Appalachian Trail from Rt. 60 to Cold Mountain-11 miles-Strenuous
Details
Starting Point - Long Mountain Wayside (Rt. 60)
Ending Point - Long Mountain Wayside (Rt. 60)
Hike Rating/Distance/Elevation - Strenuous/11 miles/2000 feet of elevation
Hike Highlights - Appalachian Trail, Cow Camp Gap Shelter, Cow Camp Gap, Multiple vista points and rock outcroppings, 360 degree views from the summit of Cold Mountain, Ridge line views from the summit of Bald Knob
Disclaimer #1 - This hike is rated as a strenuous hike. Since this hike is rated as a strenuous hike, all hikers will start the hike on the wait list until I can verify the hike experience of all hikers. If you have not hiked with me before, you will need to email me at patrickcory@hotmail.com the answers to the following questions
- How often do you hike?
- What strenuous hikes have you done?
- When and what was the last strenuous hike that you completed?
Those, who have not hiked with me, have one week to email me the answers to these questions. Failure to answer these questions within one week, will move the hiker from the wait list to NOT GOING. All guests of hikers will need to answer the above questions before they can be allowed on the hike.
Hike Details - We will be going to one of the first stretches of Appalachian Trail that I hiked back in 2005 and 2006. We are going to hike the Appalachian Trail northbound from Rt. 60 over the summit of Bald Knob and up to the bare top summit of Cold Mountain. We are going to meet shortly before 8:00 AM at the Fontaine Research park to form carpools. We are going to drive down to Amherst County and Rt. 60. We are going to drive to the Long Mountain Wayside on Rt. 60. The Appalachian Trail crosses Rt. 60 at this point. We are going to start the hike by making the climb up to the summit of Bald Knob. With the leaves gone from the trees, we should have amazing ridge line views from the summit of Bald Knob. We will continue on the Appalachian Trail down to Cow Camp Gap and Shelter. We will make the climb from Cow Camp Gap to the bare summit of Cold Mountain. From the summit of Cold Mountain, we should have amazing and spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The summit of Cold Mountain will be our turnaround point for this hike. It will also be our lunch spot for this hike. After soaking in the views and taking a lot of pictures, we will retrace our steps back to our cars at Long Mountain Wayside.
As is tradition with my hikes, there will be an optional post hike at a local restaurant/brewery after the hike. Carpools can be arranged accordingly, for those who wish to partake in the post hike.
What to Bring - Traction and trekking poles (required if there has been snow or ice fall prior to the hike), beanies, gloves, layers of clothing for winter season hiking, camera/phone, lunch and snacks, 2 to 4 liters of water
The hike leader does reserve the right to not allow hikers on the hike at the carpool location if hikers are not prepared for winter/cold weather hiking.
Disclaimer #2 - GetHiking Charlottesville's 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 (https://www.meetup.com/GetHiking-Charlottesville-Charlottesville-VA/pages/21088739/Disclaimer/)