Bears Den and Raven Rocks Winter Hike (Rating: B)

REQUIRED: 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 6.5 mile out-and back hike on the "roller coaster" section of the Appalachian Trial (AT) near Bluemont, VA, a convenient 45 minutes from Arlington-McLean, featuring one of the prettiest sections of the AT and a beautiful view of Catoctin Valley eastward from the summit of Raven Rocks. This is a B hike with A+ elements and a total elevation gain of about 2000 feet The hike is expected to take about 4.5 hours to complete.

We will start by going south on the AT to the summit at Bears Den, where we will get a splendid view of the Shenandoah Valley looking westward. We'll then backtrack to the parking lot, cross Rte 7 and turn north towards Raven Rocks. This leg of the hike part has rocky footing and 4 tough ascents that will pose a problem for inexperienced hikers. We will hike at a pace of 2.0-2.5 mph while moving, but we'll take stops as necessary to make everyone comfortable. The prime scenic area is the summit at Raven Rocks, where we will stop for lunch. You will be rewarded for your effort. We will then backtrack to the parking lot on Route 7 .

We meet at Snickers Gap Appalachian Trailhead parking lot (39.115718588736115, -77.84674599970691). It’s at the intersection of Rt.7 and Blue Ridge mountain road. If you are driving towards west on Rt.7 then the parking lot is on your LEFT (south side of road). Refer the parking lot coordinate in the map below. Note that it is NOT the parking lot at the trailhead on the right side of Rt 7 driving west, which has limited spaces and fills early. We will walk as a group about 200 yards from the parking lot and across Rt 7 to get to the Raven Rocks trailhead.

The hike will start at 9:00 AM after introductions and a brief chat about the hike. Please arrive 15 minutes in advance so you can get all your gear sorted out and we can get hiking as close as possible to 9:00 am. Please bring a liter of water, snacks/lunch, and a first aid kit. Dress appropriately for the weather and wear hiking shoes or other rugged footwear. Poles are always a good idea on the rocky terrain, especially on the descents. The hike will be weather dependent – no rain. Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy

Neither the Club nor the hike leaders are responsible for coordinating transportation to/from the trailhead. Carpooling is organized by the participants and they participate at their own risk.

Trail map for the northern leg of the trip—https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/raven-rocks-via-appalachian-trail

You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, terrain and elevation gain. This hike is suitable for experienced, fit hikers who have done similar ones in past few months. Though the total distance is single digit, this hike can be challenging with steep climbs up and down. If you have ANY question about your ability to complete this hike, please contact me.

Leader: Scott H (703-431-3010)