Pocosin Cabin

The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club maintains a number of cabins within Shenandoah National Park and on its own lands. (see map) Pocosin Cabin lies within the Park along Skyline Drive just north of the entrance on State Road 33.As mentioned on the website, the cabins have rudimentary supplies, utensils, plates, a woodstove, bunks, but food, water, sleeping bags, and light must be packed in. Fortunately or unfortunately, Pocosin Cabin is right off the road, so this is hardly a backcountry experience. Without electricity or running water, time is spent cutting and splitting wood, collecting and purifying water, building fires and cooking dinner. Some of the available cabins once belonged to settlers, which lends some authenticity to the experience. Pocosin Cabin was built by a CCC work crew in the 30's.

The woodstove easily heated up the small one room cabin, so going in December wasn't uncomfortable. Inclement weather closing the parkway is the only seasonal hazard. If this is the case, the cabin can be reached from outside the park, which is about a four mile hike. PATC publishes an excellent map series (#10 - Central District) that makes it easy. I didn't make it but the Pocosin Mission ruins aren't far from the cabin.

As we left, clouds rolled into the hollows.