Orkney Springs (Rating: A)
Details
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 a 11 mile hike with 2200' elevation gain in the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests (http://www.fs.usda.gov/gwj).
The hike begins at the beautiful little town of Orkney Springs, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orkney_Springs,_Virginia.
We will leave the parking lot and walk to the trail behind and above Shrine Mont (Conference Center and Retreat) and then ascend to the ridge to the North Mountain Trail which is the borderline of VA and WVA. We will follow the North Mountain Trail north until we stop for lunch. We will retrace our steps, reach the Orkney Springs Trail and descend back to Orkney Springs.
Most of these trails are not well maintained so expect occasional blowdowns, some brambles, possible Mountain Laurel and rocky terrain on ascent and descent.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Park Entry Fee: $0
Leader: Ed Brimberg 703-944-9920 (C)
Carpools: Meet at the Centreville Park and Ride by 7:15am we leave promptly at 7:30am. The leader will be at the carpool location. Suggested carpool fee is $11. GPS Coordinates: 38.836038, -77.455371, https://goo.gl/maps/hc3LRG7Hsy2wMJs18
If you are meeting at the Orkney Springs Trailhead be there at 9:00am hike will start at 9:15am. GPS Coordinates: 38.793826, -78.815128 https://maps.app.goo.gl/Hm1opmaVx7HUonZx5. Meet at the parking lot behind the old hotel (Virginia House) in Orkney Springs.
Driving Time to trailhead from carpool location: 1 hour, 30 minutes.
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.
AllTrails Map for hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-fdc42b6-9?u=i&sh=7cs7ov
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance and elevation gain.
There is significant uphill climb starting at the one mile mark. The climb is 1300' in 1.5 miles.