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View Full Version : need suggestions for a weekend hike in S VA



Granger
03-22-2005, 10:38
Sorry if this isn't the right location for this. :o

Last year a group of us hiked from Jenkins Shelter south to the pavalion past Knot Maul Branch. The mileage was broken down as follows: Day one: 2 miles to chesnut knob (this was the day we drove from northern MD so this was done in the dark., Day two: 9 miles to Knot Maul Branch, Day three: 4ish miles to the pavalion (this was the day we drove home).

At the time most of the group was new to backpacking so we didn't want to attempt too many miles.

This year we want to either start where we started last year and hike north, or start where we stopped and hike south. We will have more time this hike since we are driving down on a Thursday night and hiking all day Fri, Sat and Sun then driving back on Monday.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a good starting point and stopping point?

Sorry for the vaugue question.

-Granger

The Old Fhart
03-22-2005, 11:53
Granger, Do you mean you hiked south from Walker Gap, 2 miles north of Chestnut Knob and not Jenkins shelter, 10 miles north? Anyway, If you start at the road near the O'Lystery Pavilion and hike south for 3 (or 3 and change) days, you could end up at the Partnership shelter at the Mount Rogers Headquarters, a distance of about 25 miles. This would be a good spot to get a ride and there generally is a pay phone at the headquarters if you don't have a cell phone. For the most part this would be easier than what you did last time and gauging from what you did last time this would fit in nicely with your pace. There is also a motel and some services at I-81 in Atkins, about 15 miles from the start where you could take a break, if needed. You may want to check here (http://www.aldha.org/companyn/va05.pdf) , page 50, to see what services are available.

Granger
03-22-2005, 13:06
OF,
Yup, Walker Gap is where we started. We only had one full day to hike last time and in hind-sight probably could have done a little more miles. Thanks for your help!