Vigorous Hike for January 13th - Dickey Ridge Trail

[Edward Cook]

Tuesday, January 13th - 8:30am - (PATC Map 9) - This hike is a simple out and back on the Dickey Ridge Trail in Shenandoah National Park, so if anyone is pressed for time you can bail at any point and head back.  The complete hike is approximately 18 miles with 3700 feet of elevation gain and has a fairly gradual but consistent ascent to the Appalachian Trail near Compton Gap where we will turn around.  The Trail crosses Skyline Drive 3 times before we reverse course so if you get ahead of the pack and find yourself doing a fourth crossing then you  have gone too far!

To get to the trailhead, just take I-66 and head for the Front Royal exit and take Rt 340 south to SNP and turn in (alternatively, take the Linden Exit and Rt 55 to Front Royal and Rt 340, a bit shorter).  The trail starts at the right side of the entrance road before you reach the Entrance/Fee Station to the park.  There should be plenty of parking along the road on both sides.

To Carpool:  Hikers wishing to carpool should meet at the Centreville Park and Ride off I-66, exit 52, Centreville.  Arrive early enough so that drivers can depart the lot no later than 7 AM.  Go West on Rt 29 taking the 2nd right into the park and ride lot, then immediately turn left to the corner of the lot where our group gathers.   See:  https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connector/riders/stone-road ).  There are not always people interested in carpooling.  If you are new to the Group and do not see folks gathered there, continue to the trailhead.  If you let me know in advance that you want to carpool I will let others in the Group know.

NOTE:  Please let me know in advance:

1.  If you will be coming

2.  If you will meet at the trailhead or the carpool site.

Once all "declared" hikers have arrived, we will depart, regardless of the time but NLT 0830.  

Because this is an out and back hike on a well trod trail I will not be providing a map ahead of time, but will have a hard copy map with me if you need to borrow it.

Leader:  Ed Cook, veet...@gmail.com, 703-609-6794

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