The Devil's Marbleyard - 8.3 miles - Strenuous
Details
Starting Point - Belfast Trailhead (Petites Gap Road)
Ending Point - Belfast Trailhead (Petites Gap Road)
Hike Distance/Rating/Elevation - 8.3 miles/Strenuous/1510 feet
Hike Highlights - Belfast Trail, Multiple Stream Crossings, The Devil's Marbleyard, Waterfalls next to The Devils Marbleyard, 270 degree views from the top of the Devil's Marbleyard, Gunter Ridge Trail, amazing views from the Gunter Ridge Trail, Glenwood Horse Trail
Disclaimer #1 - This hike will have a solid cap of ten hikers and no more. We will be hiking in a designated federal wilderness area. As a designated wilderness area, the group can be no larger than ten people. If you know that you may not be able to make this hike, please do not sign up and take a spot from somebody else. If you sign up, and you do not show or drop off the morning of the hike, you will be suspended from my future strenuous hikes for 3 months. I do understand that emergencies do occur. If you do need to drop at the last minute, please let me know. No guests will be allowed on this hike.
Disclaimer #2 - Since this hike is rated as a strenuous hike, all hikers will start the hike on the wait list. Those hikers, who have not hiked with me before, will need to answer the following questions. The answers to these questions need to be emailed to me at patrickcory@hotmail.com or via Meetup Messages.
- How often do you hike?
- What strenuous hikes have you completed?
- When and what was the last strenuous hike that you completed?
Please keep in mind Disclaimer #1. This hike is going to fill up fast. If you have never hiked with me, you need to answer the questions ASAP. Depending on your answers, the hike leader may or may not allow you on this hike.
Hike Details - We are going to meet shortly before 8:00 AM at the Fontaine Research Park to form carpools to the trailhead. Driving directions to the trailhead will be provided for all of the drivers. Upon our arrival at the Belfast Trail, we are going to start our hike. We are going to start the hike by walking across Elk Creek. We are going to take the Belfast Trail past the Glenwood Horse Trail (our return route). Within the first mile, we are going to have multiple stream crossings before we reach the boulder field. The Belfast Trail near the boulder field is very steep, and there are a couple of entrances into the boulder field. We will also have a waterfall on the right hand side of the trail. We will have time to go into and explore the boulder field. After we have done our exploring and taking of pictures, we are going to continue on the Belfast Trail up to the ridgeline. After reaching the ridgeline, we are going to come to the junction with the Gunter Ridge Trail. We are going to turn left onto the Gunter Ridge Trail. From the Gunter Ridge Trail, we are going to have fantastic views of the surrounding mountains, valleys, and countryside. We will continue on the Gunter Ridge Trail to our final stream crossing and the junction with the Glenwood Horse Trail. We are going to turn left onto the Glenwood Horse Trail and complete the circuit with the Belfast Trail. We will turn right onto the Belfast Trail and complete the hike. Please make sure to review the hike link below.
https://www.hikingupward.com/JNF/DevilsMarbleyard/
What to Bring - trekking poles, traction (The previous two items will be required if snow and/or ice have fallen prior to the hike date), $5 for your driver, camera/phone, beanies, gloves, multiple layers for winter hiking in the mountains, 3 to 4 liters of water, lunch/snacks, first aid kit
There will be an optional post hike at a local restaurant.
Disclaimer #3 - 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/)