Ramsey's Draft this weekend - anybody th ere?

“Hey I'm going to Ramsey's Draft wilderness in Virginia this weekend. Any other TTers going to be there? It would be nice to say "Hi". Anyone have experience at the area? I've never been.

Ramsey's Draft
last edited: 6/02/05 11:01:03 AM”

“A nice walk under towering hemlocks that, I am told, are suffering greatly from the adelgid infestation.

Back in the early 80s it was wonderful. i have not been back there for years though.”

“I was there about 4 years ago. I followed the Jerry's Run trail from the wilderness and took the Shenandoah Mt. Trail. Around Tearjacket Knob was a side trail heading east that led to a nice open area to camp at Rock Lick Springs. We spent the next day hiking north, mostly on roads, towards Reddish Knob. We spent that night in a hunting site off the road a bit with a nice view of the area from the side of the mountain. The next day we took the North River Trail south and spent the night under that stars on top of Little Bald Knob. The next day we caught the Wild Oak Trail back into the wilderness area and spent July 4th at Hiner Spring. The most scenic part of the trail was along the Wild Oak Trail. If I ever make it back to the area I hope to hike the entire 25 mile circuit.”

“The Wild Oak Trail is definitely wild. Right about now the dwarf crested iris should be blooming about halfway up between North River and the divide.”

“Mmmmm, love Ramseys Draft. I hear the native Brook Trout are also feeling the effects of the deforestation caused by the adelgid. Stinks. Still, a wonderful place.”

“Well, we did the trip, three days two nights. We went over the Bald Ridge side, not the Shennandoah Mountain side. The first night we stayed in the little clearing with the pond between Big Bald Knob and Gordon's Peak. The peepers were deafening.

The second night we stayed at a great campsite right above (not below!) Hiner Spring. One of the best campsites I've ever experienced, but I felt guilty about it. There was a family of three deer who kept circling us, I think we set up our tent right on their bed. They were fearless and friendly, probably looking for a handout.

The Hemlocks are suffering badly from the adelgid infestation. I'd say of the ones that are still standing, a full 25% of them are completely dead, 50% looking very sick, and about %25 looking healthy. Not much time left for the healthy ones I'm afraid.”

“I haven't been to Big Bald Knob, but it sounds like a great place to camp, excluding the peepers. Was the water flowing this time of year?”

“Not to worry about being in their bed,they travel through the area. Did you camp up on the hill east of the spring? I've spent several nights there over the years, and its one of my favorite campsites. Almost all of my trips have been winter hikes though. If you go on toward the breast works Freezeland flats is another good camp area. Its a little farther from water though.”

“ Did you camp up on the hill east of the spring?

Yes, right up there. The firepit is very well contained, and the four sided log benches around it were comfy. We had a small campfire which was a very effective bug deterrant (much needed).

The reason I say we slept in their bed is that there was a small section of matted down grass at what looked like a nice flat place to put the tent. It appeared like someone had put up maybe a two man tent. But I think it was three sleeping deer that matted it. They certainly were very interested in the tree which was our 'bathroom' for the trip. And what made it worse is that one of the deer was covered with tumors on one side of her body. Some kind of skin cancer in late stages, poor thing, I wonder what caused it, probably dioxin from campers burning plastic trash in a fire. :(

Hiner spring was running nice, but the other spring up the mountain was very small, too small to pump from. The Draft was fairly easily crossable all the way down (but that didn't stop me from falling in and soaking my boots dagnab it).

The pond water was nasty, I was expecting a spring with a pond and stream running off, not a stagnant pool. But my water filter did the job (I hope...... Giardia takes a while to set in).

Nice hike - WAY TOO MANY FLIES. I've never experienced anything like that amount of bugs on the whole mountain, the whole area. But then again I usually hike in late fall/winter/early spring specifically to avoid bugs.
last edited: 6/10/05 12:43:42 PM”

“Late May-Early June is no-see-um season in that neck of the woods. They carry off small babies. Supposedly they do not wander more than 100 yards from the water where they hatch. Either there is way too much standing water in those parts of the 100 yards thing is a line of bull. It's a shame, too, because early June is when the dwarf crested iris blooms, and I've seen showy orchis along the North River at that time of year.”