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Century-Old Backwoods Cabin At Shenandoah National Park In Line For Repairs

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By NPT Staff - August 15th, 2018
Jones Mountain Cabin at Shenandoah National Park/PATC

Repairs are coming to the Jones Mountain Cabin at Shenandoah National Park/Potomac Appalachian Trail Club

A backwoods cabin built a century ago in the rumpled landscape of today's Shenandoah National Park is still standing, but needs some repairs to keep the structure from being lost to history. To allow for work crews to reach the Jones Mountain Cabin, trails to the cabin will be closed later this week and again in October while the work is done.

Since the cabin is located in a remote area, a team of mules will be used to deliver and retrieve materials between the cabin and the parking area at the Graves Mill trailhead (off of Route 662 in Madison County).

Phase 1 of the temporary closure will be in effect from 8 a.m. this Friday until 3 p.m. August 24. The following areas will be closed while restoration work is completed:

  • The Graves Mill trailhead parking lot off Rt. 662
  • Graves Mill Trail from the parking lot off Rt. 662 to the intersection with Staunton River Trail
  • Staunton River Trail from its intersection with Graves Mill Trail to the intersection with McDaniel Hollow Trail
  • The entire McDaniel Hollow Trail
  • Jones Mountain Trail from its intersection with Jones Mountain Cabin Trail to the intersection with Staunton River Trail
  • The entire Jones Mountain Cabin Trail

Similar closures will be put into effect during Phase 2 of the project from October 29 through November 2.

Jones Mountain Cabin At Shenandoah National Park/NPS

A new roof is coming to the Jones Mountain Cabin, and the porch will be rebuilt/NPS

The original Jones Mountain Cabin was constructed in 1918 by Harvey Nichols. When Shenandoah National Park was established in 1935, the Jones Mountain cabin was within the boundary of the park.  Mr. Nichols left the cabin in 1937, and it was abandoned until 1969.

The cabin was restored by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) in 1969-71. The cabin was largely rebuilt on the original foundation. Since that time, little work has been done to the cabin other than routine maintenance.

This project will replace the cabin's roof, disassemble and rebuild the existing porch and porch frame, repair various log timbers using a combination of full replacement, partial replacement, and epoxy repairs, stabilize the fireplace hearth, and replace the wood stove. All repairs are critical to the preservation and structural integrity of this historic cabin, according to park staff.

Currently, the cabin is available to the public to rent and is managed by the PATC. However, the cabin is temporarily closed for rental from August 17 until November 2 while it is being restored. This project will ensure the ongoing safety and positive visitor experience for the visitors who access and utilize this historic structure each year and it addresses one of Shenandoah’s deferred maintenance projects.



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