The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) has proposed to relocate the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (ANST) to come upon and cross the summit of Little Calf Mountain northeast of Waynesboro, Virginia. This section lies on federal land managed by the NPS Appalachian Trail Park Office adjacent to the South District of Shenandoah National Park north of the Rockfish Gap Entrance Station to the Skyline Drive.

The details concerning this proposed relocation are summarized below:

Background

For many years, the owners of Calf Mountain grazed cattle on the mountain; the result was that the summits of both Little and Big Calf mountains were open pastures and offered spectacular vistas to visitors. When livestock were no longer grazed on the mountain, the forest gradually reclaimed the open pastures.

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy and PATC have, since at least the late 1980s, worked to restore the former bald on the summit of Little Calf Mountain. Reese Lukei was particularly active in this effort. Today, members of the Charlottesville Chapter of PATC continue that work to maintain what has been cleared and expand it as best they can.

Justification

The current route of the ANST rises steeply from the meadow in Beagle Gap to the shoulder of Little Calf Mountain. Water bars, check dams, and steps within the wooded area—where the grade is steepest (~32%)—are overwhelmed each year. Below the wood line, the soil erodes into a trench, approximately 30 yards in length, that the maintainers must cut and fill each year. The ANST does not cross the summit of Little Calf Mountain. Visitors use a short (approximately 0.25 mi) side trail to reach this viewshed and return to the ANST. The side trail crosses over the contours, achieving a grade of up to ~20%.

The proposed relocation, while adding to the length of the ANST, will significantly help preserve the natural resource. The new route will add to the visitor’s experience by the varied terrain and features viewed, especially the open summit of Little Calf Mountain.

Impacts

Cultural Resources

None anticipated. The proposed relocation passes through no known or suspected area of former human habitation. Prior to Shenandoah National Park and the ANST, the land supported livestock grazing and orchards.

Shenandoah National Park

None anticipated. The proposed relocation route lies east of the 500-foot easement for Skyline Drive and is outside of Shenandoah National Park. The affected land is owned by the NPS Appalachian Trail Park Office.

Federal or State Regulatory Agencies

Minor. The proposed relocation may affect the ANST depiction on ANST Map Segment 445 (Tract Nrs 444-07, 444-08). However, the project will not require notification in the Federal Register.

Public

None. Hikers and backpackers will not be disturbed by the work conducted to achieve this proposed relocation of the ANST.

Additional Resources Required

PATC will accomplish this relocation with volunteer trail crews using PATC-supplied tools. Federal and other resource use will be limited to documentation and required on-site review.

Relocation Map

This map shows the GPS waypoints of the relocation route superimposed on PATC Map #11:

Route Photos

Go to the South Shenandoah Web site to see photographs, taken during a scouting trip in May, 2008, of the proposed ANST relocation on Little Calf Mountain.