Hungry MotherTrails |
Trail Guide for Hungry Mother State Park (SP) in Virginia. Published by Virginia State Parks.
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TRAIL SAFETY
• Know your limits and abilities. Some trails in the
park are strenuous and long.
• Wear proper footwear for hiking. Trails are often
rocky and can be steep in sections.
• Check weather forecast and be prepared. Afternoon
thunderstorms are common in the summer.
• Pack plenty of water and snacks for your intended
distance.
• If possible leave an itinerary with someone. Not all
cellular carriers have reliable service in the park.
• More detailed trail information is available from the
park office or by asking a park ranger.
BE BEAR AWARE - Although bear sightings are rare, this
area is home to black bears. As a reminder, please review
the following tips about hiking safety.
If you encounter a bear while hiking:
• Enjoy the experience from a distance, don’t panic.
• Hiking at dawn or dusk may increase your chances
of meeting a bear, so always be aware of your
surroundings.
• Use extra caution in places where hearing or visibility
is limited, such as brushy areas, near streams, where
trails round a bend and on windy days.
• Reduce your chances of surprising a bear on the trail
by making noise such as talking or singing.
• Make sure children are close to you or within your
sight at all times.
C.C.C. TRAIL
- This multi-use trail is 1.9-miles long.
It intersects Lake Trail in the boat ramp area, runs all
the way to Vista Trail and loops back to Lake Trail on
the back side of the lake. It climbs up and down many
ridges and crosses a creek several times. Vast thickets of
rhododendron line much of the trail.
several places where the trail may be flooded.
It begins at an elevation of 2,217 feet, peaks at 2,565 feet
and drops back to 2,320 feet where it meets Lake Trail
farther along the loop.
RAIDER’S RUN TRAIL
LAKE TRAIL
- This 5.7-mile trail for hiking and biking
closely follows the edge of the lake. It makes brief
diversions along ridges and away from the shore where
it connects to the Ridge and C.C.C. trails. This relatively
wide trail features numerous changes in elevation
and many sharp turns and switchbacks resulting in
constantly changing vistas of the lake and surrounding
mountains. Shady thickets of rhododendron, dense leafy
forest, cool creek beds and abundant wildlife make this
trail an interesting and ever-changing panorama.
This loop trail starts and ends at 2,212 feet. The first
mile, which parallels Park Blvd., is gently rolling and
relatively flat. Once the trail crosses the dam, it begins
steeper rolling sections. The section along the back side
of the lake has significant elevation gain and loss. The
trail’s highest point is at 2,374 feet.
RIDGE TRAIL
- This 0.2-mile trail connects Lake Trail and
Molly’s Knob Trail. The single-track trail primarily follows
a ridge with a fairly steep incline. It passes through a
densely forested area with numerous rhododendron and
mountain laurel, providing an alternate route up and
down Molly’s Knob.
• Don’t run. Do get loud, get big and back away.
It begins at 2,300 feet where it leaves Lake Trail and
peaks at 2,487 feet where it intersects Molly’s Knob Trail.
• Please report all bear sightings to a park ranger or the
park office.
MOLLY’S KNOB TRAIL
TRAIL INFORMATION
DIFFICULTY SCALE
EASY - From .5 to 1 mile; grades are short, typically
fewer than 100 feet and less than 10 percent of
the trail length; easily accomplished by all users,
including the elderly and those with physical or
mental disabilities, with little risk of injury or fatigue.
MODERATE
- From 1 to 5 miles; steepness and grade
lengths vary; at least 60 percent of the length is fairly
flat; healthy people can accomplish the trail with
little risk of injury or fatigue.
DIFFICULT
- Trail length is greater than 5 miles;
more than 70 percent of the trail is on a grade;
experienced hikers only or groups of three to five
people recommended; there is a risk of overexertion
or injury to those not conditioned.
- The 1.9-mile multi-use trail
takes users from a parking lot below the group lodge
to Vista Trail, which leads to the highest point in the
park, Molly’s Knob, elevation 3,270 feet. Molly’s Knob
Trail gradually becomes steeper and narrower. While
hiking various switchbacks on this trail, users could
see Catawba (pink bloom) and rosebay (white bloom)
rhododendron, many varieties of fern and other colorful
wildflowers.
The trail’s elevation changes from 2,280 feet at the
trailhead to 2,927 feet where it meets Vista Trail. From
Vista Trail, Molly’s Knob Trail drops to 2,530 feet at the
intersection with CCC Trail.
OLD SHAWNEE TRAIL - This 1-mile multi-use trail extends
Raider’s Run Trail, from which it is accessible in two
places. The trail undulates gently through the woods,
has only a few steep inclines and is less difficult than
the hills on Raider’s Run Trail. While this trail is listed as
having moderate difficulty, bikers should note there are
It intersects Raider’s Run Trail in two places. The eastern
intersection’s elevation is 2,447 feet, and the western
intersection is at 2,359 feet. Its highest elevation is 2,491
feet.
- This 0.9-mile multi-use trail
forms a loop accessible from the Raider’s Run trailhead
at parking lot 2. This trail passes through quiet and
peaceful woods. It is fairly steep and narrow. This trail is
the only means of access to Old Shawnee Trail.
Virginia State Parks
Hungry Mother
State Park
This loop trail begins and ends at an elevation of 2,232
feet and peaks at 2,483 feet.
CLYBURN HOLLOW TRAIL
- This is a 0.5-mile multi-use
trail. It is accessed from Clyburn Ridge Loop Trail. The
trail travels through the cool shady forest along the
creek’s edge, which it occasionally crosses, and is used
as a connector by visitors not wishing to hike the entire
Clyburn Loop Trail.
The trail’s elevation starts at 2,250 feet at its south end,
near the parking area by Camp Burson. The trail climbs
to a high elevation of 2,385 feet on the north end by its
intersection with Stone Lick Trail.
CLYBURN RIDGE LOOP TRAIL - This 4-mile multi-use trail
may be accessed from the Clyburn Ridge trailhead across
from Camp Burson or from Stone Lick Trail. It offers
unique terrain and an amazing view of Hungry Mother
Lake.
This trail starts at the parking area across from Camp
Burson at an elevation of 2,215 feet, climbs to 2,584 feet
at the lake overlook, and drops and climbs again to 2,566
feet at the Stone Lick intersection. The highest elevation
of the trail is 2,625 feet and the lowest is 2,210.
VISTA TRAIL - This 0.4-mile trail is accessed via Molly’s
Knob Trail and leads visitors to Molly’s Knob. This trail
reaches the highest elevation in the park – 3,270 feet –
and offers a stunning 180-degree view of the countryside.
It climbs from an elevation of 2,923 feet at the
intersection of Molly’s Knob Trail to 3,270 feet at the
Molly’s Knob summit, a gain of 347 feet.
STONE LICK TRAIL
- This 0.8-mile multi-use trail is
accessible from the Stone Lick trailhead off of Route 16
just past the Discovery Center. It climbs along ridgelines
to access the back side of Clyburn Ridge Loop Trail. Along
the way, there are views of the highest point in Virginia,
Mount Rogers, with an elevation of 5,729 feet.
This trail begins at an elevation of 2,236 feet at the
parking lot, climbs to 2,646 feet and intersects with
Clyburn Ridge Loop Trail at 2,597 feet.
TRAIL
GUIDE
VIRGINIA STATE PARKS ARE A TONIC
FOR THE MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT.
Museums, visitor centers and
nearby historic sites make state
parks cultural treasures.
The recreational opportunities in
state parks are endless and easy to
see – from swimming and boating
to horseshoes and hiking, there’s
always something to do in a
Virginia State Park.
2854 Park Blvd.
Marion, Virginia 24354
276-781-7400
hungrymother@dcr.virginia.gov
WWW.VIRGINIASTATEPARKS.GOV
800-933-PARK
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Vista Trail
Trail
Blaze
Mileage Usage Difficulty Access
C.C.C.
Clyburn Hollow
Clyburn Ridge
Ridge
Lake Trail Loop
Vista
Molly’s Knob
Old Shawnee
Stone Lick
Raider’s Run
Orange
Gold
Lime Green
Green
Navy Blue
Purple
White
Yellow
Red
Royal Blue
1.9
0.5
4.0
0.2
5.7
0.4
1.9
1.0
1.2
0.9
H, B
H, B
H, B
H, B
H, B
H
H, B
H, B
H, B
H, B
H = Hiking B = Biking
= Easy
= Moderate
PA = Partially Handicapped Accessible
PA
= Difficult