Shenandoah Mountain

I had done two day hike to Shenandoah Mountain on 30th and 31st August 2014 . It is located in Virginia State.
Hike Location
Name: Shenandoah Mountain
Distance: 125 miles from Richmond(approx)
Total hiking distance: 18.2 miles.
Altitude: 2810 ft
Trek Items: Backpack(45 L), Food, Water(4 L approx), Camps Stove, Sleeping bag, Tent(1 person), Lantern, Head Torch, Swiss knife, Compass, Matchbox, Medical Kit and floaters.
Hiking Experience: Started around 9:07 am on 30th. Reached the parking spot around 11:09 am. Entered my details in the trail register and set out for hike. The trail started behind the trail register area. It was a very narrow trail. Soon there was a diversion for bridge hollow trail. I followed the Ramsey's Draft trail. The trail is not well maintained and no markings on the trail. All along the trail there were fell down trees obstructing the path. Continued on the narrow trail surrounded by huge trees. it was very hot sunny climate and even the trees could not stop the sunlight from penetrating through the gaps in leaves. Slowly there was gradual increase in the slope of the trail. There were so many Stream crossings on the way but the stream has very little water flow. The trail lead into the middle of the forest and small rock patches were there. Crossed another intersection, Jerry's Run after hiking for 45 mins. Scorching heat and heavy backpack(stuffed for two day hiking) made the trek really a great physical challenge. After the intersection, the slope increased and sunlight directly on the trail.  Slowly hiked further. Halted for lunch around 1:17 pm. Had lunch and again started around 1:36 pm.It was again a gradual slope and trail was little wider and had many crossings. Soon reached a great campsite with river stream nearby. It is at the intersection of Bald Ridge trail.One can camp here as well. I went ahead and reached another intersection around 2:20 pm. It was HardScrabble Knob trail. Went along the Knob trail for 0.5 miles to reach the HardScrabble knob near the old abandoned shack. However the shack is completely down and could not get to the knob(huge rocks from which we can get nice view of the terrain and surrounding mountains). Just saw the rocks and returned back to the intersection around 2:40 pm and continued hike along Ramsey's Draft. Finally reached the campsite around 3:18 pm which has great center fire pit and huge tree with sign "Shenandoah Mountain Trail". Pitched the tent by 3:40 pm. Took rest for half an hour so inside the tent. Then had snacks. Quickly changed to floaters and set out for evening sight seeing and found water source near the big tree.
                                                   
The campsite is surrounded by four large trees preventing sunlight and also covered rain which I came to know sometime later. It started drizzling and I came back to my tent and had a nap until 7:30 pm.  Rain was stopped but there was cool breeze. Area near my tent was not wet as the four trees were giving shelter. Prepared hot soup and maggie with the camp stove just outside the tent. It was great fun to cook in the woods in night and have it in nature. I forgot to carry spoon/fork. Used the nature's wood as chopsticks. It was a good experience. Then closed the tent and switched on the lantern and made arrangements for sleep. Could hear laud noise of the breeze all through the night along with small rattling sound of insects. It was again drizzling. After sometime rain stopped. Put head torch and went for night watch. After rain, watching the sky in so nice calm atmosphere is really a great view. It was pitch dark outside. Just went few meters ahead and started drizzling again. Came back to my tent around 10:30 pm. Did some meditation to kill the time and then went off to sleep inside my sleeping bag. Slept in the warm temperature inside sleeping bag inside tent under four big trees by 11:15 pm. Got up around 6:30 am on Sunday morning. No rain but it was still not fully light and fully covered with fog. Slept again for half an hour and got up around 7:00 am. Now fog is bit cleared and could find trails. Packed everything including tent, got freshen up and set out for second day hike along the Shenandoah Mountain trail around 7:50 am.                                                                

 It was so nice climate outside , perfect for hiking with fresh green plants on earth, thick mist in the air and few droplets of water from tree leaves. Followed the Mountain trail. The trail was narrow and no marks on the trail and not well maintained. So many huge trees fell down blocking the route. Soon reached an intersection with Sinclair Hollow Trail in 15 mins Continued on Mountain trail. The trail is very steep down the hill and fully covered with small plants and lot of cobweb all along the path. Still there is no sign of sunlight along the woods. The trail led into the middle of the jungle. Reached another intersection with Jerry's Run around 9:25 am. Continued on Mountain trail for another half an hour and reached Road Hollow Trail. Followed the Road hollow trail on left. This trail had yellow marks and very steep trail and was almost running down the hill due to the steepness. Saw little sunshine amidst thick forest trees. Cool breeze still continued. There were so many crossings along the path with no water. most of the trail was in the middle of the jungle. There was a huge tree on the path which is completely uprooted. Could see huge roots of the tree and looked like an old abandoned hut. After hiking for 30 mins could see the main road and hear the sounds of vehicles passing by. Reached the parking lot by 10:45 am. Entered the end date in trail register and started from parking around 11:00 am. Reached home by 1:00 pm. Overall it was a great wonderful memorable experience to live in the woods for entire 24 hours. Awesome way to live the life. All is Well.