Tues March 18th AT (Rt 9 parking) Keys Gap to Split Rock via Sweet Run State Park

[David Horn]

We will hike the Appalachian Trail to the woods and meadows in Sweet Run State Park VA and then head on to lunch at the Split Rock overlook of the Harpers Ferry area, returning direct to parking.

Start:  I would suggest we start at 8:15 am as Apple maps says this is only 52 mins from the carpool, even in rush hour.

We will meet at the AT parking lot at the VA/WV state line off Rt 9. This is on the right heading out of Virginia immediately after the West Virginia welcome sign

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.2609779,-77.7623726,17.5z?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDMxMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

Distance: Approximately 18 miles, but there are 2 easy shortcuts in Sweet Run State Park to reduce 16.5 or 14.5 miles

Ascent/Descent: Approximately 2600 feet

Route  (see the attached map) and link to All Trails if you use it.

Starting at the AT parking lot head north for 1.6 miles on the AT to the wide powerline cut. 

Turn right down the hill on what becomes Butterfly Alley Trail - Yellow

Take 2nd right after the ditch on Lower Sweet Run Trail into the woods - Pale Green

At the T junction turn left and out into the meadow. Turn left again to stay on Lower Sweet Run to the horse trailer parking. Keep left onto Upper Sweet Run - Purple

Follow down Sweet Run and turn right into the woods to stay on the trail to Arnold Lane

Go down the lane to the bend and turn left on Old Bridge Trail - White. Cross the bridge and turn right at the top onto Farmstead Loop - Red

Stay on Farmstead Loop Trail ignoring left turns until the second intersection with Mountain View Trail - White and into the meadow

Keep right back onto Farmstead Loop and then fork Right onto Piney Run Trail - Purple and follow Piney Run to Arnold Trail - Pink

Turn right on Legacy Loop - Dark Green and keep right to follow the large route around the pond to come back on ourselves (1.8 mile loop - and easy to skip for a shorter route.)

On return keep right onto Woodthrush Trail - Orange back to Butterly Alley. Turn right back up to the AT and turn right again

Go north about 3 miles on the AT to the wooden sign where you go right onto Loudoun Heights Trail 1.6 miles to the end at Split Rock. There are excellent view of the Potomac, Shenandoah and Harpers Ferry and a good spot for a lunch break in good weather.. Return on Loudoun Heights Trail and the AT back to the cars 5 1/2 miles.

The above route in Sweet Run sounds complicated but starting at just 1.6 miles in we can all be together through the park. A pdf map is attached and an alltrails link is below

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/03-18-25-keys-gap-sweet-run-split-rock-0b3f44d?u=i&sh=cf69cb

Please let me know if you are coming.and whether meeting at the trailhead or intending to carpool. Currently the weather forecast is beautiful.

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.

[Josh Silverman]

It looks like that I will be able to make the hike after all.  Are people leaving from Centreville or driving directly to the trailhead?

Also — if Gene is able to read this:  I picked up the map for him at PATC today, so if he is coming to the hike I can bring it to him.

Josh

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From: 'David Horn' via Vigorous Tuesday Hikers <vigorou...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Friday, March 14, 2025 9:01 AM
To: Vigorous Hikers <vigorou...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Tues March 18th AT (Rt 9 parking) Keys Gap to Split Rock via Sweet Run State Park

 

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