howdy folks - my girlfriend and I did 19 miles this past weekend in SNP - it was a great circuit hike that we were planning on taking over two days, but did it in a little under a day. From SDMP 28 went down Neighbor Mtn Trail between the ridgeline and the summit of Neighbor Mtn. Said summit = no views in summer. The hike down to Jeremy's Run Trail was quick. The hike along Jeremy's Run (should be gnat's run, or at least now we know why Jeremy Ran) was rather flat and criss crossed the dry remains of what looks like a hefty spring time run. We camped next to the run which babbled all night long. Thunderstorms never quite set in on us, however the sky rumbled from 6PM to midnight. Day 2 we started up Jeremy's Run Trail to Elkwallow Wayside and up over Skyline Drive to the AT. Took Piney Ridge Trail down other side of ridge and hiked through some of the most beautiful trees I have ever seen. Took Fork Mtn Trail and passed through 2 dozen spider webs to Hull School Trail back to SD near Byrd Shelter. Fairly steep ending to the hike, but the views/breeze atop was well worth it. Wildlife: 2 black bears, 1 deer, and one rather large and lazy garter snake. SNP is only 1.5 hours from where I live in DC metro and a fantastic escape. Lotsa trail running going on. Not sure if it was an event or if people like using the trail for it's flatness. If there were more water in the run there would be some great spots to plunge in and cool off.

Looking for more 1-2 day hikes in SNP. Any suggestions?

This info is posted elsewhere as well... Check out Henry Heatwole's Guide at: http://www.ajheatwole.com/guide/.

Also visit the PATC website at: http://www.patc.net/index.htm

The three PATC AT maps cover the side trails. By string several blue blaze trails together you put to gether a lot of multi day trips. PATC also has a section on SNP with recommended hikes....

I, too, live fairly close to SNP, near Martinsburg, WV. Thanks for the report, and thanks, Don, for your info. I have the AT Data Book for Shenandoah National Park, but I can check out the additional info. I went to the Shenandoahs for my last backpacking trip: I hiked from Little Stony Man Parking Area to Big Meadowns Campground, where I tented, then to Bearfence Hut on the second day, where I shared the hut with a southbounder named Gizmo on the second night, then back to Big Meadows, where I tented again for the third night, then back to my car at Little Stony Man Parking Area. Putting together blue-blazed trails, etc. would be great and could eliminate backtracking(although I've found that I notice things I didn't notice when hiking in the opposite direction from which I first hiked.) This took place last November.

our only real issue with the side trails were that they were at times overgrown. that was it. the trails were otherwise beautiful and we were the only ones hiking them, save the church group we ran into on the Hull School Trail.

The SNP side trails book is great!