*WEATHER UPDATE* Tuesday May 26 Vigorous Hike from Panorama to Little Stony Man and back

[Annette Koklauner]

ALL-

The park service is forecasting a 65% chance of scattered rain showers in the morning clearing up at around 3:00 pm, Hi of 75 F with low winds SE 4mph.  I will be watching the weather all day to see if conditions improve or worsen.  The hike will be a go unless conditions worsen and become dangerous.  I will make that call by 5:00 pm this evening. That being said.  If you plan on coming, bring rain gear and hiking poles would be a good idea as conditions could be muddy and slippery.  Also, if you plan on carpooling, plan to arrive at the carpool location by 7:15 am to form carpools and leave no later than 7:30 pm.

 

Hike Description:  From Panorama Parking Lot, we head south on the Appalachian Trail to Mary's Rock and then continue south on the AT to Pinnacles Picnic Area. There are restrooms here. The hike continues south along the AT until we reach Little Stony Man. We’ll have lunch at Little Stony Man and then retrace our steps along the AT back to the parking lot. This is an out and back completely on the AT except for the short (optional) trail up to Mary’s Rock. Total distance is about 16 miles with about 4,000’ of elevation gain.  This is an out and back hikers are free to turn back at any time due to time constraints or if you're just not feeling it.

The Upper Panorama Parking Lot is at mile 31.3 (38°39'35.6"N 78°19'11.6"W) on Skyline drive.  The Lower Panorama Parking Lot can be accessed outside the park located on US 211 just south of the Thornton Gap entrance in SNP.  It is FREE and doesn't require a park pass. The lot features restrooms and water fountains.  THE TRAILHEAD IS AT THE BACK OF THE UPPER PANORAMA PARKING LOT AND IS MARKED AT.

HIKE STARTS AT 9:00AM.  Please arrive 15 minutes early to prepare for the hike/use bathroom etc.

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 ) 

Please let me know if you will meet at the carpool or at the trailhead.

Hike Leader:  Annette Koklauner | 703-489-8699 | akokl...@gmail.com

You can find me in the upper parking lot by a blue Honda CRV with a bike rack.