My college spring break starts on march 18th, and I was thinking of hiking across Shenandoah National Park on the AT. Does anyone know what kind of temperatures and weather I can expect on the higher peaks in late march? I hiked this section of trail last summer, so I already know what to expect terrain wise.
Ironman
It can really vary tremendously. I’m struggling with this factor too since I’m trying to find a place that will be warmish and snow-free during the same week you have off.
It’s hard to plan a trip knowing it could snow and be misreble all week or could be nice and warm and sunny.
Its in the mountains and in the south (and fairly high elevation at some parts of the park) so there is always potential for snow. I believe Rocket finished up at Harpers Ferry in 03’ (just north of the shenendoahs) during the end of march and he was tromping thru snow.
But I was down in the park 3 weeks ago and it was 40 degrees and sunny. Basically it could be in the 60’s all week or it could be in the 20’s. When I hiked thru in may 03’ I had a couple brutual rainy days in the 30’s and 40’s. I’d say be prepared and have fun!
A-Train
You could get lucky and have balmy weather. But I would pack for winter, because winter happens fairly often here in March. Some of the heaviest snows of the past 15 years have happened in mid-March (1993 and 1996 come to mind and I know there have been others). And in early 2000, I recall hiking in VA in 85 degree temperatures, getting dehydrated and sunburned.
This same assessment, BTW, would also apply in April but by April you might not expect the really heavy snow and ice (it’s happened tho); you would still be smart to pack for winter-like temperatures.
Skyline
If you do encounter lousy weather in SNP when you hike in March, you can mitigate it somewhat by altering your plan to hike the A.T. end-to-end to embrace side trails. There are quite a few that provide great loops, beginning and ending back on the A.T. (tho you’ll miss parts of the A.T.).
Generally, these blue- and yellow-blazed side trails traverse lower elevations where the weather is not quite the issue it is on the ridgeline the A.T. often stays on or near. By being aware of the direction (east or west) a weather system is coming from, you can further avoid the worst by hiking and camping on the other side of the ridge.
I suggest you get the excellent three-set SNP maps produced by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (comes with the official SNP A.T. guidebook as item PB130). These will show the A.T. and all side trails in better detail than other maps available, plus a number of lesser-known boundary entry/exit points. Check them out at: http://www.patc.net/store/
Skyline
I had all my exams cancelled that year. Three weeks off school, if I remember correctly. It was pure heaven.
Anyway, the “snow” bloody cactus was talking about ended up being just about half an inch with some ice on top. We haven’t gotten much this year, which makes us nervous that we’re going to get a big storm later on.
However, the Shenandoahs have been nasty cold with single digit highs and 40 mph winds. cold cold cold.
Xena
If it is windy and cold, the AT could be uncomfortable because it follows the ridge line and is very exposed. You might want to hike on some of the other trails on the east side of the mountains where the wind would be less. Get some maps and use your imagination.
Nicholson Hollow, where the remains of the early settlers are visible, is very nice, and Whiteoak Canyon is definitely worth seeing. The ice formations on the cliffs there are beautiful. You could even stop at Graves Mountain Lodge if it is open.
In the south section, Moorman’s River looks interesting, but I have never hiked there.
Bob J
“My college spring break starts on march 18th, and I was >thinking of hiking…”
The Foothiils Trail of SC. Several journals online. No cakewalk either. Lakes, waterfalls and ridgetops.
Jan LiteShoe
Bob J,
I agree most weather comes in from the west, but some of the biggest storms to affect SNP in recent years have been classic “Nor’easters,” which came in from the east. Ditto, some of the early Fall hurricanes hit us from the east, and the most damage occurred from the ridge down into the hollows on the eastern side of the Blue Ridge.
In those cases, it would be prudent to hike and camp on the west side of the ridge–which is why I worded my post above: “By being aware of the direction (east or west) a weather system is coming from, you can further avoid the worst by hiking and camping on the other side of the ridge.”
Skyline
