Beartree/Lum Trail/Shaw Gap Loop 
(From the Beartree Campground)

Maps: Trail Town Maps, Trail Guide to Beartree/ Damascus VA, Area
            USGS 7.5 minute quadrangle, Konnarock VA
            Mount Rogers National Recreation Area Map

Elevation Change: The ride begins at an elevation of 3000 feet at the Fisherman’s Parking Lot and climbs 300 feet on the paved road to the Lum Trail. It gains another 500 feet on the Lum Trail, reaching 3800 feet at the intersection with the Iron Mountain Trail. The ride reaches a maximum elevation of 3950 feet on the Iron Mountain Trail before it drops back to 3800 feet. The elevation quickly drops 240 feet on the descent into Shaw’s Gap, then continues the descent, dropping 440 feet back to the Group Campground area. You will descend another 125 feet back to the starting point. Total elevation gain is 950 feet; total elevation loss is 950 feet.

Access: To get to the Beartree Recreation Area; from the intersection with Rt. 58 & Rt. 91 east of Damascus, turn left and follow Rt. 58 for 6.8 miles. Turn left on Beartree Gap Road. Proceed .2 miles up the road, turn right and park at the Fisherman’s Parking Lot.

Description: This ride starts with a 3 mile climb up the paved Beartree Gap road that provides perfect warm up for the real climb awaiting you at Chipmunk Circle. You will proceed up the 1-mile long Lum Trail, a beautiful stretch of singletrack that will test your technical climbing and your stamina. At the top of Lum Trail, take a break and rest at the Straight Branch Shelter. The Iron Mountain Trail used to be the old route of the Appalachian Trail, which is why the Iron Mountain Trail has shelters at various points along its length.

You will then proceed along the rolling ridge-top of Grosses Mountain on the Iron Mountain Trail. This trail is known for the grassy singletrack, with large embedded rocks in the trail that can present a distraction to the views off the ridge. It’s all rideable, but you need to choose your line carefully as there are some tricky log crossings and some large rocks that seem to appear in the middle of the trail out of nowhere.

You will then descend a very steep, loose, rocky, section of the Iron Mountain Trail and into Shaw’s Gap. This section of trail is being considered for a possible relocation, but there are no definite plans as of this writing. Shaw’s Gap is the intersection of 4 trails. The Iron Mountain Trail, Shaw’s Gap Trail, Beartree Gap Trail and Chestnut Ridge Trail all come together at this point. Now, get ready to experience the thrill of the Shaw’s Gap Trail, a tight, twisting one-mile singletrack masterpiece! Enjoy it while you can because it’s over to soon and its back onto the pavement, as you ride back down Beartree Gap Road, the way you came in, to the Fisherman’s Parking Lot.

0.0 Starting from the Fisherman’ s Parking Lot, begin by riding back out to Beartree Gap Road and turn right toward the pay station.
0.5 Pass through the gate at the pay station. If you are on your bike you do not have to pay. (This gate may be locked in the winter months). Pass the Yancey Trail on the left.
1.2 Pass the entrance to the Group Campground on your left. You will be coming out at this point near the end of the ride.
3.5 Turn left at the cul-de-sac in the road at the entrance to Chipmunk Circle camping area. Pass Straight Branch Trail on your right.
3.6 Turn right on the Lum Trail. It is marked with yellow diamonds and starts behind the bathrooms.
3.8 Continue straight on the Lum Trail. An unmarked trail turns off to the right.
4.5 This is the last climb on Lum Trail. Stick to it!
4.6 Arrive at the Straight Branch Shelter. Continue straight; look for the tree with the yellow diamond blaze.
4.7 Turn left on the Iron Mountain Trail toward Shaw’s Gap Trail. Start a short steep climb here. There are directional signs at this location. Follow the yellow rectangles of the well-blazed Iron Mountain Trail.
5.0 There are good views off both sides of the trail. Look north toward Little Mountain and look south toward Konnarock. Continue on this beautiful rolling ridge top ride. There are 3 short steep climbs on this section.
7.6 Descend into Shaw’s Gap down a rocky and rough part of the trail. Use caution, as there are some ruts where erosion has occurred.
7.8 Turn left as you arrive at Shaw’s Gap. Proceed toward the yellow square blazed Shaw’s Gap trail. The Beartree Gap Trail turns off to the right and is marked with yellow diamonds. (Note: This is a major trail intersection and an important navigational point for many rides in this area. It is well signed and the trails are well blazed thanks to the USFS and the Iron Mountain Trail Club.)
8.3 The Shaw’s Gap Trail levels out, but be patient because there will be more downhill to come. The rhododendron that surrounds the trail makes for limited sight distance, so use caution.
8.8 There is a clearing on the right and on the left you can look down into the Group Campground.
8.9 Turn left as you emerge onto a paved road at the Group Campground.
9.0 Turn right out of the Group Campground, go through the gate and make a right onto Beartree Gap Road. Descend on this paved road for the next mile.
10.2 Turn left into the Fisherman’s Parking Lot from where you started.