Shenandoah NP N or S and N end Question

[Red Cinema]

Folks,

Planning a May hike of the SNP, largely or entirely as an AT section hike.

North to South or South to North? I've seen suggestions for both directions.

On the north end, the AT branches out of the SNP proper and goes to Front Royal Lake. Completing the AT portion aside, thoughts on the "Dickey Ridge Trail" portion that goes to Front Royal proper after the AT branches off toward the lake and parts north?

Mid-May, crowd conditions? Looks to me like the Georgia-starters will have arrived, but people aiming for Trail Days in Damascus would still be to the south. Heavy use on the AT, or also the side trails? (I don't have much flexibility in _when_ I go....)

Thanks for your thoughts in advance,

RC

[Coffee]

I section hiked the AT through SNP in mid April of last year. I went south to north on that hike. But I've done many shorter sections north to south. I'm not sure that there is any "better" direction but I will say that I enjoyed my NOBO hike. I'd suggest that you go NOBO if you are hiking in May since that is the direction the thru hikers will be going in. As a result, you will see fewer people if you also go north. Of course if you want to meet lots of people, maybe go southbound.

As for the north end of SNP, I have hiked both the AT going to 522 as well as the Dickey Ridge Trail. Dickey Ridge is a pretty nice blue blazed trail and you pass the visitor's center at about the half way mark. It takes you right into Front Royal so you can end the hike in town without any hitching. If you hike the AT to 522, you will want to hitch rather than road walk into town. It is a very busy road.

[Furlough]

I did this northbound. At the north end I took the side trail down to the 4H center where I parked my truck.

[Red Cinema]

Thanks for the insight about NOBO and dealing with the bolus of northbounders, and the bump for Dickey Ridge Trail.

I section hiked the AT through SNP in mid April of last year. I went south to north on that hike. But I've done many shorter sections north to south. I'm not sure that there is any "better" direction but I will say that I enjoyed my NOBO hike. I'd suggest that you go NOBO if you are hiking in May since that is the direction the thru hikers will be going in. As a result, you will see fewer people if you also go north. Of course if you want to meet lots of people, maybe go southbound.

As for the north end of SNP, I have hiked both the AT going to 522 as well as the Dickey Ridge Trail. Dickey Ridge is a pretty nice blue blazed trail and you pass the visitor's center at about the half way mark. It takes you right into Front Royal so you can end the hike in town without any hitching. If you hike the AT to 522, you will want to hitch rather than road walk into town. It is a very busy road.

[jimmyjam]

I've hiked it in both directions, either way is good. Most of the thru hikers won't get there until June, so it will be sparsely populated except on weekends.

[Red Cinema]

That's good to hear--I read something that suggested the bubble was there by mid to late May. Tx!

I've hiked it in both directions, either way is good. Most of the thru hikers won't get there until June, so it will be sparsely populated except on weekends.

[johnnybgood]

The last time I sectioned through the park it was mid May and I recall the early bubble hikers being there already. I hiked it Sobo that time, but it's totally personal preference.

If you're hiking north and leaving a car in Front Royal then the Dickey Ridge Trail is the one you want to get you there. You may also leave a car here free for up to 30 days ; www.nova4h.com/

[Red Cinema]

"Early bubble" that's comforting (seeing as I can't choose an earlier or later time). Thanks!

The last time I sectioned through the park it was mid May and I recall the early bubble hikers being there already. I hiked it Sobo that time, but it's totally personal preference.

If you're hiking north and leaving a car in Front Royal then the Dickey Ridge Trail is the one you want to get you there. You may also leave a car here free for up to 30 days ; www.nova4h.com/

[Blissful]

Personally I would hike it south to north.

Yes, thru hikers will be arriving mid may on to early July.

The Dickey Ridge trail is a good diversion. I recommend it for something different, though it is still a walk in the woods.

[Red Cinema]

thanks all this has helped my planning quite a bit

[redseal]

I hiked N to S last April the first week the waysides opened. The park was pretty empty, but I was able to eat my way through the park as a bonus :-)

[Cookerhiker]

I would hike it early May, not just to avoid the thruhikers. The trees aren't usually leafed out the first week in May, so you'll have better views. Wildflowers should be spectacular, particularly the fringed phacelia.

[Red Cinema]

I get to go when I get to go--can't freely choose my dates I'm afraid. I hope to still appreciate the flowers you mention....

I would hike it early May, not just to avoid the thruhikers. The trees aren't usually leafed out the first week in May, so you'll have better views. Wildflowers should be spectacular, particularly the fringed phacelia.

[Skyline]

By mid-May there are plenty of NOBO thru-hikers in SNP. Add to that the weekenders and section hikers and it's a nice group to flow with. But you shouldn't count on shelter space regardless of which direction you hike this time of year.

In my opinion, the best way to do this is to meet a shuttle at the 4-H Center near Front Royal. You can park there for free and relatively safely, but need to fill out a waiver at 4-H's office which is open weekdays, daytime. Get your ride to the south end of SNP at Rockfish Gap and hike NOBO.

If you are trying to put together a section toward the eventual goal of completing the entire AT, you will want to stay on the AT to 4-H or even the trailhead at US522 (4-H parking is safer). But if the entire AT is not your agenda, the Dickey Ridge Trail (which intersects the AT just "north" of Compton Gap) is a nice diversion which will land you closer to the town of Front Royal. You can probably find someplace that will allow long term parking in FroRo, and meet a shuttle there. Shuttlers in the area might know the best places to park in town--or have even better options to suggest.

[Coffee]

I've done both the AT from Compton Gap to 522 and the Dickey Ridge and I prefer Dickey Ridge even though it is longer. It is a more pleasant hike IMO.

[Skyline]

I've done both the AT from Compton Gap to 522 and the Dickey Ridge and I prefer Dickey Ridge even though it is longer. It is a more pleasant hike IMO.

Agree. A nice woods hike. Relatively easy. The best things about the AT option are the one viewpoint at Possum's Rest just outside the SNP boundary and the shelter (Floyd Wayside). Otherwise the DRT is better and has some decent diversions (visitor center, Snead Farm Loop Trail, Fox Hollow Trail).

[Coffee]

I'm not sure why but I found the AT a bit difficult to follow right after exiting SNP. I kept encountering red blazes (presumably signifying private property) and backtracked a couple of times. It wasn't more than a few minutes and maybe I wasn't paying enough attention there. The trail nearing 522 is really boring going near open fields with a large fence on the left.

[shelb]

I cannot imagine SNP without the following:
- Beag Meadows Wayside - CHEESEBURGERS!
-Skyline - BREAKFAST (think it was the berry pancakes?)
- Elk Wallow Wayside - Berry Shakes!!!

Plus, the 14 bear we saw - which all ran away from us ASAP!
And, the 6 deer we say - that ignored us and did not move!

Seriously, plan less food than normal. There is also the Lewis Mtn? Wayside, which has showers and very limited resupply. (NOTE: For SNP, we ate barely half the food we packed!)

[Skyline]

I'm not sure why but I found the AT a bit difficult to follow right after exiting SNP. I kept encountering red blazes (presumably signifying private property) and backtracked a couple of times. It wasn't more than a few minutes and maybe I wasn't paying enough attention there. The trail nearing 522 is really boring going near open fields with a large fence on the left.

Red blazes mark SNP's boundary. Hiking NOBO, you cross the boundary (on the Trail) just before coming to the Possum's Rest viewpoint. There are other red blazes painted on trees in that general area also marking the boundary.

[Drybones]

Don't remember where it is but there's a section where the trail has been rerouted but the blazes are still on the trees...long story short...I got to see part of it in both directions.