vdeal
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Posts: 616
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Post by vdeal on Apr 26, 2017 7:30:59 GMT -5
Hey folks, a few questions about the Laurel Fork area of Virginia. I backpacked in there years ago but a buddy and I are planning a longish dayhike in a few weeks and I need some info. What I'm planning on doing is a loop hike and the shortest one I can come up with and still see a good bit of Laurel Fork involves going down either Slabcamp Tr. or Locust Spring Run Tr., head south along Laurel Fork Tr, come up Bearwallow Tr. and finish with a road walk. Slabcamp and Locust Spring Run are only about .1 mile difference so I would prefer the more scenic one. While I was on both of those long ago I can't remember much in the way of details so any input on which you like best would be appreciated. However, the more important question is whether there is any parking along Forest Rt 106, preferably and the Locust Springs/Slabcamp Tr. trailhead but Bearwallow would work also. Thanks.
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Post by arfcomhkr on Apr 26, 2017 20:22:45 GMT -5
jnk556 and I hiked that area about two years ago and did some road walking along 106, I think. I don't recall any dedicated parking where the trails went off it, but I was only there once and my memory isn't the best. There were some places to get off the road here and there, people camped in them.
Maybe he'll remember more than me.
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vdeal
Forum Elder
Posts: 616
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Post by vdeal on Apr 27, 2017 12:41:08 GMT -5
arf,
Thanks. I remember that you and jnk hiked the area and expected to hear from you. I couldn't see any spots on Google Earth but that doesn't really mean anything. Hopefully jnk will chime in. Any input on Slabcamp vs Locust Spring Run trails?
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Post by arfcomhkr on Apr 28, 2017 6:36:31 GMT -5
arf, Thanks. I remember that you and jnk hiked the area and expected to hear from you. I couldn't see any spots on Google Earth but that doesn't really mean anything. Hopefully jnk will chime in. Any input on Slabcamp vs Locust Spring Run trails? I don't think we hiked Slabcamp. Pretty sure we just did the outer loop of the whole area. I sent jnk an IM on another board we both frequent, maybe he'll show up. |
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vdeal
Forum Elder
Posts: 616
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Post by vdeal on Apr 28, 2017 12:44:21 GMT -5
Recent comments on the HikingUpward site seem to indicate that Slabcamp is in bad shape and Locust Spring Run is pretty decent so I think I've got an answer there but still no answer on parking along FR106.
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Post by jnk556 on Apr 28, 2017 16:05:39 GMT -5
Ok, had to pull up a map to remember what trails are what....
We did not hike Slabcamp, so I do not know about it. We hiked down Bear Wallow, and from what i remember it was ok, except for a few places the trail was very faint, and we almost lost it going down. I do not remember any parking at the trail head for Bear Wallow, I think there was a fork in that road close to the trailhead though, and thus a wide enough spot to park.
Trail along Laurel fork was good, no issues on fords, but we did it in Fall and water wasn't real high that i remember.
We came back up the Buck Run trail which I seem to remember was ok, just narrow, and steep in some spots on down in the valley. Only hiked the upper end of Locust spring, as we doubled back and went up Spring run Spur to 106.
From what i remember stuff over there was not well blazed, and could be hard to follow if the trail was not well worn.
I hope that helps, been a couple years since we did it and I haven't been over there since.
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vdeal
Forum Elder
Posts: 616
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Post by vdeal on Apr 28, 2017 19:18:49 GMT -5
Thanks jnk
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Post by jnk556 on Apr 29, 2017 15:47:02 GMT -5
No problem! I need to get back out been 2 years since my last backpack trip. I've got fat and lazy I guess. Arfcomhkr has taken up trout fishing and semi retired from backpacking, but no excuse really might try to get together with him and do a day hike this summer or fall.
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