Marvelous Views at Mutton Top Cabin
By Jess LaPolla
Spring is just around the corner and if you’re anything like me, you’ve already begun researching and booking your outdoor adventures for the season. If you’re craving some time away from the real world, one of PATC’s primitive cabins might be exactly where you need to travel to next. A place where you can let the sounds of the forest drown out the noisy chatter in your head. Where the fresh mountain air fills your lungs and loosens the tension you so often carry in your chest.
Mutton Top Cabin is the perfect escape for anyone wishing to relax for a weekend away from the city, or perhaps someone looking to freshen up on their camping or backpacking skills. This primitive members-only cabin sits next to Shenandoah National Park (SNP), just outside of Stanardsville, VA. The cabin sits at about 3,000 feet atop High top mountain (elevation 3500 ft) with a view to the south east of Virginia's Piedmont Region.
The cabin can be accessed by a .05-mile hike in from a shared parking area. The last .08 miles to the parking area can become heavily eroded, so a high clearance vehicle is recommended.
Mutton Top spaciously accommodates up to nine guests, with five bunks and a double-width, double deck bunk. Bring your friends, family, or fur babies and make the short trek in to the cabin. Primitive cabins do not have electricity, but Mutton Top is equipped with a wood-burning stove to keep you toasty on chilly nights. You will also find kitchen items like pots and pans in the cabin, though you will need to pack in (and pack out) all of your own food, water, fuel, toiletries, and bedding. You can find more information on what to pack here.
In addition to the cozy interior, the cabin boasts a large wraparound porch which offers spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. So pack in some coffee or tea and enjoy a steaming mug while gazing out over tree-blanketed hilltops, or gaze up at the night sky to ponder the cosmos. On a clear night, you can see the glow of Charlottesville.
If you’re keen to explore, embark on a hike from the cabin or venture into SNP. There are several scenic trails and overlooks nearby, including Hightop Summit and Swift Run Overlook.
After a weekend of hiking, roasting s’mores, and stargazing, make sure you pack out all of your trash and supplies. On the way back through Stanardsville, consider eating your bodyweight in authentic Salvadorian food at Pupuseria Los Robles or grabbing a coffee and a little sweet treat from Maybelle’s on Main
For more info on Mutton Top and to make a reservation, please click here.
Happy Trails!
