Catawba Mountain Shelter (VA)

[Kerosene]

Lovely basic 6-person design formed with close-fitted plywood that doesn't give the mice any direct access. Two fancy, industrial strength food bag holders with multiple hooks available, although one was broken somehow as of October 2003.

Picnic table is uncovered and raised off the slope to make it level, which makes it difficult to sit down and get up, or even stand by the downill side of the table to cook.

Privy is in front of shelter to the left about 100 feet. A nice piped spring is just south back on the Trail (to the right heading south).

Western exposure, so you might see a nice sunset over the ridge but obscured by trees. Moderate direct sunlight.

The Trail here that passes within 50 feet of the shelter is heavily used by day hikers climbing up from the road to McAfee Knob, especially on weekends.

Click here for a picture of the shelter.

[BlackCloud]

As of 6/18 the cabin was clean and empty. Nothing exciting to report other then my surprise to find 3 shelters w/in 5 miles!

Never before...

[Whistler]

Very clean and accessible. The only complaint for me in late June was a hyperactive whip-poor-will who refused to sleep.
-Mark

[jlb2012]

passed by on Wed. 7 Sep 2005 - spring was going well just off of the AT south of the shelter. Privy was a bit buggy if I remember correctly.

[bulldog49]

Planning to stay here next month on a section hike.

Any updates on the shelter, especially on water availability?

[f8lranger4x4]

I was just up the other day and water is a trickle. But still plenty of water. About the most reliable water on this section.

[sweetpeastu]

has anyone heard of any bears problems in this area recently?

[f8lranger4x4]

No i haven't been up many times recently and never heard of bears around their

[Berserker]

Nice shelter that sits on a slope as noted by others. Not much in the way of tenting next to the shelter, but there is a designated camp spot a few hundred yards North on the AT that could accommodate several tents. Campbell shelter 2.4 miles North has room for several tents near it, plus there is the Pig Farm campsite just South of Campbell.

[fehchet]

Nice shelter that sits on a slope as noted by others. Not much in the way of tenting next to the shelter, but there is a designated camp spot a few hundred yards North on the AT that could accommodate several tents. Campbell shelter 2.4 miles North has room for several tents near it, plus there is the Pig Farm campsite just South of Campbell.

Is this a bacon reference?

[Diatribe]

Nice shelter that sits on a slope as noted by others ... Campbell shelter 2.4 miles North has room for several tents near it, plus there is the Pig Farm campsite just South of Campbell.

Would someone explain what the Pig Farm Campsite is?
Thanks!

[Hikerhead]

Would someone explain what the Pig Farm Campsite is?
Thanks!

Just a little campsite with a picnic table and fire ring right beside the trail. It used to be a pig farm there many many many years ago. It's a nice little spot.

[Berserker]

Just a little campsite with a picnic table and fire ring right beside the trail. It used to be a pig farm there many many many years ago. It's a nice little spot.

Thanks for explaining that Hikerhead. I apologize for the confusion everyone. This spot is labeled as the "Pig Farm Campsite" on the 2001 version of the official ATC map for this section, which is why I referred to it in those terms.