Backpacking St. Mary's Wilderness Part 2

## Details

St. Mary's Wilderness Backpacking Trip Part 2
August 2 and August 3
The heat is taking a break this weekend so it's a great time to get out to the mountains. This trip is a follow up to the St. Mary's Wilderness trip I led in June. This time we will approach St. Mary's trail from the west. This is a little more rugged and a few miles more for a section that is far less traveled. However we will camp at the same location as in June and will still get to experience a cool flowing small river and even swimming holes. St. Mary's Wilderness bounded by the parkway to the east and mountains to the west is home to the St. Mary's river that starts here and flows south the Maury and then the James. I plan on leaving Williamsburg August 2 early Saturday morning and head west on Interstate 64 to exit 96 and take Virginia 664 towards Sherando. Before you get there take a right onto Coal Road also known as forest road 42 for several miles till you get to the parking lot on the left for Cellar Mountain trail. It is sometimes known as the upper St. Mary's parking lot and holds about 4 vehicles. I hope to get there about 10AM and hike 9 miles up Cellar Mountain trail which is the only big climb all weekend of a little less than 1600 feet to the forest road 162A then on to green pond (one of the few natural lakes in Virginia) then south on the St. Mary's trail crosses St. Mary's river which is just a small stream at this point three times till we reach the ore processing site which is a huge flat grassy area to camp. This area has ample camping and time to play in the river, maybe even hike down to one of the swimming holes as well. Camp the night then on Sunday August 3 hike the 5 miles down the rest of St. Mary's trail to the lower parking lot then out to forest road 42 and up to the upper parking lot and back to our vehicles. If I can get another vehicle we can set up a shuttle at the lower parking lot and no road walk at all. Afterwards game for stopping at a craft brewery in Waynesboro to celebrate taking some trails less traveled.
Please note the following:

• I am driving my truck and I can carry three people besides myself. Any more sign up they will have to have a driver
• I have maps but not sure these trails are on any app or site. I use the National Geographic map #789 and the PATC map #12 also features it.
• These trails do not have any shelters or privies or any places to resupply so pack accordingly. I do not mind sharing my water filter but you need to pack everything for meals as well as sleeping and hiking. Also it is summer so plan for sun, heat and bugs.
• Water is not available until we reach the St. Mary's trail 6 miles in on the first day so pack what you need to hike on Saturday. Sunday water is along the entire trail.
• This is a good trip for first time backpackers as well as seasoned backpackers.
• I go regardless of weather. Check Waynesboro Virginia for weather but subtract a few degrees when we are in the mountains.
• I practice Leave No Trace so pack out what you pack in.
• This is a wilderness area so the trails are not marked or have directions on them.
• Costs: I expect anyone riding with me to split equally the cost for gas

> * You are responsible for making all arrangements if you have to leave the trail early.
> * I encourage you to call me if you have any questions and you must call me if you plan to go on this trip.
> Mark J Wenger AIA
> Mark J Wenger Architects
> 105 Thorpe's Parish
> Williamsburg, Virginia 23185
> 948-529-0043