St. Mary's Wilderness, Virginia - Backpacking

[@EnglishRoseWhite]

Very eager to do make this trek summer 2018. Good to see the boys having a great time. Well done boys!

[@FlyingSquirrelOutdoors]

+Dawn Bachmann Thanks, appreciate the comment! Hope you have a great trip!

[@allezshazam]

Where’s the pool at 16:16? How far past the big falls?

[@FlyingSquirrelOutdoors]

That is maybe 1/3 mile above falls. Not counting the river crossing AT the falls, this is right at the 2nd crossing (right back to left) as you head upstream. And there's a really nice camping spot here on the left side of the river (going upstream).

[@dawnheffner-cox8612]

Is that part with the huge side ways rock past the falls or b4

[@TroyAbbottOutdoors]

You mean the part where the adults were also jumping in? Kind of a slot in the rock with a big slab and a couple dead trees across it? That's about 1/4 mile above the falls. If you mean somewhere else give me a time tag on the vid?

[@MJGEGB]

So there are campsites/trail past the falls? I've never seen the water that low. Generally have to take my shoes off for most of the crossings.

[@FlyingSquirrelOutdoors]

This was late July, so a little drier than say, May. I've been up in this gorge many times starting as a kid. Yes there are some nice sites farther up, maybe the next half mile. Also that deep swimming hole where we were jumping off is above the falls.

[@thepodcastingdead9850]

Do you have to camp at sites or are you allowed to set up where ever?

[@FlyingSquirrelOutdoors]

This is in National Forest, so pretty open camping rules, but it is in a Wilderness area, so there are some restrictions - no camping within a certain radius if the falls, or the trail itself. We were about a half mile beyond (upstream) of the falls. There are a few established sites that are fine, and the code is pretty steep-sided so that forces you to be near the river. Recommend you search on St. Mary's Wilderness in a George Washington National Forest - restrictions may change.

[@jayyates1921]

how long did it take y'all to get to a swimming hole

[@TroyAbbottOutdoors]

The trail isn't long, but some of the creek crossings can be challenging when the water is high. There are a few good holes below the falls you can reach in an hour or so. Good swimming at the falls, and then more within a half mile ABOVE the falls. Plenty options to spread out.

[@curtis13450]

Cool

[@FlyingSquirrelOutdoors]

Thanks, glad you liked it!