Early Morning - Stickler Knob Hike - GWNF

***DATE CHANGE TO SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2008*** Folks, C.J. (GuestOrg) is changing it up! Get yourself out of bed early for an awesome hike through the Stickler Knob Trail in George Washington National Forest (GWNF). This one is just as challenging and exciting as Old Rag, challenging but without the crowds! The Stickler Knob 9.1M trail has some challenging rock hopping/scramble and has some of the best vistas of the mid-Atlantic and beautiful views of the New Market Gap, the Luray Valley, and a 360 degree picture perfect panorama from the Strickler Knob summit. Time/Location:Carpooling being coordinated among those who RSVP YES but should meet in Warrenton, VA (US-211) at the (7-11) at 0500. Meetup location is approximately 56 miles from DC. Drivers from DC should leave around 0400. This is a good 5 hour long hike without the breaks - but should be easily back by midafternoon. Cost: Budget about $15.00 for gas share. Please only RSVP yes if you are serious about LEAVING at before the crack of dawn! Weather: This is an adventure group -- We go RAIN OR SHINE! But, keep an eye on the weather and dress appropriately! Carpool: Remember the metro does not run at 0400-0500am. Don’t forget if you want a ride or are willing to offer a ride – be a friend to the environment, save money, and make friends by just posting a message!! - Have a ride: Please post where you are coming from, what time, and how many spots you have. - Need a ride: Post that you need a ride and contact any offers via e-mail for those that are offering rides. Google Directions to trailhead: Forestry Development Rd 274/George Washington National Forest. 38.66285 -78.59838. **Note: This hike is not suitable for dogs.** TRAIL SUMMARY: For more details go to: hikingupward.com From the Massanutten trailhead on Crimson Hollow Rd/VA211 start east towards Waterfall Mountain on the orange blazed Massanutten trail, immediately passing a campsite on the left. In 0.2 miles there is a vista of the Luray Valley. Continue for 0.3 miles at which point the trail turns steeply downhill. Make several switchbacks, then the trail becomes less steep before reaching the intersection of the white blazed Massanutten Connector trail in 0.6 miles from the ridge. Turn left on the orange blazed Massanutten trail as it begins to climb alongside Big Run, passing a campsite in 0.1 miles. Cross the run where the trail becomes steeper, then re-cross the run, make one large switchback, then level out and arrive at the intersection of the yellow blazed Scothorn Gap trail 2.0 miles from the last intersection. Turn right uphill as the orange blazed Massanutten trail continues to climb, then arrives at the ridge and intersection of the pink blazed Strickler Knob trail in another 0.6 miles. Now the fun starts. Firstly, thank you to the trail builders! This used to be a formidable bushwhack. The Strickler Knob trail is marked with both pink blazes on the rocks, and red plastic diamonds on trees, and can be a little hard to follow in places. You need to be almost right on top of the rock blazes to spot them. The trail will also appear to end in a couple of places, but keep heading along the ridge, and you'll pick the trail back up. You'll know when you get to Strickler Knob :) After 0.3 miles pass a rock outcrop and view to the west and north. From this vista, continue on the trail rock hopping for another 0.4 miles to another opening, and beautiful vista to the southwest. From this point the rock hopping and bouldering becomes more intense. The first obstacle is a 12ft climb over a small rock wall, then just before the the main summit pass through a group of three boulders. This is not the summit stack! Once through the crack continue to follow the blazes, pass a small overhang, and climb a 6ft ledge. The main summit is accessed through a rock crack on the left. Continue for another 30ft to the southern summit overlook. A hiker has left a trail journal in a waterproof bag here, add you thoughts! Climbing to the main summit provides a 360 degree view of the Luray Valley and New Market Gap.