View Full Version : Paul C.Wolfe Shelter
Former Admin
10-19-2002, 12:11
Info, questions, comments, experiences (good or bad) regarding - Paul C.Wolfe Shelter
Past/Present hikers - what can future hikers expect here? Have any good stories or memories from here?
Future hikers - any questions?
Kerosene
10-20-2002, 19:10
The Paul C. Wolfe Shelter is an easy 5-mile walk south of Rockfish Gap. Most NOBO thru-hikers will be tempted to fly by in order to get into Waynesboro for the night, but this is a shame. The shelter is fairly new and well designed with bunks, in a nice setting close to a rushing stream. Not sure where the privy is located. Water comes from the stream, and it may be possible to take a dip in one of the pools further downstream (it was only 40 degrees when we stopped for a quick break before pushing on to Maupin Field Shelter 16 miles to the south).
There was a list of phone number for Waynesboro trail angels who will provide shuttles into town from Rockfish Gap.
flyfisher
06-16-2003, 22:27
In June of 2003 there was a resident goat who was quite a pest.
The shelter is of a great design, double decker with the top layer in a U shape and with windows near the back to let light in.
We stayed a night at this shelter when section-hiking last summer (2003). It is a very nice shelter as stated above. The privy is located at the top of a hill behind the shelter. The greatest part about this shelter is the stream. About 100 yards downstream there is a waterfall with a pool. It's a great place to relax at the end of the day. It's also about 5 miles into Waynesboro. If you have a mail-drop in Waynesboro, you can stop at this shelter and stay for free, get a decent waterfall shower, and then get up early the next day and make it into town around the time the PO opens.
Bear Magnet
03-29-2004, 19:13
Info, questions, comments, experiences (good or bad) regarding - Paul C.Wolfe Shelter
Past/Present hikers - what can future hikers expect here? Have any good stories or memories from here?
I walked from Rusty's to Paul Wolfe shelter-17 miles or so-in the rain last year. A steady, solid rain, and no stops to eat a dry lunch between the previous shelter and Paul Wolfe-16 miles or so. Just kept on trucking, grabbing some bars to eat and pushing on. Made great time-very surprised to come up on the shelter as soon as I did. I was the only one at the shelter. Put on my long underwear even though it was July 3rd and got some well earned rest.
It was all worth it when I did the 5 into Rockfish the next day, and got picked up by my cousin's grandparents, who took me into Charlottesville, where I got to take a warm bath in a big tub with a Yuengling to drink. Then a free dinner at a tremendous restaurant-softshell crab tempura as an appetizer followed by trout stuffed with andoullie sausage and crayfish. Certainly to be a Lipton Meal anytime now!
Bear Magnet
trlhiker
04-23-2006, 20:38
I will be staying there in 2 weeks, hiking from Dripping rock to Afton. Will give an update when I get back.
rainmaker
04-23-2006, 22:53
Whatever you do, do not even think about staying there mid October. We tried to and were met with a regiment of boy scouts. About 20 of them commandeered the shelter and the rest took advantage of practically every square foot of almost level ground. We managed though.
trlhiker
04-28-2006, 21:06
I have had that happen at several shelters in Virginia from time to time. One time this happened at the Priest Shelter and we, 8 of us, ended up kicking them and their tents(which they had set up) out. The kids did not like it but their scout leader came over and agreed with us and helped them to move.
Route Step
10-07-2007, 14:35
This is a well designed shelter. I like the picnic table being under the roof. The stream was the only one I saw that was flowing in this drought we have been going through here in Virginia.
Didn't stay there but it struck me as VERY nice. Nicely built and nicely sited. The stream was flowing nicely, a month ago (Sept. 7.)
i had done a 30 into that shelter so i could get into waynesboro the next day!
-Pusher
Patrickjd9
05-22-2008, 22:03
i had done a 30 into that shelter so i could get into waynesboro the next day!
-Pusher
Wow! That had to include the big climb up out of the Tye River, since it would only be about 20 from Rusty's to the shelter.
Must be great to be 18...:D
Nicksaari
05-27-2008, 20:16
staying there this upcoming monday the 2nd. will give an update.
It was a nice shelter to eat lunch at but I just came out of Waynesboro SB and it wasn't half enough miles to quit for the day. Definitely one of the nicer shelters. Way past 'shelter creep' but that doesn't bother me. There are plenty of older 6 person shelters still around for now.
pythonathiker
06-29-2008, 17:25
Tented near the shelter on Saturday, June 21st with 3 friends. The shelter was in good shape and very clean. The stream in front of the shelter was flowing steadily.
On the way down to the shelter, we met 7 members from the Old Dominion Appalachian Trail Club (ODATC). They told us that they had just moved a gray timber rattler off of the trail and that they had just finished working on the privy at the shelter. Thanks ODATC!
jeremesh
01-20-2011, 22:42
The Paul C. Wolfe Shelter is an easy 5-mile walk south of Rockfish Gap. Most NOBO thru-hikers will be tempted to fly by in order to get into Waynesboro for the night, but this is a shame. The shelter is fairly new and well designed with bunks, in a nice setting close to a rushing stream. Not sure where the privy is located. Water comes from the stream, and it may be possible to take a dip in one of the pools further downstream (it was only 40 degrees when we stopped for a quick break before pushing on to Maupin Field Shelter 16 miles to the south).
There was a list of phone number for Waynesboro trail angels who will provide shuttles into town from Rockfish Gap.
I will be up in the north district so wont cross paths with you folks. Be safe.
I will be up in the north district so wont cross paths with you folks. Be safe.
That post was written 9 years ago.
mad4scrapping
01-23-2011, 21:13
A group of us from ODATC went up to the shelter this weekend. No snow or ice on the trail, but the streams were partially frozen. It was 23 degrees on Saturday during the day and about 15 degrees on the overnight. Yet, there was another group from Richmond at the shelter as well. Busy place!
Diatribe
01-23-2011, 23:52
Busy place!
well, it is such an aesthetically pleasing shelter at an even more beautiful spot!
one of my favorites, and so close to home!
i always avoid PWS on weekends;)
I'm gimpy
05-14-2011, 20:37
I spent the night at the shelter last Oct. and it was great. I found good comany, and plenty of water. Had some trail magic from some day hikers who left us enough chicken to feed an army. It was my first night of a 6 day trip and it was a awesome start. And you got to love a privy with a commanding view!
GeneralLee10
05-14-2011, 21:35
It is a nice shelter I can say that. Howevery, the day I was there I was doing my 40 mile day, a personal record. Me and Snowman of 2010 did the last 5 miles at a 5 mile an hr pace solid. Got to the road, no sooner then we hit the pavment we caught a ride to town. We did take a short break there (shelter that is) the water was wonderful and the privy is up hill from the shelter.
In Waynesboro now, came through there earlier today. The stream crossing is a knee deep ford at the moment, and the privy doesn't have a roof, looks like a tree fell on it. Shelter itself is nice.
I believe the tree fell on the privy one or two days before I came through 5/6/11. Yogi was sitting in it when the tree fell. He left a note in the register.
TrekkerJeff
06-19-2012, 08:19
We ran out of energy about 4 miles south of Paul C Wolf Shelter and stealth camped. We stopped there for a break on our way to Waynesboro in the morning and it is in a beautiful location on the stream. Walked downstream to the waterfall...would be a great spot to swim in warm weather.
Rick Hancock
07-08-2012, 11:58
Paul Wolfe Shelter is indeed a great spot. I've been going there for years when I just have time for an easy over nighter. Several years ago I did hike in to find Mill Creek down to a trickle. If you hike in north from the Dripping Rock crossing of the Blue Ridge Parkway be sure and look for the 2 feral sheep. We saw them one weekend through the mist they must have had 500 pounds of dirty, matted wool each. They were huge!
Blissful
07-08-2012, 21:59
I met the group that takes care of this shelter when they hiked MD. They are very proud of it. :)
fiveonomo
12-18-2012, 09:22
Hello all, I am planning a short overnight hike in March to this shelter from Rockfish Gap. Is there good places to set up a tent? I really like the idea of the stream nearby, the closer I can get to the water the better. This will technically be my first trip on the AT. Anything else I should know about this area or this shelter? I look forward to hearing from everyone, thanks.
Rick Hancock
01-14-2013, 21:28
Yes, there are a ton of tent sites down toward Mill Creek.
Blissful
01-14-2013, 22:12
I did not see tons of sites myself. There are a few. The terrain is slightly hilly.
Kaptainkriz
01-01-2018, 18:00
Great shelter and nice flat tent sites. The stream is great and the privy is new(ish) with open view to the camp below. :)
Merry Christmas!
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Stayed there in Nov. 2017. A week later, according to the AT website, a bear stole a hiker's food in that area. Did not say it was at the shelter, though.