Blue Mountain Hiking Club

For anyone looking for a heart thumping quick climb to the first rock outcrop on Old Rag, please join me at the Old Rag parking lot for a moderately strenuous climb. This out and back hike offers awesome views to the East and of the Summit from the rock outcrop. This is not a Summit hike, just a quick hike to get some exercise. Please note: You are required to have a National Park Pass to enter the park.

NOTE: Everyone starts on the waitlist. Please tell me about your last hike.

# of hikers: 8
Elevation gain: 1,750 feet
Total Distance: 6 miles
Stream crossings: none
Pace: 2 to 2.25 mph
Sorry, no pups allowed on the mountain.

Post-hike Rehydration: Shotwell's Brewery

Parking: We will park at the Old Rag parking lot (see location map).

Trail map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/morning-hike-6f5e4e8--190?u=i

What to Bring: Make sure your emergency contact information is in your pack. Bring your park pass, hiking boots/shoes, hiking poles, 2 liters of water, electrolytes, layered clothing, snacks, first aid kit, space blanket and microspikes.

Disclaimer: Blue Mountain Hiking Club Organizers are not professional guides. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions you would take if you were hiking alone.

With your RSVP you agree with this disclaimer -
DISCLAIMER/Liability Waiver: The Blue Mountain Hiking Club (BMHC) and its Leaders and Organizers/Participants do not take responsibility for any harm, bodily injury, accidents, or damage to personal property. By clicking “Attending” you are confirming that you understand that all outdoor activity such as hiking, backpacking, and trekking have an associated danger, and you will not hold any hike leader/organizer, participant, BMHC member, or any group associated pet responsible for any hazard to your well being. You are fully responsible for yourself and any person under the age of eighteen you bring with you on any hike or event.

RSVP: If you find you’re not able to attend please update your RSVP to NO as soon as possible. This will allow those on the waitlist to have the opportunity to attend.

This is a moderately strenuous 8.2 mile lollipop hike with about 1,500 ft elevation gain along the Dickey Ridge and Snead Farm loop trails in the North District of Shenandoah National Park.

Please arrive at least 15 minutes early so we can get everyone parked and formed up to hike at 9:00 a.m. There are no facilities at the trail head but the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center is at mile marker 4.6. This is an out-and-back trail that mixes some uphill climbs with sections that are relatively flat and for the most part not rocky. I will maintain a 2.0 to 2.5 mph pace.

Our hike will begin at the Lands Run Gap lot (mile marker 9.2 on Skyline Drive) GPS coordinates are 38.83434, -78.18585. This is not a big lot and has room for about 10 cars. Carpool if you can. From the lot we will hike along the Dickey Ridge trail, crossing Skyline Drive and taking the left fork at the Snead Farm Loop trail. Along the way we will take in the great view at the Dickey Hill Overlook then continue until we get to the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center. We'll take a snack break there. From there we head back via Snead Farm Trail until we intersect with the Dickey Ridge Trail for the final leg of the lollipop which takes us back to the parking lot.

The long-term weather forecast looks favorable. However it is January so we have to watch for changing conditions as we get closer to the date.

Leader: Jay McCaffrey (571-643-3185)
Trailhead Location: Lands Run Gap parking lot. (38.83432, -78.18583). Mile Marker 9.2
[https://maps.app.goo.gl/9cUtK1yzzPNRRS426]
Start time: 9:00 a.m.
Hike Duration: Approximately 4 hours
Distance: 8.2 Miles
Elevation gain: 1,500 feet.
Pace: 2.0-2.5/mph
Rating: Moderate
What to bring: Make sure your emergency contact information is in your pack. Bring your standard winter hiking gear - hiking boots/shoes, layers of warm, wicking clothing, raingear, plenty of water and snacks/lunch. Poles recommended. Microspikes might be needed if the trail becomes icy/snowy. Dress for the weather.
Park Entrance fee: You are required to pay a park entrance fee of $30 or present a senior or other national park pass to enter Skyline Drive.
Map for hike:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/dickey-ridge-snead-farm-loop-trail-from-lands-run-gap-7afabf7
Rehydration: Vibrissa, 122 E. Main Street, Front Royal

Disclaimer/Liability Waiver:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kpSRdwadNo1oIsc4af64sADiz5nlfyHq/view

Blue Mountain Hiking Club Organizers are not professional guides. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions you would take if you were hiking alone. With your RSVP you agree with the following:

The Blue Mountain Hiking Club (BMHC) and its Leaders and Organizers/
Participants do not take responsibility for any harm, bodily injury, accidents, or damage to personal property. By clicking “Attend” you are confirming that you understand that all outdoor activity such as hiking, backpacking, and trekking have an associated danger, and you will not hold any hike leader/organizer, participant, BMHC member, or any group associated pet responsible for any hazard to your well being. You are fully responsible for yourself and any person under the age of eighteen you bring with you on any hike or event.