Trip/Event Location: Marion, VAUS
Trip Leader(s): dnaturist
Max # People: 8
Trip Guiding / Event Fee: No, I will not be asking participants for money
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Strenuous
This is a one-way hike on the Virginia Appalachian Trail and will require an auto shuttle. We will drop a car at the termination point of the hike at VA 615, and the Settlers Museum of Southwest
We shall meet in the morning before our hike at the Hardee's restaurant in Marion. The address for the Hardee's is 347 N. Main St. The zip code is 24354. The phone number for the Hardee's is (276) 783-6441.
We will be leaving the Hardee's for the trailheads at 9:00 A M sharp. Please plan to arrive earlier for instructions and breakfast.
Two of us did this rather strenuous hike. It was an all day event.
The first 4 miles of the hike was fairly easy. Nice comfortable trail, with few ups and downs. We went through the longest rhododendren tunnel I have ever seen. Almost a mile. The white rhododendren were blooming on this section of trail.
After 4 miles we came to the Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area Headquarters. It was all locked up. No one around. After a short break, we continued.
After the break the trail seemed to go straight up. More ups than I expected over the last 8.7 miles. The trail also became very rocky for the first 8 miles also.
There were a couple of nice views on the hike though.
Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous
Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate
