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** revised route 11/1/25 4:50 pm**
Both hikes are challenging ones, especially the Long. Both long and moderate hikes will travel on the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering three impressive views (Mary's Rock, Pinnacles, and Stony Man Cliffs).

Bothe Long hikers and Moderate hikers. Both hikes will ascend the Meadow Springs Trail to the Appalachian Trail (AT). Long and Moderate hikers will do a quick out and back on the AT North/South enjoying a spectacular brief view from Mary's Rock. Then hikers will proceed back down on the AT South and continue enjoying numerous beautiful views going over Pinnacles to Corbin cuttoff.
Here The moderate hikers will continue on ridgeline finishing along the AT shortly after the lower Stony Man Cliffs at skyland.
Long hikers will descend Corbin Cuttoff trail To the Corbin Cabin then bear right to ascend on the Nicholson hollow trail, cross skyline drive and rejoin the moderate hike near the hughes river overlook and continue to stonyman and Skyland

An easy option is also available to do the AT starting at Jewell Hollow Parking area and continuing to Skyland. Which
Can easilyt be extended

Estimated Metrics for the scheduled hikes:
Long - 11.7 miles/ 3200 ascent/ 2400 descent
Moderate - 9 miles /2400 ascent / 1550 descent
Easy -4.6 miles / 1150 ascent / 820 descent

OPTIONS for customizing your hike -

  • Either Moderate or Long hike can omit the out/back to Mary's Rock and save about 1.15 mi. and 300 ft. elevation.
  • Either hike can add an optional Stony Man Summit ascent for an additional 0.5-1.0 mi.

PATC Map 10. Fare: $33 plus park passes.

VA Hikes

  • DC: Near 17th and K St. NW downtown (east side of Farragut Square). Bus leaves at 8 a.m. SHARP, so it's essential to arrive well before 8 am.
  • Vienna Metro: NORTH parking lot, last bus shelter (Nutley St. Exit off Interstate 66 on North/Vienna side of I-66) at approximately 8:25 a.m. Park at 9486 Virginia Center Blvd, Vienna, VA 22181
  • Caution: The "south" parking lot also has bus shelters. If by 8:15, you're not with a group of Wanderbirds hikers, you may be in the south lot. There's a walkway that passes the fare gates over I-66 to the north lot.

RESERVATIONS
Wanderbirds Hiking Club is a 501(c)(7) non-profit, and the public is invited on all hiking trips. Reservations are accepted as late as Saturday, but reserving as early in the week as possible helps ensure your spot and prevent cancellation of the hike due to low sign-ups. RSVP through Meetup and pay through PayPal. Please be sure your RSVP gives your full name and phone number and where you'll be boarding the bus.
FIRST-TIME HIKERS
If you're a first-time hiker with us, please notify the leaders in advance so they can make sure you have the info you need. Hikers must be able to keep a 2-mph pace. New hikers are required to first complete a moderate hike.
Liability Waiver: Many of our hikes take place in remote wilderness areas where cell phone service is not available. Any person participating in any Club activity is responsible for their own safety, health and welfare, and must assume all risks and liabilities related to all Club activities. The Club, its hike leaders, hike sweeps, officers, and other representatives are not liable for any injuries, losses, or damage to persons, children, pets, and/or property, arising from any trips or activities of the Club. You are responsible for bringing enough water, food, and first aid supplies, including those for your personal medical conditions.
CANCELLATION POLICY
To cancel and receive a full bus hike refund, less a $5 processing fee, you must change your RSVP to "No" on Meetup before NOON on the Friday before the hike. If you change your RSVP after noon on the Friday before the hike, no refunds will be issued.
Cancellations to Metro/carpool/trailhead hikes will not issue a financial refund, but hiker must change their Meetup RSVP to NO so that leaders do not wait for them at the trailhead.
COVID PRECAUTIONS
Anyone experiencing symptoms of upper respiratory illness should not attend the event.
MORE DETAILS -- SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE

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