Nrge- Friday Hikes(10/4)- Grand View, Long Point, Canyon Rim, Endless Wall, and Bridge Trail

OVERVIEW

Let’s head out to the NRG Extravaganza early and begin our weekend of Hikes.
It is approximately 3 hours from Charlottesville so we will aim to begin hiking around the New River Gorge Area upon arrival in the afternoon. Our hikes today will include some short easy hikes that will allow us to see scenic views of the New River Gorge bridge. We will hike approximately 8.16 miles. It will be a day that is considered Moderate.

Friday’s Itinerary will include:
Grand View(formerly Canyon Rim Trail) (3.2 miles) Moderate
Long Point (1.6 miles) Moderate
Canyon Rim Boardwalk (.1 mile) Easy + Strenuous Stairs
Endless Wall (2.4 miles) Moderate
Bridge Trail (.86 miles) Moderate

Grand View
This is the longest trail at Grandview, connecting Main Overlook with Turkey Spur. From Main Overlook to Turkey Spur is a moderate 1.6 mile hike (3.2 miles round trip). Along the way hikers will enjoy many breathtaking views of the gorge and river far below. The trail is rated moderate because of several small steep hills near Turkey Spur. A self-guided trail brochure interprets the first half mile of this trail.

Long Point
This trail traverses field and forest on the way to a rock outcrop (Long Point) with panoramic views of the gorge and New River Gorge Bridge. Most of this trail lazily descends through the forest, but it does include one steep section just before you arrive at the point.

Canyon Rim Boardwalk
This boardwalk offers scenic views of the gorge and New River Gorge Bridge. An easy walk on a fully accessible ramp leads to the first viewing point, while 178 steps descend to the lower overlook.
The trail starts at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center parking lot off U.S. Route 19 in Lansing.

Endless Wall
The Endless Wall Trail is a 2.4 mile moderate walk that passes through rich forest, crosses Fern Creek, then zig-zags along the cliff edge. Many vistas can be seen along the trail. The overlook at Diamond Point provides a good turnaround spot, creating a popular two-mile out-and-back hike from Fern Creek parking area. If you continue to the end of the trail, you will need to walk for 0.5 miles back along the road to get to the starting point.

Bridge Trail
This occasionally steep and rocky trail offers views of the gorge and the New River Gorge Bridge. The trail passes under the bridge and connects to the Fayetteville Trail.

Further details are included in the following sites:
http://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/hiking.htm
http://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/upload/Trail-newsletter-2012-FINAL.pdf
http://www.newriverwv.com/Recreation_Hiking_Trails.php

Please keep in mind that you are responsible for you own safety and the activities you choose to participate in while on the hike.

We will then arrive back at the camping site around 6-7pm and setup camp.

Camping Details:
Food:
In Progress…..I am still working out the details for food.
At a minimum, I will provide easy breakfast, lunch, and snack items. The allotment from the club is $8/person/day(although this might change) so I will take the number of participants x $8 x2 days to determine. If you have any specific requests you can note them in the questionnaire upon joining the adventure.

Camping:
We’ll be staying at Ray’s Campground: http://www.rayscampground.com/

There is plenty of space, bathrooms/showers, firewood to purchase, and good people. For directions you can follow the link above or the “adventure destination” link posted with this adventure.

The club will cover part of your camp fee ($9.00 per person per night)

Fees:
For now I am putting down $20 as a base trip fee to make sure everything gets covered (you may have additional fees depending on the potential separate adventure you might choose; this is the same $20 as I set in the “Base Camp” adventure, NOT in addition to). The bill can get pretty hefty with a huge group traveling, camping, and chowing. I don’t want this trip to put too large of a dent in the club’s checking account, but may be able to reduce the fee. The club’s officers are currently working on getting some outside (Ha! No pun intended!) funding to help subsidize this trip. I’ll know more as the date draws near and will let you know. Whatever the case, your trip fee goes toward lodging fees, food, ga$, and camping gear rental (we had such a huge turnout last year that we had to rent several tents!)

Departure Times:
Personally, I am taking off on Friday so I am tentatively thinking of leaving mid morning to get in today’s hike as described above. If times changes, I will let you know when we get closer. My plan is to either lead a hiking event or attend another event on Sunday before heading back. I currently have 3 spots available in my vehicle for the ride out from Charlottesville to WV and this hike. I will give priority to the first 2-3 drivers who sign up. They will help carpool hikers from Charlottesville to WV, to the hiking destinations for Friday’s hike, and from WV to Charlottesville. Please be sure to specify time constraints for departing on Sunday.

Club Provides: Gear like tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cookware and stoves. WHEN you sign up for the adventure make sure you note whether you need a sleeping bag or pad, and tent as well as how many people your tent can sleep so we can coordinate what additional gear is needed and if you should get gear from the gear room.

You should bring:
For Hikes: Lots of water, comfortable sturdy shoes, sunscreen, a camera, food/snacks, flashlight, toiletries, money, bug spray, hiking backpack, rain gear, layers such as a fleece or light jacket

For Camping: Camping gear, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tent, mess kit (fork, spoon, plate, cup), flashlight, toiletries, clothes (prep for cool nights and mornings), tooth brush/tooth paste, fun things for the campground!

Withdrawing from Base Camp Trip:
If you signed up for my NRGE “Base Camp” trip please withdraw from that AFTER you are confirmed for this trip or another adventure’s trip list which will host your camping gear, food, and transportation needs. Stay on the Base Camp’s trip list if you do not get off this waitlist, or onto another adventure, and you still want to go to the Extravaganza.

Look forward to seeing everyone during the New River Gorge Extravaganza weekend!
Andrea