Guests acknowledge SME is a Couple's Escape - additional guests are authorized only upon owner's approval with fee prior to booking. No children are permitted. Only overnight guests are permitted on the property.

Guests agree to comply with the SME policies posted on the SME site at: http://www.shadowmountainescape.com/policies
SME COVID 19 Mitigation Policy:

Shadow Mountain Escape (SME) continues to strive to make our guests' stay as comfortable and safe as possible.  During this COVID 19 Pandemic we will respect and enforce the following policy. Hopefully, someday soon, we can again all relax our awareness level and mitigation actions.

Guests displaying obvious symptoms of sickness, or who have been diagnosed with active COVID 19 or any other contagious disease, should contact SME as soon as possible in advance of their date of reservation to reschedule or receive their deposit back ($85 late cancellation fee for sickness will apply). The owners of SME will demand that potentially contagious guests (those showing obvious symptoms of sickness) receive and provide a Doctor's clearance prior to being allowed on SME property. Any guests who suspect they may have began showing signs of contagion during their visit, should inform the owner(s) SME immediately for assistance in gaining proper medical support and to ensure proper spacing and de-sanitization are applied accordingly.

During the Pandemic period, SME will incorporate the following:
    
• Promote Social Spacing by maintaining 6 feet or more physical separation between all cabin guests and proprietors (this includes during check-ins)
• Guests will be required to only use their designated entry doors and not touch other cabin hand-rails or door knobs
• Hand sanitizer is provided in each cabin - guests are asked to use it upon each entry and departure of their respective cabins
• Disinfectant wipes or sprays are provided in each cabin, guests are asked to wipe down surface areas and door knobs before checking out
• Cleaning personnel will always wear gloves when entering and cleaning cabins and throw them away after completing cleaning
• SME cabins will be closed on Tues and Wed of each week for "airing out" and deep cleaning
• SME will only use disinfectant based cleaning agents such as Clorox or Lysol
• Guests will be urged to pay via PayPal to avoid any physical money transfers 


Reservations are considered "confirmed" when the $250 deposit has been received.

Cancellation Policy: A $85.00 service charge per room will be applied to all cancellations. Due to limited availability which requires us to turn guests away once a cabin is blocked out, Cancellations received less than 7 days from arrival will be charged the entire reservation price unless we can rebook; no exceptions. Holidays and Fall foliage season cancellations received less than 14 days from arrival will be charged the entire reservation price unless we can rebook.

We will not attempt to rebook your cabin should you cancel your reservation on the day of your arrival.

If a reservation is cut short you will be charged 50% per day for each remaining day of your reservation, excluding Holidays and Fall Season where you will be charged the entire amount of your reserved stay.

All cancellations must be received by phone or email.

Seasonal Recommendations and Preparedness to optimize your quality of experience while in the mountains

Shadow Mountain Escape borders the Shenandoah National Park (SNP) in the Blue Ridge Mountains - one of the rare vast expanses of conserved and protected wild land remaining in the world. For a safe and comfortable visit while living on the "edge of wilderness", we suggest that our guests consider the following recommendations and prepare for their season of visit accordingly.


Spring
This season is usually represented by extreme changes in weather patterns. Although the temperature is typically pleasant between 50 and 70 degrees, the weather patterns can change dramatically leaving us with high winds, strong storms, and sometimes bright sun and warm weather. Guests should closely check the extended forecast and pack accordingly. We strongly suggest guests wear a hat with visor, sun or regular glasses, insect repellent, long pants, and good hiking shoes whenever participating in outdoor activities. We strongly recommend visiting the Blue Ridge Whiskey Wine Loop in the spring - the bright green landscape is stunning. This is a great season for fishing the Shenandoah River in a canoe. The smallmouth and largemouth bass are active during this season. Wildflowers are abundant, trees are adorned in bright green new growth, and all the "critters" begin to appear outside. The deer are mostly moving alone during this time and by late spring begin to appear with their faun. The bear slowly begin to move down the mountain and by May and June many sightings of bear and cubs are reported. Many other smaller mammals like Opossum, Raccoons, Skunk, Mink, etc. are also frequently seen on the move during this time. Birds fill the trees and sky during this season. Many migratory birds like humming birds and orioles become apparent. Beautiful Swallow Tail Butterflies begin to arrive in mass and flutter around the area through the summer. Whenever outdoors, use insect repellent as the nats can be thick and the ticks are active.

Summer
Expect hot and humid weather. Day time temperatures are typically in the 80's or above 90 degrees. The evenings may drop into the upper 60's. We recommend guests dress light & loose and always use insect repellent and sunscreen on exposed skin. A hat with visor and sun glasses is strongly recommended. Guests planning to undertake outdoor activities like hiking, canoeing, and biking should always remain hydrated and carry plenty of water. This is a great time of year to visit the cool wineries or play in the Shenandoah River. Sometimes the higher elevations along the Skyline Drive in the SNP are 5 to 10 degrees cooler. If hiking in the SNP, consider hiking the lower trails along streams and under the canopy of large trees. It will be cooler than the areas more exposed to the summer sun. The summer is an optimal time to visit any of the regions cool caves like Luray or Shenandoah Caverns. Take advantage of the many festivals and outdoor live music events that occur throughout the season. All of the animals are active during the summer - particularly during the night. On hot days, the native animals do not move around much. This is a good time of year to spot some of the areas reptiles like box & snapping turtles, snakes, and lizards. If possible avoid wearing perfumed products as they often attract insects. For maximum protection and comfort, we strongly encourage guests to wear Insect repellent, sunscreen, quality outdoor clothing, hiking shoes/boots, sun-glasses, and a hat with visor during the summer.

Fall
Temperatures are typically between 50 and 70 Degrees with dry air. Long pants, a light jacket or sweater is usually appropriate attire for this season. The evenings can go below freezing during a cooler spell - so be prepared. This is the season for both sun screen and moisturizing skin cream. In the fall we begin burning wood in our woodstoves and fireplace. Later in the season snow and ice is possible. We recommend checking the long term forecast before you visit and pack accordingly. This is the busiest tourist season in our region and many flock to the area to observe the brilliant fall color which will be in different stages based on weather patterns and elevation. The SNP Skyline drive can be particularly busy - so plan accordingly. Deer are very active during this season and generally run in heard, bear sightings become less frequent as the bear begin to localize their activity, many of the spring and summer birds migrate out of the area. The fish continue to bite in the Shenandoah River - if you plan to fish in the river, you"ll need a VA fresh water license. Fishing is best here from a canoe - ask us for fishing tips before you come. In the cooler temperatures, the bugs of summer will be mostly gone - making it a pleasure to hike and enjoy any outdoor activity. This is a great time of year to visit the wineries of the Blue Ridge Whisky Wine Loop - many wines are released during this season. Every fall, our region experiences a migration of certain insects as they attempt to move from the cold woods outside on and into warmer structures. In previous years, we have experienced swarms of lady bugs and stink bugs. Most recently, stink bugs have been swarming. You will likely see us aggressively sweeping, spraying, and vacuuming the inside and out of structures to minimize the swarms. Although our efforts to minimize the insects are considerable, from October through the winter the lady bugs and stink bugs may likely be seen in and around the structures from time to time. Lady bugs and stink bugs do not bite or bother us directly; however, guests who are highly sensitive to these bugs should visit our region in the late winter through summer when all "critters" prefer the trees over the warm buildings. When outside, keep in mind that ticks are still active through the early fall - so continue to use insect repellent and check yourself for ticks from time to time.


Winter
Expect temperatures between 30 and 50 degrees. The extremes during this time of year can be considerable. During a cold pattern the temperature may approach the single digits... during a warmer weather pattern it could be sunny and in the 60's.. Ice and snow is always possible. We strongly encourage guests to reference the extended forecast and pack accordingly. We constantly burn wood in our wood stoves and fire place during this season. If you like cool weather, clear skies, bright stars, fewer people around, and stunning views of mountains in the winter, this is a great time visit the area. If the trails are not covered in ice or snow, this is an optimal time of the year for hiking in the Shenandoah National Park. This is also a great time of the year for visiting the Blue Ridge Whiskey Wine Loop businesses. Deer are frequently seen during this time and bear will have disappeared until the spring. Many native winter birds will be spotted around feeders and in the evergreens trees. Fishing is still possible, but not recommended, for hardcore fisherman... we recommend you ask for tips if you are thinking about winter fishing. Depending on the swarming patterns of the year, lady bugs and stink bugs may still be seen in and around the structures.