Sawmill Run Spring - Old Site of Shelter (REMOVED) - Shenandoah National Park

When I was looking at my GPS topo map I noticed a marking on it that suggested there once was a shelter at this location and a spring. I checked the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club AT map of the area (Map 11: https://www.patc.net/PATC/PATC_Trails/Hike/PATC_Maps.aspx) and it has a tiny indication (blue squiggle) of a spring there but no words. USGS has a great resource to look at maps here: https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/topoview/viewer/#15/38.1080/-78.7880 where I was able to verify where the shelter used to be.
https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/img4/ht_icons/Browse/VA/VA_Waynesboro%20East_187152_1997_24000.jpg
So, on my latest hike, I decided to check this site out. Just North of Sawmill Run Overlook on Skyline Drive, at mile 95.3, the AT crosses the road. About 0.2 miles North on the AT the trail makes a sharp bend at the top of the hill. The old access trail is at that junction.
Google coordinates here: https://www.google.com/maps/place/38%C2%B006'49.1%22N+78%C2%B047'13.8%22W/@38.11365,-78.7871667,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d38.11365!4d-78.7871667
After a nice 0.3 mile walk down a somewhat overgrown and obscured trail, the spring can be found along with the site of the old shelter. There is a flat spot carved out of the hill where the shelter used to stand, along with an old fire ring. Fires are NOT allowed in SNP except at designated areas...this is NOT a designated area. The spring was actually pretty nice and flowing well.
Google coordinates here: https://www.google.com/maps/place/38%C2%B006'52.6%22N+78%C2%B047'19.7%22W/@38.1146,-78.7888167,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d38.1146!4d-78.7888167
Sawmill Run Shelter was built in 1941: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnHg_-hbxOkfXLVv71M9wL5UFp6s3j3lD0XNmjSOhJcbg6LrpVNM1lIZjTveSUeLI7LO0hAx0pgdyDFocxQo973NcAej3UohuPmtqn92FjZ8r4K3u2ySfd2HlELDjgZ-dC6R8AtbDiWg/s1600/Sawmill+Run+shelter.jpg
Sawmill Run shelter was removed from the AT in 1980 because of overuse.
Of interesting note, in 1984, PATC builds Calf Mountain Shelter from the remains of Rip Rap Shelter (not on the AT) and Sawmill Run Shelter.
Some photos from my trip: https://photos.app.goo.gl/W7p5pBAv4e11aLZg6

Here are a few links that mention the site, as well as some other info:
BLOG that mentions some history: http://www.wanderingvirginia.com/2016/01/shenandoah-national-park-former-at.html
cspitler's vid of the area: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XueH6V1U52Y
National Park Service Cultural Landscapes Inventory (interesting read):
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=14&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjwo7n_66neAhUFw1kKHarnAkwQFjANegQICBAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Firmafiles.nps.gov%2Freference%2Fholding%2F450499%3FaccessType%3DDOWNLOAD&usg=AOvVaw3kDkzBwY6mAMZlQ-Ji3YwQ
THE MANUFACTURE OF FIRE-BRICK AT MOUNT SAVAGE, MARYLAND: http://www.mountsavagehistoricalsociety.org/brick%20yard/manufacture%20of%20firebrick%20at%20Mt%20Savage.htm

2008 Ford Explorer Blower Motor Resistor Replacement (easy) – Fan Switch Repair

The climate control fan motor stopped blowing on several of the switch settings – this is usually the blower motor resistor that goes bad. The resistor unit is located behind the glove compartment and is attached with two 5/16” hex screws. 
This job is extremely easy and only requires a few common hand tools to do. 
1/4" drive ratchet, 5/16” Socket, Pry Tool.

Motorcraft YH-27 A/C Blower Motor Resistor
Part #: 7L2Z-19A706-A 4827930
Part from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0080DX902/

Spy Rock – Seely Woodworth Memorial Shelter and Rock Spring – Appalachian Trail Virginia

This was Day 1 of a planned three day hike on the AT South, from The Priest Shelter, where I left off on my southbound trek. On day 1 I hiked from the upper parking at Crabtree Falls on Meadows Lane (4x4 recommended) and hiked the last 0.5 miles up to the junction with the AT. From there I hiked south 3 miles to Spy Rock. Spy Rock has a number of very nice campsites (no water or privy) and a rock scramble up to an outstanding viewpoint. This is well worth the hike and can be done as a day hike. There is closer parking down the hill about 1.1 miles from the junction with Spy Rock Road near the Fish hatchery. From there I continued South 1.6 miles to Porters Gap and Rock Spring. There are great campsites at this very cool spring. It is another easy 1.1 miles to the Seely Woodworth Memorial Shelter. There is a small stream crossing on this part of the trail and it was enveloped by cool mist when I hiked through. The shelter is nice and has a privy and spring at the location. There are a number of good tent sites and places to hand a hammock as well. The next day (2) I hiked from Seeley Woodworth Shelter back to The Priest Shelter, and then hiked back to the upper parking of Crabtree Falls on Meadows Lane (4x4 recommended). From there I drove around to Hog Camp Gap on USFS 48 (another 1 lane dirt road but passable with a normal car) and hiked South to Cow Camp Gap Shelter. The views on Cole Mountain are outstanding and can be seen as a quick day hike and are well worth it. The shelter is quite nice and has a good spring. The link to Day 2 is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szqbIylRuMs. Mileage in and out from Meadows Lane was 7.9 miles, including Spy Rock. Total for the trip was 24.3 miles.     

@0:26 – Crabtree Falls Upper Parking
@1:00 – AT Crossing at Hog Camp Gap
@1:53 – Woods Walk
@2:10 – Spring at Hog Camp Gap
@3:11 – Spy Rock Trail Junction
@3:39 – Spy Rock campsites
@4:20 – Spy Rock Ascent and Views
@6:57 – Porters Gap / Rock Spring
@9:29 – Seely / Woodworth Shelter
@10:44 – Privy at Seely / Woodworth Shelter (exciting B-Roll!)
@11:31 – Spring at Seely / Woodworth Shelter
@12:02 – My CoyotePack Hammock System

Hemlock Mountain Outdoors: https://hemlockmountainoutdoors.com/

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Crabtree Falls Upper Parking on Meadows Lane – Appalachian Trail Virginia

This is the Upper Crabtree Falls Parking Lot in Virginia. It is accessed via Meadows Lane, a pretty skinny 3.8 mile dirt road off of VA 56 that only some cars may be able to navigate. There are two small stream crossings and a very lumpy culvert crossing. I did need 4WD to get over the culvert. This video may help you decide if you really want to attempt the drive in your vehicle. Also note, there was NO Verizon Cell service on the way up.

Google Map: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Crabtree+Falls

Hog Camp Gap to Cow Camp Gap Shelter – Cole Mountain View – Appalachian Trail Virginia

This was Day 2 of a planned three day hike on the AT South, from The Priest Shelter, where I left off on my southbound trek. On day 2 I hiked from Seeley Woodworth Shelter to The Priest Shelter, and then hiked back to the upper parking of Crabtree Falls on Meadows Lane (4x4 recommended). From there I drove around to Hog Camp Gap on USFS 48 (another 1 lane dirt road but passable with a normal car) and hiked South to Cow Camp Gap Shelter. The views on Cole Mountain are outstanding and can be seen as a quick day hike and are well worth it. The shelter is quite nice and has a good spring. I’ll post Day 1 soon and also do a separate video of the road up to the upper parking of Crabtree Falls. Mileage in and out from Cow Camp Gap Shelter and the water at Hog Camp Gap was 7.7 miles. Total for the trip was 24.3 miles.