I’m (30M) Looking for someone to do some winter hiking and after some time possibly backpacking. Preferably around same age. I’ve tried meetup but I do shift work so the bulk of my free time would be during the week, weekends I try to spend with the family since I only get 2 weekends off a month. I’m located in Roanoke but am willing drive some for a hike.

Hi all,

I know this is WV but since I live pretty close an I figured some of you are close to WV like I am I figured I would ask here too.

I'm taking a trip to Kanawha soon. I'm looking to hike in the woods. I work with the public, so I am looking for something where people are not around as much 😆. Maybe a loop with a tough hike but a nice view at the end? Or is there anything else I should check out or do in the park before I leave? Thanks for your help.

Anyone ever done primitive camping here at Brewers Point? They talk about boating in. What kind of boats can it support? Can I anchor in with my 22' center console with a 2ft draft?

Hey y'all. Been in a masochist mood recently and want to climb a steep hill that'll leave me out of breath and leave my legs useless the next day.

Considering Roberston Mountain Trail (2130 ft over 6.8 mi) or Buck Hollow/Mary's Rock Trail (2,600 ft over 9.0 mi)

I remember Maryland Heights in Harpers Ferry has one particularly grueling climb.

Anyone know of any good high elevation gain hikes/trails/routes/sections within an hour or two of the Culpeper area? TIA

Has anyone been recently fro Dragons tooth over to tinker hill and Andy lane parking? We have been really dry in the Carolina’s since hurricane Helene.

I'm looking for a place near DC (ideally 1-2 hrs away) that allows dispersed camping. My understanding is that the AT in this area does not. I went to the Thompson WMA this past weekend (with a permit), but my issues were:

1. It's just not that interesting of a hike
2. Flat areas are so overgrown with brush that you can't really leave the trail let alone find a site
3. The non-overgrown areas are too steep

Any recommendations? Thanks!

Doing the Triple Crown this weekend and looks like temps will drop in the mid thirties!

Hello! My wife and I are headed down for a week to do some hiking. Normally we backpack and did the Triple Crown last year. We want to see some more things this year, so we're doing some car camping/day hikes. Super Rad. Here's where I need some help. We would love to do an overnight backpacking in the woods proper at least once. Is Flat Top Mountain an option? I'd like to stay in that general area, if possible. If that isn't a possibility, or not a good one, does anyone have suggestions on where a good one would be?

Thanks!!

I am off Friday and want to escape for a good one-night backpacking trip. Around Charlottesville/Waynesboro area and curious if anyone had a good personal recommendation. I am willing to drive up to 90 minutes for the Trail Head.

Ideally, I would hike roughly 7-10 miles on Friday and Saturday so a loop or out and back work great. Views are always a plus, and good water sources.

Thanks for your recommendations.

Going hiking this weekend for an overnight stay but a little confused on camping around the Humpback area. I found a loop on AllTrails: Humpback Mountain and Humpback Rocks via AT and Albright Loop for 12.7 miles. I’d really like to camp somewhere close and then hike the miles during the day. I found a campsite in my 2024 A.T. Guide book that’s very close to to the Humpback picnic area (my starting point) but can’t seem to find out any information online about the campsite listed. Does anyone have any experience with the campsite listed in the pic? A little nervous going solo so just want to make sure I know where I’m going prior to leaving!

We are thinking of doing the following plan. Need feedback on if this is a good idea and to make sure the parking we want does exist still.

Thursday - park cars at dragon tooth and Andy Layne trail. Start at dragons tooth and see that, then find a spot to camp in USFS land.

Friday-hike to John’s spring shelter.

Saturday - mcafee knob and tinker Cliffs. Stay at Lambert shelter.

Sunday - hike out to Andy Layne trail parking. Ride back to dragons tooth for other car.

Would really appreciate feedback on this plan and anyone who has trail conation updates post Helene…

My girlfriend and i are hoping to hike the section of the AT that follows the southern rim of burkes garden, but we're unsure of the state of the dirt road (alternatively known as burkes garden rd or sharon springs rd) given the recent floods from Helene. Was wondering if anyone in the area has been up there recently and can fill me in.

Does anyone have some first hand knowledge of the status of Grayson Highlands? The website says they're closed through 10/15 and I have a camping trip planned there for 10/18-10/20. I'm wondering if I should just cancel now and find somewhere else to camp.

Sorry if this post sounds done deaf. Horrible situation in southern VA and western NC.

A few friends and I want to go car camping the weekend of 10/12, but checking everything is booked up at Big Meadows, Matthew's Arm, and Loft Mountain. Some spots around there are first come first serve, but I'mreluctant to risk making the trip and finding that those are full too. Any recommendations?

Looking for a good spot to do some back country camping in the Virginia area. Anywhere driveable from DC would work. Just trying to get back into it so trying to get some good recommendations!

Hi all. I’m sure this is a repetitive inquiry, but I’m just trying to get my plans confirmed with people that know the area. I will traveling from Tennessee with my gf for a 3 day/ 2 night trip. We are both experienced day hikers and in good shape, but this will be our first backpacking excursion. The plan as of now is to park at fox creek trailhead as the parks overnight parking doesn’t have our second night available. From here my plan is to hike south along the AT and set up camp. I’m wanting to be able to set up right outside Grayson’s highlands state park, day hike through there on day 2 and return to our same campsite the second night. Does this seem doable?

From my understanding I will be able to set camp anywhere I can along the AT, but will there be many spaces open arriving late on a Friday? Would hiking to Scales campground be a viable option? Will I have any issues leaving my car at the trailhead for 2 night?

And side question- what is the nighttime weather this time of year? I’m expecting 30s-40s. Thanks for any insight and advice!

Hey friends!

I recently went on my first backpacking trip (three ridges) and when it came to the actual camping/back country survival I was IN LOVE.

Sadly, I am petrified of heights and am not in the best shape so the whole mountain climbing portion was beyond not my favorite.

I’m wondering if I can find the best of both worlds? I don’t mind a long stretch of mileage, honestly - I just don’t want to go up high!!!!

Does anyone have any ideas of a low to the ground adventure that could still give some beautiful views?

Thanks in advance!!

I'm going to a work event in Millboro Spring (a bit west of Goshen) any good camping in the area? Don't really need an airbnb for one night.

I’m looking to head up to the Grayson Highlands area at the end of this month for some backpacking. I have 3 days blocked off, and am looking for some recommendations on backpacking trips around those parts. Using a tent if that helps

https://maps.app.goo.gl/KxC7dTstopeWafvw6?g_st=ac

As the title suggests, I've been rotting away at the beach in the heat for the last month and I'm looking for some good one-night (or shorter two-night) backpacking trips to escape some of the heat down here in Hampton Roads.

What's everyone's favorite 10-15 mile overnighter? (bonus points for waterfalls or good swimming holes)

I've done the Three Ridges/Mau-Har loop, the Triple Crown, Grayson Highlands, and bits and pieces of Shenandoah.

I was looking at Whiteoak Canyon & Cedar Run, but I saw the NPS doesn't recommend doing it on the weekends due to overcrowding. I was also considering hiking Overall Run via Thompson Hollow, but recent trip reports read like even the larger swimming holes are mostly big mud puddles at the moment and I saw there's a fishing ban in place due to low flows and high temperatures.

So: if you wanted to get away to somewhere in Central VA for a day or two, where are you going?

How are stream levels in the Big Run and Madison Run drainages - from anyone who has been in the past couple weeks?

Planning a backpacking trip and wondering if the swimming holes will still be decent or if things are pretty dry?