VMO: The Mid-Stone Loop, ~53 Miles in Rothrock State Forest

If you are also late-ish making Memorial Day weekend plans and yearn for rocky PA trails (but don't have the PTO for the longer MST trip), consider joining me on this DC UL Original^tm trip, the Mid Stone Loop.

--- most below adapted/copied from last time---
We take in [parts] of the Mid State Trail, Standing Stone Trail, the Ironstone Loop, and a stroll through the Rocky Ridge Natural Area, the Stone Valley Recreation Area, and Greenwood Furnace State Park. It’s not short at about 53 miles but we’re going to take three nights in the woods to enjoy it.
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Caveats: (1) I've never done these trails before (2) Unfortunately, the splits and campsites will not be as ideal as the original trip, as the state forest campsites seem to be booked (it's a holiday weekend and my planning is last minute). That means a longer day 2 (22 vs 25) and dry, primitive campsites.

Splits will be 0.25/20/25/8.5. Make sure you are a Veteran Member in trail condition for a couple summer 20-25 mile days with rocky terrain.

Plan
Currently planning to pick up a rental car from DCA around ~2pm (earliest I probably can). This is a loop so there won't be pressure to leave at the same time. If this trip gets enough interest and there's a need for a car pool, I/we can arrange an official one at Grosvenor metro station (or Rosslyn if that happens to be work).

Fri: leave DC in the afternoon and meet at the parking lot at the end of Frew Road. We'll then have a short ~0.25 mi hike up the Standing Stone Trail where it looks like there is a dry campsite (see attached pics for parking and campsite).

Sat: 20 miles for the day. We hike through the Rocky Ridge Natural Area and traipse via country roads through the Stone Valley Recreation Area and Lake Perez, connecting with the Ironstone Loop Trail to head up to the Mid State Trail via the Indian Steps Trail. We’ll get water before hitting the ridge. Camp dry at the intersection of the Mid State and Campbell Trail.

Sun: 25 miles for the day. NOBO along the Mid State Trail, connecting with the Standing Stone Trail to go SOBO. Hopefully we can take a dip in Greenwood Furnace State Park before marching on. Fill up on water, then continue on to dry campsite along the STS.

Mon: 8.75 miles. Finish out our hike SOBO along the Standing Stone Trail.

Resources
DCUL'ers have maps!
- CalTopo: https://caltopo.com/m/8SJH13C
- Purple Lizard Rothrock map: https://www.purplelizard.com/products/rothrock-trail-map

Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/TSmdNDTFTZjzgCbJ9

Fantastic trip report by Whiskey Fairy: https://dculbackpacking.com/2020/06/26/trip-report-frew-hiking-the-mid-stone-loop/

Weather: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=41.02&lon=-77.65

Standing Stone Trail Maps https://www.standingstonetrail.org/pdf-maps

The Fine Print

• By RSVPing to this trip or any other DC UL trip, you agree to DC UL's liability waiver terms. (https://dculbackpacking.com/about/liability-waiver)
• If you are a member, don't forget to pay your annual $10 dues. You can check to see if you need to pay dues by seeing if the current year is listed next to your name in your DC UL profile. Applicants do not need to pay dues for their first trip with the group. To pay your dues via PayPal, use this link: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JenniferAdach/15
• All non-drivers should expect to pay $0.10 per mile to their driver, in accordance with the DC UL carpool policy.