Vigorous Hike - Tuesday 4/30/13

[Tom Kloster]

Hi Everybody,

 

     Tuesday’s hike (4/30) will be in the central section of Shenandoah National Park (PATC Map10).  Parking at the end of VA 662 out of Wolftown, we’ll climb the Staunton River Trail.  Turning left onto the Jones Mountain Trail, we’ll ascend to the Cat Knob Trail and follow it to a left on to the Laurel Prong Trail and up to the AT.  We’ll head north on the AT to the Mill Prong Trail at Milam Gap.  Following the Mill Prong Trail down through Rapidan Camp, we’ll return to the cars via the Laurel Prong, Fork Mountain and Staunton River Trails.  This circuit is about 20 miles with about 4600 ft of climb.  A shorter circuit of 15 miles with approximately 2900 ft of climb is available by turning right on the Laurel Prong Trail from the Cat Knob Trail and over to the Fork Mountain Trail for the descent of the Staunton River Trail.  Attached is an excerpt of PATC Map10 showing the hike (full circuit in green and shortcut in blue).  Please print as desired to carry on the hike.

 

     To carpool, meet at 7 am at the Stone Rd Park and Ride. Take I66 west to exit 52 then right onto Rt 29 then 2nd right into parking lot then immediately left to corner of lot.  Or, please let me know if you’d rather meet us at the trailhead at 8:30.  To get to the trailhead, take Rt 29 south past Madison to right/west on 230, then 4 miles to right on VA 662 at Wolftown.  Keep right on 662 to its end at about 6 miles, where you’ll find trailhead parking.

 

Tom Kloster