DANGIT We Need a Poetry Hike!!! (Moderate 5.6 Miles, 1250' Gain, Good Vibes)

Hiya!

IT HAS BEEN almost a year since we put our last poetry hike!!! The hillocks and ridgebacks of Shenandoah are crying out for untempered voices to expound their heartfelt truths!!!!! And who are we to deprive them of our indomitable human spirits?!?!!?!!! NO LONGER SHALL WE WAIT!!!

This hike is a moderate 5.6 mile double-loop with 1250' of elevation gain in the Skyland area of Shenandoah National Park. The hike begins at the Skyland Parking Lot on Skyland Upper Loop Road (approximately here: 38°35'30.8"N 78°22'52.4"W, just search "Skyland Registration" in Google Maps and it will take you to the parkling lot) and starts with a two-mile out-and-back to Miller's Head lookout. From there, the hike follows the Connector, Passamaquoddy, and Appalachian Trails in a loop around Stony Man Mountain from 2.0 to 5.6 miles. This hike is well and truly packed with amazing views and overlooks and we will be stopping at pretty much all of them as we meander along at a 2 mph pace.

But the best part of any poetry hike is, of course, the poetry. Depending on how crowded it is, we will stop at either Miller Head, Little Stony Man, or Big Stony Man overlook to eat lunch and hold an open-mic poetry session. Hikers are strongly encouraged to bring their favorite poem (or even something you've written yourself!) and read it aloud for the group! For real, the hike is nice, but the poems are the best part; please come ready to be see, hear, and share in the boundlessness of the human condition.

After the hike is done, we'll either go to Pen Druid or Veditz Brewery down in Sperryville, depending on weather and what everyone's feeling time-wise.

We hope you bring a poem! And we hope to see you on the trail!

INFO:

This hike was heavily inspired by the Sugarloaf Solstice/Poetry Hike held annually by our fellow DC hiking group, the Adventuring LGBTQ+ Outdoors Club. We encourage you to check them out! https://4142298.xyz/Adventuring-LGBTQ-Outdoors-Club/

CARPOOLING:

We encourage those with cars to be willing to drive - you're the ones who make LMH great!

If you're a driver that is willing to drive, please post a comment on the event page with the following information:
(1) Number of seats
(2) Meeting location
(3) Meeting time (recommended departure time from DC is 8:00 AM).

As a rider, please comment on the driver's post to take a seat or post in the comments that you need a ride so a driver can find you. Riders are encouraged to help their driver out with the cost of gas.

BACKGROUNG INFO ABOUT LMH:

Please remember that this group is an informal group of friends and volunteers initiating trips under the common adventurer model (http://www.ronwatters.com/CADefine.html). We do expect our members to be familiar with the best practices of hiking and we expect you to sign up for hikes near to your current ability level. Don't turn your hike into a forced march!

We are also not professionals, nor are we trained hike leaders, nor do we scout out hikes. We plan hikes for fun. You are responsible for your own welfare and safety at all LMH events. Be careful to choose hikes only within your own physical abilities and hiking knowledge; take maps, suitable clothing, provisions (at least two liters of water plus any food or medical supplies you might require) and equipment, and act responsibly and safely at all times.

Act responsibly and safely: if you ever believe you may be lost, follow the advice of the US Forest Service (https://www.fs.fed.us/visit/know-before-you-go/if-you-get-lost)

LMH organizers and members shall not be liable for any injuries, loss or damage to persons or property, direct or consequential, arising out of any aspect of LMH activities. By attending this event, you represent that you have read, understand, and agree to the contents of our waiver of liability in the following link (https://4142298.xyz/Late-Morning-DC-Hikers-25-45/pages/12710332/Waiver_of_Liability/)