View Full Version : Planning hike, possibly in Shenandoah NP
Bridget01
08-09-2021, 15:13
Hello. My husband and I are in our early 60s and want to hike a portion of the AT for about 20-25 miles. We have backpacked a couple times before on the Superior Trail, but wouldn't call us "experienced." We hope to keep a pretty easy schedule and hike for 3-4 days. We would like to see some nice scenery. Wondering if hiking in Shenandoah NP would be a good idea? We need to go in October because of limited arrangements for pet care during our absence. Could anyone tell me of a nice hike and what trailhead we should start at/end at, and which direction? Also about parking at suggested trailhead? Thank you.
Gambit McCrae
08-09-2021, 16:43
Yes anywhere in SNP will be easily accessible and I wont call it easy, but SNP is very forgiving.
Southern PA would also be a nice stretch
Bridget01
08-09-2021, 18:25
Thanks for responding. Do you have any idea about the typical weather there in October?
Gambit McCrae
08-10-2021, 08:05
My first week long hike was from Harpers Ferry south 105 miles into SNP during mid October. It rained pretty much everyday but 1. I had a great time that I will never forget but I could have done without rain. Temps were perfect however. I didn't wear a jacket (i did wear my rain jacket a lot!) the entire week, hike in shorts and tshirt. Nightly temps were probably no less than 50's.
Weather data for the SNP area in October:
Temperature (° F)
Max
Average
Min
Max Temperature
93
67.77
55
Avg Temperature
81.04
58.92
50.33
Min Temperature
70
50.29
37
TexasBob
08-10-2021, 12:52
April and October are two of the prettiest months in Northern Virginia (dogwoods in the spring and fall colors) and are the two months with the highest average rainfall during the year.
Bridget01
08-10-2021, 14:53
Thanks! Sounds just about perfect, except for the rain, but we can sure deal with that.
Any ideas about a good place to catch the trail and to leave the car?
LittleRock
08-10-2021, 14:54
October is a nice time to be out pretty much anywhere on the southern 2/3 of the AT.
My favorite part of Shenandoah was the Central district which goes from Swift Run Gap to Thornton Gap. It's about 35 miles, if that's too much then I suggest cutting miles off of the southern end and starting at Big Meadows. Very scenic section of trail from there to Thornton Gap.
Bridget01
08-10-2021, 15:01
Sounds great. Can you camp anywhere along the trail in the NP or do you have to be at a registered camp site?
I am getting excited!
For rain, I have always just bought the 99 center
Bridget01
08-10-2021, 15:04
Sorry, something happened....the 99 cent disposable rain ponchos from Walmart. They come in a box the size of a deck of cards. I can usually get two uses out of each and they are oh-so-light to carry!
Majortrauma
08-10-2021, 16:34
Backpacking/camping in SNP is not without more than a fair amount of challenges and risks. I don't recommend doing this in the fall unless you want to compete for camp sites with a LOT of people. The trail will be full of tourists and day hikers.
I also thing the SNP has more than it's fair share of bears prowling around because they know food is so easy to come by there. It's a pretty easy hike and easy to get on and off the AT there but not a peaceful hike.
Southern PA is very nice.
TwoSpirits
08-10-2021, 17:26
I hiked from Harper's Ferry south, through SNP to Rockfish Gap in the first part of October 2017 -- it was a great hike in every respect. I was in my mid-50's with some fair hiking experience (the SHT is one of my favorites), but I was pretty out of shape and used that hike as a rehab/refresher.
The terrain challenged me in some places, on some days, but didn't intimidate or over-work me. It taught me the lessons I needed to learn. I chose the 2nd week in October because I figured the weather would favorable...and, well, it was certainly memorable! For the first several days, temps were in the high 80's with epic humidity, and I really struggled with that heat. Then the remnants of a hurricane or tropical depression hit the area, and I experienced TONS of rain and a few hours wide awake listening to trees crashing down in the woods. Once that system moved through, however, the weather really was glorious.
I combined my hike with a short family vacation, meeting up at Skyland Resort. I took a weekend to dry out and enjoyed the park as a typical tourist for a few days, then continued hiking south. Yes, there were plenty of other people enjoying the park -- and in some places or other times, that would bother me, but I wasn't anticipating a "wilderness" experience, so I wasn't frustrated. I enjoyed meeting the people I did.
I did have to recalculate and be flexible with my mileage and camping plans in one area -- a stretch that was closed to back-country camping due to a problem bear. There was also a long dry stretch (at the very southern end of the park.)
So -- be prepared for the possibility of a wild weather rollercoaster, especially if a tropical system looks like it could impact the Mid-Atlantic region. Be prepared for other like-minded people enjoying the park; be prepared for camping closures that *might* occur due to bear activity (you can also call ahead or find out online, I think), and be prepared to carry more water than you might think.
Hope you have a great hike!
Odd Man Out
08-10-2021, 20:18
How about Elkwallow to Skyland. 27 miles. There is a nice lodge at the end and in the middle (Skyland). Elkwallow wayside at the beginning (parking lot there). A couple of huts in there too. Some good overlooks.
misterblitz
08-10-2021, 21:08
SNP is packed with day hikers and cars on the weekends in the fall. If you plan your hike during the week, you'll have less competition for trail and camping space.
LittleRock
08-11-2021, 08:00
Sounds great. Can you camp anywhere along the trail in the NP or do you have to be at a registered camp site?
Here are the backcountry camping regulations for Shenandoah NP:
https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/backcountry-regulations.htm
Slo-go'en
08-11-2021, 09:55
Here are the backcountry camping regulations for Shenandoah NP:
https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/backcountry-regulations.htm
Camping at non-designated sites is not very practical along the AT. Camping at the designated sites is easier, plus you have a reliable source of water, bear proof food storage, a privy for proper disposal of human waste and your not doing further damage to the forest.
Bridget01
08-11-2021, 15:22
Thanks for detailing your hike, very helpful!
Bridget01
08-11-2021, 15:25
SNP is packed with day hikers and cars on the weekends in the fall. If you plan your hike during the week, you'll have less competition for trail and camping space.
We will most likely hike during the week; thanks for the tip.
misterblitz
08-16-2021, 20:18
Camping at non-designated sites is not very practical along the AT. Camping at the designated sites is easier, plus you have a reliable source of water, bear proof food storage, a privy for proper disposal of human waste and your not doing further damage to the forest.
I respectfully disagree. I've hike about 450 miles of the AT, and I've only stayed at a shelter about 5-6 times. One of the things I enjoy most about section hiking it the ability to get away from people and camp by myself. The AT is literally full of places to camp, even in the SNP.
illabelle
08-16-2021, 20:48
Our first AT section was in Shenandoah, almost 11 years ago. We went for our 20th anniversary in early November. I remember it being a little chilly at night, but very enjoyable during the daylight hours. There were a few people out but not crowds. You need a map of the park. With a map you'll see that Skyline Drive crosses the AT about a hundred times, so there are about a thousand options to start-here/end-there. Just pick a spot and start walking. The AT isn't really about the views, although there are many nice ones, it's more about the experience of following a piece of a long trail, thinking about all the others who have done it before you, and letting that sink into your heart. Before long, you'll be back for the next section!
To arrange a shuttle, go to the WB home page. At the upper left there's a box. Click on the shuttle list, find somebody in the area you're aiming for, make contact and inquire about pricing, schedule, etc, and you'll be all set.
Daybreak
08-17-2021, 09:29
I respectfully disagree. I've hike about 450 miles of the AT, and I've only stayed at a shelter about 5-6 times. One of the things I enjoy most about section hiking it the ability to get away from people and camp by myself. The AT is literally full of places to camp, even in the SNP.
I have to agree with Slo-go-en on this. IMHO, in Shenandoah, as opposed to the southern AT, easily found established legal tent campsites away from the shelters are fewer and require more effort to find. The 1/4 mile rule is the killer. If you want solitude, I agree they are the way to go.
Campsites must be at least:
10 yards away from a stream or other natural water source.
20 yards away from any park trail or unpaved fire road.
50 yards away from another camping party or no camping post sign.
50 yards away from any standing buildings and ruins including stone foundations, chimneys, and log walls.
100 yards away from a hut, cabin, or day-use shelter.
1/4-mile away from any paved road, park boundary, or park facility (i.e. campgrounds, picnic grounds, visitor centers, lodges, waysides, or restaurants).
Make sure you check out a waterfall or two. An early morning or evening hike may also yield a bear sighting.
dcandel823
08-21-2021, 15:08
I completed the AT last year section hiking yearly since 2014. The Shenandoah NP was the easiest part but also one of the nicest (I saw approx 100 deer). I am heading back there for the first two wks in Sept starting at Rockfish Gap as I miss hiking the AT. The only problem I encountered, which I hope does not happen this year, is that the small store at Big Meadows was closed (on a Sunday) and there was nowhere to send a food box or buy food. I would recommend you purchase the Guthook app for Northern Virginia AT--it will only cost you approx. $9 and probably answer every question you have on campsites, trails, towns, where water is, etc. Good luck. -Del
I respectfully disagree. I've hike about 450 miles of the AT, and I've only stayed at a shelter about 5-6 times. One of the things I enjoy most about section hiking it the ability to get away from people and camp by myself. The AT is literally full of places to camp, even in the SNP.
I agree. In some cases great camping is available just off the AT. The park publishes some very useful information.
https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/backcountry-trips.htm
Seawoods
09-27-2021, 22:49
I'm 63. I did the northern half twice in the past year, once with my son and the other time with my daughter. IMO seeing othe3r hikers is one of the fun things about the trail. Anyway, I would focus on the northern half of the park as it is a little easier and a bit less rocky IMO. I suggest you both get the Guthooks maps for the AT, northern va. section. As to your specific questions, I would start at about Lewis Mountain and walk to Thornton Gap. I would call Alison at Open Arms Hostel in Luray and ask about a shuttle from Thornton Gap south to Lewis Mountain, or wherever you wanted to start and then walk north. I've stayed there, just overnight and also slackpacking and have hired her for shuttles several times, she has been 100% reliable. My recollection is that there is a large parking area at Thornton Gap. Eating a meal (or staying overnight) at Big Meadows or Skyland or taking a shower at the Big Meadows campground, things like that always seemed like a good idea to me, YMMV. As to the weather, last year we went the last week of October and it rained almost the whole week we were out. Highes in the 50's. It was a great hike.
I have to agree with Slo-go-en on this. IMHO, in Shenandoah, as opposed to the southern AT, easily found established legal tent campsites away from the shelters are fewer and require more effort to find. The 1/4 mile rule is the killer. If you want solitude, I agree they are the way to go.
Campsites must be at least:
10 yards away from a stream or other natural water source.
20 yards away from any park trail or unpaved fire road.
50 yards away from another camping party or no camping post sign.
50 yards away from any standing buildings and ruins including stone foundations, chimneys, and log walls.
100 yards away from a hut, cabin, or day-use shelter.
1/4-mile away from any paved road, park boundary, or park facility (i.e. campgrounds, picnic grounds, visitor centers, lodges, waysides, or restaurants).
Make sure you check out a waterfall or two. An early morning or evening hike may also yield a bear sighting.
Saw 7 bears in 24 hours in SNP. :sun
I think that October is the best month to hike in Shenandoah... I've hiked there in November too, but got hit by horrible rain storms that turned to snow. Maybe go south from Panorama... many choices for shelters or camping. Say hi to Byrd's Nest No. 3, my fav shelter.. So classic...