Laurel Run-Hidden Falls (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.

You must be experienced with hikes of this distance, elevation gain, and pace. This hike is just shy of an A+ hike.

This is a strenuous 10 mile hike with 3000' elevation gain in the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests. The hike begins on the Laurel Run trail which will ascend to the top of Great North Mountain. We then take a left and follow the ridge on the North Mountain Trail with several overlooks. We descend on the Falls Ridge trail then on an unofficial trail to a beautiful hidden waterfall where we will have lunch. The trail down to the falls is quite steep, and there is a brief scramble to reach the base of the falls. I suggest poles as it may be tricky to negotiate with the fallen leaves. Then we retrace our steps with a 1000' climb to the Stack Rock trail and take the Laurel Run Spur trail (.8 mile road walk) back to the cars. We hike at a 2.5 mph when moving.

Dogs are not recommended because of the scramble near the base of the falls. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy

Carpools: Meet at the Centreville Park and Ride at 7:15am. Drive time to trailhead about 90 minutes. Suggested carpool fee is $10. Trailhead parking is limited so carpooling is recommended. The leader will be at the carpool location. GPS Coordinates: 38.836038, -77.455371

Meet at the Laurel Run trailhead by 9:00am, GPS Coordinates: 38.902889, -78.732754, park on the side of the road near the yellow gate.

In the event the gate at FR252 is closed, the alternative parking is just before the gate. This will add about 3 miles to the hike. The gates are scheduled to be open, but with the recent staffing cuts, we may encounter a closed gate.

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.

Park Entry Fee: $0
Rating: A
Written Map for hike.
Alltrails: Hidden Falls

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