LM: “Feels Like the First Time!” Kennedy Peak (9 Miles)
Details
UPDATE: Since no “first timers” signed up to go on this trip, and because the stalwarts who did all rock, I’m changing the name of this trip. It is no longer called “Your First DCUL Trip.” It is now called “Feels Like the First Time.” (Everyone needs more Foreigner on their playlists, anyway).
HEY, NEW DCULers!!! Have you “joined” DCUL but never signed up for an actual trip? Are you torn between the romance of a backcountry backpacking adventure, with the fear of a full weekend with the potentially incompatible? Are you worried about DCUL’s extreme-maniac reputation and concerned about being able to keep up? (This is not really true. We do a variety of trips from low mileage jaunts to superhuman feats of strength).
Here is a chance to “try before you buy!” Join us for a DCUL-like experience with extremely low mileage and elevation gain, and only one night!
Leave Friday after work; return Saturday morning before lunchtime. You will instantly be the most interesting person that Saturday night at the bars in Clarendon or U Street when you nonchalantly mention how you woke up that morning in a tent, having watched a Friday night sunset and Saturday morning sunrise atop a Massanutten mountain with a 360 degree view! You will be surrounded by admirers attracted to your post DCUL-adventure glow, confidence, and mystery.
This is definitely not your typical DCUL trip. David (“Baseball”) posted this whimsical sunset/sunrise micro-backpacking trip last year and said it was a lot of fun. Let’s try it again.
There aren't many camping spots on the peak, so the crew limit will be 5 people. Join the waitlist if you're interested. On most DCUL trips people make it off the waitlist—especially if there is the slightest chance of rain.
The idea is just to hang out on Kennedy Peak and enjoy the sunset/sunrise. Maybe some star gazing if conditions are right?
Itinerary:
Friday night we will meet at Vienna Metro at 5:30pm (or meet at trailhead) and drive to the Stephens Trail parking lot located here: **https://goo.gl/maps/1ADMiThiRr7qkjz3A**.
We’ll have a little over an hour to catch the sunset. It is only 3 miles! Faster hikers will make it; slower ones may not. I’ll hike in the back so no one other than me will arrive at the peak last. (Bring a charged headlamp, everyone!) There is a small shelter on the peak, big enough for about 2 people. We could squeeze more in. There are some small camping spots nearby as well.
Saturday we will rise early (5:00 am!) to catch the full sunrise show. We'll enjoy ourselves and then enjoy a nice 6ish mile leg stretcher to finish up the hike. We will continue straight onto the orange blazed Massanutten Trail. Roughly a mile after we will come to a junction where we will take a left on the yellow blazed Stephens Trail back to our cars at the trailhead.
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THIS IS A WATERLESS HIKE. Bring enough water. I’m bringing 3 liters. That being said, otherwise pack ultralight. It's an extremely short trip.
If I’ve never hiked with you and you are an Applicant I’ll request a gear list from you prior to the trip.
Additional information on this hike:
https://www.hikingupward.com/gwnf/kennedypeak/
Splits are 3/6
DCUL'ers have maps!
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Caltopo: https://caltopo.com/m/T90MN
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National Geographic map #792
----------------THE IMPORTANT WARNINGS-------------------
- As per our carpool policy, riders should plan to pay drivers $0.10/mile.
- Oh, and I’m just a co-participant on this trip, not a guide or an expert. I’ve been backpacking with DCUL since 2017, but have no special training medically, navigationally, or socially. If you sign up and can't come, please let me know; please don't ghost.
Dues First trips are free (except for the ten-cents-a-mile carpool riders). Everyone else suffers the $10 annual dues. Please pay via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/DCULKaran/15 ($10 annual dues plus a $5 suggested donation to City Kids Wilderness Project).
By participating in this or any DCUL activity, you agree to our Liability Waiver to completely release me and anyone connected to DCUL from any liability should you get hurt or killed. By RSVPing you certify you read and agree to the following waiver: https://dculbackpacking.com/about/liability-waiver/