Vigorous Hike for October 21st, AT Southbound and Back from Rt 9 (Keys Gap)

[Edward Cook]

Tuesday, Oct 21st - **8:15am** -  (PATC Map 7).   15.4 miles/2300 feet elevation gain.  

We will be starting and ending this hike at the AT Keys Gap Parking Lot off of Route 9 where we last met in March, but now going the other direction (South).  This hike was previously planned for the past May, but got washed out and has now been rescheduled.  This is a good hike if you are pinched for time that day and want to do a lesser distance.  It's strictly out and back so feel free to turn around at any time.  It's also not an especially long distance as it is, even if you did the whole thing.  The route is only on the AT, except for the bottom portion when we will loop down to the Blackburn Trail Center (for lunch) on a side trail and then loop back up to the AT.   

DIRECTIONS:

Hike Southbound on the AT for approximately 7.5 miles to the Wilson Gap area.  Then proceed back Northbound for about a mile before diverting down the hill to the right at the marked side trail to the Blackburn Trail Center where we will have lunch at the Hikers Cabin.  After lunch, proceed back up the hill to the AT on a separate spur trail from Blackburn then hike North and return to Keys Gap Parking. 

We will meet at the AT parking lot at the VA/WV state line on 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

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 7:00 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 gathering there, continue to the trailhead.  If you let me know early enough, I will advise other attendees that there are carpool candidates.    

NOTE:  Please let me know in advance if you will be coming and if you will meet at Keys Gap or at the carpool site in Centreville.  Once all "declared" hikers have arrived, we will depart, regardless of the time, but no later than 0815.  

   

See you then! 

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

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-may-9-2025-5c6287b?u=i&sh=s4m7ms