Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Aqua Blazing
This is a question for Heather and Paul, can you tell me which outfitters in Waynesboro has canoe or rafting trips around the Shanandoh Valley? I've already hiked most of the Shanandoh. Brush Strokes was telling me this morning about some kind of canoe or rafting trips many people are taking. He said there is talk about making this an optional part of the trail to take pressure off the Shanandoh Valley.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
I can already hear the banjos.
You are talking about the canoeing the Shenandoah for a strech, in liew of walking Yes???
stand by.....
Ok....there are several canoe trip outfitters on the Shenandoah....but after a short search...the one that allows/lists the most up-stream put in is Shenndoah River Outfitters in Luray VA.....their longest (most up-stream start) suggested trip is from Port Republic VA to Font Royal. Not sure how many miles that is just yet...but it is a hell of alot....they suggest 7 days (more than 100 miles for sure)...
for reference, the end point(Font Royal) is the town adjacent to the Northen end of Shenandoah National Park (thus this is a good end point for any canoe trip)....MANY outfitters end there trips there....
The put in is a very small "town"...really just a bridge, that is adjacnet to about 15% the way "up" Shendoah National Park....The problem is that this outfitter is located in Luray VA...which is about 2/3 up the length of Shendoah NP....most outfitters list their longest trips as starting in Luray and running to Font Royal (which is 40 miles by river). I should also say that you can call and arange to start and end anywhere you want....its a matter of how long of a trip you want....
Also, if this outfitter can have people start in Port Republic...I dont see why you couldnt call and arange to start in Wanynesborough....although I'm not sure about the size of the river at that point....still, on Google Earth, the river at Waynesboruogh is about 80ft wide....
however, Waynesborough to Font Royal would have to be at least 150+ miles by river...that is because the river has massive 90 degree menanders throughout its entrie lenght....it has to be 2-3 times the straight line distance....
from Luray to Font Royal...it is a 40 mile trip...this is the longest "normal" trip all the outfitters offer....but again, you would have to get a ride to Luray to do this...as it is way way up the length of Shendoah NP....
PB
I guess at this point the question is: what are you thinking? The Shenandoah river basically parellels the trail for 100-150 miles (west of Shen, NP)....thus, almost anything (river trip that is) is possible.....would just take a little logistics working out by Heather....
as for time, my guess is that going via river would be slower than walking the trail....due to the significant meandering pattern....and the logistics of getting to a put in.....
in other words...are you looking for an overnight on the river as a fun diversion...or are you looking to Lewis & Clark a portion of the trail?
Post a Comment