Rusty's Hard Time Hollow Closed?

[thestin]

Posted today on trailplace.com

"After 25 years of serving hikers, Rusty is closing the hollow to new hikers for good as of June 7, 2007."

[Lone Wolf]

Posted today on trailplace.com

"After 25 years of serving hikers, Rusty is closing the hollow to new hikers for good as of June 7, 2007."

old news. won't be missed

[thestin]

You could be right. There were some threads in the past few weeks about Rusty complaining that people weren't visiting.

I understand he's open and closed his home to hikers several times.

[Miss Janet]

I was at Rusty's a few weeks ago and had a nice visit with him and Pirate... NOTHING was said about closing. He was just disappointed in a lower than usual number of hikers. Recently trailplace reported that I had closed... correct... but when I asked to have the posting clarified HE wouldn't do it.

[thestin]

Thanks for the info, Miss Janet. I have found info here to be much more reliable, mainly because people here are actually on the trail on a regular basis.

[minnesotasmith]

If he'd moved to within 3/4 mile of the Trail, or at least to along a road that crosses the trail that gets enough traffic to make hitching not too tough, that would have upped his traffic. He's been at this for years, and had to have known the score.

[Pokey2006]

It would help, too, if people actually knew where his place was ahead of time. I didn't get directions until I was at that shelter right there, the next morning....I said, "sorry, you're too late with the info," and I kept on hiking.

[ms doolittle]

Diesel just ate there on 7/9/07.

http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=192546

[ms doolittle]

Correction. Not sure when Diesel ate there, but he notes that he did in his 7/9 entry.

[Lone Wolf]

You could be right. There were some threads in the past few weeks about Rusty complaining that people weren't visiting.

I understand he's open and closed his home to hikers several times.

rusty is always complaining.

[veteran]

It would help, too, if people actually knew where his place was ahead of time. I didn't get directions until I was at that shelter right there, the next morning....I said, "sorry, you're too late with the info," and I kept on hiking.

Directions are in the Companion.

[MacGyver2005]

...He was just disappointed in a lower than usual number of hikers...

I don't know Rusty, and didn't stop there in 2005. However, I think he would have a better turnout if hikers weren't constantly guessing if he is open or closed. He's closed shop so many times that I know when we were on the trail, most conversations about Rusty's involved "I would go, but I don't know if it's open."

Regards,
-MacGyver
GA-->ME

[the goat]

rusty was singing the same tune in '01, i'm sure if hikers stop there, they'll have a place to stay. rusty's got nothing else to do anyways.

[mambo_tango]

I was there June 18th.

[Wolfpaw]

hi minnesota rusty owns the only property with a driveway on the parkway there is no move. besides if he were to close alumni would always be welcome. paw

[Low Rider]

Hey everyone! I just talked to Rusty last week and he is definitely open for the 2008 season and thereafter. I thruhiked back in ‘93 and have been friends with him ever since. I try to visit as often as I can but that usually winds up being just a couple times a year.

He first started taking in hikers back in 1982 and has had over 10,000 stop in during their hikes since then. He is one of the, if not the, oldest hostel on the AT still operating. He is in his late 60’s now and it is getting harder for him each year to get all the chores done around the place (if you can pitch in while you are there, it is definitely appreciated!). There have been changes over the years including getting electricity and a telephone, but it is still the same old Hard Time Hollow that you remember (believe me, it is good that he has those things now that he is getting older).

He is a one of a kind and the Hollow is truly a unique place not to be missed. Waynesboro is pretty much like any other big trail town if you need to stop there too (I went to both). And yes, he still takes a Polaroid of each thruhiker that stops in. He still has the photos from all the previous years up on the ceiling or in photo albums, so check ‘em out when you stop by. His driveway comes down off the Blue Ridge Parkway in between mileposts 16 and 17 (mile post 16.7 if it existed ) Enjoy reading the dozens of funny signs posted on trees while walking down the driveway! happy hiking!!!!

[hobojoe]

Every year the same story. The way its set up is good. People who are willing to take their time and explore the community of the trail are the ones who make it to rusty's, and they are always richer for the experience.
The best time for hiking is..... Tomorow.
Hobo joe

[Lone Wolf]

rusty's is hardly a rich experience

[Bob McCaw]

I've spoken with Rusty recently and he plans to be open for 2008. He does ask for a $20 per night donation now.

Directions to his place are in both the Thru-hiker's Handbook and the Companion. It's a driveway right off the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The post on Trailplace mentioned was several months old, and as people have commented, Rusty has been known to change his mind.

[Lone Wolf]

The post on Trailplace mentioned was several months old, and as people have commented, Rusty has been known to change his mind.

never count on rusty's as a hostel and a place to rest. better to continue to waynesboro