New River Gorge National Park - Tue, Jun 20 2023

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New River Gorge National Park


The Basics:
Event Type:Adventure
Event Location: Lansing, WV   Adventure: New River Gorge National Park  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Tue, Jun 20 2023  10:00 am >> Fri, Jun 23 2023 2:00 pm
Registration Opens: Sun, Apr 30 2023 8:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Wed, May 17 2023 10:00 pm
Event Duration:3 Days 4 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D3: Moderate (Exploratory)
Distance:30 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Diana
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Member Cost:$15.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:12
Minimum Group Size:4
Number Registered So Far: 6 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Note: This is an "EXPLORATORY" trip. This means that there are parts of this trip, or perhaps the whole trip, that is new to your Trip Leader(s). However, they are confident that this will not be an issue.
This note is here so that you can make an informed decision. When a Trip Leader isn't personally familiar with a trip, there is an increased chance of things not going as planned and you need to be prepared. The Trip Leader may have additional details in the itinerary.

Itinerary:

I've been looking forward to visiting the newest National Park - New River Gorge in West Virginia.  Only about 7-8 hour drive from Atlanta, GA.  This adventure is posted as exploratory as I've never been to the park, don't knoww the trails except for my online research.  Please be flexible as a 10 mile planned outing may turn into an 11 mile hike.  Or something I plan for 5 miles might only be 4.5 miles.  Note that I will try to keep to the distances noted in description below as much as I can though.

Keep in mind that we are not going to rush through the trails - none of the hikes will be at a fast pace.  All hikes around 2 1/2 MPH (maybe a bit more) but hills will definitely slow me down.  If you are looking for fast hikes this is not the trip for you. 

My itinerary below allows for one full day, as well as late afternoons and evenings, of free time.

 

DAY 1 - First day of hiking - Tuesday June 20 10:00 a.m.   9 miles on the Fayetteville Area Trails- 6 hours (pack a picnic lunch and we'll stop somewhere along the trail overlooking the gorge)

Fayetteville Trail, Long Point Trail and Kaymoor Miners Trail - nine mile loop.  About 1600 ft elevation.  All uphill climbs will be slow and steady, level and downhill at a more moderate pace.

 

DAY 2 - Second day of hiking - Wednesday June 21  10:00 a.m.   5 miles (optional 5 more)

Grandview Rim Trail, Castle Rock Trail and Tunnel Trails combined for a total of 5 miles and 600 feet elevation gain.  In the same area is the Big Buck Trail and Little Laurel Trail. Another five miles optional. (3 hours for the five mile portion - about 6 hours if you opt for all ten miles)

 

DAY 3 - 1/2 Day Free - Thursday June 22 - go kayaking, rafting, shopping, take a drive, explore the area, go on another hike.  More suggestions below. and then join the group for a 2.5 mile hike (easy) on the Endless Wall trail and the Canyon Rim overlook in the late afternoon (probably around 5pm). Your Trip Leader will probably want to hike in the morning too so if you don't make other plans let's hike more!!!!  I want to check out Hawks Nest State Park. But I wanted to give everyone the option of a day of leisure.

 

DAY 4 - Third day of hiking - Friday June 23   8:00 a.m.  Cunard, Thurmond and Stone Cliff Area Trails  8 miles, 1100 ft elevation.  

Cunard, Thurmond-Southside Trail, Rend Trail, Church Loop and Stone Cliff Area Trails and the Concho Overlook.  later in the day a few more very short hikes on the Sandstone Falls Boardwalk .5 miles., Big Branch 2 miles. , Sandstone Falls overlook.  I would like to be on the road headed home by 2:00 p.m.

 

Itinerary above is not set in stone.  I have choosen the most scenic trails  and in different areas of the park.  if anyone has any other suggestions I am open to ideas.  Since my first time at New River Gorge I am not claiming to know the area.  Be ready for last minute changes but I will try to stick to the intinerary as planned. 

 

Pack bag lunch each morning, meet group at trailhead - we won't rush through, not a super fast pace.  there is some elevation but will take all uphills slow and easy.  trails without much elevation we will hike moderate pace.  

 

Plan on hotel or AirBnB for FOUR NIGHTS -  the 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd of June - hiking begins morning of the 20th 

 Area Activities and General Information

Hawks Nest State Park:  https://wvstateparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/HawksNestTrailsandMapV4.pdf 

NRGNPP hikes: For trails descriptions click here:  https://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/hiking.htm.  Click the trail area and then click the trail name to get a trail description

https://bridgewalk.com/

https://adventuresonthegorge.com/

https://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/thurmond.htm

Fayette Station Road Scenic Drive

 

 

Each participant is responsible for their own lodging, meals, transportation, etc.

Best to find lodging in or around Beckley WV, Lansing, WV or Fayetteville, WV as those small towns would be closest to the park and our various hiking  both towns have large variety of restaurants

https://www.airbnb.com/

https://www.vrbo.com/

Local Hotels or a nearby campground.

 

162 Visitor Center Road, Lansing, WV 25862 is the main park visitor center so please try to make your lodging reservations a reasonable distance from that point.


Required Items to Bring:

Spirit of adventure

Water/liquids

Snacks

Hiking Boots

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

Sunscreen

hiking poles

Sun Hat

Day Pack


Notes:

Lodging, meals, transportation, park entrance fees, parking fees and other costs are to be paid by the participants.  The only cost that will be collected by the AOC is administration fee of $15.00


Important information for paid events in which payment is managed through the AOC:

     - Payment must be received by the payment due date and prior to participation in the event.

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     - No partial payments. All registrants must pay the posted Member Cost regardless of any agreement you may have with any party involved in the event.

     - Read the event description carefully for additional information, and contact the trip leader(s) with any questions.

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Cost & Payment:
Member Cost:$15.00/Person
Cost Includes:

$15.00 AOC admin fee

All other expenses incurred (lodging, food, transportation, park entrance fees, etc is the sole responsiblity of the participant).  Local hotels run $150 to $200 per night.  AirBnB may be a better option.  New River Gorge Park has no entrance fee but if we go to any state parks there may be fees for entry or parking.

Payment Cut Off:Payment must be received by the AOC on Wed, May 17 2023.
Make a Payment:Click here for the details. PLEASE PAY AFTER YOU HAVE SIGNED UP BELOW.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.
*Note:

Cancelation policy - $15 must be remitted via Paypal to the Atlanta Outdoor Club no later than May 17th, 2023.  If you need to cancel you must do so prior to May 20th in order to receive $15 refund.  after May 20th there are no refunds.