Poundingmill Trail Map

Route map of the Poundingmill Trail as tracked by the Gaia GPS app and depicted a la Google Earth...

Poundingmill Trail Map

Route map of the Poundingmill Trail as tracked by the Gaia GPS app...

Poundingmill/South Mills River Trail Junction -- 2,460'

This is the lower terminus of the Poundingmill Trail, seen on the right at its junction with the South Mills River Trail. This spot is located approximately two miles from the Turkey Pen Trailhead via the latter path...

Poundingmill/South Mills River Trail Junction -- 2,460'

The Poundingmill Trail, as seen at its lower terminus at the South Mills River Trail...

Poundingmill Trail (Crossing #1) -- 2,460'

The trail immediately hops across its namesake, Poundingmill Branch...this will be the first of many, many crossings...

Poundingmill Trail -- 2,480'

Compared to other trails in this area, the Poundingmill sees far less traffic. It's therefore more likely that, on this trail, you'll encounter more frequent obstacles such as blowdowns and the like...

Poundingmill Trail -- 2,500'

The lower portion of the trail follows the floor of the drainage through a thick tangle of rhododendron...

Poundingmill Trail (Crossing #2) -- 2,530'

Crossing Poundingmill once again...

Poundingmill Trail (Crossing #3) -- 2,550'

...and, almost immediately, again...

Poundingmill Trail -- 2,560'

Good to know...might be a more useful sign at the ends of the trail but still, good to know...

Poundingmill Trail -- 2,560'

Here the trail crosses another old forest road which doesn't (from what I can find) have a number designation...

Poundingmill Trail -- 2,580'

Every so often the trail will stay up above the rhododendron thickets, giving some relief from battling low-hanging branches...

Poundingmill Trail (Crossing #4) -- 2,600'

The fourth crossing (ascending) is technically bridged, though the limit of its human carrying capacity is somewhat dubious. A rock hop may be a better bet...

Poundingmill Trail -- 2,620'

Into the clear for a minute again...

Poundingmill Trail (Crossing #5) -- 2,630'

...and then it's time to make yet another crossing...

Poundingmill Trail -- 2,650'

Uphill through a woodland cathedral...

Poundingmill Trail (Crossing #6) -- 2,670'

None of the stream crossings along the trail are too difficult...however, after heavy rains, it might be a problematic route...

Poundingmill Trail (Crossing #7) -- 2,680'

One of the trickier crossings due to the low ceiling overhead...

Poundingmill Trail -- 2,680'

Looking up at the adjacent hillside...

Poundingmill Trail (Crossing #8) -- 2,700'

Get ready, the crossings are going to come fast and furious along this next stretch...

Poundingmill Trail (Crossing #9) -- 2,710'

...crossing nine (ascending)...

Poundingmill Trail (Crossing #10) -- 2,720'

...crossing ten (ascending)...

Poundingmill Trail (Crossing #11) -- 2,740'

...crossing eleven (ascending)...

Poundingmill Trail (Crossing #12) -- 2,760'

...crossing twelve (ascending)...

Poundingmill Trail (Crossing #13) -- 2,780'

...crossing thirteen (ascending)...

Poundingmill Trail (Crossing #14) -- 2,800'

...crossing fourteen (ascending)...

Poundingmill Trail (Crossing #15) -- 2,820'

...and, finally, the fifteenth and uppermost crossing of Poundingmill Branch...

Poundingmill Trail -- 2,850'

Beyond the upper crossing the trail finally decides to leave the valley floor for good, gaining elevation more quickly...

Poundingmill Trail -- 2,880'

Soon the trail looses sight of the stream altogether...

Poundingmill Trail -- 2,900'

Looking uphill, alongside the trail...

Poundingmill Trail -- 2,920'

Here the trail curves left past a pretty rock, thickly covered in Galax...

Poundingmill Trail -- 2,940'

The grade, though moderately steep, is still fairly easy going...

Poundingmill Trail -- 2,960'

The view ahead, up to the head of the valley which the path is climbing. The gap marking the upper terminus of the trail can be seen through the trees, to the right of center...

Poundingmill Trail -- 2,980'

Things start to steepen further as the trail begins its climb up the head of the valley...

Poundingmill Trail -- 3,050'

The last stretch of trail up to the gap is by far the steepest of its entire route. Luckily it's over quickly...

Poundingmill/Squirrel Gap Trail Junction -- 3,150'

The Poundingmill Trail as it arrives at its upper terminus, atop the ridge at its junction with the Squirrel Gap Trail...

Poundingmill/Squirrel Gap Trail Junction -- 3,150'

The Poundingmill Trail, seen as it arrives at its upper terminus, atop the ridge at its junction with the Squirrel Gap Trail.