St. Mary's Wilderness -- November 14 and 15. Final Fall Overnight Trip.

LetÂÂ's plan another trip! This will probably be the final outing of the autumn. I will plan trips and continue to go out over the winter months but I have a feeling there will be only a handful of you with the gear and the will to tackle this with me. (Disclaimer: winter backpacking is unusually exciting and addictive, something I didnÂÂ't know when I started.) This trip will take us to St. MaryÂÂ's Wilderness, the largest of VirginiaÂÂ's federal wilderness areas. ItÂÂ's located at milepost 22.1 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, approximately three hours from our departure zone at West Falls Church metro. (Please let me know whether or not you want to meet us at 8:15 a.m. there or at the trailhead; additionally, any metro users let me know if you want to join us and weÂÂ'll do our best to get you picked up in time to make the 8:15 a.m. rendezvous.) The entire weekendÂÂ's hike will be approximately 12 - 15 miles, with a great campsite location Green Pond ÂÂ- a very rare, natural tarn surrounded by pines. Waterfalls, abandoned mine sites, and stunning views will great us as we make our way through this famous wilderness area IÂÂ'd love to see you out in St. MaryÂÂ's Wilderness ÂÂ- but make sure you have the gear and conditioning to manage this outing. IÂÂ'd be happy to field any questions you may have. Also, this time of year poses the possibility of wet and muddy conditions. Evan FYI: Driving Directions Link: Start address: West Falls Church Metro Virginia 22043 End address: Blue Ridge Pkwy Start at: West Falls Church Metro Virginia 22043 1. Head northwest on McLean Park Rd toward Chummley Ct - 299 ft 2. Turn right at Idylwood Rd - 0.1 mi 3. Take the 1st right onto Leesburg Pike - 164 ft 4. Take the ramp onto I-66 W - 66.0 mi 5. Take exit 1A to merge onto I-81 S toward Roanoke - 95.7 mi 6. Take exit 205 for Raphine/VA-606 - 0.2 mi 7. Turn left at Raphine Rd/VA-606 - 1.6 mi 8. Turn left at N Lee Hwy/US-11 N Continue to follow US-11 N - 0.1 mi 9. Turn right at The River Turnpike/VA-56 E Continue to follow VA-56 E - 1.7 mi 10. Turn left at Tye River Turnpike/VA-56 E - 2.8 mi 11. Turn right to stay on Tye River Turnpike/VA-56 E Continue to follow VA-56 E - 0.9 mi 12. Turn left toward Blue Ridge Pkwy - 453 ft 13. Turn right at Blue Ridge Pkwy Destination will be on the right - 0.9 mi Arrive at: Blue Ridge Pkwy This email was sent to you by a user on Google Maps (maps.google.com)