The Appalachian Trail is over 2,000 miles extending from Mt. Katahdin in Central Maine traversing fourteen states southwest to Springer Mountain in Georgia. It was originally proposed in 1921 by Benton MacKaye of Massachusetts. The Shenandoah National Park extends for 80 miles along the Blue Ridge Mountains between Front Royal on the north and Waynesboro on the south. There are 60 peaks ranging in elevation from 3,000 to 4,000 feet. Skyline Drive is a little over 100 miles through the park and parallels the Appalachian Trail. The park was created by President Coolidge in 1925 and has an interesting history of farming and mining that supported a prosperous growth in the 1700's to late 1800's. Shortly afterwards, a blight killed most of the chestnut trees and families moved elsewhere.

Executive Summary

We will depart Caldwell airport on Friday, mid-afternoon, and fly to Shenandoah Valley Airport where we will rent a car. On the way to our hotel, we will stop for dinner. The next morning, after breakfast, we will select a trail of length and difficulty that pleases us, drive there, and hike. On the way we will stop by a grocery store and buy lunch for the hike. In the late afternoon we will return to our hotel, get ready for dinner, and select a restaurant that pleases us. We will dine in the early evening and then check out the local entertainment. We will repeat this scenario until the end of the weekend at which time we will depart in the late afternoon for Caldwell. We should arrive home in the early evening.

Highlights

Weather can be sunny and warm or it can be cool and windy. Once, it snowed lightly though most often we have had clear skies, stable weather, and pleasantly cool temperatures. Occasionally, like anywhere, it rains.

Activities include hiking, sigh-seeing, dining, shopping, all with numerous photo opportunities. Hiking is the predominant activity.

Fauna includes the white-tailed deer, black bear, gray fox, raccoon, opossum, bobcat, skunks, weasels, squirrels, chipmunks, and woodchucks. Some sightings of puma or mountain lion have been reported.

Flora includes hemlock-hardwood trees with a boreal forest located in the Skyland-Big Meadows area of the park.

Waterfalls are a unique attraction of the park. There are 16 waterfalls that are accessible the tallest of which is 93 feet.

Hiking Trails are all well marked and documented in the Appalachian Trail Guide available at the gift shops within the park.

Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park is on top of the Blue Ridge Mountains where Skyline Drive, 105 miles long, runs along the ridge crest for the entire length of the park, from Front Royal south to Rockfish Gap. Along the drive are overlooks, which afford superb views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

There are over 300 square miles of deer, black bear, woodchuck, gray fox, bobcat, and almost 200 species of birds. A virgin forest cultivates over seventeen kinds of orchids. Highland farms are enlivened by split-rail fences, weathered cabins, and gray barns. Rhododendron, azalea, dogwood, and other native flowering plants border the roadside.

There are two visitors centers - one at Dicky Ridge and the other at Big Meadows. Orientation programs, exhibits, information, and guides are available.

Favorite Hiking Trails

Camp Hoover was originally built as a presidential retreat by Herbert Hoover on the Rapidan River. He liked to fish. Here he and Great Britain's Ramsey MacDonald held meetings on world armaments in 1929.

Hoover's old lodge has been kept in good condition. The lodge is beautifully located at the junction of two streams that form the Rapidan River. There are signs that contain the history of the camp.

This hike is an easy one. The climb from the camp passes a small waterfall and leads up into overgrown fields and an abandoned orchard in Milam Gap.

The hike begins just south of milepost 51 at the Big Meadows Wayside parking lot. Across Skyline Drive is Rapidan Road which is diagonally across from the entrance to Big Meadows. Hike on the road through the meadows (often deer are grazing in the meadows). The road enters the woods at the far side of the meadows. Turn right after 1.2 miles on the horse trail and follow it down to the camp 1.8 miles. A shorter trip can be made by following the horse trail.

The hike continues on the road as it descends to the Rapidan River Valley. Majestic mountain peaks can be seen. A gravel road comes in downhill from the right after 5.4 miles. Follow this road uphill for 0.7 miles and cross the bridge over Mill Prong stream. On the opposite side of the bridge the Mill Prong Horse Trail goes right. Continue a few yards on the road to reach Hoover Camp. Before reaching the camp the Laurel Prong Trail goes off to the right. The trail continues past a small waterfall, across two small streams, and climbs through overgrown fields and an abandoned orchard.

There are three ways into the camp. The longest is along the Rapidan Fire Road from Big Meadows (9.8 miles). The Mill Prong Trail from Milam Gap (1 mile) or the Appalachian Trail north from Bootens Gap to reach Laurel Prong Trail (2.8 miles) are shorter alternatives

Other Favorite Hikes

Lewis Spring Falls is one of many waterfalls in the Park. Its main source of water is Lewis Spring, a large spring just below the Appalachian Trail in the hallow. The falls are reached by an interesting trail that winds down a rocky hillside. The circuit hike uses the Lewis Spring Falls Trail and a portion of the Appalachian Trail.

South River Falls is an interesting waterfall consisting of an upper and lower cascade. The total drop is 70 feet from the encircling rim of rock.

Rocky Mount is a wild rugged area. The view from Rocky Mount across the Twomile Run Valley is particularly impressive. The descent from the summit of Rocky Mount to the Gap Run Trail is rocky and rough. It's awesome!

Doyles River Trail is an interesting circuit. It descends on the Doyles River Trail down past the Jones Run waterfall to Doyles River. It descends 1330 feet before beginning its climb back up along Doyles River. The trail up Doyles River is rather steep and narrow where it climbs past the lower fall. The upper fall is situated in a grove of mature hemlock. It's incredible!

Other Attractions

Luray Caverns .is in the Northern Shenandoah Valley situated near the Shenandoah River. The caverns are the largest and most popular cave in the eastern United states. Nearly a half million people visit this spectacular natural wonder each year. Personally, my opinion is that this is an amazing show cave.

Antique Dealers in the valley provide numerous treasures. There are 29 dealers between Stephens City and Stuarts Draft, VA. They sell antiques, gifts, crafts, collectibles, dolls, furniture, glassware, oriental rugs, books, art, antique frames, jewelry, glass, and china.

Accommodations

Harrisonburg is located just west of the middle of the park and about a half-hour from the airport. Many favorite hiking trails are within a half-hour drive from the hotels.

Waynesboro is located just west of the southern part of the park and about a half-hour from the airport. Most of the favorite hiking trails are about a 40 minute drive along Skyline drive.

Special Considerations

• Be sure you have comfortable hiking boots.
• Bring light-weight rain gear.
• Bring a few rolls of film and camera.

Gear

Pack your equipment in a single soft duffel bag or a day pack. Total weight should not exceed 20 pounds. Items you want to be sure to bring are personal clothing, hiking boots, warm clothes, rain gear, camera and film, money, and your personal gear.

This Adventure Includes

This adventure includes the round trip flight which costs $245. The cost of a rental car plus gas should be about $10 per person per day. We plan to share hotel rooms which should be about $30 per day per person. Food is reasonably priced.