Jim & Molly Denton Shelter (VA)

[Kerosene]

The first in a string of exceptional PATC shelters heading north (Rod Hollow and David Lesser are the others). I was going to overnight here in October 2001, but I was feeling strong after starting out at Front Royal and it was a lovely day for hiking, so I pushed on to Manassas Gap. Big mistake!

I ate lunch here in the company of Groundpounder and his son, SOBOs from Connecticut out for a week. The shelter design is similar to David Lesser: Dining pavilion, porch with bench seating outside the shelter, clean, a great front yard that gets a lot of sun, a piped spring with water drawn from a spigot, plus a cold-water shower that I wasn't dirty enough to take advantage of yet.

All in all, a great shelter. I think I read that Tom Floyd Wayside, just north of SNP, was recently rebuilt. If you're a NOBO and not stopping in Front Royal, then I'd shoot to stay at the Denton Shelter instead of Tom Floyd.

[Newb]

I was at the denton shelter in May of 2005 and the shower was non functional. At least I couldn't figure it out...

[Blissful]

We stopped by the Denton shelter on 4/12/06, the shower was up and running and the place looked great. A great place to stay, IMO.

[Lemni Skate]

This is the best shelter in my section of the AT (I hike Harper's Ferry to Rockfish Gap mostly). I bet people day hike here just to have a family picnic.

I was stunned by what an awesome shelter this was when I got there, but I was too dumb to figure out the shower.

[C Seeker]

This is the best shelter in my section of the AT (I hike Harper's Ferry to Rockfish Gap mostly). I bet people day hike here just to have a family picnic.

I was stunned by what an awesome shelter this was when I got there, but I was too dumb to figure out the shower.
I live six miles from the shelter, and when My mom and me have free time on a weekend and feel up to it, we hike to the shelter. It normally is a Sunday afternoon, so lunch is passed but that doesn't mean a nice cup of (tea, or coffee) isn't nice to have. Lat time I went I was testing out my stove and when i went to blow it out, I found the flame shooting at me and some of my hair getting shorter :eek:

It is my favorite shelter and would love to spend the night but is just so close to home that there is no point to. But right now the shelter along with many others are swarmed with stickbugs, so beware.

[firemountain]

This is one of my favorite shelters. I stayed in December of 2006 on my thru hike. I got in early and lounged around reading a scifi short story book I found. During the night I woke up to pee and watched an incredible meteor shower that went on for some time. I remember how amazing clear the sky was.

[IronGutsTommy]

great shelter, verrrrrrry nice adirondack-style bench on the patio that accomodates a weary hiker wonderfully. nice separate covered picnic area. I couldnt figure the shower out either but maybe it was just empty due to lack of rain in late fall. great shelter and theres a small resupply town named leaton about 2 miles north of it where the owner will drive you back to the trail. ( for you cheaters out there, he even offers to drive you to a fire road thatll take you right to the next shelter... resist the temptation. DO, however, accept the free beers he keeps in a cooler during the ride though)

[Slow n' Steady]

I stopped here for a snack and a shower and ended up staying a while, enjoying the double Adirondack chair. I would have stayed here if I'd planned it right. I will next time.

[bamboo bob]

I never stayed there but in 2002 I got to hang out with Grits there. Next time I'll leave Front Royal later in the day with a goal of sleeping there. It is another one of those in between shelters for NOBO thru-hikers.