Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group
Appalachian Trail Series: Section Hike Across Virginia
(H.A.VA)
Shenandoah National Park: Southern District: Section 6: A Strenuous 9.5 Miles: Swift Run Gap to Simmons Gap
After much anticipation and planning, we are proud to announce the next section hike of our Hike Across Virginia (H.A.VA) series!
Join Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group (MAHG) on an impressive and adventurous journey along the rugged 500+ miles of the Appalachian Trail across the state of Virginia, all offered in a series of weekend section hikes.
"The Appalachian Trail in the Southern District is the wildest and least developed area of the entire park. Much of it has wilderness status. The AT follows the main crest of the Blue Ridge. There are many fantastic side trails and fire roads that can be used in conjunction with the AT for interesting hiking side trips to points of interest. Some points of particular and spectacular interest are the Doyle's River Jones Run Loop Trail, Big Run loop Trail, Riprap Ravine and Blackrock. Traveling south, the AT leaves the park at Jarman Gap and except for a very short stretch on Calf Mountain, passes through a corridor of land acquired by the National Pak Service for the Trail. There is one large campground in this district, Loft Mountain Campground, and one campground for group only, Dundo Picnic Area.
The Southern District of SNP includes a total of 44.9 miles of trail. Section 6, Section 7, Section 8, and Section 9 of our H.A.VA cover the entire Central District of SNP."
Section 6 Details:
This hike is the first hike in the Southern section of SNP and the first of 4 sections covering a total of 44.9 miles of the AT. The highest elevation of the AT in the South District of the Park is reached near the summit of Hightop Mountain (3,587 ft.). This means a climb of over 1,200 ft. traveling in either direction. Open ledges to the west of the summit afford excellent views south and west.
Dates of Our Appalachian Trail Section Hike Across Virginia (H.A.V.-a-Hike) A Many Part Series of AT Section Hikes!
H.A.VA Part 1 and 2: June 14th - Northern VA: Sections 1 and 2 of 6: Harper's Ferry to Snickers Gap: A Strenuous 20.2 Miles
H.A.VA Part 3: June 21st - Northern VA: Sections 3 of 6: Snickers Gap to Ashby Gap: (The AT Roller Coaster): A Strenuous 14.1 Miles
H.A.VA Part 4: March 30th - Northern VA: Sections 4 of 6: Ashby Gap to Manassas Gap: A Strenuous 11.8 Miles
H.A.VA Part 5: April 12th - Northern VA: Sections 5 and 6: Manassas Gap to SNP: A Strenuous 11.8 Miles
H.A.VA Part 6: April 19th - Shenandoah National Park: Northern District: Section 1 of 9: US 522 to Gravel Springs: An Easy Side of Strenuous 9 Miles
H.A.VA Part 7: April 26th (Post-Hike Camping Option) - Shenandoah National Park: Northern District: Section 2 of 9: A Strenuous 14.5 Miles: Gravel Springs to Thornton Gap with Optional Camping
H.A.VA Part 8: April 27th (Pre-Hike Camping Option) - Shenandoah National Park: Section 3 of 9: Central District: A Strenuous 9.5 Miles: Thornton Gap to Skyland with Optional Camping
H.A.VA Part 9: May 3rd (Post-Hike Camping Option) - Shenandoah National Park: Section 4 of 9: Central District: Skyland to Fishers Gap: An Easy Side of Strenuous 6.5 Miles
H.A.VA Part 10: May 4th (Pre-Hike Camping Option) - Shenandoah National Park: Section 5 of 9: Central District: Fishers Gap to Swift Run Gap: A Strenuous 18.6 Miles with Optional Camping
H.A.VA Part 11: May 10th - Shenandoah National Park: Section 6 of 9: Southern District: Swift Run Gap to Simmons Gap: A Strenuous 9.5 Miles
H.A.VA Part 12: May 31st (Post-Hike Camping Option) - Shenandoah National Park: Section 7 of 9: Southern District: Simmons Gap to Browns Gap: A Strenuous 12.2 Miles with Optional Camping
H.A.VA Part 13: June 1st (Pre-Hike Camping Option) - Shenandoah National Park: Section 8 of 9: Southern District: Browns Gap to Jarman Gap: A Strenuous 15.1 Miles with Optional Camping!
H.A.VA Part 14: June 17 - Shenandoah National Park: Section 9 of 9: Southern District: Jarman Gap to Rockfish Gap: A Strenuous 8 Miles
Hike Pace
This hike will be led at a moderate pace of about 2.5mph-3.0 which is just a bit faster than the pace of an average hiker.
Trail Information
Nearby City: Luray, VA
Length: 9.5 miles
Trail Type: Point-to-Point (shuttle cars)
Skill Level: Strenuous
Trailhead Elev: 2500 feet
Top Elev: 3500 feet
Weather Information
We hike rain or shine! Click Here to see an up to the minute forecast for where we will be hiking.
Gear Information
Here are some suggestions for what to wear and what not to wear for our hikes.
Carpool Information
There are 2 suggested carpool locations for this hike!
Baltimore Area Carpool
To carpool or caravan with the hike leader from the Baltimore metro area, meet at Savage Station. Click here for directions to Savage Station.
DC Area Carpool
To carpool or caravan from the metro DC area, meetup at the Centerville Park and Ride. Click here for information and directions to the Centerville location. If you can drive or want to carpool from additional locations, please post your location in the comment section below. For those who need a ride, reach out to the drivers. Make friends, and support the environment - by just offering a ride!
Directions to the Trailhead
Click Here for Where We Meet for This Hike.
Due to lack of parking space it is highly recommended that you carpool for this hike
Hike is at 9:00 a.m.
Carpool Meetup Time at Savage is 5:45 a.m.
Carpool meetup time at Centerville is 6:30 a.m.
Optional Post Hike Meal
There will be an optional post hike meal after this hike!
Please remember we hike the pace of the group and it can vary. We take breaks as necessary and have a guide in the front in addition to a "sweeper" in the back which helps make certain that no hiker is left behind. If you get upset because someone has to rest at the top of a hill etc. then please find another group! We are very supportive and encouraging with no pressure on speed but focus on safety while leaving no trace.
Fido is welcome on this hike with prior approval from the hike leader
Kevin: 703.856.5964
, VA - USA
Saturday, May 10 at 9:00 AM
Attending: 8
Fee: Price: USD 2.00 per person
Details: http://www.meetup.com/Mid-Atlantic-Hiking-Group/events/179984582/