OVERVIEW

From Thunder Ridge overlook to Rockfish Gap 90.4

This year we will be completing the section right before Shenandoah National Park, and we're going back to being NOBOs. The green section on this map is SNP, and the highlighted section is our AT 2025 stretch. We'll be trekking just over 90 miles over seven days, reaching peaks over 4000 feet and enduring three climbs of roughly 3000 ft. We have some big mile days. We'll be hugging the Blue Ridge Parkway the whole way, but barring an emergency shuttle into town, there will be no resupply options. 

We will be ahead of the major bubble, but there should be plenty of hiker traffic in the area. Check out the hiker heat map below.

Weather could be quite cold as this is the earliest in the season we have gone, but who knows?

Rattlesnakes exist. Bears exist. Winged stinging and bitey things exist.

Graduation is Sunday, Monday we will travel to Waynesboro, VA where we will get a hotel for the night. Tuesday morning at 7:45 we will meet our shuttle driver, "Stanimal," at the park entrance, where we will leave our vehicle and shuttle to Thunder Ridge overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway. From there it's just what we brought on our backs until we get back to Rockfish Gap on Monday.

MON May 19

Travel from home 463 miles to Waynesboro area to stay for the night. We can leave whenever we're ready, but it's a 7-8 hour drive and we'll be getting up early the next day so we probably don't want to arrive too late.

Stay at Grey Pine Lodge.

If we get there early enough, we could do the Blue Ridge Tunnel, which is ONE MILE of old train tunnel converted to a hiking trail.

TUE May 20

From Thunder Ridge Lookout to Matts Creek Shelter 11.2

We'll get up early, and meet our shuttle driver by the trailhead. He will take us the roughly hour and a half drive to Thunder Ridge overlook along the Blue Ridge Parkway. From there we will hike 11.2 miles almost solely downhill to Matts Creek Shelter.

 

WED May 21

From Matts Creek Shelter to Punchbowl Shelter 12.9

Cross the James River by bridge, then summit our first big climb back into the mountains.

 

THUR May 22

From Punchbowl Shelter to Cow Camp Gap Shelter 15.9

A huge climb to over 4000 feet elevation. Cow Camp Shelter is a .6 off the trail.

 

FRI May 23

From Cow Camp Gap Shelter to The Priest Shelter 17.5

Longest mile day of the trip. Some roller coaster like hills, but no major climbs. Looks like just riding the ridge for most of the day. Sun exposure possible. Pass Spy Rock, which boasts a supposed 360 view. 

 

SAT May 24

From The Priest Shelter to Maupin Field Shelter 14.0

Huge immediate descent and then right back up. Cross Tye River on a suspension bridge. Views all along the way. You can see we have the opportunity for a shortcut, but would miss some cool climbs and great views.

SUN May 24

From Maupin Field Shelter to Paul Wolfe Shelter 16.1 

Last big mile day, lots of amazing views.

 

MON May 26

From Paul Wolfe Shelter to Rockfish Gap 4.8

Quick hike out and back to our vehicle. Get cleaned up at airbnb cabin in Vesuvius and head to IHOP!

 

TUE May 27

 Travel home.