Hike and Wine! Wildcat Mountain Natural Area! Easy Side of Strenuous 5.5 Miles
- December 15, 2012 · 10:00 AM
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This location is shown only to members
Transition from Moderate to Strenuous Hiking at the Wildcat Mountain Natural Area with Optional Post Hike Visit to The Barrel Oak Winery!
This is a 5.5 mile hike that will allow you to see if you are ready to move to more Strenuous level hiking. The first 1/2 mile is a steep uphill climb up the mountain. The elevation climb is 544 ft.
Wildcat Mountain is located on the western flanks of the Blue Ridge foothills between about 500 and 1,200 feet above sea level. The Wildcat Mountain Natural Area is a small gem of a sanctuary that owes its existence and splendor to nature, a generous family, happenstance, and the Nature Conservancy. Back in the 18th and 19th centuries, much of the 655 acre area was cleared as hardwood forests gave way to subsistence farmlands and woodlots. But that trend was gradually reversed as the surrounding region endured first the Civil War and then the Great Depression. Farming and Logging ended in the 1940's, and, as humans left, plants and animals slowly reclaimed the land. In the 1960's, the Arundel family donated the land to variety of wildflowers. The area is also home to deer, foxes, bobcats and smaller mammals, and bears.
Trail Information
Nearby City: Marshall, VA
Length: 5.5 miles
Trail Type: Two Loops in a figure eight pattern
Skill Level: Easy Side of Strenuous
Duration: 3 - 4 hrs
Season: Year-round
Scenery: Hilly woodlands, with some farmland views in winter
Exposure: Shady; less so in winter
Trail Surface:Mostly dirt or dirt and gravel, some grass; rocky, rooty, muddy in places. There are several stream crossings.
Facilities: None. There are no port-o-potties either, so adjust your time for making arrangements prior to the hike.
Elevation Gain: 544 Feet in the first 1/2 mile. Rolling hills, some up, some down
Maps:USGS Marshall; free contour map of preserve (available at trailhead).
Access: Open daily, dawn to dusk. Parking area is off a Private road
Our RSVP Policies and Group Etiquette
Click here to review our policies
Weather Information
We hike rain, snow, or shine! Click here for up to the minute weather information for the trailhead.
Carpool Information
Suggested Carpool Locations below. It is the members responsibility to work with each other to arrange carpools. You should exchange contact information, via email, with each other to confirm the details.
Baltimore Area Carpool
To carpool or caravan, people can arrange to meet at Savage Station. You should post that on the Comments section. Click here for directions to Savage Station.
D.C Centreville/VA West Area Carpool
People can also arrange to meet at the Centreville Park & Ride lot. You should post that on the Comments section. Click here for directionsto Centreville Park & Ride.
VA East Area Carpool
People can also arrange to meet at the Vienna/Fairfax Metro Station. You should post that on the Comments section. Click here for directions to Vienna/Fairfax Metro Station.
If you can drive or want to carpool from additional locations, please post that location in the comment section below. For those who need a ride, reach out to the drivers. Make friends, and support the environment - by just offering a ride!
Directions to the Trailhead
Click Here for Directions to where we meet for this hike. Parking spots are limited (only 13 spots) so please carpool.
Hike is at 10:00 a.m.
Savage Station Carpool meetup time is 7:45 a.m.
Centreville Park & Ride carpool time is 9:00a.m.
Vienna/Fairfax Metro carpool time is 8:45a.m.
Post Hike Get Together at The Barrel Oak Winery
This is a beautiful winery with lots of seating outside and inside. This is a very popular winery. There are several tables inside and many tables outside; however, they cannot be moved, so with a large group, we may not be able to sit together as a group. The winery does offer some food for sale. Here is the link to the winery:
Gear Information
Click here for some suggestions for what to wear and what not to wear for our hikes.
Fido is Not welcome on this Hike due to park regulations
Please remember we are a social hiking group that values fellowship and camaraderie and practice good hike etiquette. We take breaks as necessary and have at least one guide in the front in addition to a "sweeper" in the back which means that no hiker is left behind. If you get upset because someone has to rest at the top of a hill etc. then please find another group! We are very supportive, encouraging, and focus on safety while getting or staying fit on the trail and practicing leaving no trace.
Don't forget to take my number just in case!
Harrison: [masked]
Robert: [masked]
Don't forget to come visit us on Facebook
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Kellie Carlisle
Thanks so much to Harrison and Robert for putting this together and leading such a fantastic hike:)
1 · December 16
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Ross Garner
I'm stuck at Vienna right now. Track maintenance has the schedule going slow.
December 15
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Gerry S.
Yes CC you can be the final rider. Please be at the Centreville park and ride by 9. (near stone road}. Bring my phone number with you
December 14
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Mark
I will be coming from the Bethesda area. I'm happy to drive or carpool with anyone who is interested.
December 13
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Andy
Hi Mark & Lisa, I am in, i will meet you guys at the Giant's parking lot at 8:15am,
December 14
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Kellie Carlisle
If you are on the wait list and would like to go on the hike, you will get an e-mail as slots are available. It is a “first come first serve” for available slots. Open slots are open to everyone whether on the wait list or not, but the wait list will insure you are notified of open slots as well as letting me know to look for another leader if the hike can handle it. Click here for how to get off the wait list and RSVP “yes”, http://www.midatlantichiking.co...
Hope this helps and enjoy the hike. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you need further assistance as that is what I am here for.December 14
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Christopher
Mind if I bring my dog? I know that the winery is dog-friendly. He's very friendly and I don't mind driving (I can fit 4 additional people).
December 14
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harrison
Christopher - I also notice that you are not on the RSVP list. In order to join this hike, you must RSVP. Thank you.
December 14
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Christopher
Thanks. Wanted to check on the dog situation. I'll catch you next time. Have fun.
December 14
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Laurie
I'm driving from Adams Morgan so could arrange a pickup at a metro stop near there if anyone needs a ride.
December 14
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harrison
Because there are only 13 parking spaces at the trailhead, it is imperative that everyone carpools!
If you access I66 west of Centreville or plan on going to the winery afterwards, there is a small commuter lot very near the winery at exit 23 on the corner of Maidstone Rd and Grove Ln (the road that Barrel Oak is on). I will be there at 9:30 to carpool. Look for a light metallic green Toyota Rav4.
Looking forward to seeing all of you!
December 5
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harrison
Yes, the commuter lot I will be at is in Delaplane - near the winery. I figured that since you essentially will be driving past the Centreville park and ride, it may make more sense to carpool from there.
December 14
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harrison
If you already have a carpool, then go ahead and meet at the trailhead. Only those who need to join in a carpool should be meeting at the Maidstone Commuter Lot because it is very small and cannot handle a lot of cars. Thank you.
December 14
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harrison
Hi hikers! Just a few reminders...
1. It will be chilly, so dress in layers.
2. Still bring plenty of water.
3. If you are going to the winery, consider bringing a change of clothes so you don't get a chill.
4. Even though we have permission for more than 13 cars, the space is still limited so every one must carpool.
Thank you and see you Saturday morning!December 13
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Liza
I'm also coming from a completely different direction so cannot meet at the commuter lot. Is anyone else coming up 17 from the Fredericksburg/Warrenton direction? Hapy to pick you up if so.
December 11
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David
Liza, I am coming up through Fredericksburg from Route 3 EAST of town and can drive (or ride). If interested, let me know where you'd like to meet. I can suggest the Target parking lot in Central Park or possibly something at the I95/Rt17 interchange. Reach me here, or my email or profile.
December 13
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Kellie Carlisle
If you are on the wait list and would like to go on the hike, you will get an e-mail as slots are available. It is a “first come first serve” for available slots. Open slots are open to everyone whether on the wait list or not, but the wait list will insure you are notified of open slots as well as letting me know to look for another leader if the hike can handle it. Click here for how to get off the wait list and RSVP “yes”, http://www.midatlantichiking.co...
Hope this helps and enjoy the hike. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you need further assistance as that is what I am here for.December 11
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Cindy G
Since I am in Western Loudoun county, it doesn't make sense for me to meet in Centreville & I don't pass 66. If anyone wants to carpool from here, it is about an hour on the back roads & I have plenty of parking at my home. Please email me directly from my profile.
December 11
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harrison
Please do not discuss carpooling if you do not have a YES RSVP. There is a chance you may not get off the waiting list and will not be able to hike, which will leave others without carpool plans.
Do not assume that there will be people at the carpool spots. You must make arrangements thru these comments or email.
Everyone signed up for this hike MUST carpool with someone. The drive to the parking lot is on private property, so we cannot create more spaces.
If you have any questions or concerns about parking, waiting lists, carpooling, please email me or post a comment.
Thank you and looking forward to seeing you on Saturday!
December 10
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Bruce
I will be driving from NW DC. Can meet in DC, Arlington, Falls Church, anwhere else along (or reasonably close to) the route, or Centreville P&R. You'll see I am on waitlist, but I stay on top of it and virtually always have good luck getting in, and want to make contact now in the likely event I am going. (Rachel I saw your post, and would be happy to include you. My cirect email is [masked] if you want to make direct contact - or you can wait until closer to the weekend if you like to hold your personal info close.)
December 10
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mary
Hi Bruce can you fit two passengers? I'm near takoma dc and my friend is in columbia heights. We can meet wherever. Thanks!
December 10
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Bruce
sure. (tho i don't see you on the attendance list.) are you anywhere near a subway stop? which line? Or where in Columbia Heights? (you can respond to my direct email above if you don't want to share with everyone.)
December 10
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27 attended
Your organizer's refund policy for Hike and Wine! Wildcat Mountain Natural Area! Easy Side of Strenuous 5.5 Miles
Refunds offered if:
- the Meetup is cancelled
- the Meetup is rescheduled
- you can cancel at least 2 day(s) before the Meetup
Additional notes: Refund ONLY if requested prior to 48 hours of hike time.
Payments you make go to the organizer, not to Meetup. You must make refund requests to the organizer.
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