Memorial Day Hike-Franklin Cliffs and Hawksbill-9.2 miles-Strenuous
Details
Starting Point - Lower Hawksbill Gap Parking Area (Skyline Drive Mile Marker 45.5)
Ending Point - Lower Hawksbill Gap Parking Area (Skyline Drive Mile Marker 45.5)
Hike Distance/Rating/Elevation Change - 9.2 miles/Strenuous/2000 feet
Disclaimer #1 - This hike is going to be rated as a strenuous hike. Since this hike is rated as a strenuous hike, those hikers, who have not hiked with me need to answer 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?
These questions need to be answered within one week of the RSVP. The answers to these questions can be emailed to me at patrickcory@hotmail.com or via Meetup messages. If I do not receive the answers to these questions within one week, the hiker will be moved to NOT GOING.
Hike Highlights - Big Meadows Horse Trail, Lower Hawksbill Gap, Fishers Gap, Appalachian Trail, vistas from Appalachian Trail, Rose River Falls Trail, Salamander Trail, amazing vistas from the summit of Hawksbill
Hike Details - This is a last minute Memorial Day hike posted hike, that happens to be one of my favorite circuit hikes in the Central District of Shenandoah National Park. We are going to form carpools at the Albemarle Square Shopping Center in front of the former County Market/Circuit City shortly before 8:00 AM. We are going to drive into Shenandoah National Park via Swift Run Gap. We are going to drive north on Skyline Drive to the Lower Hawksbill Gap parking area at mile marker 45.5. We are going to start the hike by hiking the Big Meadows Horse Trail southbound. We are going to have a couple of stream crossings before reaching the Rose River Loop Trail. We are going to take the Rose River Trail up to Fishers Gap and Skyline Drive. We are going to cross Skyline Drive and turn right onto the Appalachian Trail. We are going to have multiple vistas on this stretch of the Appalachian Trail. After these multiple vistas, we are going to come to the junction with the Salamander Trail. We are going to turn right onto the Salamander Trail and make the climb up to the summit of Hawksbill. From the summit of Hawksbill, we will have amazing 270 degree views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. After soaking in these amazing views, we are going to turn left onto the Hawksbill Trail and complete the circuit at the Lower Hawksbill Gap parking area and the cars. Please make sure to review the hike link below before signing up for this hike.
https://www.hikingupward.com/SNP/HawksbillFranklinCliffs/
As is tradition with my hikes, there will be an optional post hike at a local restaurant or brewery. Carpools can be arranged accordingly for those who wish to partake in the post hike.
What to Bring - Broken in hiking boots, sunscreen, tick repellent, 4 to 5 liters of water, lunch/snacks, camera/phone, moisture wicking clothing (NOT COTTON), a good day back, trekking poles, first aid kit
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/)