Adventures of an AT Section hiker "Mapless"

Tag: Virginia

  • Appalachian Trail Conservancy

    Appalachian Trail Conservancy

    August 15 and 16, 2025 — Two 1/2 days at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Volunteer Leadership Meeting.

    The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) mission is to manage, protect and advocate The Appalachian Trail National Scenic Trail. They are the third leg of the three legged stool that has this mission. The other two legs are the Forest Service / National Park Service and the many volunteers from the hiking clubs along the trail.

    As a newer member of the Nantahala Hiking Club in Franklin NC I was asked to attend this 2 1/2 day meeting with the ATC. It was a wonderful experience to meet other volunteers from clubs from the full lenght of the trail from Georgia to Maine. I made new contacts and bonded with others that have similar passions to help keep the AT alive for generations to come.

    Most the sessions I attended dealt with finding way to find new volunteers to join the club and help maintain the trail. Like many service organizations is this always a challenge and hopefully over the coming years I hope to help out club grow.

    The meeting and rooms were at the Claggett Center just south of Frederick VA. I was a beautiful facility with a great view out the back of the meetings. They feed us well in cateria style and even offer me some gluten free options including a gluten free brownie which was awesome. Much more food than I normally eat so going to need some big rides on the rest of the road trip to work it off..

    The learn more about the ATC click here ….https://appalachiantrail.org/

  • First Bike Ride of the Trip

    First Bike Ride of the Trip

    August 14, 2025 – One of the goals of the trip is to bike and on a number of “Rail Trails”. I had found trail just a bit north of Lexington VA that I had planned for the day.

    Got up early at 7am , breakfast and packed up the “camper van” to head for the trail. Did not have cell service at the campground last night so had to drive a bit this morning for service to determine where I was going. Arrived at the Blue Ridge Railway Trail by 8:30

    Trail was nice and shaded, gravel trail. Just enough elevation to get the heart going. Rode to the dead end of the trail which was kind of different. Total ride was 13.7 miles, 1 hour and 28 min for a average pace of 9.3 mph.. Not bad, I am not a fast rider !!

    After the ride I changed clothes and hit the road heading to Fredrick Maryland. Google took my on I-29 north which very scenic and a nice ride for the start of the ride. However things got more and more congested the further north I went due to DC traffic I assume. I route also had numerous traffic light and this got frustrating. In addition to add the the frustration the check engine light appeared…. so I have that going for me…

    The motel I reserved in Frederick looked a little sketchy so I found a different motel near by and check in …. headed to a auto parts store to get the error code form the check engine and found to may be a sensor related to the crankshaft position. They reset the error and it did not come right back on so decided to carry on.

    Traveled to downtown Fredrick looking for a spot for drink after the day of travel and car trouble. Parking was a issue but eventually found a spot and a drink at Jo Jo’s. Once I found they has a full glutted free menu I ordered a check sandwich on a gluten free bun ! yeah

    The rest of the night was uneventful and happy to be in the air conditioning as the temps and humidity were still high.

  • Shenandoah Section Hike Day 6/6

    Monday 5/12/2025 – Last day on the trail for my Shenandoah section hike. I was hoping for an easy day of 9 miles to Rockfish Gap. But nothing is ever easy on the AT in Virginia.

    I statard the day with the climb to Calf Mountain. I was glad that I stopped short of this yesterday and saved for today. I was a tough uphill. Other climbs during the day were also a struggle, probably from the fatigue of 6 days on the trail. When I finally hit the downhill expected to finish the hike there were rocks to deal with in the path …. never easy.

    Finished the last 2 miles in the rain and drizzle. Prefect timing to finish the hike since heavy rain was expected the next few days. A little irony at the end, the gentleman who took my victory photo was a member of the Potomac hiking club and he maintains the part of the trail where I had camped the night before… small world.

    Made it to my van and headed in the Waynesboro motel for a hot shower and real food.

    Stats for the last day: 9.00 miles, 1855ft total ascent, 6hr 13 min, ave speed 1.4 mph

    Total for this section 6 days, 45.5 miles

    Have now complete the entire AT in the Shenandoah National Park – SOBO Compton Gap to Rockfish Gap – 102.2 miles

  • Shenandoah Section Hike Day 5/6

    Sunday 5/11/2025 – Day 5 of my Shenandoah section hike. I was so anxious and worried about this day. The schedule called for a 13 mile day ! Most of my hikes are in the 8 to 9 mil range max so this was going to be a test not only for distance but also total ascent. I was able to modify the plan to 12 miles and avoid a big climb at the end the day. I had my son create a pace chart so I could be sure I would stay in track and finish before 6 pm. The worst part was going to be water. There were no water sources over the 12/13 miles

    The day started out well, making good time with each mile. The sun was out and after noon it bergan to get warm. I was consuming lots of water and I was worried I would run out. I asked a few folks along the way for some extra water. A passing car on the skyline stopped and gave me a Gatorade. I was felling so thirsty like I could drinks everything I had.

    I reported each mile to family and friends via text to give myself some confidence on what I was doing. The last few miles were teeming with Mountain Laurel in bloom. I made to the spring and camp site in the late afternoon feeling very spent but recovered well with lots of water, electrolytes and dinner.

    Stats for day: 12.12 miles, total ascent 2350, 7 hours 55 minutes , average speed 1.5mph

  • Shenandoah Section Hike Day 4/6

    Saturday 5/10/25 Day 4 of my Shenandoah section hike. Plan for day was 7.3 miles to Blackrock Mountain Hut including a 600 ft climb to Blackrock Mountain.

    It got cold and windy overnight. I did not get a good rest because I was worried about hiking in the cold and wind the next day. I was not really prepared for cold weather. When I left Loft campground at 7 am the winds had died. I forgot to set my watch at the start of my hike, so my stats do not include the whole hike.

    The trail seemed easier today. Not sure I it was the terrain or I was getting some “hiking legs”. I was surprised on how fast the miles went today. Even the climb up Blackrock was not that bad…. day would have been perfect if I did not take the wrong trail off the top of the mountain and had to climb back up to get back on the AT.

    Blackrock is a popular day hike and it was Saturday so there were many people on the trail. The rocks that make up the mountain were crazy… I would be interested in knowing how these were formed.

    Got into the Shelter / Hut fairly early and was lucking to have only one other hiker staying overnight. I was able to snag the one prime spot for the tent behind the shelter. You can see in the photo I do carry a 18 ounce chair. This may be a luxury item but I find it much better than sitting on log.

    Recorded stats for day: 6.96 miles, 1042 total ascent, 4hr 03 min, 1.7mph

  • Shenandoah Section Hike Day 3/6

    May 9. 2025 – Day 3 of the Shenandoah Section hike. Plan for day was 6.0 mile into the Loft Mountain campground and stay the night in campground.

    Left the Pinefield Hut at 7 am. There was rain overnight so everything was damp and the air was thick. Was looking forward to a short day and a shower at the campground.

    The day consisted of some big climbs, wildflowers, a skyline drive overlook and rain at the end of the hike. It was one of those days where I was watching my watch the whole last 2 miles to know how much further I had to go. Was able to have coffee, shower and do laundry at the camp store. What a luxury for a section hike ! Camping was great with water and flush toilets !

  • Shenandoah Section Hike Day 2/6

    May 8, 2025 Day 2 of the Shenandoah Section Hike. Plan for day was 8.1 miles to Pinefield Hut with couple of big climbs.

    The day was highlighted by wildflowers and mountain laurels in bloom, a view and a stop at a empty ranger station for break and water.

    Got into Pinefield Hut and did not like the designated options for the tent so I found a spot near a stream so I could hear the water all night. Shared the shelter area with a thru hiker couple Bird watcher and Grouse thru hikers form Michigan and a section hiker.

    Rain was expected so dinner was done early and in the tent at 7 pm with rain. My hiker day are usually done at 7pm and on the trail by 7 am

    Stats for the day: 9.17 miles, 1653 total ascent, 6hr 03 min, ave speed 1.5 mph

  • Shenandoah Section Hike Day 1/6

    May 7, 2025 – First day of a 6 day / 45 mile section hike on the Appalachian Trail in the Shenandoah National Park SOBO from Swift Run to Rockfish Gap.

    Left my car near the Rockfish Gap entrance to SNP. My shuttle driver Mary drove me the 1.5 hours to the Swift Run Gap, We traded lots of hiking stories as she has completed most of the trail as a section hiker.

    Had some breakfast at the side of the road on the rock fence and stated out of the the trail. The plan for the day was short on miles but with a significant climb (significant for me) up Hightop Mountain. Spent a good amount of time at the overlook before heading into the Hightop Hut (Shelter).

    The weather was sunny and warm…. too warm for a nap in the tent… smiles. Had the whole shelter area to myself no other hikers stayed the night but did see a number stop for a water fill up.

    Stats for the day: 3.66 miles, 1298 ft elevation, 3 hours 30 Min, ave speed 1.0 mph,

  • Shenandoah National Park

    May 4 – May 5 I left Woods Hole and headed to Shenandoah National Park and Waynesburg VA for the start of the next adventure.

    Drove 25 miles into the SNP to Loft Mountain campground and got some nice overlook photos. Spent 2 days at the campground. I was fairly empty as it was during the week and they had just opened May 1 for the season. Hung out and enjoyed the solitude and got pack organized for my next hike. Great coffee at the camp store !

    On May 6 I spent the day in Waynesboro VA which is trail town to the Appalachian trail … found a few coffee shops to update this blog and gluten free pizza for dinner

    Found a parking / camping spot near the Rockfish Gap entrance to the park. The is abandoned motel and Howard Johnsons and the parking lot is used by hikers. It was a bit noisy with I64 highway entrance and over pass near by but not too bad. I will park the van here during my hike starting tomorrow.

  • A Magical Place – Woods Hole Hostel

    4/28 – 5/3 – Planned a work / stay at Woods Hole hostel for the week. I have been a guest a number of times during hiking trips since 2020 and wanted to spend some extended time here. What better way to do this than with a ‘work stay”

    I arrived on Monday 4/28 after my weekend with “the crud”. I had not eaten before my arrival so I thought I was better but could not be 100% sure. The owner Neville was a bit concerned about my my condition and wanted to be sure I was in the clear. She asked me to come back the next day, Tuesday 4/29. I left disappointed but understood. I went to breakfast and realized I was fine, but decided to wait the day before returning.

    I spent the day at various AT trailheads in the area looking for hikers to provide some “trail magic” as well as to find place to spend the night in the van. I never saw one hiker. At one trail point in the afternoon I met a gentleman from West Virginia doing trail magic that had been in the spot all day and only saw 5 hikers. I guess we were still ahead of the “bubble” of hikers doing their northbound thru hike (NOBO).

    I spent the night at the “Narrows” AT trailhead near Pearisburg. This was my second time here as I started a section hike from this same location a few years back.

    In the morning I headed back to Woods Hole for my week stay. Woods Hole is a refurbished log Chestnut cabin from 1880. Additional buildings for a bunk house and shower house have been added. They provide homemade breakfast and dinner each day. It is hard to describe but I consider this place magical and I just get very emotional each time I stay here. (and emotional writing this)

    I was able to park my van “up the hill” on the property and was able to have access to electricity from an extension cord form the pole barn… this was perfect.. Spent the week learning the process of working various jobs and assisting with meal prep and cleaning each day for the guests.

    Th real fun staying at a Woods Hole is meeting all the hikers coming through. Each day there was maybe 5 to 10 hikers. Some stay one night, some stay second night when they realize how nice this place can be. Hikers come from all over, I met someone from UK, Western North Carolina near me and all parts of the US. The hiking stories are endless form of entertainment.

    The days start early at 7am since hikers like to get early starts when leaving. I was usually in my van, done for the day by 7PM. The week went by very quickly A few days i had almost 15,000 steps!! The weather was prefect most days… sunny and highs in the 60’s most days. A big strom came trough during the middle of the night with lightning and hail… that was exciting

    The owner Neville Harris is such a wonderful person. I just love the energy she has with her place. She offers yoga, fresh organic vegetable for the garden with coffee and dinner served on her hand made poetry. There is so much history here. Her grandmother who created the hostel is in the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame for her support of the trail.

    Welcome

    https://appalachiantrail.com/20150417/the-mystique-of-woods-hole-hostel-an-appalachian-trail-treasure/