Itinerary
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Hike and Campout
Boy Scout Troop 9
9 - 11 October 1999

Description

The hike under pack is six miles of the Appalachian Trail and Rip Rap trails in the Shenandoah National Park, from the Calvary Rocks parking lot on Skyline Drive at the southern end of the park. The route passes Calvary Rocks, Cold Spring Hollow, and Rip Rap Hollow. Saturday, and Sunday nights will be spent at Cold Spring Hollow. A day hike on Sunday will include the Rocks Mountain trail. Return to Chapel Hill will be Monday afternoon.

As a reference point, this portion of the Shenandoah is five to ten miles north-east of Waynesboro, Virginia .

The climbs are moderate: three to nine hundred feet at a moderately even slope overall.

With the climb, consider this hike to be roughly the equivalent of a eight mile level hike under pack, with an additional 6.3 equivalent miles of day hike.

Schedule

 
Saturday 6:00 a.m. Depart, Chapel of the Cross
  11:00a.m., est. On-Trail at Rip Rap Trail from Calvary Rock parking lot
Saturday - Sunday  nights Cold Spring Hollow
Sunday Day Hike Rocks Mountain Trail
Monday 10:00 a.m. Hike out
  12:00 noon Arrive at parking area; depart for home
  5:00 p.m., est. Arrive, Chapel of the Cross 

Messages and Trip Status

Telephone messages for pickup after the hike and before the troop starts home may be left by calling 933-1969.

A status message including the times that the troop starts for home and expects to arrive may be heard by calling 933-1969.

Personal Equipment

See the troop equipment list for details. Sneakers are recommended as foot gear; boots are fine too. Pack for a three day trip. Assume extremes of weather; i.e., pack clothes for 25OF to 85OF. Send some combination of sunscreen, hats and light-weight, long-sleeved shirts: sun protection will be an issue. Bring a compass and light day pack.

Food and Group Equipment

Food (except Saturday lunch) and group equipment will be coordinated at the troop meetings. Bring a bag lunch for Saturday. Sunday's and Monday's lunches should not require cooking on the trail.

Water

Assume that local water will be available along much of the trail and at the camp site. The ridge lines will be dry. Start full. The water at the camp site is potable; be prepared to purify it before using.

Driving Route

Estimated travel time is five hours.

NC86 North to Danville, VA
US 29 North to I64
I64 West to Skyline Drive
Skyline Drive North to Calvary Rock parking lot
(Dundo Campground and Loft Mountain are overshoot points.)

Maps

The following maps were used in the preparation of this material and are relevant to the trip but are not required.

Guide to the Appalachian Trail and Side Trails in the Shenandoah National Park, 1973.
Shenandoah National Park Southern Section, 1973.
North Carolina State Transportation Map & Guide to Points of Interest, 1989.