Shenandoah Mountain Trail (447)

Dogs Off-leash

Be wary, the section of this trail most commonly traveled by mountain bikers is the Southern Traverse.

This trail constitutes part of a new long distance hiking trail known as the Great Eastern Trail (GET). The GET uses the entire Shenandoah Mountain Trail.

The SMT is a historical landmark, predating the civil war.

The Southern Traverse section of Shenandoah Mountain Trail (447) picks up after a four-mile fire road climb on Benson Run Rd (aka USFS 173) from Deerfield Valley. At the saddle, catch the trail heading south.

The route will climb up towards the summit of the The Bump at 3,634 feet, though it cuts around the summit. This section of trail has long straights that are winding and smooth with some sections with large boulders scattered throughout.

There are two different singletrack trails heading off the west side of the ridge and three jeep trails heading in different directions. Look for the two singletrack trails. The Shenandoah Mountain Trail (447) is the one that heads more southerly. Marshall Draft Trail drops straight down the western slope towards Sugar Tree Road.

Continue on the Shenandoah Mountain Trail (447) as it drops a bit to meet up with the ridge again. The route then skirts around North Sister Knob at an elevation of 3,292 feet and then coils up onto South Sister Knob at 3,088.

From here, you'll begin a sustained 1,100-foot descent. The trail ends for bikers at Scotchtown Draft - Route 627, however hikers can continue another several miles to Ft. Lewis.