[This is a trip report for Ramsey’s Draft back in May ’18: https://www.meetup.com/dc-ul-backpacking/events/248650454/ . This trip report is being archived on wordpress due to meetup getting rid of message board sections (which includes some unsaved trip reports like this one) on Jul 18th, 2024.]
All in all a good trip. Six of us met at the trailhead off of Rt. 250. We camped at some campsites just off of the parking lot. I had a fire going to great those coming from DC. The sky was clear and the stars bright. We made our way over to the picnic area which had open sky for some astrophotography and general chit chat.
The next morning we set out up the draft crossing the stream continiously. The wildflowers were in full bloom and the stinging nettles were small and had not taken over yet. It was warm. By lunch time it was quite warm. We left our packs at the upper sprilng for a quick hike up Hardscramble Knob for a view of the fallen firetower and the valley beyond.
After the knob we filled up with water and headed out. We stopped at a campsite at Big Bald Knob after 3. It was getting very warm and with no known water source close and unknown good campsites going forward we called it a day. It turned out to be the best campsite close when we hiked it the next day. It had a good view and the trees on the ridge had not leafed out creating a better view both ways off of the ridge (another reason it was so hot). Sunset was wonderful, and it was cool over night.
The sunrise wasn’t bad either. We set out early to beat the heat. We did find some water at the pond where the Wild Oak Trail branched off. It was pretty foul water though. FIltering it did make it clear but maybe not the best tasting. It was a pretty morning that quickly became warm. No good campsites were seen until the final one right before dropping off the ridge. There were lots of gnats everywhere. We kept hiking just to stay ahead of them. We crossed the draft one more time. We didn’t hike up to the Shenadoah Mountain Trail since we cut the previous day sort.
We drove back to Staunton for some pizza at Shenadoah Pizza. All really enjoyed the pizza. Mark ate a whole medium. All in all a good trip. Everyone seemed to have a good time.
Mark was slowed a bit the second day by a slight pull of something in his ankle but it didn’t slow him much.
Written By: Merritt
Posted By: Karan (B.A.)
DC UL Backpacking 
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