4 days and 3 nights in SNP
Hello all and thanks for reading. After waffling on whether or not to do our annual sprink hike, my friend and I decided we are going to hit Shen. It is only about 2.5 weeks out at this point. He was thinking of us going from Thornton gap to Swift run gap. I have just started researching it on my end. Any advice, tips, et cetera would be appreciated. We are going to have 1 vehicle. We can either do a loop or hitch hike or shuttle or whatever.
How are the water levels around this area? Are there bug concerns in early April?
Is the shelter situation similar to the SMNP where you aren't supposed to pitch your tent unless the shelter is full?
Thanks in advance for any advice
SNP and I have a beautiful friendship
So I can answer a lot of questions.
> we'll hit skyland after about 4 miles. Is there camping here or just a resort?
It's a resort. Indeed, it was one of the first tourist resorts in the area that became Shenandoah.
> So would you skip skyland and find a spot a few miles past it to camp for night 3?
Keep walking. As noted in this URL
http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/campbc_regs.htm
"No camping may occur ... within ¼ mile of a paved road, park boundary, or park facilities such as a campground, picnic area, visitor center, lodge, wayside, or restaurant."
So you won't be able to pitch a tent till you're past this area.
> Also I keep hearing about pay showers. Are there any on the stretch that I'm referring to?
As this pdf notes
http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisi...campground.pdf
there are pay showers at Big Meadows, between the picnic area and the camping area.
> Is there anything else in this stretch that I should hop off of the A.T. to see?
If the air is clear, take a couple minutes to view the scenery from the overlooks.
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/show...mageuser=13863
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/show...mageuser=13863