Slaughter Trail and Pocosin Hollow Circuit-12.3 miles-Very Strenuous
Details
Beginning Point - Lewis Mountain Campground (mile marker 57.6 on Skyline Drive)
Ending Point - Lewis Mountain Campground
Hike Distance/Rating/Elevation - 12.3 miles/Very Strenuous/over 3,000 feet
Disclaimer #1 - This hike is rated as a very strenuous hike due to the elevation change and the multiple stream crossings. Since this hike is rated as a very strenuous hike, all hikers are going to start the hike on the wait list until I can verify the hiking experience of all hikers. If you have not hiked with me before, you will need to answer the following questions before I can allow you on this hike.
- How often do you hike?
2, What strenuous hikes have you done? - When and what was the last strenuous hike that you completed?
The answers to the above questions need to be either emailed to me at patrickcory@hotmail.com or via Meetup messages within one week of the RSVP. If I do not get the answers to the above questions within one week, you will be moved to NOT GOING.
Hike Highlights - Slaughter Trail/Road, Conway River, Pocosin Hollow Trail, Appalachian Trail, Pocosin Run, Pocosin Fire Road, Pocosin Mission, Pocosin PATC cabin, Multiple family cemeteries
Hike Details - This hike is in conjunction with the "These Hills Were Home" presentation being given by Kristie Kendall on March 27th. This is a very challenging hike. We are going to meet at the North Research Park near the Charlottesville Airport shortly before 8:00 AM. We are going to form carpools and drive into Shenandoah National Park through Swift Run Gap entrance. We are going to drive to the Lewis Mountain Campground (the trailhead). We are going to start the hike by hiking a spur trail down to the intersection with the Appalachian Trail. We are going to turn left (North) on the Appalachian Trail. We are going to go about 0.5 miles to the intersection with Slaughter Road and Trail. We are going to turn right onto the Slaughter Trail and hike the Slaughter Trail/Road down to the Park Boundary. After reaching the Park Boundary, we are going to turn right on state route 667. We will take state route 667 to the Pocosin Hollow trailhead and begin the climb back into the Park. We will have at least five stream crossings as we hike the Pocosin Hollow Trail to the Pocosin Fire Road. After we reach the Pocosin Fire Road, we will turn right and continue the steady climb back up to the Appalachian Trail. We will come across the burned out remains of the Pocosin Mission and the Pocosin PATC cabin. After we reach the Appalachian Trail, we will turn right onto the Appalachian Trail and complete the circuit. Please review the hike link below before you sign up for this hike.
http://midatlantichikes.com/slaughter-pocosin.htm
What to Bring - broken in hiking boots, trekking poles, annual SNP pass if you have one, $5 for your driver, 3 to 4 liters of water, lunch/snacks, camera/phone, layers of clothing, beanies, gloves, extra socks and gaiters (With five stream crossings, please plan on getting wet on this hike)
As is tradition with my hikes, there will be an optional post hike at a local brewery or restaurant. Carpools can be arranged accordingly for those, who wish to partake in the post hike.
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/)