Hike: Dickey Ridge, SNP, VA

(Bus hike) Wildflower Hike III: Enjoy the Springtime in Shenandoah Forest. This hike includes wildflowers, wonderful views, a peaceful waterfall, and bright blue skies (we hope). Long hikers start at the intersection of Dickey Ridge trail at Skyline Drive and follow Dickey Ridge trail to Fox Hollow trail, where they will ponder an old cemetery as they loop around to Dickey Ridge trail. Meanwhile Moderate hikers start at the Dickey Ridge Visitor center and go south on the Dickey Ridge Trail. They join long hikers at Fox Hollow trail and all hikers follow Dickey Ridge trail to Sneed Farm Road. Moderate hikers cross the road and continue on the Dickey Ridge trail, passing views of the Shenandoah valley below. Long hikers will go left on Sneed Farm Road and take the Snead Farm Loop Trail, passing farm ruins on their right, as they loop around to the Dickey Ridge trail where they will join moderate hikers. All hikers will continue on the Dickey Ridge trail to a parking lot where they will go down the gravel road to Lands Run waterfall about a half mile from Skyline Drive. After enjoying the waterfall, all hikers backtrack on the Dickey Ridge Trail to the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center. Est.: 12.0 miles, 2200 ft. elevation and 8.5 miles, 1400 ft. elevation. There are optional hikes that include an Extra Long hike of 14 miles and shorter moderate hikes ranging from 0-7.5 miles. PATC map 9. Fare: $33 plus park fee or pass.
VA Hikes. Map and hike description are posted under Photos
DC: Near 17th and K St. NW downtown (east side of Farragut Square). Bus leaves at 8 a.m. SHARP, so it's essential to arrive well before 8 am.

• Vienna Metro: NORTH parking lot, last bus shelter (Nutley St. Exit off Interstate 66 on North/Vienna side of I-66) at approximately 8:25 a.m. Park at 9486 Virginia Center Blvd, Vienna, VA 22181
• Caution: The "south" parking lot also has bus shelters. If by 8:15, you're not with a group of Wanderbirds hikers, you may be in the south lot. There's a walkway that passes the fare gates over I-66 to the north lot.

RESERVATIONS
Wanderbirds Hiking Club is a 501(c)(7) non-profit, and the public is invited on all hiking trips. Reservations are accepted as late as Saturday, but reserving as early in the week as possible helps ensure your spot and prevent cancellation of the hike due to low sign-ups. RSVP through Meetup and pay through PayPal. Please be sure your RSVP gives your full name and phone number and where you'll be boarding the bus. Space permitting, walk-ons are permitted at the second pick-up point. Your hike fee will be paid to one of the hike leaders in either cash or check (we're working on Venmo / Zelle).

FIRST-TIME HIKERS
If you're a first-time hiker with us, please notify the leaders in advance so they can make sure you have the info you need. Hikers must be able to keep a 2-mph pace. New hikers are required to first complete a moderate hike.
Liability Waiver: Many of our hikes take place in remote wilderness areas where cell phone service is not available. Any person participating in any Club activity is responsible for their own safety, health and welfare, and must assume all risks and liabilities related to all Club activities. The Club, its hike leaders, hike sweeps, officers, and other representatives are not liable for any injuries, losses, or damage to persons, children, pets, and/or property, arising from any trips or activities of the Club. You are responsible for bringing enough water, food, and first aid supplies, including those for your personal medical conditions.

CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations sometimes play havoc with our hiker accountability as the hike leaders print out the rider list from the MeetUp sign-up website. If the RSVP is not complete or up-to-date, neither is our check-in list.
To cancel and receive a full bus hike refund, less the MeetUp $5 processing fee, you must change your RSVP to "No" on the MeetUp website before NOON on the Friday before the hike. If you change your RSVP afterwards, no refunds will be issued.
While Metro/carpool/trailhead hike cancellations will not be issued a financial refund, hikers on either bus or trailhead hikes are implored to change their Meetup RSVP to NO so that leaders do not wait for them at either bus stops or the trailhead.
COVID, RSV, or seasonal FLU precautions . . . Anyone experiencing symptoms of upper respiratory illness should not attend the event.

MORE DETAILS -- SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE