VA/WV: Bucktail-Halfmoon Loop

No advanced MTB skills required. If you are comfortable backpacking and riding a mountain bike, you'll be fine. Some commuter panniers might not be up to the vibration of unpaved trails. Strap a bag on your handlebars. A seatpost pack is nice. I got an Ortlieb at REI for about $130. Revelate makes good stuff. But you don't have to have one. Put whatever else you need to camp in a 30- to 70-L overnight backpack. Here's a pic of a set-up that I use:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/DkFtjiYX6MSbBmo6A

Friday, April 23 at 7:00 pm.
Meet at the Bucktail parking area in the George Washington National Forest. This is just under 4 miles SW of Wardensville, WV. See the location tab below this description box.
Ride SE for about 1000' on the trail. Then follow it N to NE for maybe a mile. There's a wide flat camping area on the left that will accommodate numerous tents. We camp here.

Saturday, April 24 at 9:00 am.
We can decide to keep camp set up here or pack up and camp somewhere else for Saturday night. The route is a loop, so we will be coming back this way. If you are worried about your gear encumbering you on the trail, keeping camp set up here will be a good idea.

Continue NE then SW on Bucktail for 2.8 miles.
Pedal SSE on Bucktail Trail Road for 1200'.
Walk bikes SSE then SW 0.8 miles up German Wilson Trail.
Pedal WSW 0.3 miles on Halfmoon Lookout Trail to the lookout.
Pedal back 0.8 miles on Halfmoon Lookout Trail.
Pedal N to W to SW 3.8 miles on Halfmoon trail. This is a very fun descent down a single track that requires only rudimentary MTB experience. Enough of a grade to be fun but not too steep. Much of the trail opens up to double track.
Pedal NW on Bucktail Cutoff Trail. This starts single track but widens to double. It will ultimately take us back to the trailhead. Total mileage: 12.6

Here is a website that summarizes this route. It includes links to trail maps: https://sites.google.com/site/bradleehess/mountain-bike-packing

Check the weather for Wardensville, WV.
Bring a mask. We will maintain distance but trail traffic, campfires, or trouble-shooting situation might force us to stay in proximity where a wearing a mask would be de rigeur.

If you ride a lot, covering 12.6 miles will seem like not very much distance. If you want to ride more, there are plenty of trails you can venture out on alone or with others from the group.

But the group is committed just to the 12.6 mile loop.

Plenty of ride options for the balance of Saturday and for Sunday morning before heading back home.

==============
You are solely responsible for your wellness while participating in any PePaH Campers group activities. You agree that you will NOT hold anyone in the group responsible for any injuries, mishaps, or any other situations that may arise in conjunction with a PePaH Campers activity.

You acknowledge that there are risks associated with participation in the activity.

You agree that you are solely responsible for:

1. Providing your own gear suitable for the planned activity.

2. Knowing how to properly use your gear in any conditions that may arise in the course of the activity.

3. Knowing your physical and psychological limits and participating within those limits.

4. Being fully prepared for medical emergencies, gear failures, and weather situations that may happen in the course of the activity.

5. Providing to the group's activity leader mobile phone and/or email contact information of a person you wish to be contacted in case of emergency.

6. Providing to the group's activity leader your mobile phone and email contact information.

7. Notifying other group members if you do not wish to have your photograph posted on any MeetUp site or other social media site.

Your attendance on any organized event signifies that you have read and accepted the terms of this liability waiver.