View Full Version : Damascus to Atkins
How far is it from Damascus to Atkins?Would it be long enough for a 5-7 day hike?
This (http://www.atdist.com/)may help with your planning.
About 73 miles. Nice hike. I've only done it traveling south.
Cookerhiker
01-30-2011, 14:03
75 miles. Some parts are fairly easy, some involve a lot of ascent/descent. You should probably plan on 7 days since your Scout troop likely has varying levels of conditioning. You're only as strong as your weakest member.
Any idea if the Thomas Knob Shelter is on that route?
Excellent.Is there any good place to get a map of all of the campsites along that route?
Thomas Knob shelter is 28 miles from Damascus.
Troutdale is 49 miles.
Get the National Geographic Trails Illustrated map #786 at Mt. Rogers Outfitters for $10.
Cookerhiker
01-30-2011, 14:10
Excellent.Is there any good place to get a map of all of the campsites along that route?
The ATC (http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site/c.mqLTIYOwGlF/b.4805859/k.BFA3/Home.htm) - see my response on your other thread.
topshelf
01-30-2011, 14:51
I do this trek often. I do it in 6-7 days depending if the weather is nice and I hang out all day at grayson highlands. There are also many ways to alter your route with trails in grayson highlands and using the iron mountain trail.
How many miles a day are you doing,and how fast are you going?Because we have some guys that I just don't see going too fast
topshelf
01-30-2011, 15:13
well I normally go this pace...
Day 1: Atknis to FS road past Chatfield
Day 2: FS road to TRIMPI
Day 4: TRIMPI to Old orchard
Day 5: Old orchard to thomas knob
Day 6: thomas knob to lost mtn or white top laurel creek
Day 7: To Damascus
Might I suggest doing Dickey's Gap to Damascus, its 50 miles. or fox creek to damascus, 40 miles. using the same 5-7 day time period.
topshelf
01-30-2011, 15:14
You should contact one of the outfitters in damascus. they could shuttle too
I'm guessing that I can also do that in reverse order?
Finishing in Damascus would be my choice. Adkins is more of a truck stop area on the side of I-81, while Damascus is one of the greatest towns on the AT. I did this hike last Spring. 2 areas you can save some time if you find yourself behind schedule: a. the Creeper Trail from just South of Lost Mountain Shelter is a much easier walk into Damascus than following the AT, b. the Crest Trail connects Rhododendron Gap and the AT and cuts off about 7 miles.
Should be a great hike...
Well we're not staying in Atkins,just catching a shuttle back to damascus
topshelf
01-30-2011, 16:56
it's a much better experience to end in damascus than to finish in the parking lot of a truck stop
OK.Will any outfitters in Damascus shuttle us back to the truck stop the next morning?
OK.Will any outfitters in Damascus shuttle us back to the truck stop the next morning?
Have you considered driving to Damascus and getting a shuttle to your starting point? Then you can walk towards your car(s).
Yeah,we have,and we're just deciding what the best way is.Do you know what trailhead Adkins is?Mt.Rogers Outfitters in Damascus had a list of where they will shuttle to,but I don't know what Adkins trailhead is.
I'm not sure I understand your question.
The AT trailhead in Atkins is on route 11. Is that what you're asking?
Yeah,I figured it out.The outfitters that would shuttle us needed a trailhead,but i found it,and its route 11
bigcranky
01-30-2011, 17:34
Drive to Damascus. Get the shuttle to Atkins. Better (safer) parking, better place to get the shuttle, you can pick up any last-minute items at the outfitter, and it's a much better place to finish the hike. Pizza, beer, ice cream, coffee, everything you need to motivate your group....
OK,thanks.Do you think that we should stay at the Mt.Rogers Hostel,or drive a little farther and find a different hotel?
I learned from experience that it's far preferable to shuttle to your starting point and get back when you get back, than to hike to a prearranged shuttle at a set time and have to worry about making it on time for your whole hike.
Yeah,I'm planning on doing that,after talking to a number of people about shuttling.
topshelf
01-30-2011, 20:00
About the hostel, when exactly are you coming to the town of Damascus? If it's a dead period in between waves of hikers then yes stay at the hostel(if you don't have too many), if not get a hotel.
topshelf
01-30-2011, 20:03
You could also try contacting some of the scout troops in this area. There are ALWAYS scouts on the trail during the summer. The area you'll be hiking also has many church groups hiking due to a youth group hiking retreat around white top laurel creek. Either the guides or the local troops should be able to help.
bigcranky
01-30-2011, 20:13
Plenty of hotels in Abingdon, VA, which is maybe 20 miles from Damascus, right on the interstate. Probably easier than trying to fit a large group in one of the hostels in Damascus.
The first week of June,and the website says that you can't make reservations from March-June,so I'm guessing that thats the big thru hiker season.And our group is 8,and the hostel hold 10 total,so I don't know how good of a guarantee we'll have.
topshelf
01-30-2011, 20:59
The first week of June,and the website says that you can't make reservations from March-June,so I'm guessing that thats the big thru hiker season.And our group is 8,and the hostel hold 10 total,so I don't know how good of a guarantee we'll have.
stay in Abingdon at Exit 19 or exit 17, exit 17 has a lot more fast food options, but exit 19 has bellas pizza.
Are there any others in Damascus?Because we really don't want to go anywhere after we get in.
I liked Atkins. You could get the hiker burger at the Barn to celebrate finishing and its a pretty area tucked between farmland. That's an amazing section, enjoy!