Rating
of hikes based on elevation and terrain. Easy: less than 1,000 ft elevation
gain. Intermediate: less than 2,000 ft elevation gain. Strenuous:
2,000+ ft elevation gain. Rating may vary with weather and terrain. For advice,
consult the leader at the phone number provided.
Where park fee is indicated, holders of National Park passes are not charged,
but must have passes available. Others pay $5.00 park entrance fee December
through February, and $8.00 March through November, in addition to bus fare.
Senior, and annual passholders may have up to three guests. This rule often
allows the bus to enter the park free, unless too few passholders are on the
bus. Frequent hikers are strongly urged to obtain a National Park Pass:
Shenandoah National Park: $30 yearly; Interagency Pass to all National Parks
and Forests: $80 yearly. Senior pass: Aged 62 and above, $10 for life. You
may purchase a pass when our bus enters the park.
Note: Easy Option denotes hikes that
have optional hikes less than 7 miles and 500 feet elevation gain. Fares
are $20 (members), $25 (non-members). When
we use car-pools, the club charges a $5.00 administrative fee and car-pool
passengers pay drivers $10.00 to defray expenses.
March 17. Roller Coaster-AT, Frogtown to Ashby Gap VA. This
fabulously wild hike gets its name from its almost continuous ups and
downs. Moderate hikers start at the intersection of VA Rte. 604 and
605 (Frogtown), walk up Rte. 605, and turn south onto the A-T. The hike
will end at the trail's junction with Route 50 (Ashby Gap). Long hikers
begin at a little-used connecting trail to the A-T behind the Ebenezer
Church on Rte. 604 to a point about two miles north of Snickers Gap.
From this point, long hikers proceed south on the A-T to Ashby Gap.
Est. miles: 12.2 (strenuous) and 8.5 (strenuous). PATC Map 8. Fare:
$20/25. Leaders: Mike Ollinger (301) 933-2196 and Anna Oldak (301) 528-2399.
(VA)
March 24. Substitute hike, due to poor conditions on originally
scheduled hike. AT around Manassas Gap, High Knob, Bear Hollow
and Thompson Wildlife Management Area, VA. Long hike (estimate 11.5
miles and about 2000 feet, intermediate-strenuous) Starts on the Ridge
on 688. Passes Manassas Shelter and descend to Manassas Gap (725) Parking
area Cross Route 55 and ascend to High knob, before descending past
Zoo area and ending on Route 522. Moderate hike (estimate 8 miles and
about 1800 feet, intermediate) Starts at Route 55 and ascends to High
knob, before descending past Zoo area and ending on Route 522. PATC
Map 9. Fare: $20/25. Leaders: Annetta DePompa (410) 535-5171 and Antonia
Curiel (301) 656-9169. (VA)
March 31. Little Devils Stairs, SNP, VA. Long hikers start at
Little Hogback Overlook and proceed along the AT, the Piney Ridge, Fork
Mountain, and Hull School Trails to the Keyser Run Fire Road and the
bottom of the Stairs, crossing Piney River along the way. After climbing
the Stairs, they return to the bus at Little Hogback Overlook (total
climb about 2000 ft). Moderate hikers also begin at Little Hogback Overlook
and take the AT, Keyser Run Fire Road, and Pole Bridge Link Trail to
the Piney Branch Trail, which is followed down to the Hull School Trail.
They then take the Hull School Trail and Keyser Run Fire Road to the
beginning of the Little Devils Stairs Trail, where they start the long,
hard climb up the Stairs to the Keyser Run Fire Road, on which the climb
is continued to the AT. The AT is then taken to the bus and cool drinks
at Little Hogback Overlook. Est. miles: 11.4 (strenuous) and 9 (strenuous).
PATC Map 9. Fare: $20/25. Leaders: Jim and Lorie Fitzsimmons (703) 465-9022.
(VA)
April 6 (new date). (Saturday) Annual Dinner (members only),
5:30 -8:30 pm, Hamburger Hamlet, 1750 Crystal Square Arcade, Arlington,
VA 22202. Dinner served at 6 pm. Location is near the Crystal City Metro
station. There is abundant parking. Cost: $15 + cash bar. The club is
partially subsidizing the dinner, which has choices of entrees, including
vegetarian options. Only 60 spots available; reserve and pay by March
23 (email Elisa Braver at elisa.braver@wanderbirds.org
or call her at (202) 248-2171. Map link: http://goo.gl/maps/DPyR2
April 7. Bull Run - Occoquan (Bluebell), Fairfax Co, VA. This
hike follows the eastern bank of Bull Run upstream past a hemlock gorge
and several vast tracts shaped by beaver activity. We have timed the
hike for peak blooming of Virginia bluebells and trout lily and many
other wild flowers that are profuse on the moist river banks. Both hikes
end at Bull Run Regional Park. Long hikers take a 12-mile hike starting
at Bull Run Marina on Old Yates Ford Road. Moderate hikers take an 8-mile
hike starting at Hemlock Overlook Regional Park. Est. miles: 12 (intermediate)
and 8 (easy). Extra-long option available with leaders' permission,
to start at Fountainhead Regional Park. Map: Trail map published by
Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority. Fare: $20/25. Leaders: Vera
Holovchenko (214) 289-9993 and Tatiana Metody (202) 488-4846. (VA)
April 14. Old Rag Mountain, SNP, VA. Today hikers scramble over
giant boulders and crawl through narrow tunnels, before reaching the
ragged mountaintop. All hikers start at Nethers. Long hikers follow
the Ridge Trail to the top of the mountain and return to Nethers on
the Saddle Trail and the Weakley Hollow Fire Rd. Moderate hikers do
an up-and-back to the summit, on the Saddle Trail. (The long hike is
shorter than the moderate hike.) Est. miles: 9.2 (strenuous) and 10.8
(strenuous). PATC Map 10. Fare $20/25 plus park fee. Leaders: Kathleen
Martin (202) 547-0302 and JB Bourne (240) 432-8840. (VA)
April 21. Tuckahoe State Park, Eastern Shore, MD. This hike starts
and ends near Adkins Arboretum, which is dedicated to preserving plants
native to the Delmarva Peninsula. Both moderate and long hikers skirt
Tuckahoe Lake and Tuckahoe Creek. The area teems with owls, heron, turtles,
etc. -- sometimes even river otter! Interested hikers can see native
plants at the Adkins Arboretum. Est. miles: 10 (easy) and 8 (easy).
Tuckahoe State Park Map, MD-DNR. Fare: $20/25. Leaders: Emil Friberg
(202) 812-8990 and Marsha Johnston (619) 855-0669. (MD). Easy Option.
April 28. Trillium Hike, Thompson WMA, VA. This visit to our
country's largest concentration of giant white trillium (in full bloom)
is a Wanderbirds tradition. The short driving distance and relatively
moderate hiking gives hikers a chance to leisurely take photos and forage
for morels. Moderate hikers start at Parking Area #5 on Route 638 and
take the Verlin Smith Trail. They immediately encounter one of several
huge stands of trilliums. Hikers then take the Appalachian Trail north,
passing more trillium, and descend to Sky Meadows parking area via the
Ambassador-Whitehouse Trail with its commanding views of the Virginia
Piedmont. Long hikers start at Rt. 55 and ascend the AT, passing the
Manassas Gap shelter. After a few miles on the AT, they encounter the
famous trillium stands and follow the moderate hike to Sky Meadows parking.
Est. miles: 11.5 (strenuous) and 8.5 (intermediate). PATC Map 8. Fare:
$20/25. Leaders: Michael Roehm (301) 223-7385 and Debbie Wallace (301)
318-1526. (VA)
May 5. Rose River Loop, Dark Hollow Falls, and Lewis Spring Falls
Trails, SNP, VA. Long hikers begin at the upper Hawksbill parking
lot and follow Skyland Big Meadow Horse Trail. They go left at the junction
with Rose River Loop Trail, and follow it and Dark Hollow Falls Trail.
At Dark Hollow Falls parking lot, they follow the drive south to Lewis
Spring Road. They take Lewis Spring Falls Trail down to view the falls
and then up to the AT north to Fishers Gap Overlook and the bus. Moderate
hikers start at Fishers Gap and cross the drive to Rose River Loop and
Dark Hollow Falls Trails, and follow the path of the long hikers to
Lewis Spring Road. Here they follow the AT north or follow the long
hikers to Lewis Falls and then the AT north. Est. miles: 11.5 (strenuous)
and 8 (strenuous). PATC Map 10. Fare: $20/25 plus park fee. Leaders:
Annetta DePompa (410) 535-5171 and Antonia Curiel (301) 656-9169. (VA)
May 12. AT, Snowy Mountain, PA to Pen Mar, MD. Long Hikers start
at route 233 and ascend Snowy Mountain, pass Buzzard Peak, and continue
on the AT south to Pen Mar. Moderate hikers begin at Old Forge Road,
and also take the AT south to Pen Mar. Estimated miles: 13 (strenuous)
and 8.4 (intermediate). PATC Map 4. Fare: $20/25. Leaders: Austin Doyle
(202) 248-2171 and Beatriz Prieto-Oramas (646) 436-5701. (MD)
May 19. Doyle's River and Jones Run Loops, SNP, VA. Today's hikes
are clockwise loops. All hikers start at Brown's Gap and go north on
the AT. After a short distance, long hikers turn left to complete Big
Run Loop. Moderate hikers continue on the AT to Big Run Overlook, where
long hikers rejoin them. All hikers turn right to descend Doyle River
Trail and then ascend Jones Run Trail. At the AT, they turn right to
return to Brown's Gap, thus completing the loops. Est. miles: 10.7 (strenuous)
and 8 (intermediate). PATC map 11. Fare: $20/25 plus park fee or pass.
Leaders: Jim Fitzsimmons (703) 465-9022 and George Saxton (703) 243-8284.
(VA)
May 26. Halfmoon Mountain, Great North Mountain, WV. This hike
has outstanding views of Trout Run Valley and Wilson Cove. Both hikes
start from Trout Run Valley Road and involve circuits on Halfmoon Mountain.
Long hikers take the Bucktail Trail to the Capon Trail, go along Waite's
Run Road, and ascend the German Wilson and Halfmoon Trails to reach
the Halfmoon Lookout to enjoy the views and watch hawks. They then descend
the Halfmoon and Bucktail Cutoff Trails to reach Trout Run Valley Road
and the bus. Moderate hikers follow Bucktail Trail, ascend German Wilson
Trail, and continue on the path of the long hikers. This includes spectacular
Halfmoon Lookout. Est. 12.5 (strenuous) and 9 (intermediate). PATC Map
F. Fare: $20/25. Leaders: Robert Holley (703) 239-0131 and Chris Bublitz
(301) 588-4153. (VA)
June 2. Prince William Forest, Quantico, VA. All hikers start
near the Visitor Center. Moderate hikers make a loop following Laurel
Trail, North Valley, Lake One Rd, Mary Bird Branch, Old Black Top Rd,
Taylor Farm Rd, South Valley and Laurel Trail. Long hikers follow a
loop consisting of the following trails: Laurel Trail, North Valley,
Burma Road, Taylor Farm Road, High Meadows, South Valley, and Laurel
Trail. Est. miles: 12.5 (intermediate) and 8.5 (easy). Map: Prince William
Forest Park web site. Fare: $20/25. Leaders: Jesse Buckwalter (443)
852-4094 and Pat Fairfax (703) 328-1501. (VA)
June 9. Tuscarora Trail, Jemima-Hawk Section, WV. Long hikers
walk up CR 23/1 and turn right to follow the Tuscarora Trail south.
They pass the grave of Jemima for whom this section of the trail is
named and traverse Hawk Recreational Area. They then ascend Great North
Mountain and follow a ridge top to the end of the hike on route 55.
Moderate hikers access the Tuscarora Trail by walking up Capon Springs
Road and follow the path of the long hikers. Est. miles: 11.5 (intermediate)
and 8 (intermediate). PATC Maps F and L. Fare: $20/25. Leaders: Peng
Yu (202) 596-4412 and Norbert Sinnott (703) 379-9791. (VA)
June 16. Stephens, Massanutten, and Kennedy Peak Trails, GWNF, VA.
Circuit hike. All hikers begin and end at Camp Roosevelt and climb Stephens
Trail to Massanutten Trail. There, long hikers turn left to do an out-and-back
toward Habron Gap and then join the route of the moderate hikers. Moderate
hikers turn right, with an option to ascend Kennedy Peak Trail, before
returning to Massanutten Trail, which they follow to Camp Roosevelt.
Est. miles: from 10 up to 14.5 (intermediate/strenuous) and 9 (intermediate).
PATC Map G. Fare: $20/25. Leaders: Josh Silverman (703) 591-2822 and
Laura Heaton (571) 212-2592. (VA)
June 23. AT, Bluff, and Mount Marshall Trails, SNP, VA. Long
hikers begin at Jenkins Gap, and take the AT south, going over North
and South Marshall mountains, to Gravel Springs Gap. They then go left
on Bluff Trail and continue on Mount Marshall Trail to Jenkins Gap to
complete the circuit. Moderate hikers start on the AT at milepost 16
of the Skyline Drive and follow the long hikers to complete a modified
circuit. Est. miles: 13.4 (strenuous) and 9.5 (intermediate). PATC Map
9. Fare: $20/25 plus park fee or pass. Leaders: Mike Ollinger (301)
933-2196 and Anna Oldak (301) 528-2399. (VA)
June 30. AT and Rocky Knob to Caledonia State Park, PA. Hiking
the beautiful trails south of Pine Grove Furnace, long hikers start
at Shippensburg Road and take Fegley Road to the AT. They hike south
on the AT and Rocky Knob Trail to the reservoir, where they join the
moderate hikers. Moderate hikers head west on Orebank Road off Pine
Grove Road (Rt. 233), climb the side of Long Pine Run Reservoir dam,
and then follow the reservoir shoreline, where they join the long hikers.
All hikers go left on Birch Run and Milesburn Roads and continue to
Locust Gap Trail. All hikers follow Dark Hollow and Hosack Trails for
a scenic loop and then continue south on the AT. They take Three Valley
and Ramble Trails to the bus, located at Caledonia Iron Furnace parking
lot. Est. miles: 12 (intermediate) and 9 (intermediate). PATC Maps 2
and 3. Fare $20/25. Leaders: Kiko Alvarez (607) 279-3455 and Susana
Mendez (607) 279-4363. (MD)
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