Blue Mountain Hiking Club

Morning icy hike in Sky Meadows State Park

Tue, Feb 10 · 9:00 AM EST

Sky Meadows State Park, 11012 Edmunds Ln, Delaplane, VA, US

Whether this is a nice hike or just an ice hike depends on whether you like the idea of a cold clear morning climb (with spikes) up the steep slope in Sky Meadows State Park as much as I do. There aren't too many options at the moment if you want to get outside.

We'll start at the main parking lot and ascend the hill to upper Piedmont overlook and take in the view. From there we'll assess the trail to white house overlook, and if it's good we'll continue to that point for another view. We'll turn around, descend to where the north ridge trail branches off going down, and if it looks good we'll take it back to the cars. If it doesn't look good we'll retrace our steps back down the Piedmont overlook trail to the start.

Microspikes are mandatory and you should be comfortable using them to hike on slopes. I hiked the main hill on Monday of this week and it was good. The first half of the hill had places where others had punched down a couple of inches and it was easy to walk in their tracks. The second half was solid ice that didn't punch through and was easy to hike on. Coming down felt safe and stable also. As it will be really cold for the next few days it should be solid on Tuesday am. Check the weather and dress warmly.

Additional details for this hike are included below.

• Distance: 3.7 miles
• Elevation gain: 670 feet
• Pace: 1.5-2 miles/hour
• Difficulty: Moderate (hiking difficulty scale)
• Start time: 9:00 a.m.
• Duration: 2 hours
• Hike map:
• Trailhead parking: Sky Meadows State Park Visitor Parking Lot
  Parking coordinates: 38.991815, -77.965877

What to bring

Make sure your emergency contact information is in your pack. Bring backpack, hiking poles, food, water, sunscreen. Dress for the weather, including hat, gloves, layers, and rain gear as needed.

Dogs

Sorry, no dogs on this hike.

Park entrance / parking fees

You are required to pay a $10 entrance fee or present your Virginia State Parks annual pass in order to access Sky Meadows State Park.

Alternatively, REI Members can use an REI receipt as your FREE VA State Parks Day Pass. Simply provide your REI receipt from a participating Virginia REI to the contact station ranger or insert it in a self-pay envelope at the contact station. Use the self-pay envelope to pay the entrance fee if the contact station is not open and hang the tear-off tab on your rear view mirror. Further details are available here.

Rehydration

TBD

Weather

Here's a National Weather Service URL you can use to check the 7-day weather forecast at the trailhead from which we start the hike (Sky Meadows State Park Visitor Parking Lot).

https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=38.991815&lon=-77.965877

In case of poor or severe weather, this hike will be postponed.

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 the following: DISCLAIMER/Liability Waiver.

Massanutten Connnector Double-back

Wed, Feb 11 · 9:00 AM EST

Location not specified yet

Steve Pike will lead this hike while I recover from cataract surgery. Micro spikes will be required given the "snowcrete" that is impassable without them. Thanks for leading, Steve.

Strenuous. 7.5 miles. 1,700' elevation.

Alltrails

Trailhead: 38.64124, -78.59000

Social: https://www.chopbistro.com/

Half Moon Mtn via Bucktail Trail Loop

Thu, Feb 19 · 9:00 AM EST

Location not specified yet

This loop trail offers hikers a great view from the top of Half Moon Mountain which lies south of Wardensville, WV. It's makes a 15-16 kilometer (9.8 mile) clockwise circuit around Halfmoon Mtn with 611 meters (2005 feet) of elevation gain. it is considered moderately strenuous.

Halfmoon Mtn via Bucktail Trail Loop

We will start in the parking lot off Trout Run Road (39.0139 / -78.6636) and hike east along the Bucktail Trail. Eventually the Bucktail Trail intersects with the German Wilson Trail, which is a steep upward climb as we head south on it. After about one mile, we encounter the Halfmoon Lookout Trail and its another 0.8 kilometers (1/2 mile) to the top of Halfmoon Mtn. We return down the mountain on Halfmoon Lookout Trail for nearly 0.8 kilometer (1/2 mile) until the trail intersects with Halfmoon Trail and we take a right turn onto Halfmoon Trail and follow it for about 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) until the Bucktail Cutoff Trail. The Bucktail Cutoff Trail is the last leg of the hike, and leads us back to the parking area.

Rehydration will be a tailgate affair. Bring something on which to sit, to eat and to drink for an hour or so of après-hike relaxation.

NOTES:
1. Scheduling is subject to weather conditions. If the weather on the hike day is unsuitable, we will postpone the hike.
2. Trail names are all quite similar and it will be important to know where we are and which turns to make for the route that leads back to the vehicles.
3. Minimize the number and amount of valuables that you leave in your vehicle while hiking. The possibility of theft from vehicles is small, but there is no need for unnecessary risks.

White Grass Cross-Country Ski Trip or downhill at Canaan or Timberline slopes

Tue, Feb 24 · 10:30 AM EST

Location not specified yet

Join us for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or downhill, with Happy Hours in my motel room, followed by dinner at local restaurants. Lasting memories are made on these trips.
My cell number is 540.424.6187.

The comments section will flesh out details as we move forward.

The weather out in Canaan Valley is good and getting better. If the frigid, snowy stuff holds, this might be one of the best skiing opportunities of the season.

Ski Slopes:
White Grass
Canaan Valley Slopes
Timberline

Lodging:
Alpine Lodge $109 per night, no senior discount.
Blackwater Falls Lodge $170 per night, 10% senior discount.
See White Grass website for the link to additional lodging.