I was thinking about doing roughly 6-8 days on the A.T. in southern Virginia in early June. Southern Virginia looks nice and i’ve never hiked there, how are the shelters/ water here in the summer, will it be too terribly crowded?, also i’m not sure exactly where, i’d like to resupply somewhere halfway so i’m not loaded w/ food, any suggestions??
clong
I’ll be starting in trout creek and heading north on June 6th. I’m just hoping it isn’t as deserted as my week in Jersey last summer.
3D
3D, how many days/miles are you thinking about doing, i just talked with my friend and we want to do maybe a little over 100 miles, we def. want to resupply somewhere along the way, now we just got to figure out the whole car situation, any ideas? thanx
clong
Clong…it takes about 45 - 60 days from Springer to Damascus depending on your pace. If you’re hiking in early June, you’ll still see a lot of thrus in the area. Lots of good shelters in this stretch. The only water issue I recall was at Thomas Knob Shelter (Mt. Rodgers). The spring there was slow but had water. If I was going to do a stretch of a little over 100 miles, I’d start at Damscus and go to the road to Bland (US 21/52). That’s 120 miles. If need be you could shorten it by either starting at VA600 just North of Whitetop or by stopping in Atkins. This, IMHO, is a beatuiful section. Whitetop, Mt Rodgers, Grayson Highlands, Burke’s Garden. Not many resupply options though. Atkins is really about it.
Moose
Moose has got it right. I’ve hike that section probably 6 times in the last 2 years. Water can be spotty around Burke’s Garden, also. Atkins is really about it. It’s well worth it to hike that section.
ted
By the way, you can also leave a drop at Troutsdale post office if you are worried about food.
ted
The Grayson Highlands are really stunning, as is the remote hiking one encounters between Atkins and Bland. Burke’s Garden is something to be seen. I would also recomend the stretch from Pearisburg to Troutdale. There is a meadow ridge walk with views into West Virginia from Peters Mountain, the trek through Sinking Creek Valley, the Dragon’s Tooth, McAfee Knob, and the Tinker Cliffs. I would give yourself enough time to hike from Damascus to Troutdale. If you don’t have the time, either stretch you choose will be great.
Bankrobber
The section between Damascus and Bland has one of the prettiest campsites on the AT.Davis Farm Campsite is a little bit off the AT but,well worth a nights stay there.The view from the campsite shows you why Virginia is such a beautiful state.If you haven’t already camped there,give it a shot.Guess I’m sounding a little prejudice,seeing how it’s my home state.The next time I return to the AT,that will be the section I’ll want to do again. :boy
Bill Harris
well thanx to all, my friend and i have decided to do Damascus to Bland, now i have a few more questions, how far off the trail is Atkins for resuppy, and the whole car situation is a problem, we would like to do it with one car if thats possible, is there somewhere where we can leave our car in Damascus?, then when we get to wherever we are going is there a hostel or something that will shuttle us back, if not and we have to take two cars, where will be able to leave our second car, we’re pretty flexible so just let me know wat u think
Clong
Clong,when my partner and I came thru Atkins it was pouring rain and thunderstorms.We had our last food drop delivered to the motel on the trail at Atkins.There are places to re-supply and eat in that area.I was planning on coming back to that area in June but,have to delay my trip.Otherwise,I could have given you a hand with your shuttle.:cheers
Bill Harris
Atkins is 3 miles off the Trail, but almost no hikers go there. What most people refer to as Atkins, is actually rural retreat, which is right ON the Trail, no need to hitch. You’ll see the gas stations and Dairy Queen from the top of the hill as your descending into “town”. Its really just a motel, resaurant, and two gas stations with a Dairy Queen. What more could you ask for really?
As far as shuttles, you might wanna try Mount Rogers Outfitters in Damascus. You could probably leave a car there and they’d shuttle you out to Bland. Maybe Lone Wolf could help you out, I don’t know. Not sure who else does shuttles in that area. Good luck
A-Train
Clong, I can help you out with shuttling. Much cheaper than the outfitter. E-mail me the details.
Wolf
hey clong this is beeker… as you can see. im really really pumped. thanks eveyone for helping clong and meself out.
beeker