11th Annual Redbud Hike, Tuesday April 9

[robert livezey]

Tuesday Hikers,

Time for the annual Redbud Hike. I've designed the hike so the maximum number of Tuesday hikers can participate, but also so as many of you who aspire to finish the full course can, without holding up those who don't or keeping the leaders out until dark. Here are some parameters to consider (READ EVERYTHING):

A. The full hike consists of 30.7 beautiful miles with about 7200' of ascent, but options for 28.7 mi (6600'), 26.65 mi (6000'), and 18 (4000') respectively will be straight-forwardly accommodated.

For those who only want to do 18 miles -- a late start option!!!! If you know in advance that you are only up for 18 miles (rather than as an option to be decided upon later), you can start later and do the east figure-8 clockwise rather than counterclockwise. Just reverse the route described below (1. - 8.) for the first 18 miles.

LEADERS: I NEED A VOLUNTEER TO LEAD THE LATE START 18 MILES OPTION! IF YOU KNOW YOU ONLY INTEND TO DO 18 MILES, LET ME KNOW RIGHT AWAY IF YOU CAN VOLUNTEER.

The full course consists of two figure-8s situated to the east (first) and west of Elizabeth Furnace.

The 18 mi course consists of the east figure-8.

The 26.65 mi course consists of the east figure-8 and a west counterclockwise loop over Meneka Peak.

The 28.7 mi course consists of the east figure-8 and a west counterclockwise loop over Signal Knob.

The 30.7 mi course consists of both figure-8s, where the west 8 takes you over Meneka twice and Signal Knob once.

B. The official start for the hike will be 6:30 am sharp, so be at Elizabeth Furnace front parking by 6:15 am. Bring a flashlight in case it is needed for the first 15 minutes or so. I will only meet to carpool if someone requests it, at 5:00 am sharp at the usual meeting place at the Rt. 29 park and ride just off of the Centreville Rt. 66 exit (exit 23). Try not to be late, but if you are, find the sign-up sheet by my car  (silver 2011 Nissan Altima) and sign in.

The late start option will begin at 8:30 am sharp, so be at Elizabeth Furnace front parking by 8:15 am. Find the sign-up sheet by my car and sign in.

C. Signed-in participants must complete the east figure 8 (18 miles) and start the west figure 8 by certain cutoff times in order to continue on to attempt each of the three longer options. Those who don't make it by any of the times (or don't want to continue if they do) need to sign out of the hike (I'll make the clipboard accessible) at that point. Others should sign through, indicating the maximum distance they intend to attempt. This will help me (and one or two others who may assist) keep track of everybody. Assuming a 6:30 am start the cutoff times for the three longer options are:

1:30 pm 30.7 miles about 2.5 mph both legs*
2:00 pm 28.7 miles about 2.4 mph both legs*
2:30 pm 26.65 miles about 2.2 mph both legs*
* Includes break and lunch stops

D. The hike is unsupported. With coordination, resupply can easily be done at Elizabeth Furnace. I intend to make water jugs accessible at Elizabeth Furnace.

E. It is obviously not possible to regroup at junctions as we often do on Tuesdays. Please review the detailed routes below and print copies of the routes and the attached maps.  Refer to PATC Map G.

F. Let me know if you plan on participating and where you will meet me. Thanks, and hope to see you there (to continue the tradition Dick Terwiliger and Cliff started in the mid-80s and Chris helped continue)!!

G. Eat and drink lots! Let's not have dehydration or hypoglycemia cases. Tuesday's weather looks good right now.  Warm, but not hot, with at most a tiny bit of rain early.

H. INCENTIVE TO FINISH 30.7 MILES!  Last year I rewarded all who finished the full course, so this year I am offering the incentive again.  To qualify you must be on the Tuesday Vigorous Hikers email list at the time of this mailing.  I will treat each of the first 5 (I don't want to go broke) participants who finish 30.7 miles (honoring the cutoff rule in C above) to an appetizer, main course, and two drinks at a (TBD) Hard Times Café!

 

REDBUD ROUTE (second mileage is cumulative)

1. Go to end of access road and paved picnic area parking lot to find start of White-blazed Botts Trail (0.3 mi, 0.3 mi).

2. Follow Botts Trail mainly along stream to Pink-blazed Sherman Gap Trail (hereafter Pink) (0.6, 0.9).

3. Climb to Sherman Gap to junction with Blue-blazed Tuscarora Trail (hereafter Blue) and Orange-blazed Massanutten Trail (hereafter Orange) and turn right (2.5, 3.4).

4. Follow Blue and Orange past Pink (which goes to the left; 0.2, 3.6), continue on, eventually descending to vicinity of Little Crease Shelter (3.2, 6.8) to bear left at junction, and climb to Veach Gap to where Blue leaves Orange (0.9, 7.7). Bear left on Blue.

5. Descend Blue to Panhandle Rd. (SR 613) and turn left onto road (1.6, 9.3).

6. Proceed on Panhandle Rd. to very prominently marked trailhead for Pink and turn left to follow (1.8, 11.1).

7. Climb to Sherman Gap to junction with Blue and Orange and turn right (2.2, 13.3).

8. Follow Blue and Orange past Pink (which goes to left; 0.2, 13.5), continue along ridge to Shawl Gap (2.1, 15.6), and descend left to return to cars at Elizabeth Furnace (2.4, 18).

a. After 2:30 pm? Sign out.
b. Between 2 and 2:30 pm? Sign out or through for 26.65 (go to 24 below for route).
c. Between 1:30 and 2:00 pm? Sign out or through for 26.65 or 28.7** (go to 20 below for route).
d. By 1:30 pm? Sign out or through for 26.65, 28.7**, or 30.7** (continue on 9 below for route).
** If you change your mind let the first person you encounter know.

9. Follow Blue and Orange across SR 678 and climb to where Blue turns left. Continue straight on Orange (0.25, 18.25).

10. Descend on Orange to skirt Signal Knob parking on left (0.5, 18.75) to begin long, rocky (but scenic) climb to junction with White-blazed Meneka Peak Trail (hereafter White) (3.25, 22.0).

11. Turn left on White here.

12. Follow White over peak and descend to Blue (1.0, 23.0).

13. Turn right on Blue here.

14. Descend Blue to rejoin Orange to turn right (0.7, 23.7).

15. Climb Signal Knob on Orange (1.25, 24.95), then continue along ridge to White to turn right (1.1, 26.05).

16. Follow White over peak and descend to Blue (1.0, 27.05).

17. Turn left on Blue here.

18. Follow Blue to descend and rejoin Orange and turn right (3.4, 30.45).

19. Follow Blue and Orange to Finish (0.25, 30.7)!

20. This route cuts off both White legs. Follow instructions 9 and 10 above .

21. Continue on Orange along ridge to Signal Knob (1.1, 23.1) and descend to rejoin Blue to turn left (1.25, 24.35).

22. Follow Blue past White ((0.7, 25.05) to descend and rejoin Orange and turn right (3.4, 28.45).

23. Follow Blue and Orange to Finish (0.25, 28.7)!

24. This route cuts off Signal Knob. Follow instructions 9 to 12 above (5.0, 23.0).

25. Now follow instructions 17 to 19 to Finish (3.65, 26.65)!

Join me and the challenge on Tuesday!

Bob