Finally !! A new business that will accept food drops near Shenandoah Nat'l Park.

[johnnybgood]

This is great news , just in time for thru hiker season in SNP .

The Blue Ridge Country Store & Deli, (was previously called Bear Market ) is under new management.
Michael Betts is a super nice guy that says he wants to help hikers and is ready for mail/package drops anytime, free of charge.

The sign out front reads " Country Store & Deli " and is located 3 miles from the Swift Run Gap Entrance Station and is a great place to get hot sandwiches and is priced cheaper than the Waysides inside SNP. Duh ! you think ?

Michael will be stocking denatured alcohol,moleskin,hiker socks and other assorted hiker stuff along with groceries.
I believe he also mentioned fuel cannisters for stoves ; MSR, SnowPeak.

He currently is trying to get his business on the world wide web, but it may take a few additional months for that to happen. He also offers WiFi connection for hikers. He may even be able to shuttle hikers sometimes ,if not busy.

He can be reached at (540)-298-9826

[Cookerhiker]

John, is that on the east side of Swift Run Gap (towards Ruckersille) or west near Elkton?

[Lone Wolf]

not an easy hitch. not very convienant.

[johnnybgood]

John, is that on the east side of Swift Run Gap (towards Ruckersille) or west near Elkton?

Elkton side Bill.

[Cookerhiker]

not an easy hitch. not very convienant.

3 miles not convenient? There's lots of other well-known resupply places further than that. As to whether it's an easy hitch, it depends on time of year, time of day.

Oh, I get it now Wolf - it's your sarcasm doubtlessly and understandably spurred by the inanities of this year's thruhikers in Damascus whose needs for convenience are only satisfied with room service and valet parking.

[Lone Wolf]

3 miles not convenient? There's lots of other well-known resupply places further than that. As to whether it's an easy hitch, it depends on time of year, time of day.

Oh, I get it now Wolf - it's your sarcasm doubtlessly and understandably spurred by the inanities of this year's thruhikers in Damascus whose needs for convenience are only satisfied with room service and valet parking.

nope. just a fact.resupply is plentiful in the park

[Blissful]

Lots of traffic on Rt 33. Easy hitch compared to say Rt 60 to Beuna Vista.

[Blissful]

nope. just a fact.resupply is plentiful in the park

Depends on the time of year. This is good for sectioners, esp the canister issue (which the waysides don't have). Thru hikers don't need it going through at 25 plus miles a day... I have seen hikers hitching at this spot...plus Harrisonburg is a trail community designation.

[Skyline]

If leaving the trail in SNP, Luray (west on US211 at Thornton Gap) has a lot more going for it than Elkton, and is an AT Trail Community. It also has a hostel and an outfitter in addition to many stores, restaurants, a P.O., and a theatre. Luray is also real close to the halfway point between Waynesboro (Rockfish Gap) and Harpers Ferry.

Better luck hitching if, when you get to US211, you walk east (slightly uphill) about 0.1 mi. to just the other side of the Skyline Drive bridge that goes over US211. There is a better chance of being seen there by approaching traffic driving west, vehicles aren't going as fast, those exiting SNP (your most likely hitch) can see you, and there is ample room for cars or trucks to pull over.