Advice needed on short va section hike

[Namtrag]

Hi everyone. Trying to plan a weekend trip for the Thanksgiving weekend. I found this hike:

http://www.hikingupward.com/JNF/JamesRiverFaceWilderness/

and it looks pretty good. We would arrive on Friday mid-day, hike 2.7 miles, camp at Thunder Hill Shelter. On Saturday, hike to Marble Spring (mile 9.4),then finish up on Sunday and do the shuttling, and head back to Va Beach. My friends and I are content with 5-7 mile days.

just wondered what people thought of this hike. Is it a pretty decent scenic hike, knowing that the leaves will be completely gone by then?

Thanks for any and all advice.

[HikerMom58]

Looks good Namtag!! :>) I think it has some nice views. Deer Hunter can tell you about the views etc.. that's in his
backyard. Apple Orchard doesn't have much of a view but it's a nice hike. Love that area around Thunder Hill Shelter.
I'll make sure there is water around Thunder Hill Shelter that weekend.

[aficion]

Hi everyone. Trying to plan a weekend trip for the Thanksgiving weekend. I found this hike:

http://www.hikingupward.com/JNF/JamesRiverFaceWilderness/

and it looks pretty good. We would arrive on Friday mid-day, hike 2.7 miles, camp at Thunder Hill Shelter. On Saturday, hike to Marble Spring (mile 9.4),then finish up on Sunday and do the shuttling, and head back to Va Beach. My friends and I are content with 5-7 mile days.

just wondered what people thought of this hike. Is it a pretty decent scenic hike, knowing that the leaves will be completely gone by then?

Thanks for any and all advice.

I'd do the three 9.x mile days northbound ending just past Punchbowl. Or start at 501 and go north to the Lyncburg reservoir if you want to camp in shelters for 2 nights with the first one being only a mile or two in.