Ramsey's Draft Virginia

Ramsey's Draft Wilderness Area is about 21 miles northwest of Staunton, VA and it is one of the more rugged hiking areas in the state. A "draft" or draught is a flowing source of water Ramsey's Draft is far more than a simple mountain creek. Over the years, the small valley through which it passes has been ravaged by hurricane caused floods such that old jeep trails and foot paths were wiped out or re-routed. The trail is rugged but beautiful and since it doesn't have trail markers, hikers must pay close attention.
According to the US Forest Service website:
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.

Ramsey's Draft has 30 miles of trails on the 6,518 acres and its Shenandoah Mountain trail starts at the historic Fort Johnson Confederate Breastworks and traverses the mountain with spectacular views of the valley. In the photo above, I am standing by an old chimney that was once part of the PATC Sexton Cabin which was dismantled and hauled out by draft horse when the area was given Wilderness status in 1984.

I have many wonderful stories about hikes and backpacking in this magical and challenging area, but that's for another post!

for more info:
Mid-Atlantic Hikes
North Ranger District