2-Night Backpacking AT in SNP North District

Backpackers currently participating in the PATC Backpacking 101 course are welcome to attend! This will be a great trip to test out what you learn.

• Details
• Rating: Moderate
• Pace: 2.25 – 2.50 mph
• Length: 18mi
• Splits: 3/10.5/3.5
• Elevation Gain: 2,280ft
• Maximum Group Size: 8 hikers

Description
Come join a lower mileage backpacking trip in the Northern District of Shenandoah National Park! Hopefully, we will bump into the early thru-hikers leaving the park and everyone is encouraged to bring Trail Magic to offer them (good snacks!). We will hike from Front Royal to Hogback Overlook which will cover about 18 miles of the AT. This is a 2-night trip, but the 1st and 3rd day will feature short hikes. Both nights will be spent at AT Shelters, which have water, privies and bear poles nearby.

Notes

• Trip Cost: $10 for the backcountry camping permit.
• The PATC requires each hiker to sign a liability waiver, which will be available at the trailhead.
• Please check Meetup the night before. I will cancel a hike due to unsafe conditions.
• Attendance is limited at the discretion of our hike leaders. PATC rules do not permit children under 18 years to participate in a hike without a parent or guardian present.
• Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Club volunteers maintain over 1000 miles of trails in Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia, including 240 miles of AT (and the section we will hike!). For more information about PATC, please visit https://www.patc.net/

Hike Route & Info
This trip requires us to shuttle cars, so we will need to do that before & after. As we need extra cars for the shuttling, carpooling isn’t being suggested for this trip.

Meeting Times & Location
Friday at 6:00pm

• Meet at the small parking lot 0.2-mile South of Hogback Overlook, GPS 38.761328, -78.281828 (Skyline Drive Mile Marker ~19.4). We will sign the PATC waiver and then head to the beginning of the hike in Front Royal.
• Combine into as few cars as possible and drive to the AT Parking lot on Remount Rd (Rt 522), Front Royal, GPS: 38.877974, -78.150654
• Hike 3 miles (pretty much all uphill as we need to get up to the ridge) from Front Royal to Tom Floyd Shelter, AT Mile 969.2, Elevation 1943ft

Saturday

• Hike from Tom Floyd Shelter to Gravel Springs Shelter, AT Mile 958.7, Elevation 2481ft. About 10.5 miles.

Sunday

• Hike from Gravel Springs Shelter to Hogback Overlook, 3.3 miles.
• Retrieve cars.
• Get home early for Father’s Day.

NOTES

• Shenandoah National Park requires a permit for overnight camping in the backcountry. I will take care of securing the permit, so we only need to pay a single processing fee but need everyone to chip in for it.
• Backpackers are welcome to sleep in the AT shelters. If thru-hikers are present, it is encouraged to offer them the space as they have earned it more than us. They are first come, first served, though, so everyone is welcome.
• All registrations for this event will begin in Waitlist. Once I have received your permit payment and verified that you have the equipment and no-how for backpacking, I will move you to “Going”. Please note that in the very unlikely event that the trip is cancelled due to unsafe weather, as the permit fee is non-refundable, so the fee will not be returned.
• Everyone is responsible for all their own gear and food. If you want to share with another participant, that is great, but please coordinate offline.
• Both campsites will have springs nearby. On Friday, we will pass the spring on the hike in, so it will be easiest to grab it then and carry it the final ¼ mile. Make certain to have enough storage for it to save a trip back.
• Meals to bring: Friday Dinner through Sunday Breakfast. Please bring a cold lunch to enjoy on the trail on Saturday.
• No pets.

Things not to Forget:

• Rain Gear (great for wind, too)
• Headlamp
• Coffee
• Battery to charge devices
• REI 10 Essentials (always good to check)
• Water purification of choice

Questions
David M (“Square Feet”) is leading this hike and is one of PATC’s certified Hike Leaders, a member of PATC Trail Patrol, and the Backpacking Committee Chair. David is certified in Wilderness First Aid and has been hiking, backpacking, and a Scout Leader since the 1980’s. David’s goal is to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, so if you have any questions or need assistance along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out!