Camping Advice January 11, 2009

SUMMIT FROM SADDLE TRAIL ALMOST SUNSET

SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 2009Great day on the mountain. Not too cold but the trails had a little bit of ice which needed to be negotiated around. I think there were only around 50 hikers on the mountain today. I did not see any campers. No injuries observed or first aid administered. Loaned a flash light to one group high on the Ridge Trail near sunset and going the opposite direction as me. They left it at my designated spot so I know they got out OK. Winter has meant substantially less liter to pick up.

BARTENDER SPRING (Last Water On Ridge Trail)

All pictures have higher resolution if clicked on.

CAMPING ADVICE FOR OLD RAG
Bartender Spring is located at around 2,175 feet on the Ridge Trail. This is the last water source if you are going up the Ridge Trail and the next water will not be until you reach Old Rag Shelter at the ends of the Saddle Trail and the Old Rag Fire Road. While it is unusual, Bartender Spring sometimes dries up in the summer. All water obtained outdoors on the mountain should be filtered, boiled or treated. The spring is 3 tenths of a mile before and 200 feet in elevtion below the last good camping spot on your way up the Ridge Trail. This camping spot is just before the No Camping Sign (see picture below) which is located at about 2,400 feet on the Ridge Trail. In order to protect its fragile micro habitats, there is no camping on the high rocky parts of Old Rag. The no-camping-zone is marked by the sign on the Ridge Trail and a similar sign just above the Byrds Nest shelter on the Saddle trail.

CAMPFIRES

The basic rule is that campfires are not allowed in the park.    There are places where they are allowed.   Check with a Ranger or various SNP electronic or hardcopy publications.   If you are looking at a publications than please make sure it is current because things can change. 

BEARS (sorry no known lions or tigers)

Bears have been becoming more of a problem. You should cook and eat a distance from your tents. Bear bags are a must. Do not leave anything that might smell like it has food in it unguarded. To my knowledge the bears on Old Rag are still a little bit human shy. That said, I have heard of two camping groups that had food stolen from their campsite when they were less than 100 feet away. In one case it was a bear bag that was left on the ground near the group's tents after they took the day's food to their cooking site which was located a slight distance from their tents. Every outdoorsperson that makes a mistake which rewards a bear with food helps train them to associate food with humans. Shy problem bears can then develop into aggressive problem bears. Be conscious of any reason your gear might smell of food. The bear will not know that the yummy chocolate smell coming from inside your tent was from a hot chocolate spill a year ago.

SNAKES

Copperheads and Rattlesnakes do exist in the park. They are nothing to worry about unless you invade their comfort zone. During snake season be careful when foraging for wood and use a light when tromping around in the dark.

TICKS

During warm weather you have a high probability of dealing with ticks. Even with precautions I find ticks on my person or gear after at least half my trips in the park. Get up to speed on this threat and be diligent. Several species of ticks are common throughout the park and there is a risk of tick-borne diseases if one bites you. It is important to take precautions and to be aware of the risks. The rangers commonly warn hikers to be more concerned with the small threats than the big ones.

NEW TO CAMPING, HERE ARE TWO GOOD HOW TO RESOURCES:

Monkeysee the web site featuring how-to videos offers these great videos on

BACKPACK PLANNING VIDEO

http://www.monkeysee.com/play/10970-backpacking-importance-of-planning

CAMPING VIDEO

http://www.monkeysee.com/play/8821-how-to-go-camping

ABUSE OR OVERUSE WILL LEAD TO MORE RESTRICTIONS

Just because you are in the backcountry does not mean you are immune from being checked on. Besides watching for your safety, the rangers are responsible for protecting the wilderness resource. Many of the current restrictons are the result of past resource abuses. Keep current on the latest local practices and regulations by using the park service's web site or asking a park staff member. Mountains form islands of micro-habitats and Old Rag has some which are one-of-a-kind and require special care. Too great an impact in the present will require additional restrictions to protect our common heritage.

WATER

Old Rag Shelter has water (in gully below the shelter), Byrds Nest Shelter does not have any water nearby. The Hollow's have lots of water running in them.

BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING PERMIT

Remember to get a free backcountry permit at the Old Rag fee station. These can be obtained either from a helpful ranger or (if the fee station is closed) from the self service box located to the left of the fee station. This box also usually contains a free educational brochure covering backcountry camping in Shenandoah National Park. The permits have a lot of the backcountry camping rules printed on their back which is very useful. The park service's website (link located above right) has a wealth of other useful information.

Remember to practice Leave No Trace ethics and to follow the park's regulations (both organization's websites have links above right) .

MY SUGGESTION

If it were up to me I would camp somewhere in one of the hollows and do multiple day hikes. Old Rag Mt., Mt. Robinson, Corbin Hollow, Nicholson Hollow and White Oak Canyon all come to mind. For a little variety Corbin Cabin can be rented from PATC. If you want to make a weekend backpacking trip out of the Old Rag circuit camping at the level spot before the No Camping Sign on the Ridge Trail or near Byrd's Nest Shelter on the Saddle Trail are both good spots. Keep in mind the rock scramble on the Ridge Trail is more of a challenge with packs. You will need to bring all your water for the Byrd's Nest site but it has some nice views (from the shelter in winter or from nearby slab/rocks all year) and you are allowed to have a campfire in its fireplace.

OLD ARTIFACTS

Shenadoah National Park is a little bit unusual becuase it retains evidence of the modern people who used to live and work on today's parkland before they were moved off the land when the park was created. Enjoy discovering the evidence of the past but please leave it undisturbed.

FINDING THE LAST RIDGE TRAIL CAMPING SPOT

NOTE: THE LARGE WIDOW MAKER(LEANING TREE) FINALLY FELL AND IS NOW CUT INTO THREE LARGE  PIECES THAT REST ALONG THE TRAIL BLOCKING WHAT WAS ONCE THE SOCIAL TRAIL TO THIS LAST CAMPING SPOT.
 

If you are not familiar with the Ridge Trail camping spot before the No Camping Sign it is three sharp switchbacks and one gentle bend above Bartender's spring. To find the site you will leave the trail at a bend with a large rock on the left and a very large widow maker leaning over the trail. When going uphil turn left at the rock. A picture of the rock and widowmaker can be seen below. Double click picture for a better look at the rock.