Shenandoah National Park, VA

Drive or fly into Dulles Airport (IAD). The best time to arrive is between around Noon-3PM. However, if you can save a substantial amount on your flight by arriving at say, 11AM or 5PM, then do so.

Take the free airport shuttle to local hotel DoubleTree by Hilton Sterling - Dulles Airport, 21611 Atlantic Blvd, Sterling, VA 20166, 703-230-0077,. Call hotel's number for shuttle pickup.

Equipment shakedown. We go through your gear and make sure you're properly outfitted

Trail mix distribution

"Before" measurements taken

Go to EMS Dulles, Dulles 28 Center [Wegman's], 22000 Dulles Retail Plaza, Dulles, VA, 703.421.4330 or REI Fairfax, # 11950 Grand Commons Ave, Fairfax, VA 22030, (571) 522-6568 for last minute or forgotten equipment

Go out to local restaurant for welcome dinner (Dinner not included in trip cost)

Second set of "before" measurements taken

All the items that you won't bring on the trail will be set aside and put in storage.

Guides will serve a continental breakfast

Shuttle to Shenandoah National Park, Little Stony Man Parking Area

Today's Hike is Stony Man Mountain. It is a short and pleasant hike, and has some of the best vistas in Shenandoah National Park.

Hike 0.3 miles to the Passamaquoddy Trail

Hike 1.0 miles to the junction of Furnace Spring Road

Hike 0.5 uphill miles on the Furnace Spring Trail to the Stony Man Horse Trail

Hike 0.5 miles to the summit of Stony Man Mountain

Hike 1.0 miles on the Little Stony Man Trail / Appalachian Trail to Little Stony Man Mountain

Hike 0.3 downhill miles back to the vehicle(s)

Shuttle to Big Meadows Campground

Set up camp at individual sites D149, D151 & D154. We will move to group site D163 tomorrow for the rest of the week. Big Meadows has laundry facilities and pay showers. It has a tiny store. A 1-mile walk from Big Meadows is the Big Meadows Wayside, which has a larger store and short order grill. Big Meadows is also a lodge. At your own expense, you may elect to spend a night (or more) in one of their rooms/cabins and hike with the group during the day.

Shuttle to Dark Hollow Falls Trail

Hike 0.7 miles down to the waterfall. If it's hot out, the falls make a refreshing shower.

Hike 0.7 miles back to the parking lot.

Miles today: 5.0. Total miles: 5.0

Possible bailout: Skyline Dr.

Today's Hike is Hawksbill Summit. At 4049', it's the highest point in Shenandoah National Park.

Break down camp and move to group site D163 where we'll stay the rest of the week.

Start walking from Big Meadows

Hike about 3.0 miles Northbound on the Appalachian Trail

Hike 0.5 steep uphill miles to the summit of Hawksbill.

Have lunch at Byrd's Nest #2 Day-Use Shelter

Hike 0.5 downhill miles to the Appalachian Trail.

Hike about 3.0 miles Southbound on the Appalachian Trail to Big Meadows Campground

Miles today: 7.0. Total miles: 12.0

Possible bailout: Skyline Dr.

Today's Hike is the Dickey Ridge Trail. It is a long hike, but it's downhill all the way.

Shuttle almost an hour to Compton Gap, elevation 2415'

We will need to shuttle another car to the end of today's hike. This will take about 45 minutes

Hike 10.4 downhill miles to the Front Royal Park Entrance Station, elevation 570'

Shuttle back to Big Meadows. This will take between 1 and 2 hours.

Return back to Big Meadows Campground

Miles today: 10.4. Total miles: 22.4

Possible bailout: Skyline Dr.

Today's hike is Mary's Rock, with amazing sweeping views of Shenandoah Valley

Shuttle to Thornton Gap, elevation 2460'

Hike 1.7 rocky uphill miles to Mary's Rock, elevation 3514'

Hike 1.7 rocky downhill miles to Thornton Gap, elevation 2460'

Return back to Big Meadows Campground

Go to the Big Meadows Ampitheater

Hike the 2.9 mile Lewis Spring Falls Loop, stopping at the Falls Viewing Area and returning on the Appalachian Trail

Miles today: 6.3. Total miles: 28.7

Possible bailout: Skyline Dr.

Today's Hike is Old Rag, one of the premier destinations in all of Virginia. Today will be a fun but very challenging day. Make sure to read Preparing to Hike Old Rag Mountain and subsequently Hiking Old Rag. Although challenging, every Fatpacking participant who has attempted it has completed it successfully.

Wake up early (before 6AM). We want to make sure to get an early start and a parking spot.

Shuttle about 75 minutes to Old Rag Parking Lot, elevation 1100'

Hike 0.8 road miles to the trailhead

Hike 2.0 steep uphill miles

Hike/scramble 2.0 miles to the summit of Old Rag, elevation 3291'

Do not underestimate the two mile scramble. It requires you to use your hands, arms, legs and yes your butt. You will be climbing on, over and under rocks. There is a lot of scrambling so a good attitude and patience are important. Despite the challenge, it is quite an accomplishment. Every Fatpacking participant who has attempted Old Rag has completed it successfully.

Hike 1.3 downhill miles past Byrd's Nest #1 and Old Rag Shelter to Post Office Junction

Hike 2.6 miles back to Old Rag Trailhead

Hike 0.8 road miles to the car(s)

Miles today: 9.5. Total miles: 38.2

Return back to Big Meadows Campground

Possible bailout: Skyline Dr.

Break Camp and pack everything into the vehicle(s)

Shuttle to Bearfence Parking, mile 56.6 on Skyline Drive

Hike the 1.5 mile Bearfence Rock Scramble loop.

End of hiking

Miles today: 1.5. Total miles: 39.7

Possible bailout: Skyline Dr.

Shuttle back to local hotel DoubleTree by Hilton Sterling - Dulles Airport, 21611 Atlantic Blvd, Sterling, VA 20166, 703-230-0077,.

After measurements taken

Dinner and awards Ceremony. Dinner not included in trip cost.

Take Free Airport Shuttle