Rapid and Radiant Riprap

OVERVIEW

So it’s been almost three months since I’ve been here, and I’ve yet to take a trip into the main part of the Shenandoah National Park. This trip seeks to remedy this large pitfall of my fall planning. A newfound desire to get outside and enjoy the sunlight in these colder and shorter days has me wanting to spend the whole day (or at least most of it) hiking, so Riprap Trail should be a pretty good option, especially in mid-November, as the foliage will be interesting (not promising anything but maybe…?). 

Riprap trail is a roughly 10-mile loop that goes on part of the AT and other trails around SNP. 10 miles is a lot, and I hike pretty fast. Here I’m aiming for a 20:00min/mi pace to finish the ten miles in about 3.5-4 hours. Please only sign up if you think that you can do this speed and mileage. In addition, there is a lot of elevation change throughout the ten miles (about 2000ft), so be sure that you are capable. Jonathan side note – that pace is fast, pretty please only sign up if you’re ready (but you’re awesome so you’re always ready)!!!

In case you hadn’t heard the news, there’s a watering hole along the trail, so if you dare, perhaps partake in a small polar plunge of any part of yourself you’re willing to sacrifice on the hike with Jonathan.

Drivers get priority off waitlist, as neither Palmer nor Jonathan is yet old enough to conquer the roads of skyline drive and beyond. (Palmer says wait! bc he will be driving a car but we still need another driver / park pass)

The Details:
Leave at 9:00 AM from Echols
Arrive at Trailhead around 10:00 AM
Hike hike hike
Return to cars (idk exactly when), hopefully by 2ish
Get back to Grounds about an hour later

What to bring:
Hiking shoes (please, please, this is a long hike)
Snacks/lunch
Good baselayers – weather may be warmer this Sunday, but still have good clothing
Lots of water (you probably know yourself well enough to know how much)
Vibes + energy

What I’ll bring:
First aid kit