Shenandoah National Park – 8/4/2022

Shenandoah Nation Park Vista View

Scouts and leaders participated in various hikes doruing a long weekend in the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.    Hikes included:

  • Compton Gap Hike
  • Cedar Run/Whiteoak Canyon Hike
  • Mary’s Rock Hike

Trail maps are available on the Shenandoah National Park website:  https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/maps.htm

 

Itinerary for the Weekend

Thurs., Aug. 4, 2022

8:00 am:          Meet at St. Joseph Church, travel to Shenandoah National Park, VA.*   Eat breakfast first and bring a sack lunch.

*$30 Admission Fee per vehicle to enter Shenandoah National Park. Admission Tickets may be purchased online in advance at https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/74293.

11:30 am:        Tour Dickey Ridge Visitor’s Center, eat lunch.

12 -12:30 pm: Compton Gap Hike.  Drive to Compton Gap Parking Area.

Hike to Compton Peak – 2.4 miles, moderate difficulty, 1.75 hours, 855’ elevation gain.  Compton Gap Road Trail Map is attached.

2:30 pm:                  Depart Compton Gap Parking Area for Big Meadows Campground.

4 pm:            Arrive Big Meadows Campground, Loop D, Sites #161, #164, #166.

Set up camp, dinner.

Fri., Aug. 5, 2022

8 am:      Depart camp with sack lunch (eat breakfast in camp).

Plan A:  Cedar Run/Whiteoak Canyon Hike.

Drive to Hawksbill Gap Parking Area.

Hike Cedar Run/Whiteoak Canyon – 8.1 miles, very strenuous, 7 hours, 2,794’ elevation gain.  Whiteoak Canyon Area Trail Map is attached.

or

Plan B: Rapidan Camp Hike.

Drive to Milam Gap Parking Area.

Hike to Rapidan Camp, the “summer white house” of President Herbert

Hoover and First Lady Lou Henry Hoover.  Tour (if open) the President’s Cabin (Brown House) and the Prime Minister’s Cabin.  7.4 miles, moderately strenuous, 8 hours, 1,520’ elevation gain.  Rapidan Camp Area Map is attached.

Return to camp for dinner.

 

Sat., Aug. 6, 2022

8 am:      Depart camp with sack lunch (eat breakfast in camp).

Plan A: Rapidan Camp Hike (if not done on Friday).

Drive to Milam Gap Parking Area.

Hike to Rapidan Camp, the “summer white house” of President Herbert

Hoover and First Lady Lou Henry Hoover.  Tour (if open) the President’s Cabin (Brown House) and the Prime Minister’s Cabin.  7.4 miles, moderately strenuous, 8 hours, 1,520’ elevation gain.  Rapidan Camp Area Trail Map is attached.

or

Plan B: Rose River Hike.

Hike from the Big Meadows Campground on the Rose River Loop.  4 miles, moderate, 4.5 hours, 910’ elevation gain.  Rose River/Big Meadows Trail Map is attached.

Return to camp for dinner.

Sun., Aug. 7, 2022

9 am:
Mary’s Rock Hike. Break camp (pack tents, gear, etc.). Scout’s Own Service. Depart camp with sack lunch (eat breakfast in camp), headed north toward Thornton Gap Parking Area.
10 am:
Park at Thornton Gap, hike Mary’s Rock. 3.7 miles, moderate, 3.5 hours, 1,210’ elevation gain. Mary’s Rock/Thornton Gap Trail Map is attached.
1:30 pm:
Depart for home.
5 pm: Arrive home.

Historical Events