Damascus to Atkins
How far is it from Damascus to Atkins?Would it be long enough for a 5-7 day hike?
-208 Crew
This may help with your planning.
Roland
About 73 miles. Nice hike. I've only done it traveling south.
75 miles. Some parts are fairly easy, some involve a lot of ascent/descent. You should probably plan on 7 days since your Scout troop likely has varying levels of conditioning. You're only as strong as your weakest member.
Any idea if the Thomas Knob Shelter is on that route?
-208 Crew
Yes it is.
Dancin' Queen
Excellent.Is there any good place to get a map of all of the campsites along that route?
-208 Crew
Thomas Knob shelter is 28 miles from Damascus.
Troutdale is 49 miles.
Roland
OK,great.thanks a bunch!
-208 Crew
Get the National Geographic Trails Illustrated map #786 at Mt. Rogers Outfitters for $10.
Dancin' Queen
The ATC - see my response on your other thread.Originally Posted by 208AT
OK,Thanks!
-208 Crew
I do this trek often. I do it in 6-7 days depending if the weather is nice and I hang out all day at grayson highlands. There are also many ways to alter your route with trails in grayson highlands and using the iron mountain trail.
How many miles a day are you doing,and how fast are you going?Because we have some guys that I just don't see going too fast
-208 Crew
well I normally go this pace...
Day 1: Atknis to FS road past Chatfield
Day 2: FS road to TRIMPI
Day 4: TRIMPI to Old orchard
Day 5: Old orchard to thomas knob
Day 6: thomas knob to lost mtn or white top laurel creek
Day 7: To Damascus
Might I suggest doing Dickey's Gap to Damascus, its 50 miles. or fox creek to damascus, 40 miles. using the same 5-7 day time period.
You should contact one of the outfitters in damascus. they could shuttle too
I'm guessing that I can also do that in reverse order?
-208 Crew
Finishing in Damascus would be my choice. Adkins is more of a truck stop area on the side of I-81, while Damascus is one of the greatest towns on the AT. I did this hike last Spring. 2 areas you can save some time if you find yourself behind schedule: a. the Creeper Trail from just South of Lost Mountain Shelter is a much easier walk into Damascus than following the AT, b. the Crest Trail connects Rhododendron Gap and the AT and cuts off about 7 miles.
Should be a great hike...
Well we're not staying in Atkins,just catching a shuttle back to damascus
-208 Crew
it's a much better experience to end in damascus than to finish in the parking lot of a truck stop
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