Tuesday Vigorous June 13th Hike - Buck Ridge and Sam's Ridge and back (PATC Map 9)

[HUNT LOFTIN]

Vigorous Hikers:

Starting at the Buck Ridge trailhead parking on Rt 211 near the SNP east entrance, we will hike Buck Ridge, Hazel Mtn., White Rocks, Hazel River and Sam’s Ridge trails. Then return to the parking area via Hazel Mtn. and Buck Hollow trails. This is about 16 miles and around 3800 feet of ascent. It is requested that hikers maintain a minimum 2.5 mile per hour pace or take advantage of the shortcut to skip the Sam’s Ridge climb.

 

There are numerous stream crossings of Hazel River that involve the use of large rocks or fallen trees. The crossing of Hazel River at the base of White Rocks is usually accomplished by walking through the low water or jumping across a gap between two rocks. The higher the water level, the trickier this can become.  If you are concerned about the stream crossing at the base of White Rocks, I suggest, after climbing Buck Ridge, to hike past the White Rocks trail junction and take a left from the Hazel Mountain trail onto the top of the Hazel River trail to walk down to the Hazel River stream and continue to the right to the Sam’s Ridge trail. A PATC marked up map of the hike route is attached courtesy of Gene.

 

We will depart the Rt 211 parking area to begin the hike at 8:30 AM.

 

An AllTrails map is located at https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/sams-ridge-hazel-mountain-and-hannah-run-loop-dbec001?u=i

 

PDF maps also are attached: the AllTrails map (dated for a previous hike), and the PATC map developed by Gene.

 

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. I can take up to three passengers. Please let me know if you will meet at the carpool lot so we can coordinate to have enough drivers. (See: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connector/riders/stone-road )  

 

Please email me if you plan to join us. Let me know if you will meet at the trailhead or the Centreville Park and Ride.

 

Hike Leader: Hunt Loftin, hlo...@verizon.net, 571.319.9362

[HUNT LOFTIN]

Dear Hikers:

Starting at the Buck Ridge trailhead parking on Rt 211 near the SNP east entrance, we will hike Buck Ridge, Hazel Mtn., White Rocks, Hazel River and Sam’s Ridge trails. Then return to the parking area via Hazel Mtn. and Buck Hollow trails. This is about 16 miles and around 3800 feet of ascent. It is requested that hikers maintain a minimum 2.5 mile per hour pace or take advantage of the shortcut to skip numerous stream crossings and the Sam’s Ridge climb.

 

There are numerous stream crossings of Hazel River that involve the use of large rocks or fallen trees. The crossing of Hazel River at the base of White Rocks is usually accomplished by walking through the low water or jumping across a gap between two rocks. The water level has been low this summer because of reduced rain so the crossings should be easier than typically.  

    We will depart the Rt 211 parking area to begin the hike at 8:30 AM.

An AllTrails map is located at Buck Ridge, White Rocks, Sams Ridge, Hazel Mountain and Buck Hollow

Buck Ridge, White Rocks, Sams Ridge, Hazel Mountain and Buck Hollow Check out this map I created on AllTrails.

 

PDFs are attached: of the AllTrails map (dated for a previous hike), and the PATC map developed by Gene.

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. I can take up to three passengers. Please let me know if you will meet at the carpool lot so we can coordinate to have enough drivers. (See: Park and Ride - Centreville (Stone Road) | Connector

Park and Ride - Centreville (Stone Road) | Connector Fairfax County, Virginia

[HUNT LOFTIN]

Dear Hikers:

We have done this hike many times. This is a copy of the 9/17/2023 hike email. Hazel River water elevations were very high last weekend but the Rixeyville gage station shows levels are back to normal now. However, people might still get their feet wet at the White Rocks trail or the first Hazel River trail water crossing. I did not a month ago but conditions are always variable.