Name: MO: W1 Pocahontas - Fork Mountain Loop (33 miles)
Start: 2020-01-10T17:00:00-05:00
End: 2020-01-12T17:00:00-05:00
Location: Vienna Metro North Bay B

DC UL is no stranger to Fork Mountain in the Gauley Ranger District of the Monongahela National Forest. But it doesn't look like we get out to the Pocahontas Trail too often. And we're not alone -- the Pocahontas Trail is one of the least visited trails in this area. In this 33-mile loop, we'll cover sections of these two relatively remote trails which feature dense coniferous forests, fortressy boulder fields, the falls of Hill Creek, and many opportunities for tasteful Pocahontas jokes.

-----------------------THE PLAN--------------------
We'll meet up on Friday evening at 5 PM at the Vienna Northern Park & Ride lot and drive to the Summit Lake parking area (https://goo.gl/maps/Y3zGudVjaFFckRyd8). On the way, we'll grab a quick dinner at Sheetz along I-81. It'll be the dead of the night when we arrive at the parking lot, so we'll aim for the closest viable camping spot. This is likely a mile roadwalk that leads to a grassy clearing (dry camp, not that it should matter).

After sleeping in a bit, we'll start our Saturday journey clockwise along the Pocahontas Trail. We'll arrive at the Falls of Hill Creek around lunchtime, and then camp along Fork Mountain Trail at the junction of Big Run Trail. A water source should be less than a mile down Big Run Trail, so factor that in. A campfire, libations, and performances of DC UL lore will be had.

In the morning, we'll continue clockwise along Fork Mountain Trail and onto the North Bend Trail, which will take us along a 2.5-mile roadwalk back to our cars. Afterwards, we'll head to Whistle Punk Grill & Taphouse (https://www.whistlepunkwv.com/) in Richwood, WV before going our respective ways home.

-----------------------THE DETAILS-------------------------

All of this amounts to a 1/22/10 split. Elevation gain is pretty minimal, but the boulder fields will surely slow us down. For more granular directions, check out this Midatlantic Hikes post: http://www.midatlantichikes.com/cbc-2.htm

DC ULers always bring maps. Get them here:
Printable map (click through to JPG, which can't be linked here for some reason): http://www.midatlantichikes.com/cbc-2.htm

-GPX (Thanks to Bryan): https://caltopo.com/m/N3KM.

Expect the weather to be standard W1, with micro-spikes possibly coming in handy. Historical weather data for North Bend puts the temp range between 25-45*F.

-----------------------THE FINE PRINT-------------------------
It's going to be January, y'all. And so be prepared to hike 22 miles in about 8 hours of daylight. And then there's always the possibility of snow. If you're not sure if you have the appropriate gear or experience winter camping, talk to me after you sign up.

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

As per our carpool policy, riders should plan to pay drivers $0.10/mile. This is a long drive, at nearly 500 miles round trip. If $50 is too steep for a weekend of fun, talk to me and we'll figure something out so that you can still come.

It'll be the new year and so it'll be time to pay your dues and earn that sweet ('20) next to you name. To pay your dues via PayPal, use this link: https://www.paypal.me/JenniferAdach/10. If you need to pay your dues via an alternate way (check, Venmo, etc.), let me know and we can work something out.

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MO: W1 Pocahontas - Fork Mountain Loop (33 miles)

Vienna Metro North Bay B

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MO: W1 Pocahontas - Fork Mountain Loop (33 miles)

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