I'm in the early planning phase for a Shenandoah National Park thru hike later this year. OK, technically it is an AT Section Hike, but I think a SNP Thru Hike sounds cooler . I haven't settled on the actual date yet but I intend to do it some other time than May-July when the bulk of AT thru hikers are passing through knowing shelters will be full. Loosely following the Park Service's "AT through Shenandoah NP" guide I've crafted the following schedule:
CAMPSITE
HIKE DISTANCE
CAMP NIGHT
WAYSIDE RESUPPLY
Starting at Rockfish Gap entrance mid-day Calf Mountain Shelter 7 miles Saturday Blackrock Hut 13 miles Sunday Pinefield Hut 13.2 miles Monday Loft Mountain Bearface Mountain Hut 20.6 miles Tuesday Rock Spring Hut 11.5 miles Wednesday Big Meadows Pass Mountain Hut 15.3 miles Thursday Gravel Springs Hut 13.1 miles Friday Elkwallow Jim & Molly Denton Shelter 18.6 miles Saturday Pickup at Tucker's Lane parking lot 3 miles TOTAL DISTANCE 115.3 miles
My questions to those familiar with this section (or those who have accomplished a SNP thru hike):
Is it reasonable to trek the ~21 miles between Pinefield Hut and Bearface Mountain Hut in one day? (Keeping in mind that while I'm not a couch potato, I'm also not as young as I once was.) If not, do you recall if there are areas prior to reaching Bearface Mountain Hut that is conducive to backwoods stealth camping? Any other words of wisdom?