Northern Virginia Hiking Club (NVHC)

You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike.

Hike Overview: This is an approximately 10-mile hike with an elevation gain of about 2,200 feet from the boundary of the northern section of the Shenandoah National Park to a deep gorge. The hike starts from a small parking area along Rt 625 in Washington, VA (where parking is limited) and makes a steep climb up the Mount Marshall Trail to the Bluff Trail, which we descend to the overlook on the Big Devils Stairs Trail where we will eat lunch. After lunch, we will retrace our steps back to the cars.

Leader: Randy Wood 703 275-8334 (C)

Rating: A

Pace: Average pace 2.75 mph; faster on flat or downhill, slower on uphill

Carpools: Meet at the Centreville Park & Ride at 7:15am so all cars can depart by 7:30. Suggested carpool fee is $6. The leader will be at the carpool location. GPS Coordinates: 38.836038, -77.455371
https://maps.app.goo.gl/dw3isoCM89L1KxZe9
Driving time from carpool location to trailhead: 65-70 minutes

Trailhead: Meet at the Mount Marshall Trailhead at 8:45am. GPS Coordinates: 38.7478506,-78.1940236
https://goo.gl/maps/753g5eJebaxYAwMYA

Neither the Club nor the hike leaders are responsible for coordinating transportation to/from the trailhead. Hikers are not guaranteed to get a ride to the trailhead from the carpool location. Carpooling is organized by the participants and they participate at their own risk.

Park Entry Fee: $0.

Pets: Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with NVHC's dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy.

Map for hike: Big Devils Stairs on AllTrails
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/mount-marshall-loop-via-appalachian-trail-2b7b82a?u=i&sh=rr7xq6

You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, pace and elevation gain.

You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike.

This is about an 8 mile hike with ~100 feet of elevation gain in Algonkian Regional Park. We'll start on the Potomac Heritage Trail (PHT) and hike downstream on the PHT to the Algonkian Nature Sanctuary where we'll make a loop and then return to the start point. The Algonkian Regional Park Nature Sanctuary consists of 30+ acres of wetlands on Lowe's Island adjacent to the Potomac River. The wetlands are a unique part of the Potomac that supports a variety of flora and fauna including Bald Eagles.

There will be some hiking along the Potomac River, the golf course and recreation areas. We will start on the PHT near the parking lot at Volcano Island Waterpark in Algonkian Regional Park (GPS coordinates: 39.061784, -77.386796). Some of the hike is on trails, pavement and gravel road. We hike at a pace of 2.5 to 3.0 mph while moving.

Dogs are welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyhttps://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolic

Leader: Steve Frith cell 703-629-0174

Park Entry Fee: $0.00

Map for hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/algonkian-wildlife-sanctuary-steve-frith-41e7637?u=i&sh=iypgzx
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-january-31-2024-e5ae7b1?u=i&sh=iypgzx

You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike.

This is an A+ hike due to distance and elevation. PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE POST BEFORE RSVPING.

PLEASE NOTE: **** This is a VERY difficult hike and is only suitable for those who have recent experience hiking this distance and elevation gain. If I don’t know you, you MUST message me with 24 hours of signing up with a recent A+ hike you have done or a hike leader who can vouch for you. Otherwise, you will be moved to “Not Going”. ***

************* THE GOOD STUFF **************************

Join me on this beautiful and strenuous A+ hike of approximately 13.5ish miles and almost 3,000 feet of elevation. This is a longer version of the typical Little Devil Stairs Hike. We will start the hike from parking lot near the west end of Virginia Rte. 614 (Keyser Run Road). We will then go up Little Devil Stairs, make a right at the 4-way at the top, then cross Skyline Drive and get on the AT, where we'll be for a while. Then we’ll cross Skyline Drive again and then get on the Piney Branch Trail to the Hull School Trail, past the cemetery and back to our cars.

NOTE: There are multiple water crossings going up Little Devil Stairs (about 15) and they can be tricky if there is a lot of rain during the week. Please be prepared and bring boot covers or water shoes and hiking poles to help with balance.

*For those wishing to CARPOOL, the suggested carpool location is at the Centreville Park and Ride, 14700 Lee Highway, Centreville, VA. The driving time from there to the trailhead is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes (with no stop). Please arrive at the Park and Ride before 6:30 AM to form carpools so all cars can leave at 6:30 AM sharp. I WILL BE MEETING EVERYONE AT THE TRAILHEAD.

PLEASE NOTE: Neither the Club nor the hike leaders are responsible for coordinating transportation to/from the trailhead. Hikers are not guaranteed to get a ride to the trailhead from the carpool location. Carpooling is organized by the participants and participation is at your own risk. Suggested carpool fee: $7.00 per rider.

• Meet at the trailhead @ 7:45 am. We will start hiking at 8:00 am SHARP.
• TH Parking Coordinates: 38.73060,-78.25823
• Park entry fee: $0
• Carpool Fee: $7
• Distance: 13.5ish miles
• Elevation: Almost 3,000 feet
• Pace: 2.25 – 2.75 when moving. We will take short breaks at intersections and a regular lunch break.
• Terrain: Rocky, steep climb up Little Devil Stairs then another climb while on the AT and then a last climb late in the hike heading up to the cemetery. There are a lot of water crossings.
• Dogs are not allowed on this one

Bring: Adequate water, food/snacks, hat, basic first aid kit, map, tick spray, rain gear (depending), hiking poles, hiking shoes, water shoes or boot covers, additional pair of socks/liner in case your socks get wet

PLEASE PRINT OUT ANY MAPS YOU MAY NEED AS I DO NOT PROVIDE COPIES OF MAPS. ALL THE LINKS AND COORDINATES YOU WILL NEED ARE PROVIDED ABOVE.

All Trails MAP: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/little-devil-stairs-13-5-f19c44d

AND FINALLY!

1. Don't come if you’re not feeling well.
2. Avoid the most severe, unspeakable bad karma by CHANGING YOUR RSVP if you're not able to attend within a reasonable time - not hours before.
3. No complaining allowed :-)

For questions, message or call the hike leader:
Susan M. (703) 963-8939

You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike.

8.5 miles with 945 feet elevation gain.

We're going to enjoy the cooler weather spell and hike the Lost Mountain side of Sky Meadows State Park.

Sky Meadows State Park is rich in history, the park has rolling pastures and woodlands, scenic vistas and is also a working farm.

Description: Starting from Sky Meadows State Park visitors center parking area, we will combine several trails on our way to and from the Lost Mountain side of the park.

The pace will be about 2.5 mph.

Bring: at least 2 liters of water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas, and tree roots. Hiking poles if you use them. Insect repellant and sunscreen recommended.

Fee: The park fee is $10 unless you have a Virginia State Park Pass or use your REI purchase receipt parking coupon from a participating Virginia REI.
Provide your REI receipt to the contact station ranger or insert it in a self-pay envelope. If main entrance contact station is not staffed you must use the self-pay envelope provided at the gate and hang the stub on your rearview mirror.

Dogs are welcome. NVHC Dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy

CARPOOLING: For those who are looking to carpool, meet at the new Sheetz convenience store which is at Gainesville Park & Ride. Neither the Club nor the hike leader is responsible for coordinating transportation to/from the trailhead. Hikers are not guaranteed to get a ride to the trailhead from the carpool location. Carpooling is organized by the participants and they participate at their own risk. Suggested carpool fee: $3.00 per rider. Driving time from Gainesville Park & Ride to Sky Meadows is about 30 minutes. The Sheetz at Gainesville Park & Ride is located at 7201 New Stable Way, Gainesville. GPS 38.80182, -77.58866
Park across the road from Sheetz instead of in their parking lot.

Sky Meadows trail map link: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/document/data/trail-guide-skymeadows.pdf

NOTE: The hike starts at 9:00am at the parking lot at Sky Meadows State Park. If you are carpooling from Sheetz Gainesville Park & Ride, plan on leaving there by 8:15am.

Meeting Place Instructions: We are meeting at the parking lot closest to the Visitor Center GPS coordinates 38.991732, -77.966120

This parking lot is in front of the Mount Bleak House. There is an overflow parking lot in case the main parking lot is full.

Optional rehydration at a local winery TBD😃

Any questions please message me here or text/call me at 202-528-0456. If you text me please include your name.