W1 MO: Southern SNP Adventure (30 Miles)

Howdy!

Apologies for the bait and switch on exact trail location. While I really wanted to do some new trails in and around the Rocky Mount Loop, it really isn't feasible with everyone driving themselves and avoiding any car shuttles (and private property). New Plan: park at the trail head off of SR 663 near Madison Run Friday evening and camp about 0.6 miles in a legal distance from both the fire road and water. On Saturday and Sunday we do a loop taking in the peaks and streams of the Big Run Portal, still using Pinefield Hut as our Saturday night camping destination. Caltopo link below. For Veteran Members, feel free to do your own thing if you want to head out early -- or late -- and meet at Pinefield Hut Saturday night. Just let me and the crew know precisely what you plan on doing. Everyone must bring a full winter shelter system, even though we will make use of the hut as a fire and hangout area. We will abide by all SNP backcountry regulations. I will submit a backcountry permit for our maximum 10 person group the week before.

Friday:

-Meet at the Trail Head Parking Gate at 8:30 p.m. and proceed together to hike into the park to find a suitable legal backcountry spot to camp:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/601+Holland+Ln,+Alexandria,+VA+22314,+USA/Furnace+Mtn.+-+Austin+trail,+11611+Browns+Gap+Rd,+Grottoes,+VA+24441/@38.6329932,-79.0776714,8z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x89b7b1ab8a8e5b09:0x1926dcd16b487b7e!2m2!1d-77.0605389!2d38.801118!1m5!1m1!1s0x89b485c081082eb1:0x6910385c96bf396!2m2!1d-78.7701109!2d38.2570614!3e0

Saturday:

Caltopo for the Weekend: https://caltopo.com/m/ND8T

Head up Browns Gap Fire Round and then up Austin Mountain Trail, hitting both peaks. Then we continue on to hit Lewis Mountain (morning break at mile 7). Next, follow around Rockytop to drop down to Big Run for a lunch break at mile 12. Then up Brown Mountain Trail until we hit Skyline Drive for a tiny bit of road walking before picking up the AT and finishing the evening with camp at/near Pinefield Hut for some socially-distanced time congregating near the shelter fire. Approximately 18 miles for the day, with over 5,000 feet of elevation gain and around 4,000 feet of loss.

Sunday:

Back track over to Rocky Mountain Run and follow it to Big Run Portal Trail to eventually connect with Browns Gap Fire Road and the return to our vehicles. Around 12 miles for the day. Lots of going down, with almost 3,000 feet of elevation loss compared to 1,800 feet of gain.

PATC South SNP Map (DC ULers Bring Maps; Real Maps): http://www.patc.net/ItemDetail?iProductCode=PA180&Category=AE&WebsiteKey=aa6635e3-6a5c-42d8-9c1f-f122991e338c

Shenandoah National Park: We'll pay close attention to SNP park access for COVID-19 restrictions. A week before I'll submit a backcountry permit with vehicle license plates. https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/winter.htm

DC UL COVID-19 Guidelines:

· Stay home if you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, if you have been in close contact with anyone who has displayed such symptoms, or otherwise believe that you might have been exposed.

· No official carpool will be set.

· Consider your recent fitness level before participating on a trip, especially if you have not been hiking recently. The trip leader may reach out to discuss the trip in more detail with you to ensure you are prepared.

· We will follow state and local rules/recommendations and check for updates continually.

More information on the club's COVID-19 policy: https://dculbackpacking.com/about/covid-19-guidelines/

By RSVPing for this trip, you acknowledge that you’ve read our COVID-19 guidelines and that you agree to DC UL's liability waiver terms. (https://dculbackpacking.com/about/liability-waiver)