South River and Pocosin

Location: Shenandoah National Park, VA
Season Visited: Fall
Trail Length: 8.6 miles (about 3.8 miles on Day One and 4.8 miles on Day Two)
Time to Hike: 2 days
Difficulty Level: 4

Shenandoah National Park in November is a VERY different place than it is in October.  If you recall from my previous post, the park is a zoo in October.  After the first week of November, it really felt like a ghost town.  It might also have had something to do with the fact that I went on a weekday and that it was raining, but I could not believe how few people I saw during my overnight backpacking trip.  Fortunately, that's just the way I like it.

I followed this itinerary and this map for my trip.

The hike starts at the South River Picnic Area.  This place has a ton of parking, so finding a spot is not a concern for this hike.  There are picnic tables and even a bathroom at the trailhead, so you can have one last snack and potty break before you start eating in the dirt and peeing behind trees.

On the day I went I was lucky enough to spot an absolutely amazing rainbow on Skyline Drive in between storms, so here are some pictures of that!

After taking in the views and parking, hike South River Falls Trail.  I've visited this trail before (twice, actually) and wrote about it here.  The part that leads you to the lookout is relatively easy, although of course it was muddy in the November rain!  The overlook for the 83-foot falls is one mile in to the hike.  You can get to the base of the falls by going a little farther.  The trek down to the base is steep and strenuous, especially on the way back up, and is not counted in the overall mileage. Due to this and the mud issues I was having, I decided not to make the trek.  It is absolutely worth it in nice weather and if you haven't seen it before, however.

Hiking to the falls.

A few fall colors left.

Looking to the falls.

Just past the lookout it went from cloudy to sunny, but then went right back to pouring rain after this.

After completing South River Falls Trail, turn left to connect to the South River Fire Road, and then turn right on the fire road.  I've written about how soul-crushingly awful this fire road is before, but I only had to hike a mile of it this time, so I made it through in relatively high spirits.  After this you turn left on Pocosin Trail and find a place to camp. The trail widens out before narrowing down again, and it is relatively easy to find a spot.

It's fun to see the falls, but I really found the second day of this hike to be the true highlight.  The rest of Pocosin Trail the next day is really interesting.  The trail is quiet and filled with history.  I came in close proximity to a beautiful deer, who didn't mind at all that I was in his foraging grounds.  The best part is the Mission Ruins at the end of Pocosin Trail, before you turn left onto Pocosin Road.  Sadly, my camera died that morning right after I woke up (I didn't realize non-lithium batteries couldn't survive near-freezing temperatures) and I couldn't get pictures of the ruins.  They are really neat, however, and are well-worth the trip. You can find some pictures of them on this site.

I did manage to take a few photos with my phone on the Appalachian Trail, however (not sure why I didn't think of that sooner), which is where you end up after Pocosin Road with a sharp left turn.  If you look up and to your left just before intersecting with the AT, you will see the PATC Pocosin Cabin, which offers a very slight short cut.  Even in the nasty November weather, there was a group of people relaxing in the cabin after an overnight stop, and there were actually quite a few people on the AT itself.  The AT continues back almost the entire way to the picnic area, before you make a quick right and end up right where you started.

Beautiful Appalachian morning after the storm.

A little climb on the AT.

Overall I found this to be a very nice overnight backpacking trip.  It's not outrageously strenuous but it certainly gives you a work out!  I must have a soft spot for the falls, because I seem to keep returning to them.  November in Shenandoah is a great time to find solitude, but remember to prepare for the weather.  November nights in the mountains are freezing - sometimes literally.  It is generally the last month I'll venture out into the wilderness without specialized, four-season equipment, and I'm always sure to have all the proper layers and gear.

Be prepared, savor the wilderness no matter what the weather, and never stop wandering.

What Do I Bring on a Hike?

There are all sorts of lists out there telling you what to bring on a hike.  Some are incredibly detailed, others aren't.  I haven't seen any bad lists, but I have seen some filled with unnecessary stuff, or with instructions that are pretty dated.  Some hiking experts might disagree with my list, but this is what I bring when I'm going on a day hike that could last anywhere from one to eight hours (the typical length of my hikes at this point).  Obviously this list isn't suitable for multi-day backpacking trips.  I'll get back to you on that.

1. A backpack.  I use an awesome little Swiss Gear backpack that I've had since forever.  I've actually been unable to find it anywhere online, and since I didn't buy it for myself I unfortunately can't tell you where to get one!  The important thing is that it's super small and has just enough room to fit everything on this list - and nothing more.  I like it that way, because I don't ever want to be caught with too much stuff!

2. Water.  Probably the most important thing on the hike.  I used to use a Camelbak bladder but I got fed up with it and now I just use a water bottle (from Cambelbak).

This is the water bottle I use.  My hubby got it for me at Eastern Mountain Sports.

http://www.opticsplanet.com/camelbak-podium-chill-bottle-21-oz-water-bottle.html

3. Food.  On a typical hike I will pack four separate food items to satisfy my hunger.  I'll pack something like PB&J and some carrot sticks for lunch and then trail mix and energy bars as snacks along the way.  Don't get caught hungry!

4. Camera.  This is up there with food and water for me, but not everyone likes to take pictures when they hike.  To each his own, but I always have my camera ready!

5. Map.  To be honest, you really don't always need a map.  This is like blasphemy to most hikers, but if you're on a well-marked trail and there aren't that many other trails nearby then you'll probably be fine.  Another thing you don't need on a normal day-hike is a compass, which is on a lot of hiking lists I've seen.  I have personally never used a compass on a hike.  It's not like I'm bushwhacking for goodness sake!  Of course, if you are bushwhacking or hiking somewhere really remote or something like that then by all means bring a compass, but if not, it's really not that hard to look at the sun and figure out the general direction in which you're travelling.

6. Shoes that are not going to fall apart.  You'll notice I avoid using the words "hiking boots."  Let's break this down.  Hiking boots are outdated.  There are some places you might want them, but on your average hike they're just too heavy to warrant.  You will want sneakers on your average hike.  I use the same pair of Nikes that I bought for like 35 bucks in high school and they're fine.  I usually also bring flip flops or water shoes in case I want to dip into a waterfall :)

7. Band-aids.  I am always happy I have band-aids.  I usually use them to prevent blisters, but if you get a nasty scrape they are useful then, too!  I break the rules of always bringing a ton of first-aid stuff with you.  Sorry, scouts, but you seriously don't need an entire first aid kit on a single-day hike.  If you know general first aid then you can makeshift whatever you need, especially if you're only a few miles from help.

Note - don't go cheap on the band-aids.  Buy the name-brand hard-core sports ones.  You'll be glad you did.

http://swativig.wordpress.com/category/band-aid/page/2/

8.  Bug spray.  To be honest, I only bring bug spray after rain or if I'm going to a place that I know is super buggy.  But I put it on this list because when you need it, you NEED it!

I admit to using the don't-screw-around Deep Woods DEET stuff.  Yes, it's horrible for you.  But, as my husband said on our most recent camping trip, there are times when it just might be better to die of cancer later than blood loss now.  My advice is to only use it when you really can't take the bugs any more.  Also, be sure to shower as soon as possible after your hike.

voices.yahoo.com

9.  Sunscreen.  I am a sunscreen fanatic.  If you don't want burns/skin cancer, put it on!!!

People all the time ask me what sunscreen I use.  This is it.  Yes, I use SPF 100+.  Told you I was a fanatic!  But seriously, this is the best sunscreen I have tried.  I hate the slimy look sunscreen gives you.  This doesn't do that.

www.neutrogena.com

10.  Cell phone (optional).  This is the controversial one.  Hikers are always arguing about whether or not to take their cell phones on a hike.  Pro-phone people say, "What if there is an emergency?"  Anti-phone people say, "You can't escape into nature with a phone!"  I say, "To each his own."  9 out of 10 times I do bring my phone, just in case.  Especially since I have a smart phone, I know that there are lots of emergency situations I could use it in.  For example, I have a flash light app.  My phone could also help me make loud noises in the unlikely case of meeting an unfriendly bear or something.  However, I am really good about not checking it.  I guess if you're one of those compulsive phone-checkers you should save yourself the temptation and leave it behind.

These are the 10 items that I don't hike without.  There are other things that you may wish to bring along for various reasons.  Sometimes I'll bring a jacket in case I get cold.  Sometimes I bring toilet paper, if I know I'll be out for more than four hours.  Just think about the type of hike you're going on and imagine what else you might need.  Chances are you'll be fine with this stuff.

Enjoy your hike, and keep wandering!

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