Good parking spot - Southern VA

imported
#1 
									My family and I are section hiking the entire trail over 4 years. This year we need to finish VA (we're halfway done) and continue north from PA to lop off NJ, NY, CT and MA. As I plan all the logistics for getting on and off the trail, I'm always challenged to find where to end the next leg based on where we can leave a car. We typically catch a shuttle from friends or have them drive the car down to the drop off point while we begin hiking toward it (great friends!).

One of our legs takes us a bit north of Pearisburg at the end of a 10 day leg. I’ve read on the ATC website that there have been vandalism problems over the years south of Pearisburg to Damascus and looking at the map I’m a little uncertain of the two parking options within reasonable distance. I would love any input you could provide on these. Here they are:

PA630 - This spot (indicated with 0 parking on ATC map but 4-6 on the rohland parking list) appears to be in someone’s front yard or at least on their driveway. It’s also right next to a paved road.

VA632/USFS156 - This appears to have 15 parking spaces on the ATC map but only 4-5 on the rohland parking list. It’s also somewhat out of the way at the end of the proverbial road.

I’d appreciate any feedback on these two parking spots. We’ll be on the trail for 10 days so security is a concern as well as “findability” since our friends will be dropping our car off for us on their way down to Tennessee.

									_FarmerChef_
#2 
									Check if there are any hostels in your hiking section, they can usually provide parking and shuttle service or no someone who can provide these services,

									_Chef_
#3 
									Massie Gap in Grayson Highlands State Park or Sundog outfitters in Damascus. 

									_Bedsaul_
#4 
									As the non-Rohland member of the three people who work on that site (the others being Dave and Cyndi Rohland), let me try to answer your question about the parking on VA 632/USFS 156.  You are right. It is almost  at the end of the road.  AS far as I know it is relatively safe.  It shouldn't be that hard to find.  You can use the Google map that is attached to the posting for that location.  The direction given in the posting itself are extensive.  Basically follow VA 42 east from US460, go north on VA 638 over the mountain to a T intersection. Turn left and follow VA 632.  It is paved most of the way, becoming gravel only towards the end.   Check out the last picture on the second page of pictures at this address:  This shows the road and the parking area.  4-5 places here might be an underestimate but I think 15 is an overestimate.

http://rohland.homedns.org/at/at_VAsection31/ATPictures.aspx

If you need any more info about this let me know. I’ll have to think about the PA 630 place. I can’t place that right now.

									_Dave Cullen (AKA Moses)_
#5 
									I looked at the title of the thread again and saw tht it said Southern Virginia.  This leads me to think you meant VA 630 rather than PA 630.  That makesa lot more sense.  There is indeed a small parking area on VA 630.  It is not in anybody's yard.  It is a lot less out of the way than the one on USFS 156.  Finding it is easy. Just north of the AT crossing of VA 42  go south on VA 629 for 0.6 miles to VA 630.  Go right on that for about 0.3 miles.  The parking area is on the left immediately after the road crosses Sinking Creek.  See the fourth page of pictures at the following to see a picture of the parking area.

http://rohland.homedns.org/at/at_VAsection30/ATPictures.aspx

If I am wrong and you really did mean PA 630, let me know.

									_Dave Cullen (AKA Moses)_
#6 
									Thanks Dave! That's exactly what I was looking for. VA 630 (I did in fact mean VA not "PA") looked much easier to find but the satellite photo showed a structure a bit further down what appeared to be a road. I could see a couple cars parked in the area but couldn't tell if I was looking at a public parking area or someone's front yard ;). Since I'm having friends drop our car off at the end of our hike, I am concerned that it be easy to find. VA630 sounds easy enough though limited in parking spaces. That said, it's not too much further to fall back to USFS156, which I'm glad to hear is relatively safe. The directions on the site sound very thorough and accurate. I will provide our drivers with both! Thanks again!

									_FarmerChef_