View Full Version : Water report Atkins-Pearisburg VA
has anyone recently (7-10 days) hiked the section of trail between Atkins and Perisburg VA.
if so what were the water levels like, anywhere you recall being dry?
thanks
Cedar Tree
09-15-2010, 10:30
I can't really help with water information, but I am interested too. I am planning on getting back on the trail starting with this section the last week in Sept. Maybe I'll see you out there.
Cedar Tree
ratfaceraines
09-15-2010, 11:54
i shuttle hikers out of pearisburg...recently hikers have indicated that water supplies are at a minimal---both north and south of town
Rain Man
09-15-2010, 15:35
I can't really help with water information, but I am interested too. I am planning on getting back on the trail starting with this section the last week in Sept. Maybe I'll see you out there.
Cedar Tree
Cedar Tree, I plan to lead a section hike from Bland to Pearisburg, probably the middle of October. I'd love to hear a report after your hike of water and trail conditions, if you're willing to share.
Rain:sunMan
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topshelf
09-15-2010, 18:20
I've been hiking in the area and it is very minimal, most are dried up, it is still flowing in some places, but when you find it you should load up and camel up as much as ya can. But with no rain in sight for us most can and may dry up at any time.
rambunny
09-15-2010, 21:00
From 42 to Bland is particularly dry.
I am also interested in this topic as I will be section hiking this November. Please post info when you guys get off the trail - and hello Cedar Tree - been a while since we chatted.
Jason
Big Dawg
09-16-2010, 19:00
hiking Atkins to Pearisburg mid-October,, was wondering about the water update as well. Hoping for substantial rain before then.
Jack Tarlin
09-16-2010, 19:07
What good timing for this thread. Will be hiking Bland to Damascus starting next week; any current info on water availability would be very useful, thanx in advance.
brotheral
09-17-2010, 06:55
What good timing for this thread. Will be hiking Bland to Damascus starting next week; any current info on water availability would be very useful, thanx in advance.
How many trail miles from Bland to Damascus ??
Add me to the list of "inquiring minds want to know." I'll be heading out in early October to hike from Daleville to Roan Mountain. Any info on the water situation will be greatly appreciated.
Rain Man -- Our paths may cross again this year. Hope to see you on the trail.
Rain Man
09-17-2010, 11:07
Rain Man -- Our paths may cross again this year. Hope to see you on the trail.
Honu, that would be great! Where did we meet last time? One thing I love about WB is all the members I run into on the trail. They are all over the place, it seems! LOL Seems like I ran into you the very morning I started a section hike with my youngest daughter from Hwy 19E and Mountain Harbour B&B/Hostel. Was that it?
So far this year, I've done section hikes from Dickey Gap to VA 42 and from 42 to Bland, with no water problems at all. Even when we were told it was dry, it wasn't. Thankfully. Depends on the weather, of course.
Rain:sunMan
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Rain Man -- It was last fall. To be precise -- October 10, 2009 just south of Jennings Creek between Cove Mountain Shelter and Bryant Ridge Shelter (had to look it up). I was SOBO, you were NOBO with Fishbone, DAKS, and one other (sorry, his name isn't in my journal). We talked and you took my photo.
I was planning to hike to Roan Mountain on that trip but took a nasty fall (several days before I met you). Kept hiking another 100+ miles but things kept getting worse, not better, so I bailed. Coming back out this fall to finish that section.
FlyPaper
09-17-2010, 14:31
Looking for very specific water information in the region. Can anyone confirm the water situation at Doc's Knob shelter? Also, there is a blue blaze spring just south of Angel's rest. Can anyone tell me the status of that spring?
Rain Man
09-17-2010, 15:22
Rain Man -- It was last fall. To be precise -- October 10, 2009 just south of Jennings Creek between Cove Mountain Shelter and Bryant Ridge Shelter (had to look it up). I was SOBO, you were NOBO with Fishbone, DAKS, and one other (sorry, his name isn't in my journal). We talked and you took my photo.
Ahhhh.... now I recall. You hike with mis-matched hiking poles. LOL That 3rd guy in my group was Tight-wad, from Alabama. An engineer and GREAT DIYer. Well, stay in touch and hopefully we'll see each other next month again! RM
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/1/2/9/3/columbus_day_at_hike_p1020976_thumb.jpg (http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=37016&c=member&orderby=dateline&direction=DESC&imageuser=1293&cutoffdate=-1) http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/1/2/9/3/columbus_day_at_hike_p1030213_thumb.jpg (http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=37042&c=member&orderby=dateline&direction=DESC&imageuser=1293&cutoffdate=-1)
Looking for very specific water information in the region. Can anyone confirm the water situation at Doc's Knob shelter? Also, there is a blue blaze spring just south of Angel's rest. Can anyone tell me the status of that spring?
give the folks at Woods Hole a call - they often hike up to Doc's knob and may have heard about the other spring
FlyPaper
09-18-2010, 19:17
give the folks at Woods Hole a call - they often hike up to Doc's knob and may have heard about the other spring
Thanks for the suggestion. For those who are interested, as of today the report from Doc's Knob is that it is a "mud puddle". I wish I could see it myself though. We've replenished a group of 8 guys from a "mud puddle" before. Still, my hike is a few days from now and I'm sure it will only get worse between now and then.
ratfaceraines
09-18-2010, 19:32
just hiked to the spring at angels' rest---spring is barely flowing..also ran into sobo hiker--shares same opinion springs' condition is unusable source of water...asked hiker to call me tomorrow with condition of spring at docs' knob
mateozzz
09-19-2010, 21:40
I just hiked from Daleville to 42 outside Blacksburg and it is very dry.
Tinker Creek has lots of water.
Lamberts Meadow campsite and shelter has just puddles and frogs in the stream bed, just a little seepage to keep them full enough to filter. They will probably be dry in the next week or so.
Campbell shelter has just puddles at the spring, probably dry soon.
Catawba Mountain shelter has a small spaghetti thin stream of water coming from the spring. Might stop soon.
Johns spring shelter has no water.
Catawba creek has water.
Pickle Branch shelter still has good water at the stream. Cool and several inches deep.
Niday shelter has low steady flow at the spring, not enough to soak the feet!
Sarver Hollow shelter is probably dry so I was told, too far off trail to check.
Sinking Creek has lots of water.
Big Dawg
09-20-2010, 10:01
good detail Mateozzz, thanks!!
just got off at pearisburg-major large water sources ok smaller stuff minimal or dry your worst section will be bland to pearisburg.maybe buy the time you start we will get some more rain.good luck slo.
rain man ,about the condition of the trail atkins to pearisburg both the trail and the shelters were in good condition the shelters clean and that new man bridge at va 615 laurel creek is something to behold slo
Rain Man
09-22-2010, 22:35
rain man ,about the condition of the trail atkins to pearisburg both the trail and the shelters were in good condition the shelters clean and that new man bridge at va 615 laurel creek is something to behold slo
Thanks for the info, Slo! And I've seen that bridge. Saw it on my last section hike, at end of August when I hiked from VA 42 at O'Lystery to US 52 at Bland. If I haven't posted a photo of it yet, I'll try to remember to do so.
Rain:sunMan
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Just posted on the other thread on this subject, it is DRY IN VIRGINIA
Pretty concerning, hope that everyone treats as being precious everything that is available, could be a tough fall. In this heat this makes up for some dangerous hiking, already one heart attack a few weeks ago, that slowed me down on the "ups" !!!
topshelf
09-23-2010, 17:45
Yeah, the trees are turning colors... they are all turning a nice brown where the leaves are dying...
Mrs Baggins
09-23-2010, 18:33
Yeah, the trees are turning colors... they are all turning a nice brown where the leaves are dying...
We're getting lovely reds, golds, oranges, yellows.....very beautiful.
Jack Tarlin
09-24-2010, 15:51
Brotheral:
Don't know if anyone answered your question but from Damascus to Bland is exactly 120 miles.
And thanx to people who provided info on water.
topshelf
09-25-2010, 23:23
It's finally raining here in Marion just South of Atkins, hopefully it'll rain for a week or two
littledragon
09-26-2010, 11:30
I am taking three guys on their first backpacking trip - we are heading to the Pearisburg area this Thursday. The plan is to start at Hwy. 608 and go to Pearisburg. Would it be possible to find some road crossings and stash water? I wanted this to be a positive first experience for them. Any suggestions?
Thanks for any input.
topshelf
09-26-2010, 13:09
Once you leave 608 you will cross Kimberling Creek around 5 miles in. Once you get to the highway there will be a store out to your left about 200 yards(don't remember exactly but its not far) then you will walk along Dismal Creek for some time. After this you will cross No Business Road, this is probably your best place to drop off some water. It is also about 11 miles out of Pearisburg.
littledragon
09-26-2010, 13:16
Thank you so very much!! I will mark that map so that we can do a drop on our way to Pearisburg where we are leaving the car.
mateozzz
09-30-2010, 20:24
Hopefully 3 inches of rain in the last few days got things flowing again!
Rain Man
09-30-2010, 22:12
Hopefully 3 inches of rain in the last few days got things flowing again!
I'll keep my fingers crossed for my planned Oct 15-18 section hike from Bland to Pearisburg!
Rain:sunMan
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Big Dawg
10-06-2010, 21:49
bump.....
any water updates?
Brass Rat
10-11-2010, 10:39
OK, water report from section hike 10/5-10/10:
Totally Dry from Bland - Jenny Knob shelter
A few small (stagnant) pools in the creek at Lickskillet Hollow
Kimberling Creek OK, but word was don't use the water
Dismal Creek good all the way, most of the small feeder creeks were dry
Good water near Wapiti shelter and where Dismal Creek crosses the AT 1/2 mi above
Dry from Sugar Run Mtn to Pearisburg - 16 miles (did not check Doc's Knob shelter)
Dry from Pearisburg to Peters Mtn - 19 miles
(did not check supposed water at Symms Gap Meadow and campsite mi 634.8)
Pine Swamp Branch shelter OK
Dismal Branch OK
Bailey Gap shelter dry
War Spur shelter OK
John's Creek OK
Laurel Creek shelter OK
That's all, folks. Water up when you have the opportunity.
Anyone know the water situation between 670 (S Fork Holston River) and US52?
FlyPaper
10-11-2010, 14:20
OK, water report from section hike 10/5-10/10:
Totally Dry from Bland - Jenny Knob shelter
A few small (stagnant) pools in the creek at Lickskillet Hollow
Kimberling Creek OK, but word was don't use the water
Dismal Creek good all the way, most of the small feeder creeks were dry
Good water near Wapiti shelter and where Dismal Creek crosses the AT 1/2 mi above
Dry from Sugar Run Mtn to Pearisburg - 16 miles (did not check Doc's Knob shelter)
Dry from Pearisburg to Peters Mtn - 19 miles
(did not check supposed water at Symms Gap Meadow and campsite mi 634.8)
Pine Swamp Branch shelter OK
Dismal Branch OK
Bailey Gap shelter dry
War Spur shelter OK
John's Creek OK
Laurel Creek shelter OK
That's all, folks. Water up when you have the opportunity.
I stayed at Bailey Gap on September 24th. The spring near the shelter was dry, but there was a spring 0.2 miles south of the shelter that was flowing very well. That was after a long dry spell before the most recent rain. I'd be surprised if that spring were not flowing now.
Rain Man
10-11-2010, 14:41
OK, water report from section hike 10/5-10/10:
...
That's all, folks. Water up when you have the opportunity.
Many thanks for the report! We leave Friday for Bland-to-Pearisburg.
Rain:sunMan
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mad4scrapping
10-11-2010, 14:47
Good water at the Priest shelter yesterday (10/10) Gorgeous day too. The parking lot at Crabtree falls was packed, but we went further up the road to the upper Crabtree falls parking area, where there was plenty of parking-- and water. :)
Taking a zero in Pearisburg after hiking from Daleville. To supplement the info mjkocher supplied:
There is a spring right alongside the trail about two miles south of Rice Field shelter. Didn't look great but there is water. There's an H2O sign about a mile north of the Rice Field Shelter. Didn't check it out.
I was told by a hiker at Bailey Gap shelter that there was water down the blue blaze trail 0.2 mile south of the shelter. I didn't need water so didn't check it out. There is a small flow of water (Dismal Branch?) in the Stony Creek Valley about half-way between Bailey Gap and Pine Swamp Branch shelter.
North of Laurel Creek shelter to Daleville: There is plenty of water.
A stream just south of VA 42
A stream just north of VA 630 (Sinking Creek Valley)
Niday Shelter has good water -- just be sure to go past all 3 "water" signs to the end of the spur trail. There's a little feeder early on that doesn't have much water, but a good flowing creek if you go to the end.
Picke Branch shelter -- good water.
VA 624 road crossing -- water flowing (creek or drainage ditch?) Convenience store with your choice of liquids only 0.4 mile away.
Catawba Creek (VA 785) is flowing well.
Catawba Mountain Shelter -- excellent spring water.
Campbell shelter -- didn't check it out but was told by several hikers there is water there but it's kind of skanky.
Lamberts Meadow shelter -- water. Walk upstream 50-100 yards and there are pools.
Honu - are you heading south? Would you mind posting an update on water heading towards Damscus? I am doing Damscus to Pearisburg in mid Nov. Weather shows some rain in late Oct hoping to increase water but would be nice to know if that hypothesis is true.
Jason
Water report between Pearisburg and VA603
Doc’s Knob shelter had a small pool – adequate.
Woodshole Hostel – 0.5 mile east down the dirt road at Sugar Run Gap (Sugar Run Road; VA 663) has water, soft drinks, juice.
Wapiti Shelter has good water.
A couple of creeks a mile or three south of Wapiti Shelter had water.
Dismal Creek had water. I camped at Dismal Creek Falls and got water there. If you don’t want to walk the 0.3 miles from the AT to the falls, there are a couple of places north of the Dismal Creek Falls Trail junction where the AT skirts Dismal Creek.
Kimberling Creek at VA 606 had water but I was told not to drink it.
At VA 608 there is a house next to the road crossing. I was told they would give hikers water but I didn’t need any so didn’t ask.
There were a couple of pools in the stream bed on the climb to Jenny Knob shelter, but nothing was flowing and I wouldn’t count on it.
Jenny Knob shelter was dry.
Helveys Mill shelter had water but it’s a long way down to get it.
There was decent water in Kimberling Creek at VA 612.
Laurel Creek had water.
Little Wolf Creek had water.
Jenkins Shelter had water.
Didn’t check out Davis Farm Campsite but someone had written on the water sign at the junction of the spur trail that there was no water there.
The pond 2 miles south of Chestnut Knob Shelter had water.
Lick Creek (1.25 mile south of USFS 222) had water and a nice campsite.
Lynn Camp Creek had water.
Crawfish Valley had water and a nice campsite. The campsite is adjacent to the trail and easy to spot. There was water there but I had stopped and got water several hundred yards north. There was a sign on the AT that identified the Crawfish Valley Trail and another sign attached to the same post that said "water – 100 feet" with an arrow pointing east.
There is a stream just north of where the trail crosses under I-81 but the water didn’t look particularly good. Probably better to get water (or other liquids of your choice) at Groseclose/the I-81 interchange. There are two convenience stores there and the Relax Inn if you want a motel stay.
Chatfield Shelter had water. The AT also cut across a couple of creeks/feeders north of the shelter that had water.
Partnership Shelter had water – a faucet in the back of the shelter. Don’t know if and when they shut off the water because of concerns about freezing. The Mt. Rogers NRA headquarters is only 100 or so yards away and I suppose you could get water there if it’s open but my understanding is that it’s only open 8:00 - 4:30 M-F this late in the season. It also has a Pepsi machine inside the visitor’s center.
The South Fork of the Holston River (at VA 670) had water.
Trimpi Shelter only had a puddle. But I got what I needed (2 liters).
Comers Creek had water but I was warned it was not potable.
A couple (3, 4 ?) miles south of Comers Creek there was a creek that had good water.
I was told Hurricane Mountain Shelter had water but didn’t check it out.
Fox Creek (at VA 603) had water.
Can’t tell you the water situation south of VA 603. My ride home came down a week early so I got off the trail there. But I met a NOBO at Trimpi Shelter who had come up from Damascus and said he had no problem getting water.
Brass Rat
11-02-2010, 13:07
Water report between Pearisburg and VA603
And to complement the report from honu, I added the following post:
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=66128
Probably should have put it here to being with.
Back from my section and the report above is on... there is supposedly water at jenny knob but I got in almost at dark after 24 miles and didn't check.