Sophie’s Death March

This is a modified version of Vicki’s Death March, starting at the Whiteoak Canyon Trailhead off of Weakley Hollow Road.

Distance
  • 24.2 miles
Running time
  • 5–7 hours
Total ascent/descent
  • 5,200 feet
    215 feet/mile
Start/finish
GPX file
Print or download
What to wear

This is a modified version of Vicki’s Death March, starting at the Whiteoak Canyon Trailhead off of Weakley Hollow Road.

This clockwise loop starts at the Whiteoak Canyon Trailhead off of Weakley Hollow Road. Begin with a 5.7 mile climb to the summit of Hawksbill, the highest point in Shenandoah National Park. From there it’s 4.6 miles of smooth ridge running on the Appalachian Trail (AT) northbound to Skyland (mile 10.4), where a snack bar is available in season for food and drink. Take the AT north to the short out-and-back trail to the Stony Man summit (mile 11.3). Continue north on the AT for 3 miles (mile 14.3) to a small parking area on Skyline Drive. (There is a concrete marker on the AT, at which you take a right, leave the AT, and go a short distance to the parking area. If you get to Pinnacles Picnic Ground on the AT, turn around — you have gone too far.) At the parking area, cross Skyline Drive and pick up the Corbin Cabin Cutoff Trail, descending into Nicholson Hollow. Pass the (infamous) Corbin Cabin (mile 15.8) and continue along the Hughes River for 3.8 miles. At State Route 600 (mile 19.6), take a right and join Weakley Hollow Fire Road at the Old Rag Trailhead. Follow this and the Berry Hollow Fire Road for 5.3 miles back to Whiteoak Canyon. Numerous fire roads and other trails offer shortcuts, particularly from Skyland or Corbin Cabin.

Last updated December 22, 2023

What you do is up to you, but you shouldn't rely on these directions alone; they are often not specific enough to navigate by, and may be incorrect or out of date. Review a map beforehand and carry it with you. Tell a friend where you are going and when you plan to return. Do not count on having cell phone service while on the run. The VHTRC is not responsible for your welfare on any of these runs. If you go on one of these runs and get lost, run out of water, get injured, mauled by a bear, or die, or if anything else goes wrong, it's your fault; not ours. You assume all risks here and the VHTRC assumes none at all. Legal issues aside, some of these runs are more remote than others and the VHTRC is not suggesting that you do any of these runs, unless you are prepared to accept full responsibility for yourself.