Best time of year for a 5 day hike sobo thru SNP?

[saltysack]

As I like less crowds and cooler temps what month would most likely meet this criteria...with the usual lack of time off I'd likely have 5 days to hike the 108 +\~ miles. I'm planning to take my wife to do the 40 mile section just north of Damascus early/mid October so likely would have to be after November....any input appreciated...


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[Tipi Walter]

It MUST be done in January/February when the screaming, roaring motorcyclists are not on the highway! October is one of the worst times to be out backpacking anywhere near a so-called "scenic motor loop" such as the skyline drive. Changing fall colors brings out the rolling hordes with their high decibel custom mufflers. Avoid at all costs. I pulled my stint in the Shenandoah in early March when all the businesses were closed etc. Pleasant.

[jimmyjam]

Early spring is nice, after the campgrounds and waysides open. Check the park web site for dates.

[MuddyWaters]

Late oct. is good. To early nov.

Yeah, popular time. But to see the leaves, you got to endure.

Its not wilderness. Its a park. Waysides are awesome in that context. Cool temps can show up in oct, or in dec. Just depends

[George]

I did it in Jan and for more than half the gates were locked and I had the place to myself - downside is no wayside services

[Dogwood]

Early Nov post high peak leaf peeper season but maybe with still some quiet, coolness, colorful fall leaves, and few people.

[Kaptainkriz]

Love this!

It MUST be done in January/February when the screaming, roaring motorcyclists are not on the highway! October is one of the worst times to be out backpacking anywhere near a so-called "scenic motor loop" such as the skyline drive. Changing fall colors brings out the rolling hordes with their high decibel custom mufflers. Avoid at all costs. I pulled my stint in the Shenandoah in early March when all the businesses were closed etc. Pleasant.

[saltysack]

January to February sounds perfect.....I assume spikes probably needed? I'll at least bring a few screws...thx all I agree with Tipi the road noise can ruin the wilderness experience....


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[MuddyWaters]

January to February sounds perfect.....I assume spikes probably needed? I'll at least bring a few screws...thx all I agree with Tipi the road noise can ruin the wilderness experience....
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Dont think snp is wilderness, its a park
You cross road all the time, and are seldom more than 100 yds from road. Its a beautiful park, but the AT there is nothing like wilderness. Its a park. Its a park. Its a park.

Dont think snp is wilderness, its a park
You cross road all the<img src="https://image.ibb.co/egY1vQ/IMG_20170716_150250426.jpg" alt="IMG_20170716_150250426" border="0"> time, and are seldom<img src="https://image.ibb.co/egY1vQ/IMG_20170716_150250426.jpg" alt="IMG_20170716_150250426" border="0"> more than 200 yds from road. Its a beautiful park, but the AT there is nothing like wilderness

[Hosh]

Sounds like we need to hike further from the roads. Of course there are still the BlackHawk helicopters to deal with or the NSA satellites. That part of the world is still highly influenced by the Duke of Hazards, so make sure to wear an Armadillo helmet with aluminum foil, using integrated ear protection of course.

[Dogwood]

It MUST be done in January/February when the screaming, roaring motorcyclists are not on the highway! October is one of the worst times to be out backpacking anywhere near a so-called "scenic motor loop" such as the skyline drive. Changing fall colors brings out the rolling hordes with their high decibel custom mufflers. Avoid at all costs. I pulled my stint in the Shenandoah in early March when all the businesses were closed etc. Pleasant.

Allman Brothers or Grateful Dead to the rescue. Ever listen to the "sounds of nature" full CD set while in Nature? Try Bob Seeger's Roll Me Away or especially for you Main Street or Willie Nelson's On the Road Again. :D Chitty chitty bang bang Vroom Vroom chitty chitty bang bang Vroom Vroom. Make a song out of it next time. Play with it rather than let yourself get intro a complaining ungrateful state.

So you walk to every hike... or do you get transported in a vehicle with an internal Vroom Vroom combustion engine? Some folks experience Nature in their front yard on the streets you drive.

[Dogwood]

The aliens have started using X Ray tech to see through and influence brainwaves if you wear an aluminum helmet. Mine is made from titanium...UL of course.

[Tipi Walter]

Allman Brothers or Grateful Dead to the rescue. Ever listen to the "sounds of nature" full CD set while in Nature? Try Bob Seeger's Roll Me Away or especially for you Main Street or Willie Nelson's On the Road Again. :D Chitty chitty bang bang Vroom Vroom chitty chitty bang bang Vroom Vroom. Make a song out of it next time. Play with it rather than let yourself get intro a complaining ungrateful state.

So you walk to every hike... or do you get transported in a vehicle with an internal Vroom Vroom combustion engine? Some folks experience Nature in their front yard on the streets you drive.

Bad idea to listen to music while hiking in our current furnace conditions whereby you don't hear the rattle of Mr rattlesnake.

Millions upon millions of Americans are transported in rolling engined vehicles. But sometimes we would like to go to "wild" places---and make a special effort to do so---where we are not bombarded by the noise pollution of other humans.

Obviously you have never backpacked and camped in the Southeast mountains of NC, Georgia or TN---where overhead jet traffic is near constant and harley jack-hammer roars ruin the mountains anywhere in a 10 mile radius of a paved road. You mention getting transported in a vehicle to a trailhead---but curiously no mention of the original comment about incredibly loud motorcyclists ruining the outdoor experience. Most especially on the skyline drive.

[Hikingjim]

As I like less crowds and cooler temps what month would most likely meet this criteria...with the usual lack of time off I'd likely have 5 days to hike the 108 +\~ miles. I'm planning to take my wife to do the 40 mile section just north of Damascus early/mid October so likely would have to be after November....any input appreciated...
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Winter or never. There's better places to enjoy in the fall. Hardly enjoyed snp at all. constantly near the road, average AT scenery, no good creeks/rivers
I may be a bit biased here. Some people there seemed to think it was fantastic...

The section just south of the shenandoah (sobo from rockfish gap) was much better.

[saltysack]

Winter or never. There's better places to enjoy in the fall. Hardly enjoyed snp at all. constantly near the road, average AT scenery, no good creeks/rivers
I may be a bit biased here. Some people there seemed to think it was fantastic...

The section just south of the shenandoah (sobo from rockfish gap) was much better.

I did rockfish to 60 last April....nice hike but had torrential rains....maybe I'll hit another trail or section instead.


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[Turk6177]

I did Nobo from NOC to Standin Bear around the end of October. The temperatures seemed ideal for hiking.


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[Rmcpeak]

I did Chester Gap to Swift Run in November. It was chilly but beautiful. Saw quite a few bears. Had the place mostly to myself.

[Hosh]

Bad idea to listen to music while hiking in our current furnace conditions whereby you don't hear the rattle of Mr rattlesnake.

Millions upon millions of Americans are transported in rolling engined vehicles. But sometimes we would like to go to "wild" places---and make a special effort to do so---where we are not bombarded by the noise pollution of other humans.

Obviously you have never backpacked and camped in the Southeast mountains of NC, Georgia or TN---where overhead jet traffic is near constant and harley jack-hammer roars ruin the mountains anywhere in a 10 mile radius of a paved road. You mention getting transported in a vehicle to a trailhead---but curiously no mention of the original comment about incredibly loud motorcyclists ruining the outdoor experience. Most especially on the skyline drive.

Ever notice how people become much grumpier as they age. I guess we all like our view of the world and the aging process reduces our ability to look beyond our shrinking "corridor of life experiences". I am guilty myself, but try to surround myself with younger people and avoid the old ones that bitch all the time.
People enjoy the outdoors in many different ways, it's all good when they get out of their houses or condos and appreciate the open spaces.

[saltysack]

I did Nobo from NOC to Standin Bear around the end of October. The temperatures seemed ideal for hiking.


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Wrong park[emoji51]...


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[saltysack]

I did Chester Gap to Swift Run in November. It was chilly but beautiful. Saw quite a few bears. Had the place mostly to myself.

Bears and other wildlife are another reason why I wanted to experience the park. I remember watching an awesome video of the solitude that winter brings by Kookiemoose on YouTube a few years back.....this solitude is what I seek...


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[MuddyWaters]

Bears and other wildlife are another reason why I wanted to experience the park. I remember watching an awesome video of the solitude that winter brings by Kookiemoose on YouTube a few years back.....this solitude is what I seek...


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What really gets to me about shensndoah, is most views are same. The predominate view of the populated valley to the west., and ridge on other side.

Its essentially the only view for 100 miles, and it looks the same every time you see it. I recall one view to east

[Lyle]

Just as an advisory, I will relate my experience on a mid-November hike in SNP:

November, 1987, a friend an I decided to hike from Bearfence Mountain hut to Front Royal. The hike started out with daytime temps in the mid to upper 70's. Hiking shirtless for most of the time. Hike was very un-eventful, thoroughly enjoyable. When we reached Elkwallow Wayside, the facilities were closed, but a couple of workers were there, cleaning and removing supplies for the winter. They told us of a relatively sever storm coming out way that evening.

Our original plan had been to stay in the vicinity of the Range View Cabin that evening. We decided to hike on the the Gravel Springs Hut, in order to have better shelter if the storm did hit. When we arrived at Gravel Springs, the weather was still very pleasant and warm, so warm that I decided to take some spring water and wash my hair.

As the late afternoon progressed, the rain started, becoming quite hard at times, then while cooking dinner, the temperature plummeted and the rain changed to sleet, and eventually freezing rain, coating all of the trees and brush in thick ice. In order to preserve some heat, we set up out tent inside the hut. As evening fell, the rain/sleet turned to snow, very intense snow. Trees and limbs began cracking and crashing down all around us - we were very glad to be inside a stone shelter. The snow continued throughout the night.

Next morning, there was about 14" of snow with a lot of drifting. We needed to hike that day in order to meet out ride at Front Royale in two days time, so we packed up and headed up the trail. The branches were so weighted down that we were forced to squat and "duck walk". We were not going to make the Floyd Wayside at this rate, so we back-tracked and headed out to the Skyline Drive, where we figured the hiking would be more doable. What we found was a roadway completely socked in with 12 and 14 foot drifts, but generally at least a very narrow strip of roadway blown clear of snow. The temps remained well below freezing with high winds. My lightweight gloves were frozen solid for the entire day, but no frostbite, thankfully.

We eventually made the Tom Floyd Wayside, and again set up out tent inside the shelter - another very cold night. Next morning we awoke to bright sunshine. We packed up and headed out. The woods was absolutely gorgeous!!!! Sun glistening in the trees, totally calm and peaceful, pleasantly warm. We slowly hiked out to the Front Royal road crossing. As we exited the woods, and started out descent across the meadow, we say our friend park her car, waiting to pick us up - absolutely perfect timing.

We had to wait another couple of days before we could retrieve my hiking partner's car that we had parked along the Skyline Drive. To this day, that hike is one of the most memorable, and that last morning one of the most beautiful that I have experienced.

My point in all this: Go for a November hike, but be prepared for the unexpected.

[saltysack]

Just as an advisory, I will relate my experience on a mid-November hike in SNP:

November, 1987, a friend an I decided to hike from Bearfence Mountain hut to Front Royal. The hike started out with daytime temps in the mid to upper 70's. Hiking shirtless for most of the time. Hike was very un-eventful, thoroughly enjoyable. When we reached Elkwallow Wayside, the facilities were closed, but a couple of workers were there, cleaning and removing supplies for the winter. They told us of a relatively sever storm coming out way that evening.

Our original plan had been to stay in the vicinity of the Range View Cabin that evening. We decided to hike on the the Gravel Springs Hut, in order to have better shelter if the storm did hit. When we arrived at Gravel Springs, the weather was still very pleasant and warm, so warm that I decided to take some spring water and wash my hair.

As the late afternoon progressed, the rain started, becoming quite hard at times, then while cooking dinner, the temperature plummeted and the rain changed to sleet, and eventually freezing rain, coating all of the trees and brush in thick ice. In order to preserve some heat, we set up out tent inside the hut. As evening fell, the rain/sleet turned to snow, very intense snow. Trees and limbs began cracking and crashing down all around us - we were very glad to be inside a stone shelter. The snow continued throughout the night.

Next morning, there was about 14" of snow with a lot of drifting. We needed to hike that day in order to meet out ride at Front Royale in two days time, so we packed up and headed up the trail. The branches were so weighted down that we were forced to squat and "duck walk". We were not going to make the Floyd Wayside at this rate, so we back-tracked and headed out to the Skyline Drive, where we figured the hiking would be more doable. What we found was a roadway completely socked in with 12 and 14 foot drifts, but generally at least a very narrow strip of roadway blown clear of snow. The temps remained well below freezing with high winds. My lightweight gloves were frozen solid for the entire day, but no frostbite, thankfully.

We eventually made the Tom Floyd Wayside, and again set up out tent inside the shelter - another very cold night. Next morning we awoke to bright sunshine. We packed up and headed out. The woods was absolutely gorgeous!!!! Sun glistening in the trees, totally calm and peaceful, pleasantly warm. We slowly hiked out to the Front Royal road crossing. As we exited the woods, and started out descent across the meadow, we say our friend park her car, waiting to pick us up - absolutely perfect timing.

We had to wait another couple of days before we could retrieve my hiking partner's car that we had parked along the Skyline Drive. To this day, that hike is one of the most memorable, and that last morning one of the most beautiful that I have experienced.

My point in all this: Go for a November hike, but be prepared for the unexpected.

Sounds like an incredible trip......trips like these are the ones you truly remember...


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[Rmcpeak]

No snow on my November SNP hike but I had overnight temps in the high teens. I slept on the porch of Range View cabin. I flipped a table on it's side to make a wind block. I was so tempted to build a fire in the fireplace but didn't! I didn't want to overstay my unwelcome.

[Emerson Bigills]

Not trying to hijack your thread, but..... Tipi's remark fired up one of my pet peeves. Why do motorcyclists, especially HD, have the right to pollute the noise of all state and national parkes with the needless high levels from their engines. We are so concerned about the experience and the LNT in our parks, yet this group is allowed to pollute the peacefulness and literally disrupt the setting. Am I the only one? So what do you do? I'm sure a very inexpensive muffler attachment could be produced that cyclists could be required to attach in certain designated natural areas. I don't ever expect it to happen, because too many middle aged, overweight "bigshots" have HD's sitting in their garages as status symbols that they only ride twice a year, but they still think it makes them a badass.

OK. I feel better. Let's continue to help this guy plan his trip.

[Tipi Walter]

Why do motorcyclists, especially HD, have the right to pollute the noise of all state and national parkes with the needless high levels from their engines.


Finally, someone gets it. The forest supervisors seem powerless on this subject.

[MuddyWaters]

Finally, someone gets it. The forest supervisors seem powerless on this subject.

Loud motorcycles are loud usually because the jackass has a straight pipe

Semi trucks are just as big deal. Sitting on deer stand on my lease on still quiet mornings, I can hear semis , thru the woods, several miles away on the highway.

In GSMNP, noise spoils everything 3-5 miles from the roads , especially 441. A significant amount of the park.

We need noise ordinances in this country near wilderness areas, and I agree with the planes overhead too.

Denver is such a large airport, you hear jets overhead throughout the first half of the Colorado trail. 100 miles from Denver.

[Turk6177]

Wrong park[emoji51]...


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Good point. I have SMNP on the brain I suppose, not Shenandoah.


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[Kaptainkriz]

Only one time have I ever experienced total 'silence' on the the trail. It was on the Tuckerman Crossover in NH where it crosses the Davis Path. No plane sounds, no train sounds, no car or motorcycle sounds, no people sounds, no water sounds....practically nothing. It was beautiful!

Finally, someone gets it. The forest supervisors seem powerless on this subject.

[saltysack]

Not trying to hijack your thread, but..... Tipi's remark fired up one of my pet peeves. Why do motorcyclists, especially HD, have the right to pollute the noise of all state and national parkes with the needless high levels from their engines. We are so concerned about the experience and the LNT in our parks, yet this group is allowed to pollute the peacefulness and literally disrupt the setting. Am I the only one? So what do you do? I'm sure a very inexpensive muffler attachment could be produced that cyclists could be required to attach in certain designated natural areas. I don't ever expect it to happen, because too many middle aged, overweight "bigshots" have HD's sitting in their garages as status symbols that they only ride twice a year, but they still think it makes them a badass.

OK. I feel better. Let's continue to help this guy plan his trip.

Good points...tractor trailers aren't allowed to use engine/exhaust "jake" brake in certain areas etc....some boats have a switch to change exhaust from dry to wet quieting sound....surely they could come up with a variable muffler for bikes.....i realize you were just stereotyping HD owners.....I'm glad I didn't fit that mold...I wouldn't have my son if I didn't ride as he was conceived in a tent at Custer State park in SD while at Sturgis...[emoji23]yep I rode out to SD from Florida.


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[Emerson Bigills]

Sack, I'm not hatin' the rider, just the noise.

[saltysack]

Sack, I'm not hatin' the rider, just the noise.

I agree w ya......actually I'm bike less now.....too damn many distracted drivers. After my brother was paralyzed in a car wreck and getting run off the road several times I sold the bike...actually just went to a funeral for a friend of mine about 3 weeks ago....dumb ass woman texting pull out in front of him on A1A heading north from St Augustine....now his wife and kids don't have a husband/dad.....sad...


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