Backpacking Rock Castle Gorge trail along the BRP in southern Virginia

**Note this hike is being posted in both the Charlotte Piedmont Hiking Club and the Backpacking Western N.C. meetup groups so total attendees will the combination of the 2 postings. Total group size is limited due to BRP rules and discretion of the organizers. I have reserved 3 backcountry campsites so the cost will be $3 each to cover the cost of the sites. Everyone will start on the Waitlist and I will direct message individuals with Venmo instructions. Once payment is received people will be moved to the Going status

Join us as we explore the Rock Castle Gorge trail in southern Virginia along the Blue Ridge Parkway on a 1 night backpacking trip (with the option to car camp on Friday night near the trailhead). The strenuous and rugged nature of the trail along with it's natural beauty reveals part of the reason this trail was given National Recreational Trail status. In the springtime to early summer, nearly 200 varieties of wildflowers are visible along the trail. Information on National Recreational Trails can be found here https://www.nrtapplication.org/trails

The trail starts easy at the entrance to the Rocky Knob Visitor Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway and then descends steeply over three miles into the backcountry camping area at the bottom of the gorge along the Rock Castle Creek.

The rest of the trail is a 6-mi ascent back out of the gorge on the return back up to the visitor center. You'll see tunnels of rhododendron and other thick mountain foliage, a splashing stream, and high open meadows.

The entire loop is ~11 miles and the elevations range from 1,700 to 3,572 ft. A few small historic structures are visible along the trail, including a Civilian Conservation Corps camp.

Overall this hike is rated Strenuous given we will be carrying our packs and the elevation gain on Sunday returning to the cars.

Well behaved dogs are welcome.

The campsites have fire rings and bear boxes. There is also a portable toilet at the campground

Alltrails information/map: (Note that the map in Alltrails has a different starting point than we will use. We will park and start at the Rocky Knob Campground information station) Alltrails Info/Map

Detail Plan:
Friday (OPTIONAL) – meet at the Rocky Knob Campground
https://maps.app.goo.gl/1oVJ2A2NZbxtxRHi9
The campground is partially opening up May 3rd for reservations. The A loop looks to be tent only sites with a max of 6 people per site though based on the pictures it looks like at most you can fit 2 to 3 small tents per site. I plan on driving down early on Friday and will add a comment with which site I have reserved Rocky Knob Campground

Saturday – meet at 11:30am at the parking lot behind the Rocky Knob Visitor/Information center. https://maps.app.goo.gl/E5j8ZYVYgrRqFjoW6
We’ll take a relaxing hike down to the campsite. ~5 miles +700 / -2,200 feet of gain. There will be plenty of time to relax at the campsite and explore the creek

Sunday – after breakfast we'll break camp and hike the 6 miles back to the cars. +2,000 / -500 feet of gain. Comments on Alltrails indicate parts of the trail on Sunday will be very narrow with steep drop-offs and a couple of sections the trail may be hard to follow so we will keep together at any trail intersections or stream crossings

Release of Liability:

The organizer of this trip is a volunteer and not a professional guide. The function of the organizer is only to organize this trip. If you sign up or participate in this event you acknowledge that you freely and voluntarily agree to assume all risks of injuries, illnesses and damages arising from, as a result of and associated with this event. In addition, you are acknowledging that you agree to the Meetup terms: https://www.meetup.com/terms