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  1. #1

    Default Front Royal, facilities?

    Section hike next month ending at northern end of Skyline Dr. Anyone know of facilities in Front Royal for cleaning up, getting a shower, etc....?

  2. #2

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    shower and swim at the 4-H center pool is an option during warmer months but I don't think they are open next month (March or April either one)

  3. #3
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    When I went in 2004 the Terrapin Hostel was just outside the north entrance. It was run by 1995 thruhiker "The Grateful Greenpeace Guy" Mike Evans and had everything a thruhiker could dream of: laundry, shower, food, some resupply items, shuttle to town; even "loaner" clothes to wear so you can wash all your clothes in one load. I was very impressed and hope it is still running.

  4. #4

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    Thanks much for info. Searched and found address and phone number. Does not look like he may be open in March, but will check. Thanks all......

  5. #5
    •Completed A.T. Section Hike GA to ME 1996 thru 2003 •Donating Member Skyline's Avatar
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    In FR itself there are no hostels (Terrapin, open seasonally, is in Chester Gap) but there are lotsa motels.

    I've experienced several times that if you show up mid-morning while they're cleaning the rooms at some motels they will let you use the shower in a room that hasn't been cleaned yet and provide a towel. Ask at the desk, or "bribe" one of the cleaning people. Should cost about five bucks. Of course the more presentable you are when asking the better your chances.

    If you want to try and get a better handle on it in advance, you could call the number for Terrapin (Mike/Greenpeace Guy lives there year-round but is away on business a lot when the hostel isn't open) OR call the other hiker-knowledgeable resource in FR--Weasel Creek Outfitters. Either one might be able to steer you in the direction of a motel they know about that would be accommodating. Good luck.
    Last edited by Skyline; 02-27-2006 at 11:29.

  6. #6
    Section Hiker Shot Gun from GA to NH Deerleg's Avatar
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    Default Johnson Hiker Loft

    Another place that is interesting in Front Royal is the Johnson Hiker Loft that it up on High Knob north of 522.
    Sharon and her husband Tom have a nice place that they like to share with the hiking community and are incredibly interesting people. Tom’s career gave them the opportunity to live all over the world and he is currently the president of the American Hiking Society. Sharon shuttles hikers and you can look her up on the AT Shuttle list. They are retirement age, but Tom still works full time and Sharon enjoys hiker’s company. They have a border collie and welcome 4 legged guests. You really are their guest as they don’t take money for an overnight stay but might ask you to drop something in their hiker box or give her a few dollars to offset the cost of the breakfast or dinner she’s likely to cook for whoever happens to be sitting around her table. I gave her a big fat tip on top of the shuttle fee and still felt like I should have given her more.



    Kevin

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    Terrapin station (the hostel) was closed in '07 and I believe also in '08. The Quality Inn (Front Royal) worked for me - it was summer and the pool was nice. Walking distance to stores and food. They provided a free shuttle back to the trail in the AM.

  8. #8
    •Completed A.T. Section Hike GA to ME 1996 thru 2003 •Donating Member Skyline's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by _terrapin_ View Post
    Terrapin station (the hostel) was closed in '07 and I believe also in '08. The Quality Inn (Front Royal) worked for me - it was summer and the pool was nice. Walking distance to stores and food. They provided a free shuttle back to the trail in the AM.

    Mike (Terrapin Hostel) is reopening under a new name for the NOBO season in '09. Look for his listing in the three hiker handbooks.

  9. #9
    Registered User weary's Avatar
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    I've stayed at a reasonably priced motel at the southern entrance to town. I've long since forgotten the name, but most of my fellow occupants seemed to speak spanish.

    Front Royal, however, does have a great book store, stocking well selected new and used books. I've used the used natural history collection to identify some flowers and other plants I had taken notes on while walking north.

    I stop there whenever I'm in the area, and always find something both of interest, and reasonably priced, that I hadn't seen elsewhere. I haven't been south for several years, but hopefully it's survived the trend to big box mall stores.

    The bookstore is -- or was -- in the southern end of the Front Royal downtown.

    Weary

  10. #10

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    Quote Originally Posted by Deerleg View Post
    Another place that is interesting in Front Royal is the Johnson Hiker Loft that it up on High Knob north of 522.
    Sharon and her husband Tom have a nice place that they like to share with the hiking community and are incredibly interesting people. Tom’s career gave them the opportunity to live all over the world and he is currently the president of the American Hiking Society. Sharon shuttles hikers and you can look her up on the AT Shuttle list. They are retirement age, but Tom still works full time and Sharon enjoys hiker’s company. They have a border collie and welcome 4 legged guests. You really are their guest as they don’t take money for an overnight stay but might ask you to drop something in their hiker box or give her a few dollars to offset the cost of the breakfast or dinner she’s likely to cook for whoever happens to be sitting around her table. I gave her a big fat tip on top of the shuttle fee and still felt like I should have given her more.



    Do you have a phone# or e-mail address please.

  11. #11

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    Quote Originally Posted by Christopher Robin View Post
    Do you have a phone# or e-mail address please.
    I just sent you a PM with phone number

  12. #12
    •Completed A.T. Section Hike GA to ME 1996 thru 2003 •Donating Member Skyline's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by weary View Post
    I've stayed at a reasonably priced motel at the southern entrance to town. I've long since forgotten the name, but most of my fellow occupants seemed to speak spanish.

    Front Royal, however, does have a great book store, stocking well selected new and used books. I've used the used natural history collection to identify some flowers and other plants I had taken notes on while walking north.

    I stop there whenever I'm in the area, and always find something both of interest, and reasonably priced, that I hadn't seen elsewhere. I haven't been south for several years, but hopefully it's survived the trend to big box mall stores.

    The bookstore is -- or was -- in the southern end of the Front Royal downtown.

    Weary

    The bookstore is Royal Oak Bookshop, 207 S. Royal Ave. One of the last of its kind IMHO.

    The motel you're probably thinking of is Center City Motel, or perhaps the Pioneer. Both have seen better days, but they serve most hikers' needs and are the least expensive.

    For better or worse, huge Big Box developments have taken hold just north of Front Royal near I-66. Target, WalMart, Lowe's, and much more in two separate mega shopping centers.

  13. #13
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    Mike AKA Grateful Greenpeace Guy helped me out when I did SNP this past Sept. He was planning to re-open for the next year. You will want to make contact with him as the turn off for his place is a side trail off the AT much shorter than walking all the way up 522. The road walk would be a pain in the butt as it is all up hill, unless you are leaving then its all downhill.

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