Rend Trail

Start out at the parking lot that is gravel by the train station then head on the pavement towards the Thurmond-Mindon trail head. From then on it is a slight railroad grade climb. There are several wooden bridges that you will come across. You will first come to an overlook that you can see the train depot. Next there was a rock slide but the park service made some stairs that you can easily get across, but be careful because the bridges and these stairs are VERY SLICK if they are wet. At the End of the trail there is a gate. You can either choose to go back or continue onward. Make a right on the Pavement, then at the next intersection you will again make a right by the ACE sign. From there you will see a trail on the right hand side of the road you will take. Continue on that until you see the Eskin trail. Go up that and follow the ridge around. That is basically as high as you will climb upwards. At the end of Eskin you will make a right on a bus road that one of the rafting companies use for access to the New River. Be careful because it is steep and there are vehicles that travel on it. Then you will come to a white pillar on the left close to the bottom which is another trail that shoots back downstream. Do not take this for this will lead you to Cunard, but look ahead and take the trail that you will see on the right hand side of the road ahead of you. From then on it is a straight shot back towards the road and parking lot. You will first go across you last wooden bridge and eventually finish up on the pavement.