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Where:
When:
Participation Limit:
Hike Description:
What to Bring:
Rules:
Cancellation Policy:
Directions:
Our first K9Trailblazers Backpacking trip will take place in the North District of Shenandoah National Park. We will hike from Jenkins Gap to Gravel Springs and back in a circuit. We will hike about 6-7 miles each day on the Appalachian Trail and side trails.
Participation in this trip is limited to people and dogs who have attended at least one previous K9Trailblazers hike and who also have recent backpacking experience.
Directions are listed below. We will meet at the Front Royal entrance to SNP.
Saturday and Sunday, June 8-9, 2002.
Eight people, one dog each.
We will spend 2 days and 1 night in the backcountry, hanging out with our companions, canine and human, enjoying the scenic beauty of SNP. We will have plenty of daylight to hike at a moderate pace, stopping whenever anyone in the group needs to rest as well as for water/snack breaks and photo ops. We’ll hike together as a group, taking time to help each other and our dogs across the rough spots and creek crossings.
The usual K9TB rules will apply: leash at all times, including in camp, and scoop or bury poop. We will follow Leave No Trace ethics. For information, check the LNT website: http://www.lnt.org/
We will be in bear country, so all food and scented products such as sunscreen must be hung in a "bear bag" at night. Bring at least 40 feet of rope and a bag to hang your stuff. In spite of recent rains, there is a possibility that SNP will ban open flames and we will not be able to boil water. Be prepared! You will need food that does not require cooking and a water purification system such as filter or tablets. (Hint: if you leave the stove, fuel, pots, etc. at home your pack will weigh less, too!)
As usual, come prepared for hiking—in this case overnight hiking! You’ll need a tent in which you and your dog will be secure at night. Bring a sleeping bag (and pad if you use one); a flashlight or headlamp and extra batteries; a jackknife or "all-in-one" tool (such as Leatherman); personal first aid supplies and hygiene equipment; first aid and grooming supplies for your dog (see below.) Bring your personal I.D. and health insurance card and any medications you normally take. You may also want to bring a small amount of cash.
The trip will take place even if it’s raining, so bring rain gear. If you dress in layers, you will find it easier to adapt to changing conditions as you heat up while hiking and chill down when resting or when we get to the ridges where wind is blowing. Quick-drying synthetic fabrics are preferable to jeans and cotton T-shirts which will keep you wet & chilled if it rains or temperatures drop in the evening. Bring sunglasses and sunscreen, a hat and bandanna.
The trails are rocky and steep, and there will be some stream crossings—hiking boots with good ankle support are a must! If you normally use a hiking stick bring it. Bring at least a quart of water each for you and your dog during the day; snacks and lunches for you and your dog for Sat. and Sun.; dinner for you and your dog Sat. night; breakfast for both of you Sunday morning.
Bring an extra leash or a strap 6-8 feet long so you can attach your leashed dog to a tree without winding the leash around the tree—this gives the dog room to sit or lie down comfortably. Bring a copy of your dog’s rabies certificate and vaccination records as well as the name/phone number of your veterinarian. Bring whatever medications your dog normally takes, and ask your veterinarian for advice about what first aid supplies to bring for cuts, sprains, bee stings, diarrhea, etc. Bring a simple grooming kit to keep your dog free of thorns, burrs and stickers on the trail, and to remove trail debris before taking the dog into your tent at night.
Unless your dog has frequently carried a pack, this is NOT the time to introduce a backpack! That needs to be done on dayhikes of gradually increasing length and difficulty, when YOU are prepared to carry it back to the car if necessary.
Basically the rules are the ones we always have: dogs need to stay on leash and under control, and you need to scoop your dog’s poop. Please use a standard 6’ leash while on the trail. Flexible leads can allow people and dogs to trip or tangle, resulting in rope burns or injuries, so please bring a standard leash.
We will go unless there is severe or dangerous weather or the authorities close the roads for any reason.
From the DC Beltway (I-495):
Exit onto Rt. 66 West to Front Royal; go south on Rt. 522 and follow the signs to the entrance station. There is a fee if you don’t have a National Parks Pass. We will meet here and caravan to the trailhead.
From Columbia and Points North:
Take I-95 south to the DC Beltway and head west (outer loop - toward Silver Spring). From there, follow the directions listed above.
A map is provided below:
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To register for the hike and to get the details on meeting location and time, or for anything else about this hike or the hiking club in general, please contact Pat Fuhrer.