Corbin Cabin and Nicholson Hollow

Location: Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Season Visited: Fall
Trail Length: 4-mile loop (1.3 miles Day One; 2.7 miles Day Two)
Time to Hike: 2 days
Difficulty Level: 2

Early in October of last year, I set off with my husband to do a moderately easy overnight hike in Shenandoah.  This trail features a beautiful babbling brook and some old cabin ruins, as well as the still-standing Corbin Cabin from 1909.  The fall colors were really starting to shine and the weather was perfectly chilly on this lovely autumn weekend.

I followed this itinerary and used this map to get an idea of where I wanted to go.  We began our hike in the parking area just before mile marker 38, on the right-hand side of Skyline Drive, crossing the road immediately onto the Corbin Cabin Cutoff Trail.  This goes 1.3 miles down into the Hollow, ending at the Hughes River stream crossing.

The beginning of Corbin Cabin Cutoff Trail.

Debris in the way.

Cabin ruins.

Hughes River stream crossing.

The itinerary recommends turning left and finding a place to camp downstream, and there are definitely plenty of nice camping spots down there.  The rangers told me before the hike, however, that there was also some nice camping just beyond Corbin Cabin, so Sean and I continued on across the stream.  Once across, Corbin Cabin was straight ahead of us.  After checking it out, we continued on the trail that turns right after crossing the stream.  I believe this is Indian Run Trail, but it's really only a connection to the Nicholson Hollow Trail for the purposes of this hike.  Up beyond Corbin Cabin on this trail is a nice clearing where we set up camp.

Looking at Hughes River from the other side.

Corbin Cabin.  Some folks had rented it for the night.

Camp.

Dinner time!

Heading back down to the stream to get water for the evening.

The night spent near Corbin Cabin was relaxing and thankfully uneventful.  As fun as it is to have crazy backpacking night stories, it's nice to enjoy those rare occasions when you actually make it through an entire night without being woken up by animals, cold, storms, etc.  This night was one of the peaceful ones.

The next morning was the hike back up Nicholson Hollow Trail, which took us to Skyline Drive.  From there we took the short connecting trail to the Appalachian Trail, northbound, which led us right back to our car.

Good morning!

Another stream crossing on Day Two.

Catching mountain glimpses through the trees.

The most enjoyable part of the second day was seeing the distant mountain skyline through the turning trees.  Though somewhat uphill, the hike is not difficult.  Overall, the hike to Corbin Cabin is both peaceful and interesting.  The cabin ruins provide a reminder of Shenandoah's rich (and still, to some, controversial) human history, while the trees and streams in this designated wilderness area offer the beauty of deep woods without an overly long trek.

Enjoy the hike, and keep wandering.

Neighbor Mountain

Location: Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
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!

Laurel Prong and Hazeltop

Location: Shenandoah National Park, VA
Season Visited: Spring
Trail Length: 7.4 miles (about 4.3 miles on Day One and 3.1 miles on Day Two)
Time to Hike: 2 days
Difficulty Level: 2

I completed my first backpacking trip of 2015 back in the first week of April, and then had such a good time that I went back again two weeks later with my husband and my dog!  This hike is a great backpacking trip for beginners in moderate shape.  It's enough to give you a workout but not enough to exhaust you.  If I was ever taking a complete beginner on a trip, this would definitely be one of my go-to trails.

I used this itinerary and this map for my trip.

The hike starts at Milam Gap parking, between mile 52 and 53 of Skyline Drive.  It's a good-sized parking lot and finding a spot was not an issue at all.  Cross Skyline Drive pretty much immediately to head south on the Appalachian Trail.

AT post after crossing Skyline Drive.

Hike the AT for 2.6 miles and then turn left on Laurel Prong Trail, where you will be sleeping for the night.  Everything is well-labeled and easy to follow.  I always check the posts, even if I know where I'm going, to ensure I'm never lost.  There are some beautiful views of the mountains, if you look for them.  The first time I hiked this trail I totally missed an amazing viewpoint that my smart little dog scoped out the second time.

Cleo the hiking yorkie-poo is at it again!

Laurel Prong Trail turns sharply left at one point (you can see it on the map), taking you along a really neat ridge with rock formations.  Hiking for a while after the ridge you return to the woods, and if you're looking for it, there is a very obvious camping spot on the right-hand side of the trail.  It's just before a tiny creek crossing, so if you've come to that then you've gone too far.  This little creek beyond camp is where we filtered our water.

Ridge line - the first time.

Cleo on the ridge.

The campsite is spacious, but we did have to clear a bunch of fallen branches out of the way that were not there two weeks before.

Cleo by the creek.

The next day is exceptionally interesting.  As Sean said, the first day can be a bit boring if just walking in the woods isn't enough for you.  The second day features some awesome history at Rapidan Camp!

If you camped in the big spot on Laurel Prong trail you've got a little while before you see Fork Mountain trail go off to your right (which you bypass).  In the spring, the trail can definitely be wet, but if you're hiking this time of year you're probably already prepared for that, right?

Wet, early morning trail.

The intersection with Fork Mountain.  You can't camp past this point.

Follow Laurel Prong along and you will come to the really cool Rapidan Camp.  Explore the area!  There are neat historical buildings, both a wooden and metal bridge, and a waterfall.  During normal hours I think they have rangers and exhibits there, but I was either way too early in the morning or too late in the evening when I went.  Personally, I very much enjoyed the solitude.

There's also this little trail called Five Tents Trail that spurs off of Laurel Prong.  It's really short but steep if you're already a little winded, and to be honest there's really nothing there but an old foundation.  I guess if you're into foundations then, by all means, go check it out, but there's nothing you didn't already see at the Camp itself.

When you've had enough, find Mill Prong trail.  It was a little hard for me to find at first but once I saw the post it was pretty obvious.  Just look for the metal bridge.  It's right around there.  FYI - there is an outhouse past the metal bridge (which I did not take a picture of, sorry).  That outhouse was NOT stocked with toilet paper at the time I went, even though it had a dispenser.  And that was really unfortunate, because the second time I went I ran out of toilet paper.  And had to use a leaf.  So yeah, just so you know.

Post at the beginning of Mill Prong.

Waterfall on Mill Prong Trail.

Stones to cross, in front of the waterfall.

So, you may or may not know this, but one of Shenandoah's most magical features is the large-flowered trillium that blooms in the park between March and May.  It is the park's logo and is a spectacular flower.  The first time I made this trip in the first week of April, the trillium had not yet bloomed.  But in the middle of the month it was all around this waterfall.  Seeing trillium in Shenandoah is one of my favorite things and the blooms around the waterfall were just gorgeous.

Large-flowered trillium.

Past the waterfall a bit you will see the split for Mill Prong and the Mill Prong horse trail.  Be sure to stay left on Mill Prong, because the horse trail ends up very out of your way!  After that you will encounter two stream crossings, neither of which is daunting.  Finally, the brush will change and you will make your way up a small rise back to Skyline Drive and the parking area.

Mill Prong and Mill Prong horse trail split.

First stream crossing.

Second stream crossing.

Slight incline at the end of the trail.

And that's the hike!  Remember on your drive home to keep an eye out for deer on Skyline Drive.  They're EVERYWHERE.  And keep on wandering :)