View Full Version : Shenny Resupply?
Do people hike from Waynesboro to Front Royal in one shot? Are there resupply/shower options within the park? I'm thinking it will take me 5-6 days (or maybe I should just hike faster?)
Cosmo
I did just that. I found a shower at one of the campgrounds, I forget which.
If you hit the park in-season, there are some resupply options within the park but they're not terrific. The campground stores are geared for road camping, natch.
There are, however, two or three good (and not expensive) restaurants, and several waysides with good eats, in particular, the blackberry milkshakes.
All in all SNP was the most ummm... "civilized" piece of AT I ever walked. As in: not wilderness. You're never very far from the parkway. Wonderful views, nicely graded trails. Nothing remotely like New England!
Studlintsean
02-02-2016, 23:24
There are waysides and there are restaurants that you will pass as hike along the AT. This website has some good information: http://www.goshenandoah.com/dining. Most waysides have limited resupply options. I mostly hike in the Northern Section so I have frequented Elkwallow and Skyland more than the others (hiked through the central and southern section years ago).
Elkwallow- burgers, fries, beers, soda, water, pretzels, etc.
Skyland- Full restaurant and bar
Big Meadows- Full restaurant and bar
Loft Mountain- burgers, fries, beers, soda, water, pretzels, etc.
I assume this information is also in the AT Guide (I do not have it so I am not sure).
Slo-go'en
02-02-2016, 23:35
Yes, in season there are plenty of options for fast food and resupply. The waysides all stock a small selection of Mountain house type meals and your usual assortment of snacks. And the prices aren't all that bad considering the convenience.
Do people hike from Waynesboro to Front Royal in one shot? Are there resupply/shower options within the park? I'm thinking it will take me 5-6 days (or maybe I should just hike faster?)
Cosmo
AT thru-hikers mostly do. By the time they reach S NP they are in full thru hiker mode. SNP is flat compared to what they've already experienced so usually approach the S NP section by flying through it at light speed.
Cosmo, you'll fly through SNP. Unless you stop too long for all the views. ;)
Thanks folks. Hoping to get into the park right after Labor Day. Any thoughts on parking and shuttles from Front Royal to Waynesboro, or even Buchannon? Retiring at the end of the semester and looking forward to a little fall hiking time...
Cosmo
I hiked from Waynesboro to HF without resupply by eating well at the waysides as well as at Skyland. You can also resupply at waysides if you aren't particular about food variety. I timed my section hike for mid April right after all the waysides opened up.
one of the best things is onesie beer at the waysides
GoldenBear
02-03-2016, 22:18
> I found a shower at one of the campgrounds, I forget which.
http://www.virginia.org/listings/PlacesToStay/ShenandoahNationalParkCamping/
These pdf's show where shower (and other) facilities are located at each campground:
http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/upload/big_meadows_camp_combined.pdf
http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/upload/loft_mtn_camp_combined.pdf
http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/upload/lewis_mtn_campground.pdf
Note that the showers require quarters to operate, although a change machine is available.
Note also that the showers do close at a certain hour; I think 10pm.
Thanks folks. Hoping to get into the park right after Labor Day. Any thoughts on parking and shuttles from Front Royal to Waynesboro, or even Buchannon? Retiring at the end of the semester and looking forward to a little fall hiking time...
Cosmo
Woo Hoo! Congrats on the retirement! PS, the park is pretty crowded on Labor Day weekend, that's exactly when I arrived (heading sobo.) I'll bet you could work out a deal with one of the motels in either Front Royal or Waynesboro for shuttle and/or parking.
MuddyWaters
02-03-2016, 23:56
In season, you can eat enough food from waysides that you dont have to carry much food, or resupply.
Yes, SNP has limited supply; however, you do not need to carry as much food if you partake in some of the wonderful options! (Note: I carried WAY TO MUCH FOOD through SNP!!!)
Big Meadows: Cheeseburgers are Paradise!!! (Wow! I actually remember a hiker almost running past me, claiming she was on her way to the cheeseburgers. Yes, they are worth it!)
Skyland- Heavenly Breakfast = Blackberry pancakes, or blueberry/strawberry pancakes or eggs/ whatever breakfast you want... They actually had blackberry syrup!!! Yum! (Yes, we ended up leaving our shelter a bit early to make sure and time it to get here by mid-morning. But, oh, it was so worth it!!!
Loft Mountain- While they have a restaurant that has burgers, fries, beers, soda, water, pretzels, etc.), I just used the shower!
Elkwallow- Blackberry Shakes here!!!! Yes! (yet, they also have burgers, fries, beers, soda, water, pretzels, etc.)
Cookerhiker
02-04-2016, 11:11
It's 3 miles off the trail from Swift Run Gap down to Elkton, but the Blue Ridge Country Store has supplies and accepts maildrops. This thread (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/83449-Finally-!!-A-new-business-that-will-accept-food-drops-near-Shenandoah-Nat-l-Park?highlight=) describes the store, opened in 2012. I checked to see if they were still open and here's their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Blue-Ridge-Country-Store-Deli-244888349006393/).
Ooooops. Posted this in the wrong place a few minutes ago.
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.
I see this as potentially very useful when the waysides are closed for the season. It is good to have options