Veach Gap and Three Dog Point Hike
One of two hikes that start a the Veach Gap parking area, this route takes you south on the Massanutten/Tuscarora Trail to the Massanutten Mountain ridgeline and large campsite with views through the trees of the south fork of the Shenandoah River. The campsite at the high point and turnaround for this hike is suitable for multiple tents. Another camping opportunity is the Little Crease Shelter with large fire ring and privy, or the campsite where you cross Mill Run 100 yards downhill.As a shorter out/back hike this is a great last minute backpacking hike, and this section of the Massanutten/Tuscarora is more secluded than hikes to the north and further south. An other option is the Veach Gap/South Fork Overlook hike. Slightly is longer at 7.0 miles but has better views of the river.
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Mile 0.0 - From the parking area on FR774 start up the Veach Gap Trail and pass around the closed gate. Mill Run will come in on the left with the trail being wide at this point.
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Mile 0.75 - Pass a small campsite close to the run. If you look carefully you might notice the evergreen ground cover partridgeberry along the stream bank. In the garden the partridgeberry plant is ideal for tucking under established shrubs and perennials that provide shade from the afternoon sun. Not only is this a delightful little plant that will reward you with bright white blooms in the spring or early summer and striking red berries in the fall, but the dense foliage also helps to control weeds and conserve moisture in the perennial bed. Although it prefers moderately moist soil, partridgeberries require relatively little supplemental watering as the dense foliage serves as a living mulch to the soil, preventing moisture loss to evaporation. Robins, Bluebirds, Veery, and Wild Turkey are just some of the birds you can attract to your yard with partridgeberry.
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Mile 1.0 - Cross Mill Run then the Veach Gap trail remains rocky for the next 100 yards. On the left look for an interesting anticline rock formation with small cave below. Just before arriving at the Massanutten/Tuscarora Trail intersection pass a tree blazed with three colors for the three trails, Massanutten/Tuscarora/Veach Gap.
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Mile 1.2 - Turn right on the orange/blue Massanutten/Tuscarora Trail then immediately cross Mill Run. There is a campsite that can accommodate two tents on the right. Continue south on the orange/blue trail for for 100 yards to the Little Crease Shelter.
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Mile 1.21 - The Little Crease Shelter is large with two bunks and a privy located in the rear. From the shelter the Masanutten/Tuscarora trail gradually becomes steeper for 0.9 miles then makes a sharp right turn onto the ridge.
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Mile 2.2 - Arrive a the intersection where the blue blazed Tuscarora Trail splits off downhill to the left. Continue straight on the orange blazed Massanutten Trail for 0.2 miles.
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Mile 2.4 - Arrive at the Three Dog Point campsite with views through the trees of the south fork of the Shenandoah River. Return to the Veach Gap parking area reversing the route.
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Mile 4.5 - Arrive back at the Veach Gap parking area.
