Camping

You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, [https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf](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. **9 miles with 922 feet of elevation gain.** ***Shenandoah River State Park Bluebell Festival*** **Description:** A very scenic hike in the forest of Shenandoah River State Park and along the shore of the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. In addition to the meandering river frontage, the park offers scenic views of Massanutten Mountain to the west and Shenandoah National Park to the east. We will combine several trails in the Park to make a nice loop. We will visit a couple of nice overlooks, one of which we stop at for lunch. **We will enjoy the Bluebells which should be blooming nicely and check out the Bluebell Festival celebration at the end of the hike!** [https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/event?id=2024-11-04-15-28-14-229412-wjn](https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/event?id=2024-11-04-15-28-14-229412-wjn) The pace will be about 2.5 mph. The elevation gain on this hike is pretty much spread out over the course of the hike. You should be experienced at this distance and elevation gain. There are restrooms at the overflow parking area (where we start) as well as at the Visitor Center. **Bring:** adequate water/hydration (at least 2 liters), also snacks/lunch, and insect repellent, sun screen. The route is mostly level with some rolling hills and there are no stream crossings. Some sections may get muddy after heavy rains. I recommend sturdy hiking shoes there are areas of the trail with tree roots. **Fee:** $10.00 park entrance fee (no fee for state park pass holders) 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 and hang the tab on your rearview mirror. **Dogs:** Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. [https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy](https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy) **CARPOOLING:** For those who are looking to carpool, meet at University Blvd - Gainesville Park and Ride and plan to leave at 7:20am to arrive at the trailhead in time to get signed in and start hiking at 8:30am. I'm starting the hike a little early to accommodate getting parking ahead of the festival start. **A new Sheetz has opened in the Park & Ride, this would be a good meeting point. New Stable Way, directly across from the Sheetz store.** **GPS 38.801119, -77.589532** 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 Shenandoah River State Park is about 50 minutes. **NOTE:** ***The times listed for the hike include starting and finishing at Gainesville Park & Ride.*** ***If you are going directly to the trailhead at Shenandoah River State Park the times will be 8:30am-12:30pm.*** Meet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to be signed in and get ready to hike at 8:30am. The gate at the contact station opens at 8:00am. Shenandoah River State Park Info: [https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/shenandoah-river](https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/shenandoah-river) Shenandoah River State Park address is: 350 Daughter of Stars Dr., Bentonville, VA **Directions to Shenandoah River State Park.** Trailhead GPS coordinates 38.86284, -78.30555 From Northern Virginia, take I-66 West to exit 13 (Linden). Turn left off the ramp. Go one block to a stoplight where you'll take a right onto Rt. 55 West. At the fifth stoplight, turn left onto 340 South. Drive eight miles; the park's entrance is on the right. About 50 minutes drive time from Gainesville Park & Ride. Any questions, please message meus here or text/call @ 202-528-0456

You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, [https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf](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 9 mile out and back hike along the Appalachian Trail with a 1,700 foot elevation gain in the Shenandoa National Park. We'll go out about 4.5 miles to a neat viewpoint, have lunch/snack, and then return the way we came. Speed: Our pace will vary between 2 and 2.5 mph. The trail is well maintained and not very rocky. Hike map: [https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/virginia/mount-marshall-via-the-appalacian-trail?mobileMap=false&ref=sidebar-static-map](https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/virginia/mount-marshall-via-the-appalacian-trail?mobileMap=false&ref=sidebar-static-map) GPS Coordinates for trailhead: 38.80719, -78.18102 Entry to Shenandoa National Park costs $30.00 per car unless you have a park pass. Leader: Dick Pregent 703-587-2359 Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. [https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy](https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy) For those wishing to carpool, the suggested carpool location is at the Centerville P&R. The driving time from there to the trailhead is about 1 hour. Please arrive at the Park and Ride a few minutes before 7:30 AM to form carpool so all cars can leave at 7:30 AM. Hike leader will not be at the carpool location. Please arrive at the trailhead 15 minutes before 9:00 AM so we can get everyone signed in. We will start hiking promptly at 9:00 AM. Suggested carpool fee is $5. PLEASE NOTE: 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.

You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, [https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf ](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. **13 miles with 2000 ft. elevation gain for both sides.** **There will be an option for a B or C hike depending on your preference if you only want to do the main side.** **Description:** Sky Meadows State Park is rich in history, the park has rolling pastures and woodlands, scenic vistas and is also a working farm. The park also has access to the Appalachian Trail which we will hike our way up to. Starting from Sky Meadows State Park visitors center parking area, we will combine several trails including the James Ball, Hadow, South Ridge, North Ridge Trails,, a portion of the Appalachian Trail and the Ambassador Whitehouse Trail. There a some nice scenic overlooks including the Paris, VA overlook where we will take a break before returning back down to the visitor center. At this point you will have the option to to complete the C level hike. Most of the elevation gain is when we ascend to the top of the ridge to the AT. After finishing the main side of the park we will make our way to the Lost Mountain side and complete that section before returning to the parking lot. B level hikers will have the option to return shortly after that point and before continuing on to Lost Mountain. The pace will be about 2.5 mph, slower uphill. Completing both sides is very close to an A+ hike, so make sure you are physically up to it. Any questions, let me know. **Bring:** At least 2-3 liters of water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas, and tree roots. Recommend insect repellent and sunscreen. Hiking poles if you normally 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](https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy) **CARPOOLING:** For those who are looking to carpool, meet at University Blvd - Gainesville Park and Ride and plan to leave at 8:15am to arrive at the trailhead in time to get signed in and start hiking at 9am. **A new Sheetz has opened in the Park & Ride, this would be a good meeting point. New Stable Way, directly across from the Sheetz store.** **GPS 38.801119, -77.589532** Sky Meadows trail map link: [https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/document/data/trail-guide-skymeadows.pdf](https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/document/data/trail-guide-skymeadows.pdf) **NOTE: The hike starts at 9am at the parking lot at Sky Meadows State Park. If you are carpooling from Gainesville Park and Ride plan on leaving there by 8:15am.** **Meeting Place Instructions: We are meeting at the parking lot closest to the Visitor Center where the hike starts GPS coordinates 38.991732, -77.966120** This parking lot is in front of the Mount Bleak House. You may want to arrive early to secure a parking spot. *Optional post hike rehydration TBD😊* Any questions please message me here or text/call me at 202-528-0456. If you text me please include your name.

UPDATE: Here is the CalTopo track (thanks, Vinay!): https://caltopo.com/m/PD2AAFC/SSC7R007HN4A781U Let’s just stay in the “neighborhood” next month. I considered backpacking another segment of West Virginia’s Allegheny Trail, but it is too far to drive and set up a shuttle for an ordinary weekend. I’ll save it for Memorial Day weekend in May. But don’t let the “neighborhood" tag fool you. This 36 mile loop features 3,700 feet of climbing Saturday and 2,400 Sunday. If you’ve been getting soft during these cold winter weeks, you’ll feel this one! (I’ve given this trip the “neighborhood” title because it is in our “backyard” and because it goes over Neighbor Mountain. Ok. I’ve had funnier trip titles . . .) **FRIDAY**: We’ll meet at the Vienna Metro at 5:00 p.m. to park at Thornton Gap. https://maps.app.goo.gl/1wd8gzfJnYSXh2v87DC We’ll hike 1.5 miles north on the Appalachian Trail to camp at the Pass Mtn. Hut. It will be 1.5 miles. **SATURDAY**: We’ll hike north on the AT, turn left on the Neighbor Mtn Trail, turn right on the Jeremy’s Run Trail back to the AT, continuing north to the Gravel Springs Hut. It will be 22 miles. **SUNDAY:** We’ll hike south on the AT to Keyser Run Rd to Pole Link Bridge Trail to Piney Branch Trail to Hull School Trail to Rocky Branch Trail back to the AT south to Thornton Gap. It will be 15 miles. **DC ULers have maps!:** https://store.avenza.com/products/shenandoah-national-park-north-district-patc-map-9-edition-20-potomac-appalachian-trail-club-inc-map?queryID=undefined&objectID=44993907359900 I can also email you a .gpx track if you request. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-**THE IMPORTANT WARNINGS**\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- I’m just a co-participant on this trip, not a guide or an expert. I’ve been hiking with DCUL since 2017 but have no special training, such as organizational, medical, or navigational.
You are officially on the trip if you both RSVP on Meetup, we engage by email, text, or the app, and you meet me at the Metro. Otherwise, you are doing your own trip until you make physical contact with me and I recognize you as a co-participant. I’m open to questions. By RSVPing to this trip or any other DCUL trip, you agree to these guidelines and to DCUL's waiver liability terms (https://dculbackpacking.com/about/liability-waiver/) COVID-19 policy: https://dculbackpacking.com/about/covid-19-guidelines/ Dues: Members and above, don't forget to pay your annual dues. You can check if you need to pay dues by seeing if the current year is listed next to your name in your DCUL profile. To pay your dues via PayPal, use this link: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JenniferAdach/15 ($10 annual dues plus a $5 suggested donation to City Kids Wilderness Project.)