I am looking at doing a short section hike April 5-7 in southwestern Virginia from VA 603 Fox Creek(Troutdale) to Atkins, VA. I have not hiked this section before and am trying to link up a a couple of sections that I have already completed.
What should I expect from this section of trail, apart from the usual AT? Any decent places to camp (preferably away from shelters), that have a reliable water source?
Trekking Trav
I would consider it a pretty easy section. Not a lot of views. The trail follows some old rail beds and road beds. There are a lot of creeks so water should be no problem. Do not miss the Partnership shelter. Order the traditional pizza from the welcome center. You can also take a hot shower at the shelter. There is also some old strip mines where some mineral was mined for the war effort in WWII.
When you get near Atkins there is a Settlers Museum of Southwest Virgina. The old school house is pretty neat.
When Flame and I did that section on our thru-hike it only took a day and a half. It’s only about 24 miles. You may consider a longer section if since you have a couple of days to hike.
Have a great hike!
Papa Smurf
I did the opposite route heading through Troutdale on my way to Damascus. Agree with Papa Smurf on Partnership…IU really enjoyed the shower. If you want to load up on carbs before you leave make sure you eat at the local eatery…you could also pick up a few things for the trail. The local ministers wife was a waitress there a few years back and they let me stay during a bad storm in one of their two churches (the one for Bible school only) and it also had a nice shower. It’s a little rocky past Partnership but the scenery improves with some pastures and stuff near Atkins…and like Papa said the museum is a must see.
Doc Holiday
i think this is quite a pretty little section!..coming down hurricane mtn. is really beautiful and the new hurricane mtn. shelter is super nice…i guess you’ve already done grayson highlands?..because if you haven’t it would DEFINITELY be worth planning for an extra day!..this section is fairly “easy” (if there is such a thing as “easy” on the AT!)…i know i’m probably gonna get “boo-ed” on this, but i think the partnership shelter experience is a little over-rated…who wants to camp near a ranger station parking lot!!!..when we were there in early april the shower wasn’t even hooked up yet…the pizza guy won’t deliver unless you promise a huge tip…and on weekends you may have company (scout troops, etc)…so just be aware…if you go beyond atkins at all, there’s a beautiful campsite about 5 or 6 miles out of town in crawfish valley…of course chestnut knob is to die for (if you don’t die THERE, like we almost did! lol!)…water is tricky up there, though, so be prepared…have fun in virginia!..paw-ee and i loved it!
maw-ee