Wolf Gap trip info

“Where
Wolf Gap Recreation Area, VA (right on the border of WV)
approx 11 miles from I81 on Wolf Gap Rd (VA-675). Exit 283 from the north or exit 279 from the south. Use Wolf Gap, Va and do a mapquest.com for specifics.

When
The backpacking portion will be Friday 10-22 to Saturday 10-23.
We'll arrive late Thurs afternoon, camp Thurs night in Wolf Gap campground (free sites, first come first serve), backpack Fri and Sat, and camp Sat night in the campground. The campground is located on Wolf Gap Rd as you enter the recreation area.

The route
The loop should be approx 22-24 miles, with elevations between 1800-3200 feet.
Friday morning, we'll start the clockwise loop on the Tibbet Knob Trail (yellow), climb up to Tibbet Knob and continue until we pick up the Long Mountain Trail (also yellow). Follow the Long Mountain trail to the Bucktail Cutoff Trail (pink). Turn right on the BC trail and camp near Halfmoon Lookout.
Approx miles: 11-14.

Saturday, we'll pick up (or continue?) the Halfmoon Trail (yellow) to the Mill Mountain Trail (orange). Turn right, and head to Big Schloss, and back to the campground.
Approx miles for Sat: 10.

I've only been on part of this loop, so MarkO can correct me if I made any mistakes or add any other notes. Tibbet Knob was a pretty good climb, about 1000' over 1.5 miles (right Mark?), but the views were fabulous. I saw Big Schloss (yep, that's what it's called) from Long Mountain, and I understand the 360 degree view is super.

Anything to add, MarkO? Yam, what time should we start Friday morning? 8,9?
If no one wants to camp Thursday night, they can meet us in the campground Friday morning. The trailhead is accessed directly across the cg.
last edited: 10/18/04 8:03:51 PM”

“Using Wardensville, WV, here's the NOAA link.

I'm sure it will change, but so far:

Thursday: Partly cloudy, with a high around 68.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low near 47.
Friday: Partly cloudy, with a high around 68.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Saturday: A chance of showers, mainly after 7am. Partly cloudy, with a high around 67.
Saturday Night: A chance of showers, mainly before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Sunday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 68.
last edited: 10/18/04 8:13:32 PM”

“I'm IN!”

“naw... I'm OUT

:(”

“Wow, that was the quickest bail in history.
Why can't ya go? Yam says she needs another thrashing.”

“You got it, pal.

I like this route.
We will get the major distance covered on Friday with the best views from Halfmoon and Big Schloss for Saturday.

I like the idea of waking up at Wolf Gap.
That will give us good long day to cover the distance on Friday.

Starting at 8-9 on Friday morning, we should be able to make it to Halfmoon Lookout by 4-6 PM.

Do we have any more hikers?”

“Captain Bailer, get out!”

“Have fun. I expect detailed trip reports when you get back.”

“i got to wait and see how my blisters are doing, then I have to somehow blackmail hubby.
still not sure how to meet up with you all on friday evening or saturday morning though...”

“Gemini, if you drive up Saturday morning, you could meet us at Halfmoon Lookout and get a look at Halfmoon and Big Schloss.

Big Schloss has a very interesting feature on it's north face.

We call it Big Cock Rock......(heeheehee)

From there it's a moderate two miles to the Wolf Gap campground and car camping(party).”

“i have to work. bummer. it should be an awesome hike.”

“nice map.

mooooohhhhhahahahhahahahha”

“baume, that is the best map in the world, isn't it!! heh heh

hey gem, hope you can make it! we must conquer this weekend! we must! we must!!”

“yamster? Gemini?

OK... maybe I can go!

:D”

“bobO, you're such a tease.”

“Nice. I've got to work the full week this week (unlike some other lucky people)...

Besides, I promised Her Scorchness that I'd hang out at Hawk Mtn this weekend, so it will be nice to do something record close by.”

“phantom, i'd looked at hawk mtn, but it was quite a drive for me. thus.....wolf gap it is.
and marko says it's SMASHINGLY BEAUTIFUL there.”

“I'm sure it is. Have fun.”

“Yammy, you have mail!!!

Directions.......in 500 words or less!!


It should be perfect this weekend.
The leaves will be changing......”

“I can't go guys. Have the flu or cold, not sure...i emailed yam already. i feel bad, but it's prolly best anyway, this way i can cure my freakn blisters all the way.

my first weekend home for almost a month. woahhhh....

ha, i may be able to sign up for one of the halloween hikes, not sure yet...depends. I am crossing my fingers.”

“Doh!!!

Not enough girls on this trip”

“hey now marko, i'm all the woman you boys will ever need!!!

got your email. danke!”

“Yam camping out with wolves at Wolf Gap ........ priceless!”

“Hey girlie!!!

What time will you arrive?

Me, hmmmmm, maybe 9:00 PM.”

“hope i can keep them wolves at bay!!


marko--i think i'll be getting there 7-8ish. i lose an hour when i'm driving. the east coast time zone sux!”

“I'm sorry you can't make it, Gem. Heal fast!

The weather looks pretty decent. Chance of showers Sat after 5pm but we'll be back in t he campground by then. I'm bringing some tarps so we'll be nice and dry.”

“i was just checking the weather myself!! i'm pretty excited about this trip. wanna see some great fall colors and the weather just looks too good to believe.”

“PLUS, you get to hike with ME 2 weekends in a row. You lucky lucky girl.”

“You lucky SOB's! I wanna go....waaaaaaaaa!”

“Join up, girlie!

We could use a bit of balance......yin and yang........to go with our yam!

Hey, a couple o' youn'uns and a couple of old farts!”

“Its my weekend to work. Boooooo. I'm taking a dayhike on Sunday though. Yay!”

“Some other time, hon”

“you will be there in spirit, my dear embear. : )”

“hey marko!

you work tomorrow, right, and you're just leaving after it?”

“you will be there in spirit, my dear embear. : )”
yam

Yeah, what Yam said, and to be safe, we'll be there WITH spirits. :o)”

“I'm bailing out !!!!

My lungs are full of stuff........too sick......thought......I.....could.......make......it........ain't gonna happen


Via con lobos, y'all!!!!!”

“Yo, Gemini!!!”

“NO WAY!!!
Heck, you should come anyway and stay in the campground. You could guard the beer for when we come off the trail Sat afternoon. Ummm, wait a sec, maybe that's not such a good idea.”

“Actually it is a very good idea - there is next to no way to get a campsite there for Saturday night unless someone is there to "save" it for ya'll.

I am planning on coming for Thursday night and Friday but I have to be back home for Saturday. Can I count on someone to shuttle my car up to the midpoint of the hike Friday Morning?”

“OK I'm leaving now - see ya'll up at Wolf Gap tonight - look for white Civic coup a Greene County sticker”

“As long as you guys leave a tent and a car or two in the driveway, that should hold it.”

“have fun........bastards”

“Ok.....OK.......I'm waitin' for a trip report already!”

“Sheesh, for a bailer, you sure are demanding. haha. Just for you MarkO, a trip report is now posted, with pics. I hope you're feeling better, dude.”