This has to be one of the best backpacks in Virginia. We did it back in October 2011 as an aggressive 2.5 day backpack covering 39.6 miles. This backpack has everything, creeks, tough climbs, great vistas, wild ponies, tallest mountain in Virginia, tons of camp sites, open balds, and the list goes on.
We also hiked the Virginia Creeper Trail for the first 12.3 miles to ease in for our first day. The Appalachian Trail north on this section does not have many views. The mileage is not much different so decide if you want to do the A.T. or the Virginia Creeper Trail. The Virginia Creeper Trail is very picturesque and has multiple bridge crossings over Laurel Creek.
Make sure to double check the weather prior to your hike as it can change dramatically in this area and at these 5000ft+ elevations.
We did the clockwise (up Cedar Run first) route. This is one of our favorite hikes. Saw a large barred owl along Cedar run, and quite a few folks going down Cedar Run. it was pretty crowded in WOC.
My pedometer read 18K+ steps for the hike. No wonder my feet w ... more >>>
This is just a hike put together and not a National Parks trail. The name is kind of deceptive,"Difficult Run Hike" is the combination of several trails. Make sure you follow the instructions starting with where to park. There are many places to pick up the "Difficult Run Trail" ... more >>>
This is a nice hike, suitable for kids, not difficult. Great to have it so close to DC. Pretty landscape. I cannot understand how some reviewers have written that the hike is hard to follow. The NPS has a special flier that shows hiking trail, and the trail is clearly marked at ... more >>>
I did this hike with my 9 year old son for our first overnight backpacking trip together on May 12th and 13th. We had perfect weather and an overall enjoyable experience. I used the map and written directions from this website to navigate and had no problems whatsoever.
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Halfmoon Lookout Backpack.
The directions on here to the trailhead are great. We - Lisa, Greg, Austin and myself, parked and headed up the trail at about 4:30pm on Friday, May 4. We wanted to set up camp before dark, so we went in the opposite direction from that described he ... more >>>
Gorgeous gorgeous day for my favorite hike loop (I agree with Greg, below, about going down the fire road). Started at 8am from Weakley Hollow empty parking lot, got back to car at 11 to full parking lot. Along the trail saw a 4-foot black snake, lots of poison ivy, masses of lit ... more >>>
Over 200 Hikes In the Mid-Atlantic Plus 20+ New Hikes Planned For 2012!
Potomac Appalachian Trail Club iPhone App
Shenandoah National Park
Do you love your PATC Shenandoah National Park maps as much as we do? Well now you can take all three maps 9, 10 & 11 with you on your iPhone. Not only will you get tracking and location information, the app also includes mapping tools such as distance, bearing, and a compass. Also included are handy features such as photos and descriptions for key locations. For only $4.99 you get all this at a fraction of the cost you would pay for the three hard copy maps.
Ticks and Lyme Disease The ticks start coming out in the Spring, with the summer months of June and July prime ticks season. Help protect yourself from Lyme Disease and make sure to take the proper precautions. Apply a repellent with 30%+ deet, and consider using a clothing repellent like Permathrin that kills ticks.
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Geo. Washington NF
