"First" Backpacking Suggestions The best idea for a first backpacking trip is a 3-day (2-night) 15-mile trip that can be safely taken by a relatively inexperienced Venture patrol. Details need be flushed out by the patrol as they plan. The suggestions shown below are only outlines and will need to be modified based upon equipment, season, weather, experience, and physical conditioning. The Appalachian Trail (AT) is closest to DC at VA Rte. 9, Rte. 7, and Rte. 50. The crossing at I- 66/Rte 55 is quick to get to, though it's further. In the 40 miles of AT between I-66 and Rte 9, there six locations than can be used for small group overnight camping; Manassas Gap Shelter, Dick's Dome Shelter, Rod Hollow Shelter, Bear's Den Youth Hostel (fee required), Blackburn Trail Center, and David Lesser Memorial Shelter. Sky Meadows State Park, located between Rte 55 and Rte 50, makes an excellent launching point. It has a primitive camping area (fee required) that can be used for the first night or as a base camp for hikes along the AT. If you go out on Friday night, pick a campsite that is near a trailhead and easy to walk to. In the winter, you will need to get to the AT as soon as possible because of a typical Friday night late start due to school and an early sunset. Be prepared to walk in the dark. The following are some suggested section hikes along the AT. For more details and maps, purchase the Appalachian Trail Guide to Maryland, and Northern Virginia published by the Appalachian Trail Conference (ATC) and available at most backcountry equipment stores. Rte 9 to Weverton Cliffs and return. Start at VA Rte. 9 AT crossing at Keys Gap. Just south of Rte. 9 (0.1 mile) is a camping area with undependable spring (2.4 mile S. is new David Lesser Memorial Shelter and spring). Hiking north to Harpers Ferry is relatively easy downhill walk to the town to see John Brown's fort. The ATC Headquarters is in town. Cross the foot bridge at confluence of Potomac and Shenandoah River into Maryland and camp at either at the Harpers Ferry Hostel operated by the American Youth Hostel (fee required) or at the Weverton Primitive Camp (no water, no privy). If you are camping at the Weverton Primitive Camp, fill up on water at the National Park restroom or buy water at Weverton country store. Crossing Sandy Hook Bridge and climbing steep blue-blazed trail back up Loudoun Heights gives good view on return to car. Rte 9 to Rte 7 (Ashby Gap to Snickers Gap) - Either a one or two night trek. Start at VA Rte. 9 AT crossing at Keys Gap. Hike 2.4 mile south to the David Lesser Memorial Shelter (1st night). Continue hiking south past Blackburn Trail (3.8 miles), Center (PATC), Sand Spring (7.3 miles, great water), Crescent Rocks (7.9 miles, possible 2nd night, dry camp, wonderful views) and Bear's Den Youth Hostel just south of VA Rte. 7 (11.6 miles, possible 2nd night, $4.50/person). Watch your distance on this one if you want 15 miles. You can loop below Rte. 7 to make it right. Rte 7 to Rte 50 (Snickers Gap to Ashby Gap) - This is a one night trek. You can hike this from the north or the south. Heading south from Rte 7, come to Rod Hollow Shelter in 10.3 miles or hike north from Rte 50, find Sam Moore Shelter in 10.3 miles. Hike the remaining 3.5 miles out the next day. Rte 50 to Rte 55 (Ashby Gap to Manassas Gap) - This is a one night trek. Start at Rte 50 (parking area is .2 miles north of Rte 50 off of Rte. 601) and head south. There are possible excursions into Sky Meadows State Park. Continue south for 10.1 miles to Manassas Gap Shelter with a wonderful spring (1st night). Hike south 2.4 miles to Route 55. This hike could be reversed and done in conjunction with the remainder of the troop base camped at Sky Meadows State Park. The Appalachian Trail in Maryland (41 miles) follows the crest of South Mountain from the Pennsylvania border until it comes down Weverton Cliffs to join the C&O Canal for a couple of miles before crossing the Potomac River. The Maryland section of the AT has many Civil War historical sites including the Battle of South Mountain, a prelude to the Battle of Antietam. Although some hike the 41miles in a long weekend, it breaks conveniently into two overnight treks. The first trek is from Pen Mar Park, PA (Pen Mar Rd off Rte 550) to Cowall Shelter in 9.8 miles and then from Cowall Shelter to Turners Gap (US 40) the next day in 13.7 miles. The second over night trek is from Turners Gap (US 40) to Crampton Gap Shelter in 7.3 miles then hike to Sandy Hook, MD (US 340) in 8 miles the next day. The Shenandoah National Park It is a popular National Park, but overused along the crest (read Skyline Drive and Appalachian Trail). Backpacking here has several rules based upon the principles of Leave No Trace, lowering the impact of the visitor and spreading the use through more acres of the park. No units larger than 10. While there are 6 (fee) huts along the AT for through hikers, backpacking is better off the AT on side trails. No camping at day shelters, within 0.5 miles of developed areas, or within sight of either trails or the Skyline Drive. Camp away from water supplies. This can make it interesting to find level tent sites in the winter with no leaves. Look for tent sites beyond bends in horse-shoe turns of the trail or on knolls where the trail nears, but doesn't crest the ridge. You will need a "backcountry permit" that can be obtained at most entry stations or by calling ahead to the park headquarters, (540) 999-3500. An excellent book that can provide ideas for overnight hikes is Circuit Hikes in the Shenandoah National Park, published by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) and available at most backcountry equipment stores. You can start backpacking trips along the AT from US 211, at Thornton Gap is the closest (fastest) point from DC. Park just outside the entrance station and avoid paying the entrance fee. Winter backpacking trips have started here after dark and hiked .8 miles to Pass Mountain Shelter (or if filled to a horse-shoe bend just north of the shelter on the AT to find scattered tent spots). The next day hike 13.1 miles to Gravel Springs Shelter. Hike out 3.7 miles to Hogwallow Gap. For another hike along the AT in the Shenandoah National Park, drive to Thornton Gap and head south for 25.3 miles on the Skyline Drive to parking area and access road to Bearfence Mountain Shelter (1st night). Hike north 15.4 miles to Rock Springs Shelter (2nd night). Hike out 1.8 miles to Skyland. Remember on all shelters in the park that AT through hikers have first priority (usually heavy traffic April through June). Another popular way to beat the entrance fee is to turn left off US 211 at Sperryville onto US 522. Then turn right onto VA 231 and again onto VA 600 to the upper Old Rag Parking Lot. Stay off the Saddle Trail and the Ridge Trail that the crowds take to go up Old Rag. Instead head up the Nicholson Hollow Trail and take any one of many possible circuit hikes using Robertson Mountain Trail, Corbin Mountain Trail, Indian Run Trail, Corbin Hollow Trail, Hannah Mountain Trail, Catlett Mountain Trail and Hot Mountain-Short Mountain Trail. Wolf Gap Great North Mountain (west of Woodstock, VA on VA-WV state line) has several outstanding attractions. Great Schloss (a magnificent rock outcropping), Sugar Knob cabin, Stoney Creek, Paul Garland Memorial Shelter, Trout Pond (a Forestry Fee Area), Big Blue Trail, Half Moon Trail, and White Rock Cliff can be included in a series of circuit hikes. An excellent guide for hiking trips in the area is Circuit Hikes In Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, published by the PATC. Use PATC Map F. Monongahela National Forest Monongahela National Forest Hiking Guide, by Bruce Sundquist and Allen de Hart for West Virginia Highlands Conservatory (1206 Virginia Street East, Charleston, WV 25301). Use USGS maps for current information. An excellent Forest Recreation Map (1970—limited revision in 1981) of the National Forest is available from the USFS, P.O. Box 1548, Elkins, WV 26241 and at the visitors center. Four of the most significant areas are listed below: • Dolly Sods Wilderness Area - A little far from DC, but well worth the trip. A beautiful area with great swimming holes, sub alpine tundra, and magnificent views from Rocky Top. Permits are required for camping and can be obtained free from the U.S. Forest Service Potomac Ranger Station in Petersburg. Call (304) 257-4488. • Spruce Knob Area - More than a dozen trails in the highest (Spruce Knob 4863 ft) and most rugged mountains of West Virginia make this an attractive area to hike. Permits are required for camping and can be obtained free from the U.S. Forest Service Potomac Ranger Station in Petersburg. Call (304) 257-4488. • North Fork Mountain Trail - 21 miles along the crest of North Fork Mountain.