The Ramsey's Draft Loop is beautiful with ridge line valley
views, springs and streams but is tiring with long
ascents and knob traverses on the 11.0 mile first day. Unlike
most ridge trails the Bald Ridge Trail is a long series of
ascents and descents of six knobs. It is 6+ hours of hiking
to one of several great camp spots anywhere from Hiner Spring
and below. Also note that some portions of the trails are hard
to spot and not well marked.
Start out at the end of the parking lot for 150
yards then turn right where a trail will cross Ramsey's Draft.
We needed to go about 50 yards upstream to find a low
water spot to cross. Follow the trail as it begins to ascend
the mountain for the longest steepest section of the loop as
it winds up to the ridge in 2.0 miles.
At the ridge turn left
as the trail you have been following now continues
down the other side of the mountain. Follow the ridge trail 4.5
miles (yellow diamond marked in places) as it crosses The Peak,
Bald Ridge Knob, The Pinnacle and Gordon Peak before arriving
at the next trail junction.
There is a small clearing with a trail coming in from the right
and pond to your left. Continue around the pond on the right
side where the trail continues uphill, then descends and in 1.7
miles arrives at the next trail junction.
Turn hard left at this junction and gradually ascend
for 1.3 miles to arrive at Hiner Spring. There are several good
camp sites here.
Turn hard left downhill staying to the left of the stream down
the valley (the trail does not become apparent for about 150
yards as it passes over rocks). In 0.3 miles you will pass several
great camp sites. Choose one for your camping spot.
Continue down the trail as crosses the steam and
in 0.4 miles turns more to the right. For the next
3.0 miles you will cross Ramsey's Draft several more times before
arriving at the intersection of the Jerry's Run Trail that comes
in from the right.Cross the draft again continuing down the
trail as it crosses back and forth several more times for 2.1
miles where you will arrive at the next rail intersection.
Stay left continuing next to the draft for the
remaining 0.1 miles back to the parking area.
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Hiker
Reviews For The Ramseys Draft Hike (5 Most Recent)
This was a great two-day hike which I highly recommend, especially this time a year with the great views and the solitude you can find there. The ridge walk was a challenge, but you are rewarded with spectacular views for miles as there are no leaves blocking the sweeping views to the East. If you wanted to break it up, I think the pond up on the ridge would make a good camping spot. I ended up camping about a mile from Hiner Springs on Ramseys Draft. The site was ok, but I think there are better sites out there. I didn't see anyone the whole weekend, so it looks like the crowds I had been reading about must come later. The water levels of Ramseys Draft didn't pose any problems, though my poles helped my navigate the many rock hopping crossings so if you have them, definitely bring them along. The trail is badly in need of some maintenance. With the plight of the hemlocks it may be too difficult to keep up, but there are a lot of downed trees on the trail which have to be navigated around. I would love to come here in the Spring and try do some fishing. One final note, if you are craving a burger and shake when you come of the trail, there is a great place in Staunton called Wright 's Dairy Rite which I would highly recommend.
By:
Rating:
Date of Hike: Sunday, June 10, 2007
A great hike!... No problem crossing Ramesy's, it was totally dry and there was a little water trickling at hiner spring, we hiked down to camp Todd and was able to get water there. Which was not too much of a out of the way.
Ramsey's trail is very overgrown with nettles and other growth, don't forget your pants and deet.
I would recommend camping at the pond close to bald knob for a star gazing!
It is sad about the hemlocks, they are so big and beautiful.
By:
tawlk
Rating:
Date of Hike: Saturday, May 26, 2007
I completely agree with the ratings you have given this hike. At first we were skeptical with camping being a 5, but as you continue down the draft I have never seen so many established sites. It looks like a lot of people hike straight in from the parking lot to camp along the stream. This review is for Memorial Day Weekend, so it is hard to judge the solitude, and even though the parking lots were full I’m sure other hikes were worse.
That first day really tests your endurance with the ascents to several peaks. My number one suggestion is to carry enough water for a strenuous 10 miles. My wife and I went through 3.5 liters each, rationing the last mile or two before Hiner Spring – the first water source. But, it was 85-degrees, practically no breeze, and I feel we were keeping a decent pace (10.8 miles in just over 6 hours including lunch and snack breaks).
The second day tests your agility to rock hop across the draft too many times to count. We almost managed to stay dry, but there is always one or two times when your footing wasn’t quite as secure as you would like it to be. :) I have to half agree with the review about stinging nettles. Both my wife and I wore shorts and managed to navigate without incident, but there are a lot along side the trail. If we both don’t use trekking poles, I’m sure it would have been worse.
This is a great hike and I highly suggest it. I look forward to hiking it in the fall or spring so that we can take advantage of some of the vistas the ridge has to offer.
Thanks for the website – definitely the best one out there for this region.
By:
Scot
Rating:
Date of Hike: Sunday, October 22, 2006
Actually, I didn't do the loop this time, but we came down the Draft after ascending Hardscabble the day before. I love this hike (done it, or a variation thereof, three times in the past year), but poles are mandatory, as is a bottle of Gold Bond medicated foot powder. I would recommend taking a pair of camp shoes (e.g., Keens), but not just for chillin at the campsite... you'll be glad you have them if there's water in it the Draft... your feet will get soaked as you cross back and forth to stay on the trail. Put everything in ziplock bags before you stuff your pack.
By:
Rating:
Date of Hike: Saturday, October 07, 2006
Take a good map and a compass... GPS would have been better. We arrived at the draft to find that it was flooded. My buddy and I decided to take the Shenandoah trail around the draft, therefore doing the hike back-wards to your directions. Once there the trail is not marked very well, and there were many times I thought we were lost for good.
Campsite at Hiner Spring was great, but if it has been raining at all, all the sites become streams that feed the spring. Very wet and very cold.
Next morning go back to the first knob, then descended to the pond. There we were unable to find the trail at all, even after looking for an hour or so and asking a few hikers about it. Made the decision to descend down to a gravel road and hike back into town.
If you are going to do this one in reverse get some GOOD directions and stick to them. Signs are marked down everywhere and there are many long, unmarked spots that can get a little spooky, if you know what I mean. I'll be back though!
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