the towns of Edinburg and Woodstock.
You can see across the top of Bowman Mountain to Kennedy's
Peak and beyond that to the Blue Ridge Mountain Range about
twenty two miles to the east. If you look to the west, about fifteen
miles away is the Allegheny Mountain Range. The trail on the
ridge of Short Mountain is about six miles long and stays on top
most all the way so there is always a great view. (At one point you
will be able to see three towns at one time and the entire width
of the Shenandoah Valley.) This ride will take the entire day
because to get to the Short Mountain trail head you have to ride
through part of the Taskers Gap trail system. This ride can be done
as a long loop so that there is no back- tracking over the same trails.