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Water Shortages on Virginia’s Appalachian Trail, August 2026

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An update on backpacking on the Appalachian Trail in Virginia with water hurdles on the trail and daily notes from the trip.

Monday August 10, 2026

Ed and I departed Green Bay at 6:30 in Ed’s car to pick up Liam in Verona WI. For lunch we stopped at Arbies restaurant. There were a couple of severe backups on the highway. After stopping at REI in Indy to purchase water bladders for Liam we arrived at the Fairfield hotel in Greenfield IN at 5:30. The Depot, about 5 minutes from the hotel, was our supper location.

Tuesday August 11, 2026

Following a quick hotel breakfast we hit the road at 7:30. Lots of heavy rain and one accident slowed travel. We are hopeful that the rain is hitting where we are hiking as it needs water. Our arrival in Daleville, WA was uneventful and the Spark but Hilton was very nice especially for the price. We are leaving Ed’s car here for the hike. After an hour or so of futzing with our packs we headed to Crooked Shoreline for a nice seafood dinner. 

Wednesday August 12, 2026

After another quick hotel breakfast we got on the highway, walking with our packs at 7:30 to find the trail. It was like a game of Frogger to cross the highway. We made it and began immediately going 900 feet uphill. The remainder of the day was a series of up and down hill segments that were not too tough. We stopped for lunch at “Cliffs“ which had awesome views. From there it was an easy hike to Lamberts Meadow Campsite, our destination for the night. Today we hiked 9.4 miles or about 21000 steps. 

Two guys at an overlook
The view from the cliffs.
Tents in a meadow
Lamberts Meadow Campsite

Thursday August 13, 2026

As with all good plans they are made to be changed. Our intended destination for the evening was Catawba Mountain Shelter which would be a dry camp. However, the water situation had us reconsidering. Maybe it would be better if we just stayed at Pig Farm Campsite where there was a slow flow water source. From there we can hike to McAfee Knob (0.7 mile) for breakfast at sunrise. So after a stop at Tinker Cliffs, one of the Virginia “Triple Crown“ sights, we arrived to Pig Farm at 1:30. 

Water was truly a slow trickle, taking 20 minutes to fill a 2 quart container. During supper we were treated to a mother bear and three cubs. We also discussed tomorrow. Since we had not encountered any NOBO’s we were unable to get a read on water availability on the trail ahead. Our decision is to stay at this camp tomorrow before heading back the next day. Today we hiked 6 hard miles.

Mountain Overlook
Carl and Liam sitting on Tinker Cliff.
Trail
Trail on Tinker Cliff.
Guy sitting on log
Waiting for water.
Black bear
Mother bear just outside our camp.

Friday August 14, 2026

Our phone alarms wake us at 5:00am for the thirty minute hike in the dark using headlamps. We arrive at McAfee Knob just as the sun starts peeking over the horizon. There are already 6-10 folks on the knob, having hiked 4 miles from a parking lot. The sunrise was good but not outstanding. We fired up our stove so Liam could have freeze dried spaghetti and it was oatmeal for me. Of course, Ed had bars. Back in camp by 7:30 we set about getting water (it is flowing better, not sure why) and relaxing in our hammocks.

McAfee Knob
McAfee Knob at sunrise
McAfee Knob
McAfee Knob at sunrise

The weather was looking threatening so we had lunch at 11:00 followed by the birthday S’mores I had carried in. The marshmallows were still fluffy and toasted nicely over the Jet Boil. Just as we finished putting gear and food away it started to rain. Perfect timing for a nap listening to the pitter patter of rain on the tent.

S'Mores
S’Mores ready for the Jet Boil
Roasting marshmellow
Roasting marshmellow over a Jet Boil stove.
S'Mores
The perfect S’More to celebrate a 71st birthday

Once the rain ended, the sky was still threatening rain so we decided to put up the tarp I had carried in. We got it up and moved the picnic table under it just in time for the rain to begin again. We hiked about 1.4 miles on trail and hiked more to collect water and to go to the vault toilet. 

Saturday August 15, 2026

We woke to sunny skies and warm temperatures and humidity. We hit the trail again at 7:30, heading back to Lamberts Meadow Campground. Since this is a Saturday there were numerous hikers on their way to Tinker Cliffs. Ed and I were concerned that there might not be any campsites available. However, they were all day hikers and no one was at the campsite so we had our pick of sites. Our stay was on the same site where we had a picnic table and bear box. We set up the tarp again but it didn’t rain. We played cribbage. Today, we hiked 6 miles today. 

VA AT Snake in our water source at Lambert Meadow Camp, 2026
Table and cards
Playing cribbage under the tarp – it didn’t rain!
Hammock
The view from a hammock.

Sunday August 16, 2026

Again we woke to sunny skies and hit the trail at 7:30. Since we had already hiked this section of trail we knew what was ahead. However, the skies clouded up and for the last 2 hours of the hike we were in the rain. Fortunately it was a warm rain so rain jackets were not needed. Yes, we got very wet. The hotel we are staying at is the Spark by Hilton in Daleville VA. After cleaning up our gear we headed back to Crooked Shoreline for another great meal. Hiked 9.4 miles today. 

We woke up to a hazy day – before the rain started.

Monday August 17, 2026

We departed the hotel at 8:00 for the 30 minute drive to the trail head for Dragon Tooth, one of the 3 sites of the Virginia triple crown. Ed chose to sit out this 6.6 mile round-trip hike with 1500 feet elevation gain. It was an easy hike with lots of rock scrambling at the end. Liam and I were back to the car at noon for the ride back to the Spark hotel. We had a nice sushi dinner at a place within walking distance of the hotel. 

Warning sign
The sign says it all
The trail up to Dragons Tooth.
The trail up to Dragons Tooth.
Holding flag
The view from a top Dragons Tooth
Sushi
Sushi for our “off the trail” meal

Tuesday August 18, 2026

Driving day. Staying at a Comfort Inn in Crawfordsville IN. They had a free KFC mashed potato and chicken bowls for free!

Reflection on Lake

Relaxing Snoqualmie Pass out and Back, August 2025

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All good plans are made to be changed and this is one of those. Originally we had planned to hike from Stevens Pass to Snoqualmie Pass. However, when we arrived in Seattle, WA from Green Bay, WI the weather forecast called for severe thunderstorms for Seattle and even worse where we planned to hike. Our good sense prevailed over our manly egos and we stayed in the hotel for two days and modified our plan. On this trip were Liam, Carl, Ed, and John

August 16, 2025 – Miles Hiked: 7 Cumulative Miles: 7

Spent last night in a motel. Got up, had motel breakfast and drove an hour plus to hit the trail at 8:45. There was light rain so we started in rain jackets which we removed in 30 minutes when the rain ended. Since it was a Saturday there were lots of day hikers. The Kendall Katwalk presented itself a little after noon, shrouded in clouds and fog just like the previous 2 times I crossed the Katwalk. Our campsite was at Ridge Lake, not the best of sites, but OK. Liam found two trees for his hammock.

August 17, 2025 – Miles Hiked: 10.6 Cumulative Miles: 17.6

It was chilly enough last night that I had to put on socks. We hit the trail at 7:30 under an overcast sky which cleared around noon. The trail had a lot of up and down, fortunately, the last 1.5 miles into camp was all downhill. Ed was out of gas when he and I arrived to camp. John and Liam had tents up and Liam was in his hammock.

We camped on the peninsula of Spectacle Lake where there was a pit toilet. It was quite a climb to get to it but not much of a view. The trail from the cutoff to the Lake was not maintained and there were several areas where one needed to “climb down” the trail. In camp that evening and after considerable discussion we agreed to head back tomorrow instead of taking a zero day. The plan is to only hike about 3 miles tomorrow but to take some of the elevation gain from the last day.

August 18, 2025 – Miles Hiked: 3 Cumulative Miles: 20.3

We knew today was going to be a short day so we didn’t leave camp until 10:30. We camped near an unnamed pond. The trail was all uphill which didn’t prevent us from getting into camp at 1:00 where I spent a relaxing afternoon reading and napping.

August 19, 2025 Miles Hiked: 7 Cumulative Miles: 24.6

We again camped at Ridge Lake – in almost the same tent sites as the first day. Mostly uphill but still got into camp at 2:00. Both Carl and Liam set up their hammocks. Lots of time to share drinks and stories at dinner. We are all looking forward to the Kendall Katwalk and views, which are said to be gorgeous. There was a cool breeze so we all got our puffies out.

August 20, 2025 Miles Hiked: 7 Cumulative Miles: 31.6

Almost all downhill – we were done at 10:30

Colorado Trail marker

Collegiate Loop of Colorado Trail August 2022

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Four backpackers (Ed Tucker, John Gundry, Mark Schedler, and Carl Fisher) plan a 140 mile trip along the East and West loops of the Collegiate Loop of the Colorado Trail (with a couple of modifications) starting in late August. The planned 15 day trip ended after 8 days.

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