LM: Robertson Mt. & Mary's Rock (~25 miles)
Details
I don't think I've hiked or camped in Shenandoah all summer, and with summer fading and fall upon us, it's now or never! I also wanted to run a trip specifically for first-timers to the group. If you're just getting into backpacking (or if you need to do an LM trip so you can join other DCUL hikes), this is a fairly gentle and fun trip. I'm going to reserve 5 spots for applicants, for a total of 10 spots.
(Credit for this trip configuration goes to John J. "Ketchup.") We'll meet at the Vienna Metro Station to carpool on Friday afternoon, drive to the Old Rag parking lot and hike 1-2 miles up Weakley Hollow Road to an area that has at least three fairly established camping spots within about a mile stretch. On Saturday we'll start by climbing Robertson Mountain, Old Rag's lesser-visited and under-appreciated sister, and then cross Skyline Drive over to the AT which we will follow up to Byrd's Nest #3 Shelter. (There's an optional side trip to Skyland for a snack!) After getting to the shelter we can do a short out-and-back (roughly 2.7 miles roundtrip) to Mary's Rock, and possibly to watch the sunset there depending on the timing. On Sunday we head back the way we came on the AT and then follow Nicholson Hollow Trail back to the parking lot.
Splits are roughly 2/13/10 giving us a total of ~25 miles for the weekend, and it should be a fairly easy hike after the climb up Robertson Mountain on Saturday morning.
A few additional notes:
- I'll take care of the backcountry camping permit, but we will need entrance fees and/or park passes to leave cars in the Old Rag parking lot. Please let me know if you have a park pass!
- We may need to hike a little in the dark/twilight on Friday night.
Applicants:
Please send me a gear list at some point after signing up. Don't worry about needing to have expensive ultralight gear - I just want to make sure that you are bringing the essentials and that you feel comfortable carrying what you are bringing. If you have any questions feel free to send me a message!
DCULers have maps!
1. This route should be covered on PATC Map 10
2. The Purple Lizard Shenandoah North map also covers the route
2. Caltopo: https://caltopo.com/m/KN971H7
The Fine Print
1. As per our carpool policy, riders should plan to pay drivers $0.10/mile.
2. Dues -- Members and above, don't forget to pay your annual dues if you haven't yet. To pay your dues via PayPal, use this link: https://www.paypal.me/JenniferAdach/10
($10 annual dues plus a $5 suggested donation to City Kids Wilderness Project.) Applicants do not need to pay dues.
3. By participating in this or any DCUL activity, you agree and abide by our Liability Waiver (https://dculbackpacking.wordpress.com/about/liability-waiver/) and Terms of Use (https://dculbackpacking.wordpress.com/about/terms-of-use/\