Download a flier (PDF) and hike descriptions
An invitation to "show" your high adventure at the Hike-o-ree
Click here for hike descriptions
The 22nd Annual V3 (Venturing, Varsity, and Venture) Hike-o-ree will be held on, November 4-6, 2011, at the Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center, Front Royal, VA. Registration will be limited to trail capacities of the fifteen trails. The Hike-o-ree is open to all Scout units including Venturing Crews, Sea Scout Ships, Varsity Teams, and Troops.
Units are encouraged to form trail crews, consisting of no more than twelve members, including at least two adults. Participation minimum age for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts is 13 years old as of January 1, 2012. Girl Scout troops will be required to have at least one leader trained at the 200 level, a first aider with current CPR certification and a sufficient number of adults to meet the girl-adult ratio requirements of Safety-Wise. Training at the 250 or 260 level would provide beneficial information for this event, but is not mandatory. Girl Scout troops should submit a ‘Request for Council Approval’ form to Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital. BSA units should file tour permits with National Capital Area Council.
Trail crews will be assigned a hike based on their preferences indicated on the registration form. All hikes are approximately ten miles in length and range in difficulty from moderate (1500 foot change in elevation) to super strenuous (2600 foot change in elevation). Other Hike-o-ree activities include a Friday night opening campfire, a high adventure rally on Saturday night, and a service project on Sunday morning. Camping Friday and Saturday night at the 4-H Center is to be backpacking style. Camping Friday and Saturday night at the 4-H Center is to be backpacking style using ONLY backpacking equipment. Please do not bring chuck boxes, coolers, Dutch ovens, propane tanks, camp lanterns, and lawn chairs!!! Bring ONLY what you can carry in your backpack. Crews will receive their t-shirts at the completion of the Hike-o-ree.
Registration will be made on a FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVE BASIS. An initial deposit of $60.00 is due to reserve a particular hike and must be made not later than October 13, 2011. All registration will be done on this Council Website. After you sign up for a hike and pay your deposit you will be sent a confirmation email and the advisors package and detailed information about the hike you have selected. Because of the lead-time required to produce the t-shirts, the final date for call in of number and sizes (medium, large, extra large, extra extra large) of shirts to Bob Austin is October 18. No additional orders can be taken after that date. The remaining balance, including fees for any no-shows, is due on Friday night, at the Hike-o-ree registration. Please make checks out to Boy Scouts of America. The cost of the Hike-o-ree is $15.00 ($17.00 for extra extra large shirts).
For additional information contact:
Bob Austin, (703) 425-9675(H) or (703) 253-1917(W) email at Back to Top
Hike Descriptions
Hike #1 - White Oak/Cedar Run Canyon
Superstrenuous
Elevation change: 2722 feet
Length: 9.1 miles
Driving Distance (one way): 42.9 miles
PATC Map: 10
This hike goes through two of the deepest and steepest ravines in the Shenandoah National Park. Both canyons have waterfalls, cascades and high cliffs.
Back to Top
Hike #2 - Robertson Mountain
Superstrenuous - Elevation change: 2884 feet
Length: 11.3 miles
Driving Distance (one way): 34.8 miles PATC Map: 10
This trail follows a beautiful trout stream to an original mountaineer's cabin and finally over one of the least climbed mountains in the Shenandoah National Park. If you want a challenge, climb Robertson Mountain from the east.
Back to Top
Hike #3 - Overall Run
Superstrenuous - Elevation change: 2991 feet
Length: 9.2 miles
Driving Distance (one way): 26.7 miles PATC Map: 9
This hike follows trails that were farm roads in pre-park days and gives access to the Overall Run Falls. At 93 feet, it is the highest waterfall in the Shenandoah National Park.
Back to Top
Hike #4 - Little Devil's Stairs
Strenuous - Elevation change: 2155 feet
Length: 10.2 miles
Driving Distance (one way): 26.1 miles PATC Map: 9
Little Devil's Stairs Trail winds around and between the rocks in a canyon, crossing and recrossing Keyser Run many times. Be sure to stop and visit a graveyard dating back to the early 1800s.
Back to Top
Hike #5 - Thorofare Mountain
Strenuous - Elevation change: 2559 feet
Length: 9.5 miles
Driving Distance (one way): 34.8 miles PATC Map: 10
This trail offers a waterfall, old farm roads that once connected the families in this area, two great swimming holes, and a restored mountaineer's cabin.
Back to Top
Hike #6 - Hazel Country
Strenuous - Elevation change: 2467 feet
Length: 9.9 miles
Driving Distance (one way): 34.8 miles PATC Map: 10
The mountaineer has been gone for 50 years, but the few old houses, which remain standing, old apple orchards, the lonely chimneys, and crude stone fences are evidence that he was here.
Back to Top
Hike #7 - Hazel Mountain
Strenuous Elevation change: 3024 feet
Length: 9.5 miles
Driving Distance (one way): 29.4 miles PATC Map: 10
This hike takes you into one of the most remote areas of the Shenandoah National Park and is recommended for crews who are map and compass experts. It offers a waterfall, a swimming hole and a cave.
Back to Top
Hike #8- Old Rag
Strenuous - Elevation change: 2423 feet
Length: 7.1 miles
Driving Distance (one way): 35.0 miles PATC Map: 10
If you have never climbed "Old Raggedy Top", now's the time. This hike provides views in all directions, including a noble panorama of the mountains of the Shenandoah National Park.
Back to Top
Hike #9 - Jeremy's Run
Moderate - Elevation change: 2222 feet
Length: 10.0 miles
Driving Distance (one way): 35.0 miles PATC Map: 9
Jeremy's Run is one of the most scenic streams in the Northern District of the Shenandoah National Park. The trail is beautifully forested and the run itself is a continual series of cascades and pools.
Back to Top
Hike #10 - Signal Knob
Moderate - Elevation change: 2770 feet
Length: 10.6 miles
Driving Distance (one way): 15.4 miles PATC Map
Back to Top
Hike 11 - Thornton Hollow
Moderate
Elevation change: 2384 feet
Length: 10.6 miles
Driving Distance (one way): 28.5 miles
PATC Map: 9
This hike gives the backpacker a taste of the Appalachian Trail. It descends over Piney Ridge and climbs back up along the beautiful North Fork of the Thornton River.
Back to Top
Hike #12 – Piney Ridge/Piney Branch
Moderate - Elevation change: 1650 feet
Length: 9.4 miles
Driving Distance (one way): 26.7 miles PATC Map: 9
Walk along a ridge where homes and farmlands once stood and see a spectacular view of a three tier waterfall. Offers two waterfalls and a deep swimming hole.
Back to Top
Hike #13- Big Devil’s Stairs Overlook
Moderate - Elevation change: 1300 feet
Length: 10.5 miles
Driving Distance (one way): 12.2 miles PATC Map: 9
This hike slabs around the eastern and southern slopes of Mount Marshall and provides a side trek to the east rim of Big Devil’s Stairs offering spectacular views of Big Devil’s Stairs canyon and the mountains beyond.
Back to Top
Hike #14 - Massanutten Mountain
Moderate - Elevation change: 2237 feet
Length: 9.1 miles
Driving Distance (one way): 16.0 miles PATC Map: G
From the top of the ridge, there will be opportunities for superb views both east towards the mountains of the Shenandoah National Park and west intods in the pre-park days. It also offers two excellent viewing areas from the tops of Sugarloaf and Hogback Mountains.
Back to Top
Hike #15 – Sugarloaf Trail
Moderate - Elevation change: 1876 feet
Length: 9.3 miles
Driving Distance (one way): 25.4 miles PATC Map: 9
This trail uses both the Appalachian Trail and horse and foot trails that were farm roads in the pre-park days. It also offers two excellent viewing areas from the tops of Sugarloaf and Hogback Mountains.
Back to Top
CHOOSE ONLY ONE HIKE ROUTE WHEN YOU REGISTER
An Invitation to "Show" Your High Adventures at the Hike-o-ree
“SHOW OFF” your unit’s High Adventure...
- ...in a 5-6 minute visual presentation (power point, movie, etc) and
- at the Hike-o-ree.
Time and Place: Friday night, 4 November 2011, at the Front Royal 4H Education Center Hike-o-ree Rally.
Enhance It! Put your show to narration or music that youth like to listen to.
Why? Friday night at the Hike-o-ree, we have a Rally for the hikers where we show off your "high adventures" and allow you to brag. This also gives the Hike-o-ree participants ideas for their 2012 High Adventures.
Please contact Adair Petty, ppetty1@cox.net to get your show on the schedule for the Hike-o-ree Rally.
The Hike-o-ree is Friday evening to Sunday morning 4-6 November 2011, or you can come for just Friday evening and Saturday, or just Saturday.
About Us
Tell A Friend
Add to calendar
