Hiking in Shenandoah route recommendations?

[bansheesho]

Hi all,

Looking for recommendations for a backpacking route in Shenandoah National Park. I am pretty sure we really can't go wrong, but I would like to pick a really great route. I have looked over some of the routes on the nps.gov site, but it didn't really help me narrow it down.

My friend and I are looking to hike in Shenandoah on Aug 10-14. We are looking to start backpacking on the 10th at around noon so the first day needs to be short.. maybe 3-5 miles. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th days I would like to average 8-10 miles and the camping for the last night would ideally be very close to the ending point so we can make a quick and early exit on the 5th day.. So we are looking at about 28-35 miles. He is new to backpacking, so I want to keep it fun for him.


Does anyone have a good route recommendation that would fit with that? Is there anything that is a must hike? I am trying to give him a really awesome first experience. Any good waterfalls to play in?

I have all the necessary gear for backpacking for both of us. We only have one car so we would be using a shuttle service.

[Roy]

Sky Line is the mountain range just east of Shenandoah range.
Consider making your base camp on Sky line Drive. If you enter the park from Front Royal there is a nice camp ground a few miles in on the west side.
The Appalachian trail tacks right down the center of this range. I recommend climbing "Old Rag" on your agenda. It is a great 1 day climb and there might still be shelter near the top. There is a parking lot out side the park on the east side of Old Rag. It is the best place to start your climb.
There a lot of hike downs to water falls along the Sky line drive section of the Appalachian trail.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachian_Trail
For your first time in the area, Sky Line Drive would be the best. You could spend weeks hiking there.
If you like being alone and roughing it, then Shenandoah might suit you better. There is some Civil War history associated with the Shenandoah range and valley.
Shenandoah is a National Park so you will need a U. S government pass-not Virginia and is different then the Sky line Drive pass. You might need special fire permits. Check out a Golden Eagle Passport.
Because of the dry weather I would call ahead to a Ranger Station for help on up to-date regulations.
Also Bears are a big problem for campers in that area. There are bears every where. So have a good plan on how to protect your food.

Above all, have fun and be safe!

Roy