Shenandoah National Park

“ha! now my weekend work has been cancelled and i'll be in the park friday night... man things are crazzzzy!”

“@ shelter drinkin coffee. swapped sat and sund plans and did treyfoot/paine loop this morn. great weather!”

“@ shelter drinkin coffee. swapped sat and sund plans and did treyfoot/paine loop this morn. great weather!”

“You picked a great weekend Jimmy C! Have a great time. I am soooooooo jelous.”

“You're probably wondering why I keep calling you JimmyC. Well, so do I. Sorry, don't know where I got that from.”

“yo Jimmy san - did you leave a ground cloth at the campsite? if so I have it and the 4 stakes - let me know if so and how to get it to you”

“lmao!

yes, those are my goodies, HOI. i remembered I had left them behind after i was well into the riprap. i hiked back to the blackrock shelter to see if they were still there but they were gone. my hope (which came true!) was that you snagged them for me. that groundcloth is "special" and is an integral part of my sleep system, such that it is. i was quite distressed to have pulled such a bonehead move and left it behind.

assuming your email is in your profile i'll drop you a note.

i had a GREAT time in the shenandoah national forest! i got to do so many things that were new of interesting. i hiked all the trails i planned and got back to the airport with time to spare. i'll work on a trip report this evening on the plane home.

the weather was perfect... and the forest was pretty.

i spent a cold night in an AT shelter with a little hottie named chelsie who kept me quite warm all night but tended to hog the covers... i will say no more until my trip report! that should keep you checking back for an update!”

“Jimmy san - my email addr is hog_on_ice on hotmail”

“Shenandoah National Park Trip Report

Well, work cut into Friday night so I was not able to get to the park. I spent the night in Reston, but got up at 5 am and was at the Summit Overlook parking lot by 8am.

The Treyfoot Mountain Trail is a nice trail with some good views. There is a rapid climb up Treyfoot Mountain (3380 ft elevation) where HoI said there may have once been remains of an old fire tower. I didn’t know to look for these remains and I didn’t notice them when I got to the peak. The remainder of the trail is high and very dry. Before I knew it I was on the Paine Run Trail about to loop back. I had guzzled all my water and needed more. As soon as the Paine Run Trail leaves the Treyfoot Mountain Trail ot crosses a small stream that was try. Looking back a ways down the streak I saw good pockets of water but this stream went downhill and looked like it led somewhere so I followed it back 30-40 yards and it emptied into a beautiful stream with flowing water, minnows, boulders, moss, the works. This was a perfect spot for a break, a snack, and a refill of my water supply.

Hiking back to the Paine Run Trail I pretty quickly wrapped up this hike. This trail is fairly flat and open with lots of evidence of horse usage. It had a “walk in the woods” ambience. I met a few nice people and their dogs. I didn’t see much wildlife… some turkeys and a few deer. No bears, which I really badly wanted to see. Soon I was at Blackrock gap looking for the AT, which I quickly picked up. I followed the at across Skyline Drive (twice!) and then headed to the start of the days hiking. Once at Summit Parking I walked back in, picked up the AT, and quickly located Blackrock hut. Here I would wait for HoI and camp for the night… but it was only 1pm!

I spent the remainder of the day drinking coffee, reading, and generally being lazy. I spent a LOT of time reading the hut’s extensive journal laughing to the point of tears at times. A series of hikers arrived at the shelter. One was hiking the AT with his dog. He didn’t stay long. There was a father and his daughter, who camped up hill from the shelter. HoI showed up but I didn’t recognize him (nor did he recognize me but I think he had a clue). Also, a really nice young woman named Amy showed up with her dog Chelsea. Chelsea is a ½ pit ½ hound mix… I joked that she could track you down and –then- kill you. She was so very sweet and I instantly fell in love with her. You know me and dogs… As it started to get dark a father with several of his sons arrived so there were a total of 11 people at the shelter that night. The AT hiker moved (long before there were this many people) because it was too early to stop. He loaded up with water and split, but not before his dog drank what must have been 2 gallons of H2O!

Well, HoI pitched his tarp uphill from the shelter. I laid out my tarp and quilt down by the stream at an area designated for camping.

The boys made a nice fire and proceeded to cook dinner (ramen noodles). Most people had already eaten. One of the boys dumped his bowl of noodles in his lap. Later a rice dish was dumped all over the table. Before all this the same thing happened to someone else cooking a rice dish… and all were sitting in the same place when it happened! The picnic table was wobbly and when someone sat down at the far corner the table teeter-tottered.

While I was out using the facilities a bear apparently came to the spring to drink! I was more than a little disappointed as I wanted to see a bear. It didn’t come back.

As it got darker it got colder and it was a very clear night. Noticing how much warmer it was on the shelter platform than the ground I moved my quilt and mattress into the shelter. This turned out to be a great decision despite the journals warning of a rat named “Sid” that was as large as a cat and had all sorts of strange powers and a rumored spouse just as large. I never did see Sid but there were rustlings of mice (or a rat) during the night for sure.

Chelsea’s toenails clicked around in the dark for an hour after lights out looking for a place to sleep. Amy’s sleeping bag didn’t have room for them both. Soon dear Chelsea was curled up on top of my quilt at my feet. She took up a LOT of space and if you have seen my quilt it works great when it’s just you that are under it but there isn’t a lot of extra room for someone hogging the covers. Well, I tossed and turned a but Chelsea managed. The benefit is that that dog put out a LOT of heat and kept my legs and feet toasty, when my feet didn’t wind out sticking outside the quilt as a result of some strange positioning of the quilt as she-dog and he-man rustled for ownership of the down insulation.

We did have a visitor that night but I wasn’t sure what it was other than it was large. HoI said later it was a deer that had wandered into camp. There was a can of chili one of the boys left on the table and it was untouched. So I am pretty sure there was no bear in camp that night.

The next morning I packed up and headed out after making my goodbyes.

I reached the car fairly quickly and drove down to the Riprap Trail parking area. I ran into the AT hiker from the night before (you actually have to hike a little of the AT to get to the Riprap trail). He had spent the night on the ridge and we both ranted about what a perfect day it was for walking. I started hiking at 9am.The Riprap is a great trail. It gains elevation fairly quickly and then passes a series of outstanding rock outcroppings… great views! There is an area with a great view where there was clearly a good sized fire. It then descends into a gully with a stream that is as pretty as a postcard. A few miles in I found the most beautiful waterfall and refilled my water. I passed a party illegally camped at a LARGE pool of water (could have swum in it if I was brave).

Soon I was at the junction of the Wildcat Ridge Trail. This trail is a pain in the butt. It’s a “walk in the woods” type of trail but it starts going up and doesn’t stop going up until it hits the AT! What a workout. I passed a few cliffs that for sure would be worth climbing (if you were dumb enough to lug all that climbing protection down that hill!) I passed a few hikers heading down. After a lot of work I found myself near the AT junction, but before I did boom! There was a bear in front of me on the trail! I was totally stoked. It was a larger male (yes, I was that close) and I scared him really good. He took off with a shot downhill and I watched him (heart racing) until he was out of sight. Then I got up on the AT and headed to the Riprap parking area. I must not have hiked 20 yards when another bear (smaller) came ripping down the hill (from the Skyline Drive side of the trail) and did a MAJOR backpedal when he saw me! Talk about hilarious! I am sure he left ruts in the ground. He sprinted back up the hill and was gone. That was the end of my bear encounters (other than dodging piles of bear crap which were everywhere on the trail). I was back at the Riprap parking area at 1pm… 4 hours to polish off the loop. By the way, I took my full pack just so it would be sporting. I was very pleased.

I drove BACK to the Treyfoot and hiked back to the Blackrock Hut. I had left my goundcloth and stakes there, but it turned out HoI had snagged them for me when he packed out. Thanks HoI! Wasted trip for me but that’s OK. Revisiting the hut was a nice end to a GREAT day!

I was really tired when I got back to the car. I changed my clothes and headed out. I am at the airport now waiting on my flight. Perfect weather, perfect hiking, lots of cool people, I got to meet a new TTer, spent the night in an AT shelter (first time!), first time hiking in VA, lots of fall colors and smells. I am for sure going back to explore this park further.

This was a good trip for me on another level. I have been totally into climbing this last year and backpacking has really taken a back seat. This trip really reaffirmed my love for exploring on foot, backcountry camping, and the companionship and diversity it has brought my life.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! Hopefully we’ll get a chance to hike again sometime soon. I hear there are some great caves out there to explore… hint, hint. ”

“Oh, GFORCE!!! I made a point to look for an entry in the log that you left. I didn't see it on first read, but that guys daughter did find it for me. I was excited. I wanted to remember the date of the entry but I forgot it... I think it was 6/10... does that sound right?”

“i did take some pics but they are on my cell phone camera. i'll upload them today.”

“Sounds like you had a great trip! Very cool that you got to see a couple of bears.”

“Photos... I only had my cell phone camera so I only took 5 pictures. The photos don't do the place justice. I sure wish I had a photo of those bears!

http://thebackpacker.com/pictures/album/bchiex0x.php”

“Nice photo you sent to me.”

“i was really stoked to hike on the AT, even if just a few miles. that place has an aura about it, esp when you come to one of the shelters and can sense the culture. the log book was excellent reading!”

“Next year maybe a section hike?”

“Jimmy san - the package is on its way to you”

“I checked into the regs ( http://www.nps.gov/shen/parkmgmt/upload/shen_compendium_2007.pdf ) and as near as I can tell rock climbing in SNP does not require a special permit.”

“thanks hoi. be sure to tell me what i owe you for shipping. i can paypal you the money or pay you back on the trail with spam. ;)

i can't imaging lugging a full rack of gear down that wildcat trail (only to lug it back up again!) still, it would be a good weekend climbing and exploring. we fly past stuff like this so quickly and often miss the close-up contact that an activity like climbing provides.”

“yeah I bet you didn't even notice the "cave" on Wildcat Ridge trail (no loss - its kinda small)

btw trust me on this - it aint no fun lugging a full rack of gear up Riprap Trail either

wrt the postage - just help some other hiker - its called paying it forward or passing the magic along”

“fair enough!

on wildcat i did see something that i thought might be a cave. it was a flat dark oval, but i would not have know if it was a hueco or a cave.”

“i am going to update this trip every three months as i explore a different section of this national park. my next visit will be in january (tentative and depending on my job) and any and all are welcome to come with me. it will be cold, however, and they don't permit fires. so be sure you like winter camping. depending on snowfall i may bring skis or snowshoes.”

“that is why for winter camping in Shen I almost always plan on staying near one of the huts - just so I can have a good fire

wrt snowshoes - I have not needed them for the last 4 years - not enough snow - instep crampons however have come in useful a few times”

“Hopefully, I can make it in January. I have anxious to get back up there.”

“i want to do old rag in the winter when all the trees are stripped down. that has got to be one hell of a sight but also one hell of a price to pay to take it in.”

“its not too bad if you do it on the saddle trail - be sure to have some crampons however - there are some sections of flow ice that cross the trail - wrt doing the ridge trail - you would either need good weather or more equipment (ropes etc) to make it safely IMO”

“i got some new insteps a few months ago, camp punte lights... ultralight 6 pointers... really sweet crampons. i got them for the grand canyon to replace my steel cmi insteps which are heavy (but effective). i have never actually had to use them which is why i am going ultralight on the crampons... they tend to sit in my pack unused. these were on backorder for like 9 months and it was rumored camp would not make them anymore, but they are in production now and i snagged a pair. thanks to backcountrygear.com for letting be put something on backorder or 9 months! haha! good folks.”

“HOI: I got the package yesterday. I want to thank you again for being so kind as to send that groundcloth along. That's an important part of my sleeping system and I was heartbroken to have lost it. Dancing Light Gear shut down it's operation about a year or so ago so it's something I would have to sew myself if I wanted to replace it. So this was super appreciated but even more so that you sent it Priority Mail since I would have had to gone without it this weekend in the Trapp Hills. I just wanted to pay the courtesy of saying "Thank You" and to let you know how much I appreciate your generosity and thoughtfulness. I still wish you would let me repay you for the postage but will honor your request and "pay it forward". It's something I would do anyway. I it's good to see the system in action.”

“thanks for letting me know it got there in time - I figured you would be needing it this weekend”

“updates on trip page. i do NOT know this area so this could be f*cked up. i would value the input of hoi and others from the area. the skis would be fun but a terrible thing to lug around for the last day. this is still a ways out.”

“there are two shelters on the Saddle trail coming down Old Rag - unfortunately afaik it is against regs to camp at either one of them - as I recall it is only permitted to camp below 2800 feet on Old Rag - you can however have a fire at either shelter and the lower shelter is only slightly higher than the 2800 feet iirc”

“yeah, i didn't mention camping at these shelters since the map clearly says "day use only" next to them.”

“For what it's worth, there are two parking areas at Old Rag parking area - upper and lower. If you park at the lower area near SR600, which is actually the overflow area, you will need to road walk up to the trailhead about .5 miles. The upper parking area has fewer spots but gets you closer. When I was there, no signs were posted about the upper parking area and I found out after the fact.”

“You ar5e aware Crampons would be a very good idea, yes?”

“well, actually no i didn't. i probably would have figured this out closer to the trip. i have three sets, a set of 4-point insteps, a set of 6-point insteps, and a set of 12 pointers. i don't care for the 4-point insteps (not very stable) but like the 6-point insteps really well. i have only used the 12-point full crampons once. they work well but you feel like a dork wearing them and then get passed by an 18 year-old girl wearing flip-flops. haha!”

“My travel plans to Reston have been finalized so the trip dates have been adjusted. I'll be in Reston the weem of the 14th. I'll be driving to the park on the 18th of January but it will be dark when I leave. I'll probably crash in a hotel close to the park, get up early, and meet anyone that wants to go with me at the parking area in the morning. i'll do more planning/research as i get closer to January.”

“I am still planning on making this trip. I am in Reston all of next week and staying over the weekend. My plane goes back home late Sunday night. Obviously the weather will result in a change of plans but the timing remains the same and I still plan on doing the Old Rag thing... :)”

“Jimmy I see you're planning on doing the Old Rag loop.
I don't know about doing the ridge trail lugging all your gear with you. There are a few places where you might have a problem passing thru narrow areas carrying all that gear.

Many people set up a "base camp" just a short distance up the Nicholson hollow trail from the fire road.(there's lots of nice flat spots on the right side) hang their permit tag on their tent, and then do the Old Rag loop (ridge tr & return saddle tr and fire road)
It's easier to do the ridge trail without all that gear along and it's not that big of a loop. Why carry all your stuff up and back down?

Enjoy, its a great hike, Gotta lov SNP esp in the off season.

Just my 2 cents......”

“thanks cocohead! good beta.

not sure what i will do. i pack pretty light and this is just a weekend trip. kind of was hoping for snow and ice but doesn't look like nature is going to obliged.”

“I've done Old Rag with a full pack twice. The first time, my pack weighed about 45 lbs. The second 25 lbs. Obviously it was easier the second time. It can be done with a full pack.

you may need crampons. Jackstraw and I tried to do Old Rag last month and the upper elevations were impassible due to the ice. Old Rag has killed people, be careful.”

“i'll bring my ropes, pitons, hammer, ice axe, harness, helmet, crampons and a summit suit. do you think i'll need supplemental o2?

no, seriously, thanks. i was going to bring my crampons per a suggestion earlier made on this thread (HoI perhaps?) my pack is usually under 18 lbs for a weekend in cold weather. i do wish i had someone to go with (much safer) but have no problems going alone either.”

“I hadn't read the thread in awhile and I was thinkin you were bringing ski's etc.
With the temps in the 60's lately you won't be bringing those skis and with your 18lb pack the ridge trail is no problem.
When you get to the summit, if you feel the need for more of a challenge, turn around and do the scramble in the opposite direction. The saddle trail is easy, nothing challenging there, although thats where you'll find the shelters.

ENS + 45lb pack + mile long rock scramble = no big deal
ENS didn't you also do the OLP and BFT as day hikes too?”

“lol! really, thanks for the beta. i am bringing my crampons, a 30m 6mm rope, and perhaps a handful of stoppers, pitons, and slings just in case. lightweight pro that i almost certainly will not need but it will make me feel like a man. i'll prolly bring my helmet as well.”

“I don't understand why anyone would want to hike there!”

“then youre on the wrong forum, PR”

“I can see how this could be tricky or impossible if there was a lot of ice. this does look like 3rd class terrain but some might be borderline 4th. won't know until i get there.

http://www.hikingupward.com/SNP/OldRag/”

“weather doesn't look like it will be in the 60s. perhaps some snow prior to the weekend. not sure how much precip but temp will still be on the high side. no skis or snowshoes that's for sure but i'll be bringing my 12 pt crampons for sure and leave the insteps at home. worst case they stay strapped outside my pack all weekend.”

“Sounds like a plan...

There's a lot of cabin foundations and artifacts located across the creek,(which runs next to the fire road) on the Northwest face of the mountain, below the cliffs.

I got a book from PATC which shows where some of the old roads were in that area.
Winter/early spring is a great time to bushwhack that area”

“it's snowing! well we shall see...”

“It's been snowing all day here in central Virginia. Lots more out west in the mountains. Have a good trip Jimmy.”