Shenandoah River State Park
Details
Let's enjoy a relatively warm winter day hiking in Shenandoah River State Park! 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.
Additional details for this hike are included below.
- Distance: 9 miles
- Elevation gain: 700 feet
- Pace: ~2.5 miles/hour
- Difficulty: Moderately strenuous (hiking difficulty scale)
- Start time: 9:00 a.m.
- Duration: 4.5 hours
- Hike map: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/bear-bottom-loop-and-big-oak-trail
- Trailhead parking: Horse trailer parking area off Overnight Road
Parking coordinates: 38.847740, -78.306206
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, gloves, 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
You are required to pay a $10 entrance fee or present your Virginia State Parks annual pass in order to access Sky Meadows State Park.
Alternatively, REI Members can use an REI receipt as your FREE VA State Parks Day Pass. Simply provide your REI receipt from a participating Virginia REI to the contact station ranger or insert it in a self-pay envelope at the contact station. Use the self-pay envelope to pay the entrance fee if the contact station is not open and hang the tear-off tab on your rear view mirror. Further details are available here.
Rehydration
TBD
Weather
Here's a National Weather Service URL you can use to check the 7-day weather forecast at the trailhead from which we start the hike (Sky Meadows State Park Visitor Parking Lot).
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=38.847740&lon=-78.306206
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.