AT condition in Shenandoah NP

[ATsawyer]

The snow depth on the AT in SNP today was 30-40 inches with lots of drifts over 6 feet deep. Good snowshoeing with a light top crust, though regular hikers would posthole and have great difficulty walking. One exception was from Thornton Gap (where the Park has cleared a few parking spaces) to Mary's Rock overlook. Enough hikers have been up that section to beat the snow down for walking, though non-snowshoers will still posthole in spots.

This snow is going to be around for a while.

Picture taken on the ridge line between Mary's Rock and Byrds Nest 3 shelter; note the tip of the white blaze sticking up above the snowdrift.

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/atta...1&d=1266724486

[johnnybgood]

I walked onto the AT today for a few hundred yards postholing every couple steps through above the knee snow and finally realized I'd be too exausted to finish a 2 mile circuit and returned to the car. I wish I had a pair of snowshoes today,It would've been so awesome .The temps were around 50 degrees with no wind and sunny skys.

The Park Ranger that I spoke to today told me that according to a crew clearing the snow in the northern sections , they have encountered snow drifts 11 feet deep in places.

[Blissful]

Wow I have never heard of that deep. Guess I won't be hiking there for a while

[Hikerhead]

Wow nice picture. Looks like NH or Maine but not good ol' V'ginny.

[Skyline]

Big Meadows Wayside opens March 19, Big Meadows Campground March 26, and Skyland Lodge April 1. Think anyone will be able to get to them?

I've been hearing trails will need a lot of muscle once the thaw does come. Lotsa blowdowns and other damage.

[Daydream Believer]

Wow just wow. I've done a lot of hiking in SNP...that is just amazing. I can't imagine how deep the snow must be up there. I wonder how the deer are faring? There are a crapload of them up around Big Meadow and Skyland and it's way overgrazed.

As for getting into Big Meadow campground in March...lots of luck! I'm not holding my breath but if they can plow it out the roads might melt some by then.

[Skyline]

We just spoke with the Park Superintendant this afternoon at lunch. She said there were snow drifts eight feet or more, and that even in the Central District (which they are trying to open first) there is only one reliable lane open on Skyline Drive.

Trails? What trails? It will be quite awhile before PATC crews can even get in there to assess damage let alone get them open. We have shuttles scheduled in early March for hikers who intend to hike the AT from Rockfish Gap to Front Royal, or other long itineraries. Methinks they will be rescheduling.

[Hikerhead]

http://www.instacam.com/InstaCAM/ima...=Rerun&Views=5

Looks like the road has been plowed to Big Meadows.

[Skyline]

http://www.instacam.com/InstaCAM/ima...=Rerun&Views=5

Looks like the road has been plowed to Big Meadows.

The webcam shows what looks like two lanes open right in front of the Big Meadows Visitor Center. Or almost two lanes.

The point the Superintendant made to us seemed to be that in many places the plowed roadway was only one lane wide in the Central District. That crews had endeavored to plow two full lanes but drifting snow kept closing the gap, and one passable lane was the best they could do in some spots.

BTW, she also said that once the Central District was open, they would be concentrating next on the North District and lastly the South District. We discussed our various early March shuttle clients briefly, and as we know the AT will be very difficult and dangerous we suggested maybe they should just hike on Skyline Drive instead. She thought that might also be dangerous because of the presence of snow plows whose operators would not necessarily be expecting foot traffic along their assigned routes.

We (Mountain & Valley Shuttle Service) are getting lots of calls for shuttles for throughout the year now, and are trying to keep informed as to current conditions on a daily basis. There is definitely a pent-up demand to hike SNP now and in the near future! However, when asked our advice, we are advising not to hike right now. There have already been costly and dangerous weather-related rescues performed in SNP this season. We hope, unless there is more snow, that we can happily tell callers otherwise within a month or so.

Another good resource is SNP itself: 540-999-3500. Press 1, then press 1 again, to get Skyline Drive and weather info.

[ATsawyer]

First pic I buried the ski pole to the handle; guy taking the picture was standing on a drift looking down at me. Not often you get to use an AT post for a seat. This was typical non-drift snow depth at Byrds Nest 3 shelter. The wind was howling up there and had actually blown out a bare spot next to the chimney. I was hoping we'd be greeted by a crackling fire and some mulled wine, but the trail magic was nature-only.

I may have walked over a dozen blowdowns and never known it.

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/atta...1&d=1267051897
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/atta...1&d=1267051897
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/atta...1&d=1267051824

[Blissful]

Wow wild pics. thanks

[Treefingers]

this is crazy

[Skyline]

Wow, what a difference a month brings.

Skyline Drive is totally open, and what little snow remains on trails is nothing to be concerned with; in some places mud may be a temporary concern. Trail volunteers are getting their sections cleared, and from what I've seen the wholesale destruction of the forest that we might have expected has just not occurred (there may be exceptions; I have not seen them).

We have been running shuttles the past 10 days or so, and hikers / backpackers are finally able to do something about their pent-up demand for enjoying SNP. Daytime temps have ranged from the 50s through the 70s. Nightime temps are now staying above freezing most nights.

If weather follows the usual pattern, we could have some more cold snaps including cold rain and maybe sleet or snow. But generally, the worst of winter should be behind us.

Big Meadows Wayside opened last weekend. Byrd Visitor Center and Big Meadows Campground opens this Friday. Skyland Resort opens April 1, followed by most other facilities within the next two weeks after that. Of course the woods are open 365/24/7. ENJOY!

Skyline and Rodman
Mountain & Valley Shuttle Service
www.MVshuttle.com
www.HikeLodge2Lodge.com
1-877-789-3210

[Blissful]

And the wayside is stocking fuel canisters.

It's great up there. Enjoy.

[robt375]

Hiked SOBO from Gravel Springs to Byrds Nest 3 this weekend, the trail was in great shape. Made it 17.5 miles on Saturday, new record for my wife and I. Didn't see as many deer as usual. The trail was mostly clear and really well maintained, I only recall 1-2 trees down across the trail.