Sky Meadows State Park - Special Event (Rating: D Fun!)

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.

Join us for the 2nd U.S./9th Union Cavalry Living History Demonstration

Step back into Civil War cavalry history at Sky Meadows State Park.
Visitors will have the chance to view and experience a Union cavalry camp, complete with A-frame tents, a working picket line, historic replica equipment and live horses. Enjoy exploring the camp and chat with interpreters followed by a cavalry training exhibition, black-powder firing, and meet and greet with the horses. This will be a great opportunity to see how the Civil War cavalry lived and trained.

Description: We will do a short 4 mile hike (360 ft elevation gain) on a few back trails before the event begins to get warmed up. After the hike, we can tour the camp and then get ready for the demonstration which is scheduled to start at 11:00am.

The pace will be about 2.5 mph.

Bring: Adequate water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas, and tree roots. Hiking poles if you use them.

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: $4.00 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.
Please DM or text me if you plan on meeting at the carpool location.

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.