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VMO: Big Schloss/Little Schloss/Halfmoon (30 mile training hike)

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Emily and Maddie B.
VMO: Big Schloss/Little Schloss/Halfmoon (30 mile training hike)

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I've been told that a good way to train for the Four State Challenge is to do a 30-mile day. So come with me as I do a 30-mile day if you, too, are training for the Four State Challenge or just want to do something crazy. (This trip is VMO not because of the total miles but because we are doing them all in one day, unless you want to modify it on your own.)

Here's the plan:
1. Drive to Wolf Gap Recreation Area on Friday evening and camp at the campsites there, which are first come, first serve. You must be physically there to claim a campsite. (There are dispersed campsites that I've seen on nearby roads if for some reason the campground sites are full.)
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10158515
2. Saturday, do a 30-mile loop/lollipop that includes Big Schloss, the lesser-visited Little Schloss, and Halfmoon Mountain. We'll be one valley over from Trout Run Valley, an area that gets a little less love from DCUL but has its own charms. People can modify my 30-mile route to do 20 miles, 24 miles, or something else, but would need to be self-sufficient in doing so.
3. Camp at Wolf Gap again on Saturday night. Sunday morning, find breakfast and drive home.

Caltopo - 20 mile version (24 miles w/Halfmoon): https://caltopo.com/m/58HNL
Caltopo - 30 mile version: https://caltopo.com/m/CUGEAHN

A few notes about the route:
1. The 30-mile version has almost 6000 feet of elevation gain, which is pretty tough for most people. There are TONS of ways to modify this route by cutting off sections of the loop in various places. If you're trying for 30 miles, please study the map and think about where you'd modify if needed (I may do that myself if I'm not having a good day!)
2. The northeast section of the loop (from the intersection where the route turns right and up to Little Sluice Mountain, basically up to the spur to Halfmoon Mountain), are trails/roads I have never hiked. Some of them may be overgrown, or there may be a private road somewhere. I don't think so but you never know so be prepared to get creative!
3. I've marked where I know there is water and where I think there is water, in the sections I haven't hiked. In the first half, there should be water about every five miles, but note that in the last third, once you leave Waites Run/Pond Run on the way to Halfmoon, there may not be any more water for the last 10 miles.
4. I didn't add the side trails to Big Schloss or Little Schloss to the route. (Little Schloss side trail is really just a short boulder scramble up to the peak.) Feel free to add them if you like! (I may or may not.)

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