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HikingUpward.com |
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12/29/2006 4:08 PM |
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We are a group of avid hikers who enjoy the wonderful forests and parks in the mid-Atlantic states. Having hiked many of these mountains over the years, we wanted to share the trails and routes we've found with others who might enjoy them as well. |
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Wildcat Mountain - Jan 26th 2008 |
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By HikingUpward.com on
1/28/2008 2:22 PM
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This is one of Virginia's hidden jewels, and also one of the very few hikes we have tagged as a  for solitude. Managed by The Nature Conservancy the Wildcat Mountain Natural Area is situated on a plateau between three mountains, and has a virtual labyrinth of hiking trails. The two main loop hikes are 2.9 miles and 5.2 miles in length.
Saturday was our first trip out to this secluded hiking area, and we weren’t disappointed! Special thanks to Kris H. for the recommendation. We can’t wait to make it back in the spring when the wildflowers are supposed to be in bloom. If you are looking for a hiking area that you may have to yourself for most of the time, try to make it out to Wildcat Mountain before the word gets out :)
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Sky Meadows Hike - Dec 29th |
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By HikingUpward.com on
1/5/2008 6:20 AM
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With a picnic area and many interconnecting trails, including the new Ambassador Whitehouse Trail that winds through the high meadows and the Snowden Interpretative Trail near to Bleak House, Sky Meadows has become a popular destination for families and more experienced hikers alike.
We had a great day on Saturday with excellent visibility. Sky Meadows has always been one of our favorite winter hikes, with wide-open views of the Piedmont Valley from several locations on the route. With the addition of the Ambassador Whitehouse Trail a few years ago, an 8.4 mile loop hike now exists to trek through the beautiful upper meadows that are reminiscent of the high meadows on the Cold Mountain Hike in southwestern Virginia.
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Buck Hollow/St. Mary's Rock |
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By HikingUpward.com on
12/3/2007 10:26 AM
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The Buck Hollow/Mary’s Rock circuit is one of our favorite winter day hikes. Starting in the valley just west of Sperryville, the route to Mary’s Rock gains over 2,600 feet of elevation in just over 4 miles. The reward for the steep climb are the spectacular views along the ridge, as well as panoramic vistas from the high point at Mary’s Rock.
Saturday morning was cold when we made it onto the trail at 9:00 am with the temp around 35F in the valley, but once we got going we warmed up quickly. However, 2,600 feet higher on the ridgeline the temperature dropped to a chilly 26F, plus the winds whipping up and over the ridge from the west made it feel that much colder.
There are many great vista hikes in the Shenandoah National Park, and the best time to enjoy them is in the cooler months when the visibility is at its best. Cold weather hiking is great exercise, and the SNP trails that are usually very busy in the spring and fall are almost empty this time of the year.
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Catlett Moutain - Oct20, 2007 |
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By HikingUpward.com on
11/2/2007 6:19 AM
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If you’re looking for fall colors, this is definitely a great hike in the SNP! Last week I got out early before the crowds and hiked Old Rag, and the beautiful views from the summit were fantastic. This week we decided to check out the leaves on the hike next door.
The Catlett Mountain Hike is one of the best in the park for fall foliage, and one of the least traveled. The reds, orange and yellows, which seem to explode in the upper sections of Catlett Mountain, are at their peak in October.
The hike starts from the same Old Rag parking area, then heads up the Nicholson Hollow trail along the banks of the Hughes River. While there can easily be more than 100 hikers on the Old Rag circuit, you can complete the Catlett Mountain loop without seeing another person, as we did on Saturday.
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Old Rag - October 13, 2007 |
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By HikingUpward.com on
10/15/2007 6:55 AM
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Could you ask for a better day for one of the best hikes in the mid-Atlantic? I got on the trail at about 7 a.m. and just managed to get the last spot in the upper parking area. Looks like other people had the same idea :)
The Old Rag Mountain hike, in the Shenandoah National Park, is one of the most popular hikes in the mid-Atlantic region. With many spectacular panoramic views, and one of the most challenging rock scrambles in the park, this circuit hike is a favorite of many hikers. But be prepared for the crowds. This is the only hike to which we give a  star rating for solitude.
On the other hand, it's the only hike we give a  star rating to for views. Many hikers also prefer to do this loop counterclockwise, thereby tackling the rock scramble on the Ridge Trail on the downhill. Either way, the rock scramble can be challenging, being both steep and requiring climbing through cracks in the rock.
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