Early Bird Hike to Monticello

OVERVIEW

Join me for a morning loop on the Secluded Farm Trails off Monticello (Saunders) Boardwalk! Check out Cville from Monticello and mark it off your 114+ things to do before you graduate. It looks like it should be cool in the 75s during the hike.

We’ll jump-start our day with steady elevation gain, and in 40 minutes be rewarded with views of Charlottesville below us through the leaves – all before classes start! This is a 4-mile circuit hike with total elevation gain of ~600 feet. After a gentle beginning, trail heads uphill for a significant portion of the hike (Smart Trail + Hartman Trail): http://www.monticello.org/sites/default/files/inline-pdfs/ParkwayTrails.pdf

It’s also a great chance to hike with some weight in a pack.

We will complete a lovely, mostly wooded circuit that climbs Carter’s Mountain toward the orchard, and veers off just before emerging from the trees. We’ll follow the trail as it flattens out to be a gentle up and down near the top (Mountain Trail) before gradually descending back into the valley. We will cross a shallow stream two times near the bottom of the mountain.

What to wear: please do your best not to bring any cotton clothing. When cotton gets wet (by rain or sweat), it draws heat away from your body which is no fun when we stop to take breaks or descend. Wool and synthetics retain some body heat even when wet. If possible, please wear synthetic or smart wool/merino wool socks, and synthetic other clothes.

What-to-bring suggestions:
* light snack to eat along the way
* 1 to 2 liters water/beverage –we should be done before the heat of the day
* rain gear (just in case)
* hiking boots with ankle support (trail is often uneven and it’s easy to twist an ankle)
* Coffee and bodos if you need those to get going in the morning

The trip is set to 5 right now (the most my car can seat), as more drivers sign up I’ll open more spots.