Shenandoah National Park Trip

Hi everyone,

I’ve heard the fall colors are a beautiful sight in Shenandoah Valley in October, so I want to plan a trip through there on the AT for mid October and wanted your advice. I plan to fly to Concord, NC to see my brother-in-law and rent a car from there to drive to Shenandoah. Here are my questions:

1. I have about 9 days to do this trip and I usually do 18 to 22 miles a day when I hike on the AT, so that gives me about 160 to 200 miles I can do during this time. Where would you recommend I start and finish (Also, NOBO or SOBO)?
2. I will park my rental at one end of the trail and get shuttled to the other end of the trail so I can hike back to the car. What would be the cheapest shuttle service?
3. The weather reports show the night time lows in the upper 40’s, for those who have hiked here in Mid-October, is this about accurate?
4. Are there bugs to worry about this time of year?
5. About how far apart are water sources here? Do I need to worry about them being dried up this time of year?
6. Any other things I should worry about for this trip?

Thank you in advance for any help.

Sanad