Originally Posted by
Southerner
As far as through-hikers, the vast majority of GAMErs will have passed through Virginia by then. You may encounter a few stragglers, mainly those who left late from Springer and are booking or those who are partying their way north and may not care all that much about reaching Katahdin by the end of the season. As to MEGAs, you would start seeing them in greater numbers the farther north you make it, especially if you are say near the midpoint in southern PA by mid-August. As to day and section hikers, summer is a popular time on the AT in Virginia, so expect to see Scouts, church groups, families, and the like, especially in touristy sections like Shenandoah Nat'l Park, Catawba Mountain, and Grayson Highlands. You may find shelters and popular camping sites full on nice weekends.
The heat can be rather oppressive in Virginia in July, even in the mountains. Last year, temperatures were over the 100-degree mark for several days in early July even in Roanoke. That was a bit unusual, but not unheard of. In a typical year, Virginia's mountains have thunderstorms every few days, but droughts are not uncommon, and springs could run dry in a heat wave. Then again, the same could be said about the trail just about any place south of Green Mountains in July.
If you are in good hiking shape at the onset of your trip, Damascus heading north would probably work. However, if you are not in pretty good hiking shape at the onset, you may want to consider starting at say Harpers Ferry and heading southbound through Virginia. Going northbound, you will be hitting the hardest sections of Virginia pretty soon into your trip.
Hope that helps, and enjoy hiking Virginia! It is one of the most pleasant states on the trail (which is good since it is so daggone long).
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