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Slackpacking Harpers Ferry

Destination: Harpers Ferry, WV

| Activities: Hiking and Slackpacking

The Appalachian Trail, while often rugged and remote, is designed to accommodate both people who want to hike the entire trail and those who choose to section hike it, either by backpacking or by slackpacking. This trip covers the northernmost section of Virginia, covering 60 miles between Harpers Ferry, where the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) headquarters is located, and Chester Gap just outside of Front Royal. In between are 60 miles of classic AT trail with varied terrain including beautiful vistas over the Shenandoah Valley, the 'roller coaster' section (with those AT 'muds' and 'puds'), great shelter areas for lunches and breaks - all the time following the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains that forms the boundary between Virginia and West Virginia. Join us as we complete this beautiful section of the AT!

Highlights

Enjoying the beautiful vistas over the Shenandoah Valley
Hiking the infamous "roller coaster" - 13.5 miles of ups and downs
Learning the role that this area played in the Civil War
We’ll enjoy staying at a traditional AT hostel, the historic Bears Den Lodge

Departures and Prices

October 10 to October 16, 2021

$1650.00 - FULL

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Inclusions

Two to three experienced AGC guides, based on group size
Six nights lodging
All meals from dinner on Sunday through breakfast the following Saturday
Daily shuttles back and forth to the trailheads

What's not included: Travel to and from Dulles International Airport (IAD), alcoholic beverages, guide gratuities, and travel insurance

Trip Documents

Trip Summary

Packing List

Trip Intro

These trips require a very high degree of fitness and even women who exercise regularly will need to add some specific conditioning such as strength training, endurance training, and longer aerobic workouts. There are typically 5 to 10 hours of daily activity.

This trip is rated both a 4 and 5 because it involves hiking from 6.5 to 14 miles a day (see the itinerary for daily mileage) and requires being in excellent physical condition. On two days there are shorter options and the rating of 4 is appropriate if you choose these or if you prefer to just take one or two days off from hiking. A rating of 4 requires aerobic conditioning for at least 40-50 minutes 4-5 times a week with additional endurance exercise (e.g. going for a 2 hour hike with elevation gain once a week) and strength training recommended. Going for longer hikes before the trip is recommended if you want to hike the entire 60+ miles. Rating: 1 2 3 [4] [5].

This is a hiking trip on the northern Virginia section of the legendary Appalachian Trail. You will be hiking in the mountains with constant elevation gain and loss on a trail that is very rocky at times. We will begin out trip just outside the historic town of Harpers Ferry, although there will be limited time to visit it.

We will be staying at a hostel: the historic Bears Den Lodge located right on the Appalachian Trail. This stone lodge was built in 1930. We will have all of the reservable bunk rooms in the lodge for this week (there is one downstairs bunk room always available for hikers). Most of the beds in the lodge are bunk beds, but because we have the entire hostel, we will only occupy the lower bunks (yay!). Each bunk room has a bathroom with a shower, sink and toilet. There is also a washer and dryer at the hostel.

Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests.

DAY 1

Meet at 1:00 p.m. at the Dulles Airport (IAD) or 3:00 p.m. at the Bears Den Lodge in Bluemont, VA., approximately 35 miles south of Harpers Ferry. If you are flying, group transportation from the airport to Harpers Ferry will be arranged for 1:00 p.m. The shuttle ride is about an hour and will deposit you right at the door of the hostel. If you prefer to drive to Harpers Ferry, please plan to arrive at the Bears Den Lodge by 3:00 p.m. After claiming your bed and settling in we'll gather for introductions and trip orientation before enjoying one of the first delicious dinners made by your guides. The Bears Den is quite isolated, and a short walk brings you to clearings where the sky is star studded with no ambient light - a wonderful beginning to an exciting trip!

Overnight: Bears Den Lodge (D)

DAY 2

Today and every day we'll have an early and hearty breakfast, so we have adequate time to prepare for the day and get on the trail early. After breakfast, we'll shuttle to the very tip of Harpers Ferry, near the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, where we'll start along the Appalachian Trail. Passing Saint Peters church and Jefferson Rock, we'll cross over the Shenandoah River and continue under canopy to Keys Gap. For those who would like to keep hiking, we'll continue through Buzzard Rocks, along Laurel Springs, and on to the Blackburn Center situated approximately .3 miles off trail. The Blackburn Center is a PTC maintained shelter area. While they offer bunk space and tenting platforms for those who are backpacking, we'll meet our shuttle there and head back to Bears Den.

Distance: 13.0 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 2,720 feet/1,900 feet

Think you might want to ease into the week a little more gently? We've got you covered. You can always take out at Keys Gap for a 6.3-mile day with an elevation gain/loss of 1440 ft. /800 ft. You don't even have to decide till you get there. Tonight, and every night we'll return to the hostel where the guides will prepare a filling, home cooked meal, designed to replenish your spirits and your body.

Overnight: Bears Den Lodge (B,L,D)

DAY 3

Another day on trail! This morning we'll shuttle back to the Blackburn Center, where we ended yesterday, and hike the .3 miles (all up!) to rejoin the AT. We'll pass through Snickers Gap (maybe a trail angel will have left some real Snickers?) and begin the first 4 miles of the infamous 13.9 mile 'Roller Coaster' - so called because of tightly packed ups and downs. There will be plenty of rocks, great challenging ups and lovely wooded downs. We'll pass Raven rocks and Crescent Rocks - yes, there is a theme here - and at the end of the day we'll actually walk into the Bears Den Lodge! Dinner tonight is a wonderful treat - There we'll be a lovely al fresco pizza dinner (catered by a local restaurant) complete with a gorgeous salad and dessert - pizza never tasted so good!

Distance: 9 miles Elevation gain/loss: 2,100 feet/2,000 feet

Overnight: Bears Den Lodge (B,L,D)

DAY 4

Leaving the hostel this morning, we'll first pass by the Bears Den rocks - beautiful granite and sandstone boulders that do look like they would make the perfect den for bears! If you want a big challenge, you have the option to hike 13.9 miles, including the remaining 9.9 miles of the 'Roller Coaster', and on to Ashby Gap. If that isn't appealing, you can opt for an earlier out after 7.5 miles. You will still have lots of up and down, but the shorter mileage allows you to do it at a slower pace. Regardless of which you choose, at the end of the day we'll end up shuttling back to our home on the trail - the Bears Den Lodge.

Distance: 13.9 miles Elevation gain/loss: 4,000 feet/2,000 feet, or 7.5 miles and less gain and loss. Overnight: Bears Den Lodge (B,L,D)

DAY 5

After another hearty breakfast, we'll be back on trail this morning starting at Ashby Gap. We'll start off hiking by passing a rock wall that was originally surveyed by 19-year-old George Washington. The trail today passes several AT shelters including Whiskey Hollow and Manassas Shelter. Whiskey Hollow is a newer shelter built by the local AT club. After a long and absolutely satisfying day, ending at Manassas Gap, we'll shuttle back to the Bears Den for another delicious home cooked meal and a well-deserved rest.

Distance: 13.6 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 2,400 feet/2,780 feet. Overnight: Bears Den Lodge (B,L,D)

DAY 6

Can it really be over so soon? Sadly, yes. And our last day on trail, is going to be a great one! We'll put in at Manassas Gap for our final 8.7 miles of the trip. About halfway through we'll be sure to take a break at the Jim and Molly Denton Shelter area. This shelter has a great front porch as well as a solar shower and yes, running water! We'll finish the day with a slow downhill, losing about 1,000 feet in elevation, where we'll find ourselves on Route 522 and our awaiting shuttle. We should be back in plenty of time to prepare for dinner out tonight where we'll remember our week together and say goodbye, until the next AT opportunity!

Distance: 8.7 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 1,955 feet/1,590 feet. Overnight: Bears Den Lodge (B,L,D)

DAY 7

As always, we start the day with a great breakfast. Except today we won't be burning it off! After close to 60 miles and about 12,000 feet elevation gain and loss in 5 days, our bodies will be confused - no hiking today! If you're driving, you’re free to leave when you need to. If you are flying, there will be a 9:30 a.m. group shuttle to IAD for flights out after 12:30 p.m. (B)

*These are the unfiltered reviews of women who have been on this trip in answer to the question "Did this trip meet your expectations?". We take reviews very seriously and often tweak itineraries based on feedback. Please feel free to contact us about any questions you have.

Slackpacking Harpers Ferry 10/18/2020-10/24/2020

Covid continues to be so confining that we were all excited to escape into the wilderness of the Appalachian Trail. The private Bear's Den was a wonderful oasis for our group. I was so impressed with the fitness of the other 9 hiker-ladies. We all hiked together and no-one ever lagged behind. The Guides generosity and attention to our comfort and care exceeded my expectations. They were terrific.

Slackpacking Harpers Ferry 10/18/2020-10/24/2020

Sure helped that we had fantastic weather!! I was travelling with a friend that I met way back on the GC-Havesu trip. Another bonus is that two of my 2021 trips will re-connect me w/ladies I met on this trip. It was good to see the 'back office" on a trip - what better way to see what really happens after the planning is done. I was especially impressed by Stephanie, who helped w/the logistics for this trip. It was nice to share the physical side of the trips with her. I expressed to her the tremendous, positive changes AGC has gone through and that her marketing efforts are a major part of how & why I continue to select trips.

Slackpacking Harpers Ferry 10/18/2020-10/24/2020

I was a little disappointed there was only a couple of good overlooks along this particular section of the trail and, due to the rockiness, I spent a majority of timing looking at where I was placing my feet vs. being able to enjoy the landscape.

Slackpacking Harpers Ferry 10/18/2020-10/24/2020

Honestly Claire and Gina were fabulous guides, always encouraging and helpful. They work really hard to 'take care' of us and keep us safe. The weather was hard one day and I became hypothermic, by my own stupidity. I learned a valuable lesson, which they carefully and thoughtfully guided me thru.

Slackpacking Harpers Ferry 10/13/2019-10/19/2019

The previous slackpacking trip I had done (Virginia) and the following one (Maryland) were all based out of a single place of lodging. This trip had 3 different places to stay. I really prefer the one "home base."

Slackpacking Harpers Ferry 10/13/2019-10/19/2019

I have never had a bad AGC trip as it relates to the guides and the activities and the planning that goes into a trip. THis trip because of the women who were on the trip was especially wonderful but AGC has no control over how a group of 10-12 strangers will bond or not bond. THis group was especially cohesive and friendly.

Slackpacking Harpers Ferry 10/13/2019-10/19/2019

The highlights of my trip were finishing an entire section of the AT, all of the really delicious food and the interaction between the members of our group. I loved staying at Mountain Home. I liked that AGC supported the HI Hostel by staying there (its one of my favorite organizations) and Bear's Den too. Also the day we finished the rollercoaster was my favorite day start to finish: made to order french toast at Mountain Home, excellent and challenging hiking, Claire meeting us at the end with coffees and chocolates then having Thai curry for dinner. I could not have wished for a more perfect day.

Slackpacking Harpers Ferry 10/13/2019-10/19/2019

I just enjoyed the ease of everyday. All details were expertly handled and we were able enjoy the hike, each other and wonderful meals and showers.

Slackpacking Harpers Ferry 10/13/2019-10/19/2019

Guides were so enthusiastic, upbeat, and helpful, it would have been impossible not to enjoy it!

Slackpacking Harpers Ferry 10/13/2019-10/19/2019

Completing the rollercoaster portion of the hike--we knew it would be challenging and 8 of 12 of us did it and stuck together.

Slackpacking Harpers Ferry 10/13/2019-10/19/2019

I was not sure what to expect and was very happy with the guides (great job!), the food, and the accommodations. I really appreciated the fact that we stayed on schedule, yet felt relaxed and well prepared for the day ahead.

Slackpacking Harpers Ferry 10/13/2019-10/19/2019

The beautiful scenery and challenging hiking on the AT, meeting and interacting with other women interested in hiking, enjoying the experience without having to worry about logistics and meal prep.

Slackpacking Harpers Ferry 10/14/2018-10/20/2018

I had a good time. The trip pushed me physically particularly on the long days.

Slackpacking Harpers Ferry 10/14/2018-10/20/2018

Great group of ladies. Good food. Beautiful hike.

Slackpacking Harpers Ferry 10/14/2018-10/20/2018

Meeting group members. Roller coaster (believe it or not). Silence in the forests and mountains. Achieving my personal goals.

Slackpacking Harpers Ferry 10/14/2018-10/20/2018

Trip was awesome... guides, other participants, hikes, food, scenery, you name it. Exceeded my expectations in many ways. Everyone was made to feel comfortable and could hike their hike at their own pace. This was amazing. I wasn't sure if I could hike the whole mileage, having not been on a hike like this before. I was glad I did. Guides were so supportive, of everyone.

Slackpacking Harpers Ferry 10/14/2018-10/20/2018

Challenging nature of hikes, organization and guides. The hostel was less comfortable and appealing than expected.

Slackpacking Harpers Ferry 10/14/2018-10/20/2018

The highlights would be the physical challenge and camaraderie among the women