 |
Backpacking the Appalachian Trail:
Section by Section
Shenandoah National Park, VA
October 5 - 12, 2008 (Sunday - Sunday)
The guides were great and the friendship that developed over the week among all the participants was awesome. And the beauty of the hike was spectacular. For many years I have wanted to do a hike on the AT and I can't imagine it ever being better than it was on this trip." N Sussex, Michigan
Highlights:
- Backpacking through beautiful fall foliage
- Refining our lightweight backpacking techniques so our packs stay under 30 lbs
- Participating in the "culture" of thru-hikers for a week
- Learning about the human and natural history of this long narrow park
The Appalachian Trail, while often rugged and remote, is designed to accommodate both people who want to hike the entire trail and those who choose to "section hike" it; that is, hike a new section every year. This year's section goes right through Shenandoah National Park at the height of the fall foliage season, from Swift Run Gap to Thornton Gap (the Central Section). Join us as we return to enjoy another section of this great trail.
This trip is for: women who are in good condition and have backpacking experience. Our trek involves early mornings, strenuous hiking, and elevation gain and loss. We emphasize lightweight backpacking and your packs will weigh about 30 pounds. If you have never backpacked or if it has been a long time since you did, please consider our June trip, Intro to Backpacking.
Accommodations:
- two nights in motels.one in Waynesboro, VA at the beginning and one in Luray, VA at the end
- five nights of camping; some of our campsites will be at shelters with fire grates and pit toilets; others will be completely primitive
Maximum group size: 10
Trip price: $995 (deduct $50 for registration prior to 6/5/08). $200 deposit.
Trip price includes:
- experienced guides
- two nights lodging and five nights camping
- dinners and breakfasts from dinner Sunday to breakfast the following Sunday
- group camping, cooking, and safety equipment
- shuttle from Waynesboro to the trail and the trail to Luray or back to your car
- We can provide roundtrip transportation from the Dulles (IAD) airport if you're flying in for an additional $50
Trip starts: at 5 p.m. at our motel in Waynesboro, VA on October 5. If you are flying in, we'll pick you up at Washington Dulles (IAD) about 2:00 pm
Trip ends: anytime after breakfast in Luray, VA on October 12. If you are flying, we will have you back to the airport by 11:30 am and you can plan to fly out after 1 pm.
More information: a summary of all this information, packing list, notes on packing list, general information will be posted later (must have Adobe Acrobat Reader)
For pictures from previous trips, click here. A map of this section can be found on the NPS website here.
Register for this trip or Contact us for more information
Itinerary
We've designed the itinerary to take advantage of shelters that are located along the trail. However, since we carry lightweight tents, we have a little flexibility in our actual mileage. Although mileage is long on several days, elevation gain and loss is less (never over 1000 feet ) than some other sections of the trail.
Sunday: Meet at 5 p.m. at our motel in Waynesboro, Virginia. If you are flying in, the closest airport is Washington Dulles (IAD) and we can pick you up there at 2 pm. We'll start with a discussion of what to leave behind and then go into town for dinner and introductions. We'll spend the rest of our evening getting ready for our adventure.
Monday: 7.9 miles. Hike from Swift Run Gap to Pinefield Hut. After breakfast we'll drive to the trail head and start our hike. We'll have some great views from Loft Mountain and the Ivy Creek Overlook. Pinefield Hut is an AT shelter and we'll either stay there or camp nearby.
Tuesday: 8.2 miles. From Pinefield Hut to Hightop Hut. Lots of ups and downs today, as we cross Weaver Mountain and Little Roundtop Mountain. However, with the exception of one stretch where we climb 1000 feet in 2.5 mils, all the other ups ad downs are 500 feet or less.
Wednesday: 12.4 miles. From Hightop Hut to Bearfence Hut . Now that we're used to backapcking again, we're ready for a couple of longer days. Today we cross Hightop Mountain, Saddleback Mountain and Baldface Mountain. However, despite the significant mileage, the elevation gain and loss is relatively mild.
Thursday: 11.5 miles. From Bearfence Hut to Rock Spring Cabin. Today's highlights include the an old cemetery at Tanners Ridge Road, a wayside at Lewis Spring about mile 7, Fisher Gap Overlook, Blackrock viewpoint, and Franklin Cliffs. In contrast to the previous nights, tonight we stay at a PATC (Potomac Appalachian Trail Club) cabin. Although these are almost as primitive as the AT shelters, they offer both beds and more solitude than is found in the others.
Friday: 9.6 miles, including 1.5 miles off trail to the rental cabin. From Rock Spring Cabin to Corbin Cabin. Today's hike takes off over, past, or through Cresent Rock Overlook, Pollock Knob, and Stony Man Mountain (the highest point in the park) Hughes River Gap and Stony Man Overlook. We also go right by Skyland Lodge, a great place to stop for a cold drink. Corbin Cabin is another PATC cabin. Although staying here means you'll start tomorrow with a 1,000 foot climb back up the ridge, it will give you a glimpse into the lives of the people who lived here before the National Park was created in 1935.
Saturday: 7.5 miles, including 1.5 uphill miles back to the trail from rental cabin. From Corbin Cabin to Thorton Gap. Today is the homestretch and with our light packs and strong legs (and the thought of waiting ice cream), it will go quickly. We'll be met by a shuttle that will drop off those without cars in Luray and then on to Waynesboro for those who need to retrieve their cars. If there's time, those who are interested can visit Luray Caverns. In any case we'll all enjoy hot showers, soft beds, and a final farewell dinner.
Sunday: You are free to leave anytime after breakfast. If you flew in, we'll have you back to IAD by 11:30 am and you can plan to fly out after 1 pm.
|
 |
|  |
