McCormick Gap Overlook

McCormick Gap Overlook sits at 2,449 feet along Skyline Drive, facing 30 degrees toward the southern end of the Shenandoah Valley. The land drops 600 feet within 600 meters of the overlook. The Shenandoah Valley is bordered by the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east and the Valley and Ridge Appalachians to the west. From this point, Calf Mountain Overlook is visible to the northeast at 1.5 miles, with Ramsey Mountain to the north at 2.2 miles and Calf Mountain itself to the east-northeast at 2.4 miles, rising to 2,983 feet. Farther off, Sawmill Ridge Overlook, Sawmill Run Overlook, Turk Mountain Overlook, and Goat Ridge all lie to the north-northeast, ranging from 3.7 to 5.8 miles away. Staunton is 15.0 miles west-northwest, Charlottesville is 18.9 miles east, and Harrisonburg is 26.9 miles north. Beagle Gap Overlook precedes this stop on the drive, with McCormick Gap Overview next. The origin of the name Shenandoah is unknown, though it is generally believed to be of American Indian origin.