Season Visited: Spring
Trail Length: Estimated 10 miles there-and-back, about 5 miles each day for two days
Time to Hike: 2 days
Difficulty Level: 2 on Day 1 (mostly downhill) and 4 on Day 2 (hiking back up)
Back in May I completed an accidental hike of Neighbor Mountain. I say "accidental" because it was only due to a navigation error on my part that I ended up on this trail! I meant to complete this hike, but a few intersections on the trail were overgrown and confusing, so my husband and I, along with Cleo the hiking yorkie-poo, ended up realizing our mistake two miles into the wrong trail. The trail was so lovely, however, that we just kept going! Although I had never been to the Neighbor Mountain trail, my map told me that it connected to Jeremy's Run Trail, and I remembered reading somewhere-or-other that backcountry campsites were abundant there. So that's where we went, and, given that we had a spectacular time, the accident turned out to be quite fortuitous indeed.
We began our hike around mile 27 of Skyline Drive, in the Neighbor Mountain parking area. Neighbor Mountain trail runs parallel to the Appalachian Trail for a short time, and then breaks off to both the left and the right! Very confusing. Apparently we went right when we should have stayed left, although given that I didn't know I was going the wrong way, I am only assuming that that is when we made our mistake. Regardless, if you want to do what we did, I guess you stay to the right! This keeps you on Neighbor Mountain trail, where you climb very slightly to the summit of the mountain. The hike is moderately easy and there is not much scenery besides the tunnel of green. Just FYI, I have never been to Shenandoah in May without seeing a bear, and this trip was no exception. We saw a bear from our car on Skyline Drive before beginning this hike (sorry no picture this time!), and then heard what sounded very much like a bear right around the summit of Neighbor Mountain on both Day 1 and 2. You should know this anyway, but always keep bear rules in mind when you hike in Shenandoah. Hang your food, show no fear, and for the love of Mother Nature - DON'T RUN if you see a bear.
Cleo on Neighbor Mountain Trail.
Cleo: Did I hear a bear?!?!?!
Post marking the summit of Neighbor Mountain. Neighbor Mountain Trail totals 4.6 miles. From the parking area, I estimate about .4 miles, which is how I'm getting the 5-mile total distance for this trail. You also have to walk a very short distance on Jeremy's Run for the abundant campsites.
As the post indicates, once you reach the summit of Neighbor Mountain you have 2.6 miles to go until you reach Jeremy's Run. This section of the trail is extremely enjoyable. For starters, it is pretty much entirely downhill, which is always a plus in my book. There is also a gorgeous section of mountain and valley views as you scale the lower ridges of Neighbor Mountain, leading to the wooded streams of Jeremy's Run. I adore Shenandoah in May because everything seems to be alive. The trees, flowers, bears, butterflies - everything has finally shaken off the last of winter's chill.
Hey! No smartphones allowed in the wilderness :P
The water of Jeremy's Run.
Once you reach Jeremy's Run, all you have to do is find a campsite. Paradoxically, this can be both difficult and easy. It's easy in the sense that the ground is level and campsites are easy to spot; there are many large, preexisting sites. It can be difficult, however, because Jeremy's Run is a very popular place to camp. There were numerous families with large camping setups at the very beginning of Jeremy's Run. Thankfully, Sean and I found a "secret spot" by the stream. It must have been one of the lesser-known sites in the area, because we had to cross the stream to enter it as well as climb over some large fallen branches and pick our way through some stinging nettle (which I swear looks completely different in Virginia than it does in Jersey/Pennsylvania, or at least that's what I'll keep telling myself so I don't feel totally stupid for getting like four different nettle rashes on my legs). I'm also not 100% positive that the site was legal. It was kind of pushing the 10 yards from a stream rule and there was a fire ring (which of course we did not use because NO FIRES IN THE BACKCOUNTRY, DUH), buuuuuut it was pretty darn close and so secluded and nice that we just had to stay there :)
Sean before we set up camp.
Stream by our campsite.
It was SUCH a beautiful day/night, that the rainfly was not needed.
The night we spent at Jeremy's Run was perhaps the nicest and most comfortable night I have ever spent backpacking. The weather was completely perfect. The site was level and listening to the soft stream was exceptionally relaxing. I fully intend to camp here again.
The next day is the hard day. You can, of course, continue on Jeremy's Run and make a full loop, which I plan to do sometime. But, since our trip was an accident, we decided to just re-trace our steps because we had no knowledge of how long or strenuous the rest of Jeremy's Run was. The climb back up is moderately difficult, but we were honestly surprised that we felt so good during the ascent. I guess getting a good night's sleep is worth its weight in gold!
Crossing the stream in the morning.
Headed back up from Jeremy's Run.
Everything considered, our accidental hike to Neighbor Mountain was a complete success. This hike is lovely, especially the camping. Enjoy it if you go, and keep wandering!