LGBT Community Building Hike #4: Overall Run Dip! (Hard 8.8 Miles, 2050', Swim!)

Hiya!

Happy Pride babes!!!!! If for some reason you didn't sweat enough at the Parade in 95 degree heat and a radiating blacktop, here is your opportunity to catch up on some perspiration!!!

This hike is a hard, 8.8-mile balloon loop with 2050 ft of elevation gain on the far side of Shenandoah National Park. The hike begins at the Thompson Hollow Trailhead Parking (found here: 38°48'06.8"N 78°18'53.2"W) and continues down VA 630 and the Thompson Hollow Trail. At 1 mile, the Thompson hollow trail turns left to join the Tuscarora Trail and ascend to the Overall Run Falls at 2.9 miles in. Here we will break for an early lunch, before continuing upwards to the Matthew's Arm trail at 3.2 miles and the Beecher Ridge Trail at 3.6 miles. From there the hike descends the Beecher Ridge Trail back to the Overall Run Trail at 6.7 miles, then finishes with a final mile up the Overall Run Trail and return down the Thompson Hollow Trail to the parking lot, for 8.8 miles total. The hike is similar, but opposite to the Overall Run Loop Trail posted here: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/virginia/overall-run-loop

Now here is what you should join this hike for: We are jumping in Overall Run! There is an absolutely beautiful swimming hole at 7.5 miles into this hike; the water is clear, cold, and endlessly refreshing after four hours of marching up one side of Overall Run and down the other. We will be stopping here for about half an hour to dip, swim, and wade in the water. Trust me, you won’t want to skip it after nearly 8 miles of sweating out there on the trail!

We plan to move at a healthy pace around 2 mph and we'll take plenty of breaks for water and along the way. Bring sunblock and way more water than you think you need; it’s going to be hot out there! We are undecided on the brewery but it will probably be Barrel Oak Winery and Brewery or The Farm Brewery at Broad Run.

We hope to see you on the trail! (And in the swimming hole!)

HOW TO GET HERE:

The address given in the Meetup Pin is approximate. You want to plug in these coordinates to Google Maps to get to the parking lot: 38°48'06.8"N 78°18'53.2"W. The Address 1923 Thompson Hollow Road (VA 630), Bentonville, VA 22610 will also take you about to the parking lot, at the end of VA 630.

COMMUNITY BUILDING HIKE FAQ:

1. Is this hike only open to LGBT people?

No way! This hike is open to anyone and everyone regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. LMH hikes are open to everyone and will always be open to everyone.

2. What is the purpose of this event?

This event is intended to build community among LGBT people in general and make sure queer hikers know they are welcome in LMH. This will build community in LMH at large.

3. Can I join this event if I do not identify as LGBT?

Yes! Of course! We would love for you to come out and enjoy the woods with us, regardless of how you identify.

4. Will there be beer?

There WILL be beer!

5. Are we only going to talk about queer topics on the hike?

Nope! We might talk more about queer topics, but we’ll probably cover all our old standbys just the same: all the ways to roll an ankle, what we brought for lunch today, and wildly misidentifying bird calls/animal tracks/wildflowers/tree species/cloud formations.

6. I’m not out yet and I’m concerned about leaving a digital trail for people acting in bad faith. Can I still join this event?

Yes, absolutely. Please contact Evan via Meetup messages and we can discuss how to get you on the hike in a way that preserves our membership policies and your privacy.

7. LMH? More like LGBTQMH, am I right?

You know it! It’s just like we say to homophobes; every time you complain about a letter, we add three more!

HIKE INFO:

Be aware that the first half mile of this hike is on an access road through private property. Please be respectful (leave no trace) of this and other areas on the hike!

SWIMMING HOLE INFO:

The main pool, where we will be swimming, is about 10 feet across, 20 feet long, and about shoulder-deep at the deepest point. The hole is relatively easy to climb in and out of. That being said, please be careful and use your best judgement on deciding where and when to dip! Your steadfast leaders (me and Kim) will certainly be going in.

CARPOOLING:

Carpooling is strongly encouraged for this hike; parking is very limited at the trailhead and I would like to keep the group to around ~4 cars if possible.

We encourage those with cars to be willing to drive - you're the ones who make LMH great!

If you're a driver that is willing to drive, please post a comment on the event page with the following information:
(1) Number of seats
(2) Meeting location
(3) Meeting time (recommended departure time from DC is 8:15 AM)

As a rider, please comment on the driver's post to take a seat or post in the comments that you need a ride so a driver can find you. Riders are encouraged to help their driver out with the cost of gas.

BACKGROUNG INFO ABOUT LMH:

Please remember that this group is an informal group of friends and volunteers. We expect our members to be familiar with the best practices of hiking. This is not a group for first time hikers and is NOT a group for those seeking hiking instruction.

We are also not professionals, nor are we trained hike leaders, nor do we scout out hikes. We plan hikes for fun. You are responsible for your own welfare and safety at all LMH events. Be careful to choose hikes only within your own physical abilities and hiking knowledge; take maps, suitable clothing, provisions (at least two liters of water plus any food or medical supplies you might require) and equipment, and act responsibly and safely at all times. Always act safely and responsibly.

LMH organizers and members shall not be liable for any injuries, loss or damage to persons or property, direct or consequential, arising out of any aspect of LMH activities. By attending this event, you represent that you have read, understand, and agree to the contents of our waiver of liability in the following link (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pQ0dedcqlyjc_Aib3TEbTX4gQRQt4C7FeCmsAPyTxd4/edit?tab=t.0)