Bears Den & Buzzard Hill (Rating: A)

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 trail isn’t a stairway to heaven—it’s a full-throttle highway to hell in hiking boots. Gear up, or get chewed up.

This hike is approximately 10 miles’ out and back with an elevation gain of approximately 3200 feet, featuring Bears Den and Buzzard Hill on AT. For every linear mile expect to climb average one eighth of vertical mile – start to finish. This is technically a full roller coaster without the luxury of first class shuttle service :-)

We meet at Snickers Gap parking lot at Rt.7 (on south of Rt.7) Refer the parking lot coordinate in the description below. Please be there at the trailhead parking by sharp 8.00 a.m. We will finish the sign up & el bano business and start the hike by 8.15 a.m.

Safety is paramount for all of us. Please bring hiking poles and wear proper hiking shoes to enjoy the trails safely. Please bring minimum 3 liters of water with some electrolytes, weather may get warm and humid and there’s no reliable water source or stream, so load up the water.

This hike is suitable for experienced, fit hikers who did similar distance/elevation in past few months. If this is your first hike with me please send a meetup message before sign-in so that we can review and decide. If you sign up for more than one hike for the same day please decide and free up the space for wait-listers. If you have ANY question about your ability to complete this hike, please contact me.

Need to know details:
Distance: 10 miles (approximately)
Elevation gain: 3200 feet (approximately)
Pace: 2 – 2.5 mph (average)
Terrain: Roller-coaster
Park entry fee: None
Carpool Fee: $4
Parking Lot Coordinates: 39.115548, -77.846511
Trail head parking lot meet up time: 8.00 a.m. ET.
Directions from Centreville P&R to Snickers Gap Trailhead: https://maps.app.goo.gl/CNj3Phku3PiqLfrq5
Driving time and distance from P&R to Trailhead parking: 45 minutes (approximately)
Dogs permitted in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Bring: Minimum 3 ltr water, food/snacks, hat, layers, basic first aid kit, map, rain gear (depending), hiking poles, hiking shoe, water shoe, additional pair of socks/liner (to protect feet from water, if needed) and your big happy smile 😊.
Quiz: At snacks/lunch stop we can have 3 quizzes related to this hike and the correct answer wins the prize 😊 😊
Thanks: To the teams, individuals and volunteers who contributes to keep the trails safe, beautiful and updates the portals to keep the trail data up to date which helps fellow hikers.
Any questions? Message or text me! Looking forward to this awesome hike,
Saran
(848) 248-0555