North Marshall Mountain is a small mountain located in the George Washington National Forest in Virginia. The mountain is part of the Appalachian Mountains and is home to a variety of plant and animal species. The mountain is a popular destination for hikers and campers.
Trails to the Summit
There are a few ways to access North Marshall Mountain in Virginia.
The Appalachian Trail is the most popular and well-known trail. The trailhead is located at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. From the conservancy, the trailhead is a short drive or hike away. The trail is marked with white blazes and is well-maintained.
Virginia Highland Horse Trail is located at the Virginia Highlands Horse Campground in Shenandoah National Park. The trail is marked with yellow blazes and is suitable for horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, and camping. It is a 9-mile long trail that is moderately difficult and includes several stream crossings.
North Marshall Mountain Trail is located at the North Marshall Recreation Area in Shenandoah National Park. The trail is marked with blue blazes and is suitable for hiking, camping, and mountain biking. It is a 4.5-mile long trail that is moderately difficult and includes several stream crossings.
South Marshall Mountain Trail is located at the South Marshall Recreation Area in Shenandoah National Park. The trail is marked with red blazes and is suitable for hiking, camping and mountain biking. It is a 6-mile long trail that extends from the South Marshall Recreation Area to the top of North Marshall Mountain. The trail is moderately difficult and includes several stream crossings.
History
The first recorded mention of North Marshall Mountain in Virginia was in 1749, when it was mentioned in a land grant. The mountain was likely named for John Marshall, who was born in the area in 1755. Marshall served as Chief Justice of the United States from 1801 to 1835.
In the early 1800s, the mountain was a popular destination for tourists and settlers. A hotel was built on the summit in 1834, and a road was constructed to the top of the mountain in 1836. The hotel was destroyed by a fire in 1854, but was rebuilt the following year.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the mountain was used for logging. A sawmill was built at the base of the mountain, and a railway was constructed to transport the lumber. The sawmill and railway were both destroyed by a flood in 1936.
In 1966, The mountain was purchased by the state of Virginia and became part of the George Washington National Forest.
