View Full Version : any recommendations on hiking a section in VA at the end of April
was planning to hike a section in VA to include the Grayson Highlands... probably 5-7 days or so...any recommendations?
thanks
MuddyWaters
02-18-2017, 23:52
Better to end in a town than at a road crossing in middle of nowhere.
Pastor Bryon
02-19-2017, 05:26
Buy the Southwest Virginia AT guidebook, figure out how many miles per day you can hike, then go from one town to another with GH in between.
illabelle
02-19-2017, 06:06
Damascus is obvious as one endpoint. From there it's 75 miles to Atkins (www.atdist.com) or 64 to Sugar Grove. Weather permitting, we'll be in GH with a group of newby backpackers at the end of April. Maybe we'll cross paths. We'll be r e a l l y slow. :)
Lone Wolf
02-19-2017, 08:51
the trail will be packed with thru-hike attempters in that area
bigcranky
02-19-2017, 09:58
Atkins to Damascus. Park in Damascus, get a shuttle, hike back. 75 or so miles, nice section.
ldsailor
02-22-2017, 16:25
In October 2016 I hiked with a couple of fellows who parked their car at Mt. Rogers Outfitters in Damascus. One of the guys at Mt. Rogers shuttled them back to Hot Springs for what the two fellows said was a very reasonable price (seem to remember $230 - long way). You might want to check with Mt. Rogers Outfitters. Their store is right on the main street in Damascus and the cars in the lot are viewable from the street, so it might be a pretty secure location.
Go to Luray. Check in with the hostel and take their shuttle south. Hike north back to Luray.
If you do high miles, go to Harpers Ferry and hike south to Luray.
Hikingjim
02-22-2017, 20:36
If you go further north in VA you won't see many thru hikers, but a few early/fast ones. Rockfish gap (waynesborough) and head south is excellent for 5-7 days. You could end in glascow or further north or south. Easy to get shuttles there.
There might be a few thru-hikers there, but not many. Very scenic, challenging relative to some other areas in VA. I would rather do that then shenandoah, etc
Did that section start of May last year. Excellent time of year
johnnybgood
02-22-2017, 20:48
Spend a day hiking the trails of the Grayson Highlands before either trekking south to Damascus or north to Atkins. The AT heading south will be heavy with northbound hikers.
Mr. Bumpy
02-22-2017, 21:20
Park in Damascus. Hike the Iron Mountain Trail north (this is the old AT and still has two or three shelters) then cross over to the highlands and go back to Damascus following the AT south. Much easier logistics. You will get some solitude on the IMT. If you need to bail a shuttle is never far away. If you are going slower than planned you can cut miles and hike in on the Creeper Trail.