Sunday, May 29, 2011 Circuit Hike,
Northern District, Shenandoah National Park: Elkwallow/Hogback
Mountain area
(http://www.nps.gov/shen/)
10 miles, 1800' elevation gain, moderately paced. Map: Potomac Appalachian Trail Club Map 9, available from PATC ($7): http://www.patc.us/store/PA160.htm
Be prepared to pay a $15 per car Entry Fee at the Park entrance station, unless you possess or choose to buy an Annual Shenandoah Park Pass ($30) or an Annual National Parks Pass ($80, http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/annual-passes.htm). These are strongly recommended if you plan to visit a National Park this year more than twice.
This hike is considered moderately difficult, considering it is the beginning of the hiking season and all the hiking will be considerably uphill and downhill. There is 1800' of uphill walking, which we will take at a moderate pace. This hike will not be compatible for those who desire vigorous, challenging exercise. We will be making occasional stops to examine any interesting animals and plants we find along the way. This hike will follow Leave No Trace principles (see http://www.lnt.org). Please respect the general rule: take nothing away, leave nothing behind. This includes eggshells, pistachio hulls, apple cores, orange peels, etc. A National Park is managed to preserve all living things and objects for perpetuity. Please explore to your heart's content, but do not pick flowers, mushrooms, or any plants, and do not collect rocks or other objects.
Bring hiking boots, lunch, rain gear, layers of clothing for warmth, long pants, insect repellent, and at least 2L of water. Departure is at 8:00am sharp from the Grosvenor Metro Park and Ride lot, so you must show up by 7:55am! Look for the red Toyota Tacoma in the parking lot, NOT in the parking garage. If you go in the currently marked Kiss and Ride entrance, you will have to circle around the parking lot and try again. For information, email Jim Tomlin, jim.tomlin@noaa.gov.
Please email me jim.tomlin@noaa.gov by 4:30pm
on Thursday, May 26 and let me know you are coming, and whether
you have a car. Feel free to email questions at any time.
Everyone who has a car will be expected to drive if necessary.
I'll keep track of how many riders and drivers we have, and send
email on Friday if it looks like we won't have enough room.
If we don't have enough room, space in cars will be allocated
based on the order in which I receive the emails telling me you
are coming. NIH, NOAA, and FDA people (the official R & W
agencies) will be given priority. However, you must be in the
parking lot by 7:55am. If you are late, your space may be
given to someone else, and we won't wait for you.
The Hiking Club relies on drivers who are willing to take a car full of people to the hikes. Often, the same people drive hike after hike. At current prices, gas costs $25-30 for a round trip to most of the areas were we hike. We strongly encourage riders to pay your driver $5 for this hike to help cover expenses.
Please see the NIH Hiking Club FAQ
Please buy a 2010 R & W membership for $7 from any R & W store. Stores are located in Bldg 31, 10, 38, EPS and Rockledge.
