LM: Trout Run Valley Halloween Trip (27 miles)

Join me on the classic Trout Run Valley circumnavigation, but this time with a twist: let's have a Halloween costume party on trail. What will you dress up as: Smokey the Bear? Alan Dixon in a trash bag on his 5lb BW winter attempt of the AT through Shenandoah? A (gasp) traditional backpacker?

I'll bring some Halloween treats. You'll get to see Tibbett Knob, Halfmoon Mountain, and Big Schloss over two days, with splits of about 13/13 (or 16/10 if we choose). We'll all get to take some fun group photos.

(borrowing heavily from previous event postings for the details)

Saturday, we'll gather at Vienna Metro and leave as close to 8 a.m. as possible. We'll head to Wolf Gap Campground, and then start our journey by heading up to Tibbet Knob and then setting up camp near Trout Run. We do have the option, if people are up for it, to go another three miles on Saturday--maybe even a little more to camp closer to Halfmoon Mountain. We can see how the day goes on Saturday.

Sunday, we will continue along our merry way with a pause at Big Schloss for views before heading back to our cars. I'd like to stop at Front Royal Brewing Co for some light food and tasty beers on the way home.

Hard to know what the weather will be in Nov, but expect it to be potentially cold and windy. If you haven't done much cold weather backpacking or are uncertain if your gear is going to up to the task, send me a gear list for some feedback.

Remember: DCULers have maps!! The map for this is PATC Map F (https://www.patc.net/PATC/Our_Store/PATC_Maps.aspx). Mid-Atlantic Hikes gives a good look at our route (http://midatlantichikes.com/troutrunvalley.htm), although we'll be doing it in the reverse direction. A great description of the route also is in a certain book: (http://www.amazon.com/AMCs-Best-Backpacking-Mid-Atlantic-Multiday/dp/193402886X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1460832552&sr=8-1&keywords=best+backpacking+the+mid+atlantic).

Applicants will need to send me a gear list by Oct 27. If not, I'll have to move you to the wait list.

The fine print:

• As per our carpool policy, riders should plan to pay their drivers $0.10 per mile. At ~180 miles RT, that comes to $18 for the trip.

• By RSVPing to this trip or any other DC UL trip, you agree to DC UL's waiver liability terms (https://www.meetup.com/DC-UL-Backpacking/pages/Liability_Waiver/).