Swift Run to Thornton difficulty level

[Lime Man]

My wife and I are considering hiking from Swift Run Gap to Thornton Gap.
What is the difficulty level on this section of the trail?

[chknfngrs]

all I know is this summer has been brutally hot and dry across Virginia. You’ll want to know where the water is.

And the best burger and shake you can buy is at Burgersn Things in Sperryville.

It’s a beautiful park to walk through!

[Daybreak]

I found SNP easier in the south and harder in the north but water sources are generally more available in the north. On the AT as a whole the trail surface is best south of Pennsylvania due to the lack of glaciation, roots in Maine and steep rock spots requiring hands in NH/ME. Likewise the south generally has fewer short and long steep climbs. I don't remember any particularly steep climbs/descents and there are no long climbs.

Your section has a gain/loss on average of 198 feet/mile compared to 233 feet/mile for the AT as a whole. Only NJ through CT have lower average gain/loss per mile. The largest continuous climb/descent is only (per AT standards) 1100 feet which makes this clearly an easier section. Nobo this is the descent into Thornton Gap. SNP, in general, has easy access to food if you pass near public campgrounds. If Old Ragg is in the section, you need a special ticket to hike this popular side hike.

You can find this particular data by state and shelter to shelter on WB at https://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/content.php/49.
You can calculate other sections using his elevation calculator at https://www.atdist.com/

From Postholer.com Click below for the elevation profile. Swift run gap is the lowest point on the left and Thornton on the right.

Screenshot 2024-08-11 145753.png

[Astro]

Going NoBo I felt I backpacked the 12 Southern States, while NH& ME was more rock scrambling and root hopping (albeit superior views on a clear day).

[johnnybgood]

The central district of the park is relatively flat once you climb up from Swift Run Gap.
Going NoBo is easier, also the parking lot adjacent to the restroom facilities at Thornton Gap is a safe place to leave a vehicle overnight.

* If your plan is for this week, be aware the park was hit hard by the tropical storm that came through a few days ago. Many of the waysides are without power.
Trail maintenance clubs will need to mobilize so they can access trails like the AT. There will likely be not only downed trees but also trail erosion.

[Lime Man]

Thanks chknfngrs!

[Lime Man]

Thanks Daybreak!
Very good info.
I’m sorry , but what is SNP?

[Lime Man]

Thanks Astro!

[Lime Man]

Thanks Johnnybgood!
We’re thinking October or April/May.

[Astro]

Shenandoah National Park

[chknfngrs]

Swift Run Gap to Thornton Gap is inside Shenandoah National Park and therefore requires a backcountry permit.

https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/bc-permit.htm