Trail Magic in May

imported
#1

Hey,all. Trying to find a good spot to set-up in early May. Where might I find the most hikers in Virginia for a Super Feast not too far off the road. All those steaks are heavy!
POPPIE

POPPIE

#2

The AT crosses Hwy 16 out of Marion at the Ranger Center. Behind it is a parking lot and the Partnership Shelter (famous for ordering pizza). Seems to me that would be a good, easy place.

Red Hat

#3

I second Partnership Shelter. However, that is the one shelter hikers can make their own magic.

Bilko

#4

What about the parking lot after you leave the Grayson Highlands or the next road over that goes to Troutdale. There are alot of places between Damascus and Pearisburg, VA.

Papa Smurf

#5

When does all this so-called “trail magic” stop being trail magic? Imagine if all of this had been around when Ed Garvey was hiking?

It’s no longer trail magic.

hblevins

#6

If you want to help all hikers, and not just a select few who happen to be in the right place at the right time, then go out and do some trail work.

Peaks

#7

Some of us OLD farts are much good at trail maintance, especially if we cant even hike there… so the best we can do is give back in another way. I guess you will be refusing all trail magic along the way, given your position.

Sierra88

#8

Off of VA 60 near Amherst, VA there’s a FS road going up to Mt Pleasant National Rec Area. At the top of the gap is a big field where the AT crosses, parking, and a good spring a couple of tenths away. Used to even have a treeswing. That’s where I have always thought about doing it, but that may be too far north for most NOBOS in early May.

Cap’n

#9

Cap’n, that’s a great spot, just north and down from Cold Mountain. I hiked through that section just a couple of days ago and the tree swings are still there. :slight_smile: It’s also remote ahd high enough that the magic would be well appreciated.

z

#10

Cap’n,
If I pushed back towards the end of May, closer to Memorial Day, would that be a better time ? Peaks, I also plan to spend some time on trail maintenance while I’m out there.

POPPIE

#11

Ed Garvey got a lot of magic. He spent a lot of nights in logging camps. The trail then had a significant amount of road walking. In '02 we only saw three “magic” site on our thru hike. Ox had one just after Franklin, NC and there was one outside of Bland, VA put on by a church and the Hiker Feast in the park in NY put on by two former thru hikers. We did more trail maintenance than we got magic. Flame, Sunrise and I are set to work with Bob after Trail Days for a couple of days of maintenance in TN/NC. Hope to see some of you there. Over the years Flame and I have done magic at Newfound Gap in the Smokies in late March. It is usually snowing and very cold. If you remember that section, it is sometimes very difficult to get off of that mountain in bad weather. Every year we have taken someone to the hospital with an injury or to the airport in Knoxville to go home. I would feed hikers and she ran a shuttle up and down the mountain. I think there is a time and a need for both on the trail at times. I wouldn’t want to see somebody setup at every road crossing or picks and shovels everyday but it is a good feeling to see both on occasions.

Papa Smurf

#12

Yes, Memorial day would be a perfect time, methinks. But you might get some weekenders and day hikers who want some freebies, too. Just kindly remind them it’s for thrus.

I’d love to come myself, but I’m guiding a trip down in Joyce/Slickrock.

Enjoy!

Cap’n

#13

thanks Poppie! What a great attitude you have. I hope everyone has a blast with you; section or thru!!!

Leah