Ramsey's Draft Wilderness - West Loop - Hiking trail near Staunton, Virginia, United States - Description

Ramsey's Draft Wilderness encompasses 6,519 acres of the North River Ranger District. It was legislatively designated as Wilderness on October 30, 1984 under the Virginia Wilderness Act. Ramsey's Draft (draft and run are local names for creeks) is classified as rugged and steep with elevations from 2,200 feet to the top of Hardscrabble Knob at 4,282 feet. The area of Ramsey's Draft was included in a 38,399 acre tract purchased in 1913. About 1,794 acres in the headwaters of Ramsey's Draft and around Hardscrabble Knob have been managed essentially as wilderness since 1935. This area of Ramsey's Draft is considered one of the few virgin forests of its size in the East. A Civilian Conservation Corp Camp (CCC) was located just outside the present day wilderness boundary during the 1930's. CCC crews improved the road that crossed Ramsey's Draft, working on many fords, and constructed several of the trails in the area.

WARNING: Ramsey's Draft Trail crosses Ramsey's Draft numerous times. Check Ramsey's Draft water level before attempting this hike as river crossing might not be passable safely.

Day 1:

From Mountain House trailhead follow Ramsey's Draft Trail. This trail is not blazed and pretty overgrown in parts. It will cross Ramsey's Draft numerous times. Within 0.1 miles, Road Hollow Trail will be on your left. Continue another 2.5 miles on Ramsey's Draft Trail to a junction with Jerry's Run Trail. Continue another 4.1 miles on Ramsey's Draft Trail to a junction with the Hiner Springs Trail on your right. Shortly after the junction you will arrive at Hiner Springs with numerous campsites. This is a good spot to overnight with easy water access. There is no water access past Hiner Springs on this loop. If you arrive early, there is a quick out and back to Hardscrabble Knob (1.2 miles).

Day 2:

Fill up all your water before leaving camp. There is no water access on the rest of this loop. Continue on Ramsey's Draft Trail for another 1 mile past Hardscrabble Knob Trail to the junction with the Shenandoah Mountain Trail. Keep left and follow the Shenandoah Mountain Trail for .3 miles to the intersection with the Sinclair Hollow Trail. Keep left following the Shenandoah Mountain Trail to Jerry's Run in 4.5 miles. The trail is gently downhill and easy. In another mile you will reach the yellow blazed Road Hollow Trail. Take a left on Road Hollow Trail descending back to the trailhead and reaching Ramsey's Draft Trail in 2.5 miles. Take a right onto Ramsey's Draft Trail and shortly reach the parking area.

From Staunton, travel west on U. S. Route 250 approximately 20 miles to the Mountain House parking area. Drive past the first parking lot (picnic tables, restrooms, etc.) to the second lot and leave your vehicle there during your hiking expedition. Do not leave valuables in your vehicle and be sure to lock your doors.