Morris Cabin is located at 38°19’35.8″N 78°31’18.1″W. With a four-wheel drive vehicle, there is parking accessible within 50 yards of the cabin.
The south-facing view from the cabin is narrow, but there is a better view from nearby Andy’s Overlook, a 0.25 mile hike.
View from Morris Cabin
View from Andy’s Overlook
Outdoor Fires
Morris Cabin features an outdoor fire pit, an outdoor stone grill, and a kettle-style charcoal grill.
Water
There is a spring nearby that flows into a cast-iron bathtub. At the time I was there, it was flowing fast enough to fill a gallon container in seconds. This is the most reliable water source for at least one other Vining Tract cabin, Johnson Cabin.
Privy
There is an outdoor privy at Morris Cabin.
Note: This information is meant to supplement official materials, not to provide a comprehensive overview. It reflects my experience and the observations I made at the time I visited, but conditions and policies may change over time.
The house offers beautiful views of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers and Harpers Ferry beyond the ruins of St. John’s Episcopal Church.
Hiking
In addition to being located 30 feet from the Appalachian Trail, there is nearby access to the Maryland Heights Trail offering views of the town.
On December 21, 2019, a train derailment destroyed a portion of the pedestrian footbridge across the Potomac River. As of July 7, 2020, the bridge has reopened.
Modern
As a modern cabin, Highacre has running water, electricity, and a full bathroom.
Outdoor Fires
There are no outdoor fires permitted on Highacre property, but there is an outdoor grill.
Myron Glaser Cabin has an outdoor fire pit with benches on the northwest corner of the cabin.
Water
Water is available from a spring 60 yards northwest of the cabin along a short blue-blazed trail. The flow of water from the PVC pipe in the ground was a steady trickly when I was there. I was able to collect about 4 liters of water every 15 minutes.
There were also dish-washing basins in the cabin that would fit under the spout and fill in about 30 minutes.
Alternatively, there is a creek about 100 yards south of the cabin.
Privy
The privy at Myron Glaser is kept locked and usable only for guests of the cabin.
Trail
After a short spur from the parking area, it is a 1.6-mile hike along the Appalachian Trail to the southern signpost for Myron Glaser Cabin. Both the southern trail and northern trails from the AT to the cabin are 1/4 miles long. When I was there, the Myron Glaser trails had been maintained better than the AT itself.
Trail Profile:
Note: This information is meant to supplement official materials, not to provide a comprehensive overview. It reflects my experience and the observations I made at the time I visited, but conditions and policies may change over time.
Argow Cabin offers great north-facing views along Eaton Hollow and towards Elkton, VA.
Outdoor Fires
At one time, Argow Cabin had a fire pit built into the deck, but this fire pit has been removed. There is a stone fire pit on the lawn to the east side of the house.
Water
Water is available from a spring near the cabin. The flow of water from the PVC pipe in the ground will vary due to rainfall. I set one of the cabin’s drink coolers underneath the pipe to collect the water over time. When I was there, I was able to collect about 4 liters of water every 3 hours.
There is also running water available from Schairer Trail Center, 3/4 mile back up the trail.
Yard Hydrant at Schairer Trail Center
Privy
Argow Cabin offers an outdoor privy.
Trail
Eaton Hollow Trailhead
The trail from Eaton Hollow Overlook is easy to follow. After the first 1/4 mile, the trail leaves Shenandoah National Park.
At 1/2 mile, Schairer Trail Center will appear in a clearing to the west (left side of the trail). From Schairer Trail Center to Argow Cabin, the trail follows a fire road.
Fire Road
While some maps (including the one below) show the fire road continuing north at the switchback, that fire road no longer continues, and the only obvious way to stay on the trail is to follow the path to Argow Cabin.
Likewise, some maps and PATC trail descriptions show the Argow Cabin Trail cutting east off the fire road and heading straight toward the cabin, but as of September 2019, that trail was heavily overgrown and not maintained. The only clear path to the cabin was along the fire road. This is a slightly longer route than described: the total distance from Eaton Hollow Overlook to Argow Cabin is 1.22 miles, but the PATC documentation states it is 1 mile.
Trail Profile:
Note: This information is meant to supplement official materials, not to provide a comprehensive overview. It reflects my experience and the observations I made at the time I visited, but conditions and policies may change over time.
This cabin is within Shenandoah National Park, and no outdoor fires are permitted except in approved, pre-built structures. While some reports and photos show a fire pit at this cabin, it was no longer there in July 2019.
Water
Corbin Cabin is just yards away from the Hughes River, which provides plenty of water (after purification).
Hughes River
Privy
It is a primitive cabin without running water or electricity. It does feature a an outdoor privy for the exclusive use of cabin guests. Because of its proximity to the Nicholson Trail, it is kept locked when not in use.
Trail
The Corbin Cabin Cutoff Trail from Skyline Drive to Corbin Cabin is 1.4 miles along a descent of 984 feet. The trail is well-maintained.
Documents report that at around 1.3 miles in, there is a cemetary off the west (right) side of the trail, but I did not see it.
Trail Profile:
Note: This information is meant to supplement official materials, not to provide a comprehensive overview. It reflects my experience and the observations I made at the time I visited, but conditions and policies may change over time.
