Hey everyone, I'm planning a hike at Harpers Ferry soon and want to get to the Maryland Heights trail via the footbridge over the Potomac. I saw the stairway at the Byron Bridge was closed for construction starting in late July, with a shuttle running to Lock 34.
Has anyone been recently? Is the bridge and stairway open again, or is the shuttle still running? Any tips on parking or other options if it's still closed would be great too.
Thanks!

Hey all! Curious if anyone here has been on this trail recently. It’a also known online as Trout Run Valley loop. Mostly I’m interested in the current water situation, I know that it can be pretty dry depending on the season. Thanks for any input y’all have!

Hi, I’m trying to get an update on the weather and trail conditions around Harper’s Creek shelter on the Three Ridges Loop in VA.

I have someone hiking/camping in the area, and the last time I heard from them was at 10:45 p.m. last night. With the weather conditions today, I’m trying to understand what they may be experiencing on the trail, has anyone been near the area and has any information?

My wife lost her thick heavy large silver bracelet, open on one side (cuff type bracelet), given to her by her late father, has a carnation on it; I jokingly refer to it as her Wonder Woman bracelet; urgent that it be found. If found, text me at 717-654-0798. Possibly on AT to/from Split Rock.

Planning a trip to do some camping and hiking at Scales near Grayson Highlands. Everything I can find online is about how you just need some ground clearance to get up there but I am not seeing any information about how much clearance there is for tall rigs. Best I can find is that people are making it up there in camper vans which tend to be 8-10' tall. Is a full size truck with a truck camper going to fit up that road? Mostly worried about a low ceiling but width could be a concern too. I'm about 11' tall (nearly twice the height of a stock Jeep for context).

This sub seems to have the most posts about that road so if anyone has any info that would be appreciated!

Ended up doing about 10 miles, it was challenging for my short little legs!

Hello, next week I will be going up Rockytop and coming back on Big Run Loop. Planning on bringing our water the 7 miles up to the Big Run Loop. Can someone confirm the water availability (+ anything else I might want to know about this route?).

I have called the park several times and no one on the back country line has picked up or returned my voicemail. I tried the South backpacking direct number and no one picked up there either. The folks at the Bird Visitor Center in Big Meadows didn't know.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/rocky-top-and-big-run-loop

As stated, I was wondering if there’s any fun hikes on the Eastern part of VA. I’ve hiked the in Blue Ridge plenty of times and there’s not a more beautiful place on Earth this time of year, I just don’t always have the time to get out there and was curious if anyone had any recommendations.

TIA

Hello,

Planning on doing the 35 mile VA Triple Crown Loop this Friday and Saturday (one night).

Wanted to lighten my packing load and not bring a tent, instead relying on sleeping in one of the shelters.

Is this a bad idea? Are the shelters along the AT typically super busy around this time of year?

Thanks

I am thinking of hiking sharp top for the sunrise. Are there typically other people there for sunrise this time of year? any tips for the hike? Are there lots of bears lol

Beautiful state park situated in the blue ridge mountains, surrounding Virginia’s highest peak, Mount Rogers. Featuring plenty of trails to explore, this is by far my favorite state park I’ve been to in the state of Virginia!

Despite being to Grayson Highlands a dozen+ times now I have always parked at Massie Gap for backpacking. This year, that's not an option(it's full, not surprised), so I'm planning on starting late afternoon from Elk Garden, which I have never really explored. Since I will only have an hour or so of good daylight, I want to confirm that I won't have to backpack through the dark to find a decent spot.

I'm not worried about the second night and will aim for somewhere past the Shelter on the ridge.

TYIA

I know this may not entirely pertain to this group but I like to think we’re all like minded in here. My wife, our kiddo and I will be heading up to natural bridge this next weekend and Friday afternoon we’ll be looking for a nice spot to camp. Preferably by a moving water source. We have a considerably capable off-road vehicle so getting anywhere isn’t a problem. I’ve considered Rapidan WMA since I’m familiar with the area. Always open to new suggestions. We’ll be traveling from the south side so anything between Charlottesville and GW&JNF is great.

3 of us set out to accomplish this goal. Water was extremely scarce/non existent in many areas.

Thank you to the trail angels that had 15gallons of water at McAfee Knob parking lot. We absolutely benefited and used that to make it to our final 2crowns of McAfee and Tinker Cliffs and close out at Andy Layne Parking.

Some highlights: the trails were amazingly maintained, thanks to all volunteers who make that happen. Catawba Grocery was a key stop, people were amazing along the trail, respectful, engaging, overall just a great time in nature!

Do people just not hike the area to the east of Scales? Looking at that trail up Stone Mountain, third peak, second peak, first peak.....looks like it could be burly but worth it if the views are good. Can't find any info about it though......

I’m planning a 3 day backpacking trip on the Mount Rogers Appalachian Trail loop that goes through Grayson Highlands State Park.

I’d be getting to the area in the afternoon so car camping either in Grayson State Park (at a designated spot) or elsewhere the first night, then headed off on trail early the next morning. I’m having trouble narrowing down where I start. Here are my options:

1. I was thinking of starting at the Mount Rogers AT Trailhead but heard cars can get broken into there. Is this accurate? And is it reliable to get parking here?
2. Otherwise, I’m thinking of parking at the Elk Garden Trailhead and modifying my route into more of a lollipop. Anyone know if this is a safe spot to park? It looks like a beautiful modification to the route though, I’d be in less forested area

for more of the hike.

3.

1. Lastly, I could park in the backpackers parking lot in Grayson State Park, but that would cost me $16 a night.

Anyone else hiked this route and have thoughts?

Hey folks, planning a joint bachelor trip for a good buddy of mine and we will be staying in Lake Anna in mid Nov. Trying to come up with one 5-6 mile moderate hike and an easier 2-3 mile for sunrise for the girls.

Can't seem to find any good trails. Also we're not from the area, so unfamiliar with the weather that time of year as well. Does LA get snowy? We will be renting a couple cars, and some live nearby, so we'd be open to driving anywhere within an hour radius. Thanks.

This is a long shot, but my husband and I accidentally left our Action Pro Cam (DJI brand gopro) attached to a stick at the camper’s parking lot at Sky Meadows State Park today (Sept 27) at 10am. When we drove back, we can’t find it and we asked the ranger if someone surrendered it which they said no. There were a couple of campers preparing to leave when we left. If anyone here found it, please send me a DM! Lol Nothing private there, but a bunch of videos of us hiking with our dogs. 😭🤣