Wanderbirds Hiking Schedule Sept. thru Dec. 2007
David
All outings depart 17th & K Streets at 8:00 am sharp unless otherwise
noted. VA=suburban pickup in Virginia; MD=suburban pickup in Maryland
(see maps of pickup points)
To join us on a hike, make a reservation with the leader at the
telephone number listed at the end of the hike description. Membership
is not required unless specified. It is club policy that hikers new to
the club will take the moderate hike.
Please sign up by noon, Friday before the hike! Otherwise the hike may
be cancelled due to low number of sign-ups.
Rating of hikes based on elevation and terrain. Easy: less than 1,000
ft elevation gain. Moderate: less than 2,000 ft elevation gain.
Strenuous: 2,000+ ft elevation gain. Rating may vary with weather and
terrain. Consult the leader at the phone number provided for advice.
Where park fee is indicated, holders of Shenandoah Park, Golden Eagle,
or Golden Age passes are not charged, but must have passes available.
Others pay $8.00 park entrance fee in October and November, and $5.00
in December, in addition to bus fare.
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September 23 (Sunday) Buck Ridge, Hazel Mountain, Hot-Short Mountain,
and Nicholson Hollow Trails, SNP, VA. SWIMMING POSSIBLE. Long hikers
start from route 211 and ascend Buck Ridge Trail, turn left on Hazel
Mountain Trail, and then descend Hot-Short Mountain Trail to Nicholson
Hollow Trail. After a dip in the Hughes River, they continue on route
600 to Old Rag parking area. Moderate hikers take Hazel Mountain Trail
from Skyline Drive, and follow the same route as the long hikers.
Estimated miles: 11.6 (strenuous) and 8.9 (moderate). PATC Map 10.
Fare: $23 plus park fee or pass for moderate hikers only. Phone:
(202-332-7236) and (703-941-0209). (VA)
September 30 (Sunday) AT, Compton Gap to Hogback Overlook, SNP, VA.
Long hikers start at Compton Gap parking area and take the AT south up
to Compton Peak and after enjoying the views, continue to Hogback
Overlook and the waiting bus. Moderate hikers start at Jenkins Gap and
follow the route of the long hikers, stopping to admire the views from
North and South Marshall Mountains. Estimated miles: 10.4 (strenuous)
and 8.4 (moderate). PATC Map 9. Fare: $23 plus park fee or pass.
Phone: (703-455-2756) and (301-587-8172). (VA)
Oct. 7 (Sun) Dickey Ridge to Jenkins Gap on Skyline Drive, SNP, VA.
Our fall season kicks into high gear as long hikers steadily climb
Dickey Ridge passing the Visitor Center and climbing Carson Mtn before
heading south on the AT to tackle Compton peak before settling down to
a smooth descent to Jenkins Gap. ( 11.5 mi., strenuous). The moderate
hikers will start at the Visitor Center and follow the path of the
long hikers from there. ( 7.5 mi., intermediate). Hikers will have an
option to start on high ground at Jenkins Gap and hike out and back.
PATC map 9. Fare is $23. Pass needed for moderate hikers only. Robert
Holley (703.239.0131) and Gerard Murphy (301.990.1988). (VA)
Oct. 14 (Sun.) Signal Knob, GWNF, VA. Today's hike takes us to the
beautiful Massanutten Mountains. All hikers start and end at the
Signal Knob parking area and follow the Tuscarora Spur Trail to the
Bear Wallow-Tuscarora trail, which they ascend to the top of Green
Mountain. Here the moderate hikers turn right onto Menaka Peak Trail,
and follow it to the Signal Knob Trail which they descend to the bus
at the Signal Knob parking area, while long hikers continue on the
Bear Wallow-Tuscarora Trail to the Massanutten Mountain West Trail.
They then follow the latter trail to Signal Knob, where they have
lunch and admire the view. They then descend the Signal Knob Trail to
the bus. Long (10.5 mi., strenuous) and Moderate (8.5 mi.,
intermediate to strenuous). PATC Map G. Fare: $23. Phone:
(202.291.3868) and (301.770.5249) (VA)
Oct. 21 (Sun) AT, Black Rock to High Rock to Pen Mar, MD. Enjoy plenty
of good hiking and fine views of the Hagerstown Valley. Long hikers
start off at Black Rock Road and climb the South Mountain to pick up
the AT. There, they turn right and follow the AT north to Pen Mar on
the historic Mason-Dixon line. Along the way they pass through Buzzard
Knob, Raven Rock, and High Rock. Moderate hikers start where
Wolfsville Road meets the AT, and then follow the AT north to Pen Mar.
An optional short hike starts where Raven Rock Road meets the AT. Long
(13.7, strenuous); Moderate (9 mi., intermediate), and option (6.5
mi., easy to intermediate) PATC Map 5. Fare is $23. Phone:
(703.455.2756) and (301.587.8172). (MD)
Oct. 28 (Sun) Tuscarora from Hawk Recreation Area to Waites Run. After
a somewhat steep climb and descent for long hikers from Hawk, hikers
will have gentle ups and downs on this overlooked section of the
Tuscarora. Long hikers will start at the Hawk Recreation Area and head
south on the Tuscarora crossing route 55 and joining the Moderate
hikers on a journey over the County Line Section of the Tuscarora
passing Wardensville to the West and straddling Va. and W.Va. At
Waites Run all hikers turn right for the half mile trip to the bus at
Old Mine Trail. This hike will complete our coverage of the
southwestern portion of the Tuscarora. Long (13 mi., intermediate to
strenuous). Moderate (10.5 mi., easy to intermediate). PATC Map F.
Fare is $23. Phone: (703.660.2342) and (301.588.0490). (VA)
Nov. 4 (Sun) Turn your clocks back. AT, Crescent Rock to Panorama,
SNP, VA. Today we will have an abundance of views. Long hikers start
at Crescent Rock Overlook and go north on the AT to Panorama. Moderate
hikers start at Little Stony Man parking area and follow the route of
the long hikers. All hikers can climb to the summit of Mary's Rock for
an outstanding panorama. Long (12.5 mi., intermediate) and Moderate
(8.5 mi., intermediate). PATC map 10. Fare is $23 plus park entrance
fee or pass. Phone: (202.332.7236) and (703.941.0209). (VA)
Nov. 11 (Sun) Buzzard Rock to Veach Gap, Massanutten Mtn., GWNF, VA.
Easy hikers welcome. Enjoy spectacular views of the meandering South
Fork of the Shenandoah River. Long hikers start at the trailhead
parking off Rte. 619, and ascend the Buzzard Rock Trail, passing along
the Buzzard Rock cliffs on their way to the Massanutten Trail at Shawl
Gap. Then, they follow it southward to Veach Gap, where they turn
right and continue on the Veach Gap Trail and Route 774 to the bus on
Route 678. Moderate hikers begin at Elizabeth Furnace, and follow the
Shawl Gap Trail to the Massanutten Trail. There, they turn right and
continue on the path of the long hikers. Moderates will have an easy
option to do an out and back from Veach Gap. Long (12 mi., strenuous)
and Moderate (8.5 mi,strenuous). PATC Map G. Fare is $23. Phone:
(301.656.9169) and (410.535.5171). (VA)
Nov. 18 (Sun) Tuscarora Pond Run and Three Ponds Trails, GWNF, VA and
WV. All hikers begin and end at Old Mine Trail and Waites Run. They
walk about 0.6 miles and turn right to ascend Tuscarora/Pond Run
Trail. At the junction 2.5 miles in, long hikers turn left to continue
on Tuscarora/Three Ponds Trail. They then leave the Tuscarora and turn
left onto Old Mail Path Trail, left onto Wilson Cove Trail, and
continue on Waites Run back to the bus. At the top of Pond Run,
moderate hikers turn right onto Halfmoon Trail, then right on German
Wilson Trail, and right on Old Mine Trail and follow it to the bus.
Moderates will have an option to climb to the Halfmoon Lookout. ( 12.4
mi., strenuous) and (7.5 mi., intermediate). PATC Map F. Fare is $23.
Phone: (703.352.4685). (VA)
Nov. 25 (Sun) Robertson Mtn., SNP, VA. Moderate hikers walk around the
mountain, starting at Nethers and going up the Corbin Hollow Trail and
down the Old Rag and Weakley Hollow fire roads. Long hikers ascend the
steep Robertson Mtn. Trail to the top, from which they can view the
majesty of the mountains. They then descend the Corbin Mtn. and
Nicholson Hollow Trails to Nethers. Long (12.1 mi., strenuous) and
Moderate (7.3 mi., intermediate). PATC Map 10. Fare is $23 plus park
fee or pass. Phone: (703.448.0140) (VA)
Dec. 2 (Sun) AT, Bootens Gap to Crescent Rock Overlook, SNP, VA.
Panoramic views of Page Valley, mountain peaks, and the town of Luray
await you as you follow the AT north in SNP, Central District. Long
hikers will start at Bootens Gap and head north to Milam Gap to follow
the moderates across Black Rock, Fishers Gap Overlook, Spitler Knob
Overlook, around Hawksbill to the Crescent Rock Overlook. Long (11
mi., intermediate); Moderate (8.5 mi., easy to intermediate). PATC Map
10. Fare is $23 plus park fee or pass. Phone: (301.294.1356) and
(703.582.9557) (VA)
Dec. 9 (Sun) Cedarville State Forest, MD. Annual Holiday Party.
Members only. Today we will return to a place in the unknown Southern
Maryland territory. Both hikes start at the parking lot at Forest Rd.
Moderate hikers do a 7 miles loop on the Holly Trail. (Intermediate).
Long hikers also start on Holly Trail and extend the hike by taking
Heritage Trail, Swamp Trail and Birdwatchers Trail to complete a 12
miles loop. Long and moderate (Intermediate). Park map. Fare is $23.
Phone: (301.654.3749) and (703.280.1453). (Ask Phone for pick up
points.)
Dec. 16 (Sun) Massanutten East and West Side Trails, GWNF, VA. Long
hikers begin at Edinburg Gap, route 675, and take Massanutten West
Trail south, cross route 730, and ascend to Jawbone Gap on Kearns
Mountain. After an optional trip up to the knob, they take Jawbone Gap
Trail to the end of the hike on Crisman Hollow Road. Moderate hikers
start at Camp Roosevelt picnic area and follow Massanutten East Trail
south; they turn right on Scothorn Gap Trail, and left on Gap Creek
Trail to Crisman Hollow Road and the bus. Long (12 mi., strenuous) and
Moderate (8 mi., intermediate). PATC Map G. Fare is $23. Phone:
(703.575.7684) and (703.725.8026). (VA)
Dec. 23 (Sun) Rock Creek Park, Washington DC. No bus. Special starting
time 9:30 a.m. Enjoy one of the world's finest urban parks with a
brisk morning hike. Meet at Pierce Mill, which can be reached from the
Van Ness Metro stop, Red line, by walking east on Tilden Street to the
Mill. Then, starting at Pierce Mill, we'll hike by Pulpit Rock,
Boulder Bridge, and we stop by the beautiful Nature Center. If you are
willing to hike 2 more miles we can continue on Glover Archbold Park
and finish the hike by the Cactus Cantina where we can enjoy some
Margaritas/Quesadillas. Est. miles: 10/12 PATC Map N. Cost $3. Phone:
(301.907.4798). (DC) Intermediate and Fun!
Dec. 30 (Sun) Great Falls and Riverbend Parks, VA. No bus; special
meeting time. Hikers meet at 9:00 a.m. at Difficult Run Parking Area
on left side of route 193, about 3.6 miles west of route 495. All
hikers start at Difficult Run Parking Area and do a double circuit
that includes both Riverbend and Great Falls Parks. Hikers who want a
shorter hike can do just the Great Falls Park circuit. Est. miles: 10
(intermediate) for the double circuit and 5 (intermediate) for the
Great Falls Park Circuit only. Park Maps. Cost: $3. Phone:
(703.465.9022) and (202.863.9362). (VA)
Wanderbirds Trail Crew: Carol Saah will conduct one outing in October
on a date to be announced by email. Volunteers can contact her at:
cs...@cox.net, 703.352.4685