Day 8 – Sky Land to Pass Mountain Hut

Tuesday, October 14, 2025. Up at 7:30. Breezy, rainy, foggy, low 50s.

The entire resort has no water this morning. Annoying for me and Ed, but this place is going to be nasty in about an hour or two once everyone else gets up and moving.

The forecast is for clearing weather towards noon with no rain this evening. That means dry tents at camp assuming the forecast is correct. We hope to visit Stony Man, The Pinnacle, and Mary’s Rock if the weather is decent. We have 11.4 miles to camp not counting any side trips. We will wait until 9:00 or 10:00 to head out. 

Water is trying to come back on at 8:45. We checked out at 9:00 and got breakfast at the restaurant before heading out. The restaurant opened at 9:00 once the water was fixed. Good timing. No coffee unfortunately. 

Skyland Dining Room

Ran into Jenna and Gus Creedon at breakfast. They are doing a few-day hikes and Jenna saw me as we were leaving the dining room. Chatted for a bit. Great to see them.

On trail at 10:00. Still overcast, foggy, breezy, and wet. 

Skipped Stony Man since we are still socked in by clouds. 

Reached Little Stony Man Cliffs at 10:39 and 1.4 miles. Here there be dragons. 

Little Stony Man Ledges
Little Stony Man Ledges

Ed’s not feeling well today. A bit of a struggle in crappy weather for him. 

Reached Pinnacle picnic area at 11:50 and 4.4 miles. No change in weather up here on the mountain. Still cool, foggy, wet, and icky.

Pinnacle Picnic Area Shenandoah
Chuck at Pinnacle Picnic Area

Arrived at The Pinnacle at 12:45. Still cloud-covered.

Chuck at Pinnacle Rocks Shenandoah

Arrived at Birds Nest number 3 at 1:10. Sun tried to peek out for a minute, but gave up.

Bird’s Nest Shelter #3

At 1:25 we descended below the clouds for the first time today. There is sun down in the valley.

Clouds lifted in Shenandoah Day 8
Clouds lifted in Shenandoah Day 8

Reached Many’s Rock at 1:55. Decent break in the weather. We have 3.5 miles to go to reach camp. Very downhill from here.

Mary’s Rock
Mary’s Rock

Stopped at Panorama parking area for water and bathrooms before heading uphill the last 1.7 miles to camp. Surprisingly large amount of people here and on trail for a Tuesday.

Panorama Parking Area

Arrived at Pass Mountain Hut at 3:40. One bar cell service.

Pass Mountain Hut Shenandoah

Set up camp, filtered water, and settled in for the evening.

Camp site at Pass Mountain Hut

Early dinner at 5:15. We have dinner guests. Getting chilly quick and sun is setting on the other side of the mountain from us. 

Dinner guest at Pass Mountain Hut

In bed at 7:30. Good day even with the fog and icky weather to start. I felt really good on trail today. No back issues.

Day 8 Map

Technical Notes:

  • Sausage, eggs, toast, potatoes 700
  • Apple juice 250
  • Fig bar 200
  • Trail mix 210
  • Payday bar 250
  • Peak refuel beef stroganoff 810
  • Chex mix 240
  • Water liters .75
  • Miles 11.98
  • Time 5:57
  • Up 2313
  • Down 3297
  • Calories consumed 2660
  • Calories burned 2055

Comments

One response to “Day 8 – Sky Land to Pass Mountain Hut”

  1. Tricia Avatar
    Tricia

    Glad your back wasn’t giving you problems today!! Hope Ed is feeling better!

Leave a Reply

Discover more from Retired Hiker

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading