SNP Sugarloaf Blooms 5 Mi 1120 Ft Moderate Hike

This hike offers a great view and spring flowering bushes in the north district Shenandoah National Park. Floral highlights to be on the lookout for are the incredibly fragrant wild azalea and blooming a bit later, the pale pink to white, star-shaped clusters of mountain laurel. This 5 mile loop has about 1100 ft of elevation gain. We'll break at a viewpoint along the Appalachian Trail for snack/lunch. The trail is rocky in parts and there are small, mostly rock hop water crossings. We typically hike about 2.0 mph when moving. However, we leave no one behind and will move at a pace that is comfortable to all.

Hike Route: **https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/sugarloaf-loop-via-appalachian-trail**

RSVP: RSVP to register for this hike. If your plans change, update your RSVP (at least 2 days before the hike if possible) to open a spot for another hiker. This request applies to hikers on the Waitlist as well. RSVPs close at 6 PM the evening before the hike.

Time to Meet: Please meet 15-20 min prior to hike start for introductions and liability waiver sign in.

Meeting Location/Parking: Meet at the Piney River parking area on Skyline Drive Milepost 22. Entrance is across the street from the Matthews Arm campground.

GPS 38.75057, -78.29420

Group Size: 20 hikers

Facilities: No restroom available at trailhead. A vault toilet is located at nearby Elkwallow picnic ground. Flush toilets at Elkwallow Wayside are only open when the Wayside is open.

Park Admission: **Park fee or pass. https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/fees.htm**

Contact Information**: Please use the comments feature for comments and questions. The hike leader is Lisa Peterson.**

Hike Cancellation**: In the unlikely event that the hike needs to be cancelled, hikers will be notified through comments on this posting. Please check Meetup for updates, minimally the evening before the hike.**

What to Bring: Water at least two liters, emergency contact information, medications, snacks/meal, insect repellent, sunscreen/protection from weather, and personal first aid. Trekking poles if you use them (especially helpful for stream crossings), sturdy hiking footwear and an extra pair of socks in case of wet feet.

Please leave pets at home. Thanks!

PATC

• To find out more about PATC, click here.
• Consider becoming a member of PATC. To join, click here.

Attendance is limited at the discretion of our hike leaders. PATC rules do not permit children under 18 years to participate in a hike without a parent or guardian present.