Hike: Trout Pond Recreation Area, VA

Sign up link (please remember to fill in your required RSVP info): https://www.meetup.com/wanderbirds-hiking-club/events/316285327/?slug=wanderbirds-hiking-club&eventId=315563131

Trout Pond, created by massive limestone sink holes, is West Virginia's only natural lake, nestled in a little-visited area of mountains, streams and more sink holes. Hikers start at Trout Run Valley Road and ascend west onto the Long Mountain Trail to the junction with Trout Pond Trail. Moderate hikers turn onto the Trout Pond Trail and continue on Chimney Rock Trail to skirt around Rockcliff Lake in the Trout Pond Recreation Area (TPRA), terminating at the lake shore near the camping area. Long hikers continue on the Long Mountain Trail, making rights onto Trout Pond Road and Trout Pond Trail, and descend to enter the TPRA from the south. There is swimming at Rockcliff Lake near the end of the hike. Est.: 12.5 miles, 2500' elevation and 8.5, 1500' elevation. PATC Map F. Fare: $33.

VA Hikes

• [DC: Near 17th and K St. NW](https://bit.ly/17thandKnu) downtown (east side of Farragut Square). Bus leaves at 8 a.m. SHARP, so it's essential to arrive well before 8 am. • [Vienna Metro: NORTH parking lot](http://bit.ly/vienna-bus), last bus shelter (Nutley St. Exit off Interstate 66 on North/Vienna side of I-66) at approximately 8:25 a.m. Park at 9486 Virginia Center Blvd, Vienna, VA 22181 * • Caution: The "south" parking lot also has bus shelters. If by 8:15, you're not with a group of Wanderbirds hikers, you may be in the south lot. There's a walkway that passes the fare gates over I-66 to the north lot.

RESERVATIONS Wanderbirds Hiking Club is a 501(c)(7) non-profit, and the public is invited on all hiking trips. Reservations are accepted as late as Saturday, but reserving as early in the week as possible helps ensure your spot and prevent cancellation of the hike due to low sign-ups. RSVP through Meetup and pay through PayPal. Please be sure your RSVP gives your full name and phone number and where you'll be boarding the bus.

FIRST-TIME HIKERS If you're a first-time hiker with us, please notify the leaders in advance so they can make sure you have the info you need. Hikers must be able to keep a 2-mph (30 min/mile) pace. New hikers are required to first complete a moderate hike with us.

LIABILITY WAIVER Many of our hikes take place in remote wilderness areas where cell phone service is not available. Any person participating in any Club activity is responsible for their own safety, health and welfare, and must assume all risks and liabilities related to all Club activities. The Club, its hike leaders, hike sweeps, officers, and other representatives are not liable for any injuries, losses, or damage to persons, children, pets, and/or property, arising from any trips or activities of the Club. You are responsible for bringing enough water, food, and first aid supplies, including those for your personal medical conditions.

CANCELLATION POLICY To cancel and receive a full bus hike refund, less a $5 processing fee, you must change your RSVP to "No" on Meetup before NOON on the Friday before the hike. If you change your RSVP after twelve noon on the Friday before the hike, a refund will not be issued (but a 'rain-check' may be possible). Cancellations to Metro/carpool/trailhead hikes will not issue a financial refund, but hikers are implored to change their Meetup RSVP to NO so that leaders do not wait for them at the trailhead.

FLU, COVID-19, and RSV PRECAUTIONS Anyone experiencing symptoms of upper respiratory illness should not attend the event.

MORE DETAILS -- [SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE](http://www.wanderbirds.org/faq.html)