Life Outside Spring 2018 - 18

HIKE

DINE, IMBIBE, SLEEP
Where to Eat
The Shack, Staunton. Helmed by 2017 James Beard Foundation
Best Chef in America semi-finalist Ian Boden, this new-southernstyle American gem offers the tastes of prixe-fixe fine-dining in a
laid-back burger-joint setting. Menus change daily, and everything
is fantastic. Make reservations well in advance. theshackva.com
Zynodoa, Staunton. If you're looking for posh atmosphere minus
the pretense, this is your place. The menu is entirely locally sourced
and the bar is staffed by a mixologist. zynodoa.com
Shenandoah Pizza, Staunton. The best pizza in Augusta County,
bar-none. With a 50-plus-beer-list, wood-fired pizza oven,
homemade crusts and small live acoustic bluegrass and blues
groups in the evenings, what's not to like? shenpizza.com

Where to Drink
Stable Craft Brewing, Waynesboro. This terrace-equipped taproom
and restaurant is on the bucolic grounds of Hermitage Hill Farm
and Stables. Offers local-sourced pub cuisine and interesting localcrafted brews in a pristine outdoor setting. stablecraftbrewing.com
Barren Ridge Vineyards, Fishersville. A repurposed 18th century
apple orchard on a rural hilltop is perfect for watching sunsets.
The tasting room has reclaimed lumber, exposed beams, and a
big stone fireplace. Offers 13 Bordeaux-style blends and musical
entertainment-mostly Americana -on the
weekends. barrenridgevineyardsva.com

Where to Sleep
The Iris Inn, Waynesboro. Mountainside,
west-facing inn offers a balance of eye-candy
and luxury hard to find so close to the A.T.
Gourmet breakfasts provided, with meals on
request. Cabins and cottages are available as
well. From $159. irisinn.com
Royal Oaks Cabins, Lyndhurst. Royal Oaks
offers cabins and chalets just a few miles
from the Blue Ridge Parkway and A.T.
Neighboring the Sherando Lake Recreation
Area, lodgings are solid but modest - think,
a nice-ish cabin at a state park. From $120.
vacabins.com
Stonewall Jackson Hotel, Staunton. The
historic 124-room hotel dates to 1924, was
completely overhauled in 2005, and fully
refreshed this past fall. Situated at the heart
of downtown, it offers boutique style and
elegance at surprisingly affordable rates.
Rooms from $93. stonewalljacksonhotel.com

Spring 2018 \\ LifeOutside Magazine

Riprap Trail, Shenandoah National Park.
9.8 miles

What to Expect: This renowned circuit hike will
carry you through miles of the southern SNP, and
along a stint of the A.T. On the way, you'll summit
Chimney Rock, Calvary Rocks, and hike the ridge
of Rocks Mountain, catching superb vistas of the
Shenandoah Valley to the west, and the piedmont
to the north. The route parallels spring-fed streams
through Riprap Hollow and Cold Creek Hollow, and
offers a 50-foot swimming hole. Additionally, it
passes through a small gorge where you'll encounter
a 20-foot waterfall.
Get There: From Interstate 64, take exit 99 for
Afton Mountain. At the stoplight, turn right onto
U.S. 250. In a few hundred feet, turn right onto Va.
610 and then a left onto Skyline Drive. Continue to
milepost 90, and park in the Riprap Trail parking
lot on your left.
The Hike: From the lot, set out north on the blueblazed Riprap Trail, passing through a segment
of A.T.. A little over 4 miles in, turn left onto the
blue-blazed Wildcat Ridge Trail. In 2.6 miles, turn
left onto the A.T. and head north for 2.8 miles,
returning to the lot.
Out-and-back to Elliott Knob, Pastures.
8.5 miles

What to Expect: At 4,463 feet, this local favorite
is the highest point in Augusta County. The walk
will carry you through isolated stretches of the
George Washington
WWW.VISITSTAUNTON.COM/ | WOOD PIERCE
and Jefferson National
Forests to the Great
North Mountain range.
Along the way, you'll pass
two small waterfalls and
see an old fire tower.
Expect excellent views of
the Shenandoah Valley to
the east, and of Deerfield
Valley and Highland
County to the west.
Get There: Follow state
Route 254 westward out

SWEET DOWNTOWN
Downtown Staunton is
alive with dining, culture
and fun.

http://www.theshackva.com http://www.zynodoa.com http://www.shenpizza.com http://www.stablecraftbrewing.com http://WWW.VISITSTAUNTON.COM/ http://www.barrenridgevineyardsva.com http://www.irisinn.com http://www.vacabins.com http://www.stonewalljacksonhotel.com

Life Outside Spring 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Life Outside Spring 2018