Hike: Blue Ridge Tunnel: Friday, July 11th
/
Join us as we hike the Blue Ridge Tunnel from the west side to the east. Meet at 10:00 am at East Trailhead. This will be a relatively easy one-way hike through the tunnel. (We’re going to organize a carpool starting at one end; more details below.)
Dr. Laura Neser of Virginia Tech's Department of Geosciences (daughter of WSC Hiking Group Leads Wayne and Mary Lou Mortimer) will lead this hike.
The tunnel was originally constructed in the 1850s and is located 500 feet under Rockfish Gap. The tunnel was restored in 2020 as a public trail.
Please sign up on form provided or send a quick email to: hiking@wtgsportingclub.org
Maximum hikers: 20. Open to WSC members. Each member can bring a guest. No pets are permitted on this group hike (except service dogs).
Meet: East Trailhead-215 Afton Depot Lane, Afton, VA 22920 at 10:00 am (Driving Distance from Stoney Creek: 13 miles) From the east trailhead, we will first carpool over to the west trailhead (3 mile drive): 483 Three Notched Mountain Highway (Rt 250).
Blue Ridge Tunnel Signup (July 11th):
Trail Description: This one-way 2.25 mile trail passes through a 4,700-foot tunnel bored through the Blue Ridge Mountains of Central Virginia. When constructed, it was the longest tunnel in America. The majority of the trail is mostly a gentle grade but there are steeper downhill sections for the first 1/2 mile coming from the west side.
Dr. Neser will lead a geology hike through the tunnel
Bring a Flashlight!
Difficulty: Easy. Distance: 2.25 miles; Hike Duration: 1 1/2 hours
Bring: Strong headlamp or serious flashlight (required!!). Wear comfortable shoes. Sometimes there are puddles of water inside the tunnel. Note: The tunnel stays cool at roughly 55-65 degrees so dress appropriately.
Afterwards: For whoever would like, we will meet afterwards at Blue Mountain Brewery (just down the road) for lunch and/or a beverage.
Questions? Email hiking@wtgsportingclub.org.
