Pre-Thanksgiving Beginner Hike Up to 4000 Ft for Lunch. Again.

OVERVIEW

Okay, so we’ve hiked to 4000ft already (at least those who did so last week), now what?

Come see the 360 degree view from windy Hawksbill Mountain, the highest point in the Shenandoah National Park, before you leave for the warmth of home. We’ll have a cosy lunch (if you’re wearing enough) at the top, overlooking the towns of Elkton and Shenandoah with Seneca Rocks Ridge in the distance.

We’ll warm up at the Bearfence trail, since we didn’t get to this last time, for a short uphill hike leading to scrambling over shards of rock at the top, with hand and footholds always visibly available among the boulders so things don’t get too tricky. At 3620 feet, we arrive at a panoramic view on top of some steep rocks. Outside of Little Stony Man cliffs, I see this as the prettiest spot in the entire park. We’ll end the 1.9 mile hike winding down along the Appalatian Trail, before heading to the gentle 2 mile hike to Hawksbill.

The pace will be more relaxed this time round, so budget for time (or the number of times I get out of breath).

Once again, I’ll waitlist everyone and will email when we have drivers.

Bring warm clothing (hats and gloves help), hiking boots (tennis shoes or sneakers if you don’t have them), water (2 bottles will be more than enough), and food (fruits, bars, wraps, dining hall steals) to have or share. It’s paved on Hawksbill summit, so if anyone brings a throw I’ll grab a couple of rocks and we’ll start a picnic!

Club pays for gas and entrance to the park.