Elkwallow- AT-Neighbor Mtn -Knob Mtn- Mathews Arm-Loop

[Marshall Wilson]

My apologies for getting this notice out to you late. Hope to see you there.

Elkwallow-AT-Neighbor Mtn-Knob Mountain-Mathews Arm Loop.

Start:  

We will meet at the Elkwallow Picnic Area (not the wayside).  Park at the bottom of the hill near the trailhead.

Time: 8:30AM

Route  (see the attached map):

• Go downhill on the Jeremy' Run Trail to the AT
• Follow the AT south to the Neighbor Mountain Trail
• Take the Neighbor Mountain Trail to Jeremy's Run
• Cross Jeremy' Run on the Knob Mountain Trail
• Continue on the Knob Mountain Trail to the Heiskell Hollow Trail.  Turn RIGHT
• Follow Heiskell Hollow Trail to Mathews Arm Campground /Traces Trail. Turn RIGHT
• Hike the Traces Trail and Mathews Arm entrance Road to the Elkwallow Trail Turn Right.
• Stay on the Elkwallow Trail back to the Elkwallow Wayside and continue to the picnic area and the starting point.

Distance: 

Approximately 17.5 miles

Ascent: 

Approximately 4,000 feet

Notes:

• The stream crossing at Jeremy's run can be tricky.  Although water is low at present, plan on possibly getting your feet wet.  
• It will be cold on Tuesday and there may be snow up on the mountains and ice on rocks at the stream crossing.  Traction devices may be appropriate 
• The trails near Mathews Arm campground can be confusing and are not well marked in spots.  Please help fellow hikers who may not be familiar with this route find their way. Stay together until past Mathews Arm Campground please.
• There is a possibility to shorten this route by eliminating the Mathews Arm leg and using the Knob Mtn/Jeremy's run cutoff.  We will take a vote on this with those present before beginning the hike. The shortened version is still about 15 miles and over 3,000 ft of elevation gain.
• My contact information is marshall...@gmail.com and 571-438-2535

Carpool:

Hikers who wish to carpool should meet no later than 7AM at the Centerville Park and Ride off I66, exit 52, Centerville.  Go West on Rt 29 taking the 2nd right into the parking lot area, then immediately turn left to the corner of the lot where our group gathers.  (See: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connector/riders/stone-road ).  The car pool is informal so get there early but do not delay leaving past 7:00 AM as others may not choose to carpool that day.