Whitney Training Hike (WTH) #0: Prince William Forest (Easy 5.3 miles, 380')

Hiya!

What’s your New Year’s Resolution? Is it to hike more, hike higher, or hike farther? Well, have I got the series of hikes for you!

Some friends and I are going to attempt summiting Mount Whitney this year! As the highest peak in the lower 48, Mount Whitney has some serious stats: 21.7 miles long and 6663’ of elevation gain (a distance taller than Virginia’s highest point by 1000 freaking feet), starting at nearly 8000’ of elevation and ending at 14505’.

And while that is an enormous lift, the hike up Mount Whitney begins just the same as any other: at 0 miles, and 0 feet of elevation gain. The training for Mount Whitney follows suit.

To that end, this is the first in a series of 11 training hikes that ultimately cover 21.7 miles of distance and 6663’ of elevation gain. This loop around Prince William Forest will cover 5.3 miles and 380’ of elevation gain (it is essentially the same as the “High Meadows, Taylor Farm and South Valley Trail” on AllTrails, plus a 1-mile bump-out to Camp 5 Lake, link:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/high-meadows-taylor-farm-and-south-valley-trail?sh=abzsgd&utm_medium=trail_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality”) Just a fraction out Mount Whitney, yes! But like I said, everyone has to start somewhere :)

This hike is very easy, and will start at Parking Lot H on the Scenic Drive Loop in Prince William Forest Park (Location here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fXy1szCfFYakTMq77, coordinates: 38.5810697, -77.3925816, searchable as “Parking Lot H, High Meadows Trailhead” on Google Maps). We’ll start at abut 10:00 AM and mosey for the woods for about 3 miles, before stopping for lunch, then completing the rest of the hike afterwards. We’ll move at an easygoing pace around 1.5-2 mph, taking breaks for rest and water, and ending at about 2:00 PM. Afterwards, we’ll head to Bunnyman Brewing in Lorton for a beer (https://bunnymanbrewing.com/).

We hope to see you on the trail!

HIKE AND WEATHER INFO:

Prince William Forest Park is administered by the National Parks Service and requires a $20 entry fee for day use, or else can be accessed for free with a National Parks Annual Pass. The weather is expected to be in the mid-30s to mid-40s, so please dress warmly and in layers. Always over-dress! You can always shed layers if you get too warm, but you can’t don clothes you didn’t bring in the first place!

CARPOOLING:

We encourage those with cars to carpool others to the trailhead - 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 9:00 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 intitiating trips under the common adventurer model (http://www.ronwatters.com/CADefine.html). We do 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.

Act responsibly and safely: if you ever believe you may be lost, follow the advice of the US Forest Service (https://www.fs.fed.us/visit/know-before-you-go/if-you-get-lost)

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)