The trip will start at 10:30 AM Oct 29th, Saturday.

Past Album :

Sponsor: The China Society 中國协会
Contact: Liang Shuai梁帅: 202-378-8435, events@thechinasociety.org

Registration: https://docs.google.com/a/thechinasociety.org/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGZVbmtvbmpwRkE2VzR5QTl4LS1UZHc6MQ

Activity 1 – Hiking at Mary's Rock Trail, Shenandoah National Park Over 1000 feet elevation change. Round Trip Distance: 3.8 Miles from Panorama. http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/upload/panorama_area.pdf *Gathering Location: Trail Entrance - Panorama Parking Lot (See details below)
Shenandoah National Park Entrance Fee: $15/vehicle for 7 days (pay directly to the park)
Please bring your own lunch.

Activity 2 – Skyline Drive (driving tour)
Timeframe: After Hiking
Starting Location: Panorama Parking Lot

Skyline Drive Tips: White-tailed deer are a frequent sight on Skyline Drive. Watch carefully for these animals that may dart across your path. The maximum speed limit is 35 mph, so you can roll down your windows, feel the breeze and experience every curve and turn of this beautiful drive. There are 75 overlooks that offer stunning views of the Shenandoah Valley. If you want a closer look, be sure to pull completely off the drive and stay in your vehicle. Remember it is unlawful to feed the wildlife.
More Info: http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/drive_status.htm

Information about Shenandoah National Park (http://www.nps.gov/shen/) lies astride a beautiful section of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which form the eastern rampart of the Appalachian Mountains between Pennsylvania and Georgia. Skyline Drive (http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/driving-skyline-drive.htm), a 105-mile road that winds along the crest of the mountains through the length of the park, provides vistas of the spectacular landscape to east and west. The park holds more than 500 miles of trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail.

Direction:
1) How to Get Mary's Rock Trail* - From Washington DC follow I-66 West and exit onto US 29 at Gainesville. Follow to Warrenton, and take 211 west. Take 211 to Sperryville until you reach Skyline Drive. It takes about 90 minutes to get there from our Nation's capitol.

Note: There used to be a route from the Panorama Restaurant, but it has closed down. So to hike the Mary's Rock, it is necessary to enter the national park which will charge an entrance fee $15 for 1-7 days per vehicle or $30 annual pass if you desire to visit more than twice a year.

2) About Ride needed: If you need a ride or could offer a ride, please let us know. While no guarantee, we will try to arrange transportation for those who need it. ($15 car pool including gas and park entrance per person suggested).

Past Album: https://picasaweb.google.com/yeqing.li/20111029Hiking?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLb9rZbRjtzs2AE&feat=directlink

Registration: https://docs.google.com/a/thechinasociety.org/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGZVbmtvbmpwRkE2VzR5QTl4LS1UZHc6MQ