What we’re about
We love the Great Outdoors and explore it through many different hikes, backpacking tours and skiing events.
Join us on the trails in the mountains, the forests and the woods. Breathe deeply of the fresh air and feel nature's healing powers. With easy banter, camaraderie, some socializing over food and drink, all in our world will be ok.
We value fellowship and camaraderie, practice good hiking etiquette by taking breaks as necessary, and have one guide in front with a "sweeper" in the back in order to leave no hiker alone. We are very supportive of each other, focus on trail safety and practice Leave No Trace ethics.
Prospective members must confirm they have read the BMHC Etiquette before being accepted into the club.
Blue Mountain Hiking Club Organizers are not professional guides. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions you would take if you were hiking alone. With your RSVP you agree with the following.
DISCLAIMER/Liability Waiver: The Blue Mountain Hiking Club (BMHC) and its Leaders and Organizers/Participants do not take responsibility for any harm, bodily injury, accidents, or damage to personal property. By clicking “Attend” you are confirming that you understand that all outdoor activity such as hiking, backpacking, and trekking have an associated danger, and you will not hold any hike leader/organizer, participant, BMHC member, or any group associated pet responsible for any hazard to your well being. You are fully responsible for yourself and any person under the age of eighteen you bring with you on any hike or event.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Shenandoah River State ParkAndy Guest Shenandoah River State Park, Bentonville, VA
This will be a moderately strenuous 9 mile route with about 700' of elevation gain. We'll follow the Bear Bottom Loop, Big Oak, Red Tail Ridge, and Tulip Poplar trails. The pace will be around 2.5 miles per hour.
Trailhead: Horse trailer parking area off Overnight Road, coordinates: 38.847740, -78.306206 Please arrive by 8:45am. We hike at 9:00.
Entry fee: $10 or Annual State Parks Pass Or bring a receipt from REI.
Dogs are allowed, but must be on a 6' leash at all times.
Map: AllTrails Bear Bottom Loop and Big Oak Trail
Hike leader: Steve Wiley, 571-345-6441 (C)
Rehydration: We'll head down to the picnic area near the river and find a shady spot. Bring a chair and something to eat and drink.
Blue Mountain Hiking Club Organizers are not professional guides. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions you would take if you were hiking alone. With your RSVP you agree with the following DISCLAIMER/Liability Waiver.
- 4H Center - Lands Run Falls - Hickerson HollowNorthern Virginia 4-H Educational & Conference Center, Front Royal, VA
Join me for a strenuous hike (9.3 miles with 2,000 feet of elevation gain) along the AT and nearby trails in and near the northern district of Shenandoah National Park. The hike starts at the Northern Virginia 4-H Center and heads south along the AT to the Skyline Drive at Compton Gap. From there we will backtrack along the AT and take the Dickey Ridge trail to Lands Run Gap where we will cross the Skyline Drive and descend to Lands Run Falls for our snack / lunch break. After our break we will climb back up to the Skyline Drive where we will descend the Hickerson Hollow Trail before hiking the final mile or so along roads back to our vehicles parked at the Northern Virginia 4-H Center.
Here are details for this event:
- Distance: 9.3 miles
- Elevation gain: 2,000 feet
- Pace: 2.0 -- 2.5 miles/hour
- Difficulty: Strenuous (hiking difficulty scale)
- Start time: 9:00 a.m.
- Duration: 4.5 hours
- Hike map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/4h-center-lands-run-falls-hickerson-hollow-a992a9e
- Trailhead parking: Northern Virginia 4-H Center Parking Lot
- Parking coordinates: 38.86113, -78.16814
What to bring
Make sure your emergency contact information is in your pack. Bring backpack, hiking poles, food, water, sunscreen, insect repellent. Dress for the weather, including hat, layers, and rain gear as needed.
Dogs
Dogs are allowed on this hike subject to the following conditions:
- Must be on a physical leash no longer than 6 feet at all times
- Dogs must wear a collar with current tags at all times
- Bag your pet's waste and carry it out with you - Leave no trace
Please send a direct private message to the hike leader if you plan to bring your dog.
Park entrance / parking fees
There is no required fee to park, however, a $5/day donation is recommended and greatly appreciated.
Please complete and submit the form at the link below prior to your planned departure. You will receive a copy of your submission, please print a copy of your completed submission and place on your vehicle dashboard when parked at the 4-H Center.
https://www.nova4h.com/facilities/hiker-parking/
Rehydration
Vibrissa Beer, 122 E Main St, Front Royal, VA 22630
Weather
Here's a National Weather Service URL you can use to check the 7-day weather forecast at the trailhead (Northern Virginia 4-H Center Parking Lot).
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=38.91138&lon=-78.05298
In case of poor or severe weather, this hike will be postponed.
Disclaimer
Blue Mountain Hiking Club Organizers are not professional guides. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions you would take if you were hiking alone. With your RSVP you agree with the following Disclaimer / Liability Waiver.
- Stevens Trail BackpackNeeds location
This is an annual spring trip to see if all our body parts are in good backpacking order. It's an easy 3 miles in on level trail and a double-back the following day. Water and a campsite are all one needs to clear out the packing cobwebs, and this trip meets both requirements.
For those who would like to bump it up a notch, after setting up camp, it's a nice two-mile walk to Kennedy Peak from the campsite.
Trailhead 38.72809, -78.51531
Excursion limited to eight participants.
Rehydration and lunch at the Chop House Bistro in Luray, May 29.
Chop House Bistro - ONLINE (self-paced) Wilderness First Aid available ALL DAYS NOW until May 31stLink visible for attendees
In your own home, at your own leisure (anytime -- not just the date of this event): now you can learn a ton in the online portion of Disaster + Travel + Wilderness First Aid! COURSE TOPICS VIDEOS are almost exactly as MEDIC SOLO always presents them with the latest on disaster and wilderness medical science. Intermixed at several points we guide you to practice various skills.
Choose one of two ways to learn:
a) Take the self-guided course (no certification) $99.
b) Take the self-guided online course and attend a skills scenarios workshop (one day on-line) and get certified $249 (Early Bird).
Register here: https://solowfa.com/register-online-SOLO-disaster-wilderness-first-aid-course.html
In order to get certified, you will start watching our highly-rated, self-paced videos one month prior to your Skills Scenarios Workshop date and:- Practice skills at home before your Workshop date, send us photographs and our Instructors will provide you with kudos and constructive ideas.
- Pass the multiple-choice quiz and test is what verifies that you're ready for your workshop day with an instructor.
- Attend your online Skills Scenarios Workshop full day with a live instructor and a live human patient. Use a unique software which nearly replicates the in-person learning experience.
- Gain as much to more hands-on learning experience as compared to an in-person course.
- Instructors give individual live feedback to students while you perform hands-on skills in your own home.
- Graduates receive the internationally-renowned SOLO 2-year WFA Certification.
Upcoming online Skills Scenario Workshop dates:
May 31, 2025
and June 14 2025.Sneak peek at the course:
https://www.solowfa.com/online-sample.htmEmail us at courses@solowfa.com with questions.
