Snowden, VA on the Appalachian Trail (25 July 1974)

 Every week or so, hikers hit a town along the Appalachian Trail.  For us, 52 years ago and five days after leaving Pearisburg, our entourage arrived at Cloverdale, VA and we stayed at the Hojo on 21 July 1974.  It was a nice stretch of trail with Dragons Tooth and McAfee Knob.

You need to remember that McAfee Knob was soon to be off the Trail due to conflicts between the private landowners and hikers.  Read about this problem in my AT Book and Flack's title.  For pics, search web for the bazillion shots along this scenic (and crowded) section of the AT. The one shot I will share is Ralph's and the little restaurant on Rt 301 where I got two 7 Ups and 3 ice creams (thanks to Don).  Camped at Boy Scout LT that night with Don, Ralph and Benji, Laura and Peter the Dog. 

And an air photo from 1996 with restaurant location in the red circle.

But back to the Howard Johnson, we "showered, ate, swam.  Yes went swimming it was great!"

Air Photo from 1985.

and a post card

And my souvenir pen.

At this point we had hiked about 630 miles on the AT.

A couple days later, on 25 July 1974, we descended in the James River Valley and walked to the PO in Snowden.

In 2022, the Streetview shot looks like this.

It was a combo market, gas station and Post Office and a mail drop.   Back then it looked like this.  Our packs are on the porch.

From the AT Museum Book: 

"Snowden was a mail drop but not a place to stay that we reached on the 25th of July. At the Snowden store and PO, I got some mail and tried to replenish some food.  The store and post office has since closed, but a request on Facebook got this story about Snowden.

“The Williams family operated the store. Mr. Williams previously worked with the construction crews building the Blue Ridge Parkway. They had a motorboat and would do water skiing on Sunday afternoons…” 

While my food purchase was limited considering the choices found in full size supermarkets in other towns, Three Time AT Hiker Dorothy Laker bought bread, bologna, cookies, onions, candy, cereal and raisons, that makes my mac and cheese purchase seem bland.  I do recall getting a block of cheddar cheese that I enjoyed with saltines. It kept surprisingly well for a few days in the hot July temperatures. So in retrospect, despite my complaint, these small mom and pop general stores were vital to the long distance hiker and had the store remained open, I am sure more camping food options would have become available.   Leaving the James River at Snowden we would have to climb a mountain out of the valley to camp at Johns Hollow LT.  There we met Harry who hiked the trail in 1969, the same year as Jeff Hancock."

For Ms. Laker's story, get the Rodale Book.  Highly recommended.

For some info on Johns Hollow LT built in 1961, from an AT History site.  Here is also the NPS Photo.  

Thanks to the Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club for maintaining it.  

See the location of the LT on this USGS Map.

Father Charles in Pearisburg, 14-17 July 1974 AT

 What a great resource for AT hikers.

and some more from Ralph.

From my AT Book (help support the AT Museum):

Pearisburg was reached on the 14th of July, when I could report that one quarter of the trail was complete!  Father Charles Beausoleil had opened a hostel for AT hikers in the parish hall and despite that he was away, we were still welcome.  At the hostel a group of hikers were collecting donations to buy a bicycle to aid in the commute between the church and the grocery store, about a mile away.  All the people I met were very friendly.  Mom noted that this was “my great adventure” and that reflected my attitude and getting into the groove of long-distance backpacking.  Quite a few other hikers in the Seventies also noted the hospitality of Father Charles.  

and a close up of the middle of the shot to show church (sorry but original scan is only 453 dpi).

Pearisburg, VA from Angel's Rest (USGS map from 1966).

See more topo maps here.

Anyway, according to my FarOut App, the Holy Family Hostel is not open this season.

Oh, why several days of Zero?  Well I had a case of diarrhea.  Enuff said. 

Tourism Transformations in Protected Area Gateway Communities

 

On 6 April 1975, I hiked down the mountain to Duncannon, PA, where my dad picked me up.  I would return to the trail later that spring.  Stay tuned.

Here in 2021 and 2022, I am still writing about the Appalachian Trail.  A BIG thanks to my coauthors Julie Judkins, from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Jessica Schottanes, MRP and MS in Geography from UMass - Amherst.

Get your copy from CABI.

Enjoy chapter 2 in particular: Appalachian Trail Communities: Gateway Partners in Parks and Protected Area Management

See a preview here.