Shenandoah Nat. Park loop trails

“Hey gang, Dare and I are lookin' to get down to SNP some weekend and wanted to hear about any TTer's favorite trails. I've only hiked there a few times and it has been some time since my last jaunt there.

I've got the AT maps with side trails marked...any particularly awesome stretches there?

Tell me what your faves are! Of course, the usual criteria applies: nice views, reliable water sources, good camp sites, no people, blah blah blah
(hey, one can dream, right?!)

Thanks for any help.
>:D”

“You're asking for mutually exclusive things. Any place that has good views or waterfalls is going to have masses of people (i.e. Old Rag, Cedar Run, White Oak Canyon, Rocky Top), most places with good water have limited camping. Someone on PATC forum once said, if it's in the guidebook and sounds like a really good place to go -- expect crowds. If you want solitude, go for those places that barely get a description -- but then you won't get the views, etc.

That said, and at risk of ruining it for future hikes, I like the Jeremy Run loops for an overnighter. Only one good area for camping - but it is a good one. Good swimming in the creek.”

“Swimming? BRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!

I have the Shenandoah Trail Guide....

What time are you working till tomorrow?”

“Thanks Ginny, I will check that section out. (you and Mary Phyl are some that make that rare appearance and always offer up good stuff)
:o)

The masses of people that crowd SNP on weekends are frequently spoken of...which is probably why I haven't done too much wandering down there (that and, until recently, I hiked with the wonderdog). :/

I am willing to hike the extra mile to get away from all of that, if it is even possible down there. I figured that some of our TT friends would have some places to recommend.

Addy - I work until 4PM today, what's up?! Dare and I are thinking of going down to SNP for Halloween weekend.”

“Tomorrow silly....

Wondering if you and "that guy" wanted to go to the Walpack for dinner Friday....

Yumbalicious Lobster Special On Friday Nights!!!!!!!”

“It seems that as long as you get a reasonable distance away from Skyline drive things quieten out a lot.”

“Just west of SNP is George Washington National Forest.

Wolf Gap NP campground is nice and you can do some loopin' either north or south.
Wolf Gap is 12 west of I-81.....RT 42.....Woodstock Exit.

You can loop around the entire Trout Run Valley on the West Virginia side.”

“Wolf Gap is 12 MILES west of I-81.

cont.....

Wolf Gap is a CCC-built site with nine campsites and fairly new scheissehaus.

It sits in Wolf Gap at about 2500 feet.

Two miles north at about 3000 feet is Big Schloss.
It sits on the ridge that is the state line.
From the top of the Schloss you can see in all directions.

Trout Run valley is on the West Virginia side with Long Mountain forming its west wall at around 2500 feet.

At the north end of Trout Run Valley is Half Moon Lookout, the site of a former fire-watcher's tower.

The south end of the valley is guarded by Tibbet Knob at 3100 feet.

Trout Run Valley is about four to five miles long and maybe a bit over a mile wide.

A loop of about twelve miles can be done starting at Wolf Gap.
The trail goes north two miles to the schloss and 3-4 miles further to Sandstone Spring(good water source).
Its about another mile to the top of North Mountain(?) and west past Halfmoon Lookout and down to the floor of the valley.

Long Mountain is topped by a rock pallisade(wall) which runs north-south and takes a right-angle east before ending abruptly and dropping steeply to the valley floor near where Halfmoon Trail meets the valley road.

Across the road you must bushwhack up to the top of Long Mountain.
It obvious but rather steep.
Once on top of Long Mountain its a relatively easy ridge-run(no trail) south a few miles to the end of the mountain.
From there an easy bushwhack to the south and east takes you to some dang forest road and east.

The forest road passes with about 3/4 mile (south) of Tibbet Knob(easy bushwhack).
From Tibbet Knob its a l.5 mile walk on a trail north to Wolf Gap.

I'll see if I can dig up a map.”

“Any of the SNP loop hikes are good. Each offers something different from the others. When I started hiking in '69, I picked up a copy of Circuit Hikes in the Shenandoah National Park published by the PATC. I just started taking them. I think I've done them all over time.”

“Amy - I have the Circuit Hikes book and also 'Hikes to Waterfalls.' You're more than welcome to borrow them. I'm leaving in an hour to hike with Pete so I won't be home til Sunday night. Give me a shout if you want them.

Are you staying in a campground and dayhiking or backpacking? My favorite dayhike is the Cedar Run - Whiteoak Canyon loop.”

“Thanks for all of the suggestions, guys. We are definitely backpacking, so campgrounds are out...I'm really wanting to get out and away.

Bruce, you're a doll. I may just take you up on the loaner book of loops. I've already got the waterfall book and it is excellent!

TomT - already it's about the schloss eh? A big one, no less. LOL!
Your loop sounds like its got some potential, provided I've got some mapage of that area.

Addy - Tomorrow night I am working at the rescue squad, but we'll take a raincheck on the Walpack. Definitely wanting to try that place!

:o)”

“:-(”

“ok, if you really want to see me that badly, call 9-1-1. of course, this only applies if you're in upper Bucks. LOL!

;p
;b
;p
;b

Seriously though, we all have to get together again soon. This Sunday we're dayhiking locally, if you guys are around. I'll give you a buzz.”

“AmyG, "Schloss" is German for castle or fortress.

The Schloss is a huge rock formation perched on the ridge top.

The north face of it has a rather large "schlong-like" rock pointing north.”

“can't do it....”