SNP and AT-Very Strenuous-10 Mi: Hazel Mountain Loop with Cave and Waterfall

Very Strenuous - 10 Mile Hazel Mountain Loop with Cave and Falls C'mon! Get out of bed and onto the trail! Mike will be leading this hike and he CHALLENGES you to get out of bed and hike the Hazel Mountain Loop! Hazel Mountain and Sam's Ridge once offered a sizable mountain community all the tools and products for a decent living. Today, it draws people for its natural beauty. Better yet, this trail is pedestrian and their canines only so no bikers or horses! At Hazel River Falls, the stream drops 30 feet into a pool ringed by tall cliffs in the shape of a natural amphitheater. From here, a trail climbs to the heights of White Rocks, before dropping back to the river and more scenic cascades. Throughout the area, a sharp-eyed hiker will spy evidence of mountain settlers. Trails follow old roads used to transport farm products and old fields, apple orchards and home foundations are visible. © Copyright Bill and Mary Burnham Published by Falcon Publishing. All Rights Reserved. Trail Information Nearby City: Luray, VA Length: 10 total miles Terrain: Dirt footpaths and old wagon roads lead to waterfalls and rock overhangs at Hazel Falls, views off White Rocks, streamside trails along Hazel River, and an old homesite on Sam's Ridge. Elev. Gain: 2565 feet Trail Type: Loop Skill Level: Strenuous- due to steep climbs along White Rocks and unaided stream crossings across the Hazel river Duration: 7 hours due to stream crossing and steep hills Season: Year round Trailhead Elev: 2700 feet Top Elev: 2700 feet with approx. 1300ft gain over just ~1.2mi NOTE: There are unaided (no stepping stones) stream crossing on this hike and depending on water depth at the time could be up to mid calf depth. Please plan accordingly by bringing water shoes or other appropriate gear. This hike is not good for people without prior hiking experience. Weather Information We hike rain or shine! Click here for the forecast of the area we will be hiking. Gear Information Here are some suggestions for what to wear and what not to wear for our hikes. Carpool Information Click here for directions to our main carpool/caravan location, Dorsey Station. There is very limited parking at the trailhead so please try to carpool! If you can drive or want to carpool from an additional location, 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 There is very limited parking at the trailhead so please try to carpool! Click here for driving directions to the trailhead and where we meet for this hike if you are not carpooling or caravanning with the group. Hike is at 10:00AM Carpool meetup time from Dorsey is 7:00AM We have an annual pass for Skyline Drive for up to 8 in the same vehicle so if you ride with us it will be free and on a first come first serve basis. The entry fee for Skyline Drive for all vehicles is $15 for a single car although many of our member have passes. 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 and our guides/sweepers are equipped with Garmin Rino 530HCx two way waterproof FRS/GMRS radios (15 miles) with GPS navigator and NOAA weather in addition to polling, which means that no hiker is left behind. If you get upset because someone has to rest at the top of a hill etc. then 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 Only with PRIOR leader approval due to the difficulty of this hike! Let's have good times and see you on the trail! Mike H. 405.714.3162 mharris@kaig.com