Showerthought: Some Appalachian Trail thru-hikers skip the Shenandoahs and that's a huge mistake

I used to think skipping those 100 miles in VA would save time, but then I actually hiked them last fall and saw 30 bears in 5 days. Why would anyone miss that for a few extra miles on a flatter trail?

4 comments

4 Comments

sethfoster1mo ago

30 bears in 5 days" is wild, @roberts.leo probably woulda been too busy checking his phone for the nearest road crossing to notice lol. But for real, the Shenandoahs are like the trail's cheat code for wildlife sightings, you can't beat that. Yeah it's got more amenities and crowds, but that just means easier access to pancakes and beer, which is basically the AT's version of luxury. Skip it if you want, but your Instagram feed will definitely be worse off without those bear cub pics.

max_brown1mo ago

You ever feel like you're missing something until you actually try it? I totally used to be in the "skip it, save time" camp for the Shenandoahs, thought it was just a long park walk with too many people. But after hearing stories like yours with 30 bears in 5 days, I finally hiked it last spring and it changed my whole view. Saw a momma bear and her cubs right off the trail near a campground, plus the trail magic at those road crossings is unreal, like someone had cold sodas and chips waiting. Your knees really do get a break from the rocks too, which I didn't appreciate until I hit Pennsylvania. I was wrong to blow it off, that section is worth the crowds.

finleyl391mo ago

Last year I did the whole AT and the Shenandoahs were definitely a highlight. I saw a momma bear and two cubs right near Trayfoot Mountain, plus the Pinnacles picnic area has some of the best trail magic on the whole east coast. The rolling terrain is a nice break too, your knees will thank you after the rocks in PA and NJ. Yeah skipping that section is just dumb if you want the full experience.

roberts.leo1mo ago

Is that really the part people rave about though? I skipped the Shenandoahs on my thru and honestly don't feel like I missed much... all those road crossings and campgrounds make it feel more like a long park stroll than real wilderness. Plus the crowds are insane in season, you're tripping over day hikers every mile. The trail magic is good I'll give you that, but the whole "full experience" thing is just gatekeeping... people hike their own hike and all that.