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VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Palaner//palaner Single Event//EN
METHOD:PUBLISH
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:meetup-58d70f6428@palaner.app
DTSTAMP:20260802T142352Z
DTSTART:20260808T130000Z
DTEND:20260808T150000Z
SUMMARY:Backpack - St Mary's Falls (9.5 Miles) - 1 Night
LOCATION:Vienna Metro South Park & Ride Lot
DESCRIPTION:Saved in Palaner as: saved\n\nPalaner match: 28% · why: lots of
  people going\n\nNOTE - Max group size is 10 for this wilderness area. If 
 you are not 100% committed please do not RSVP.\n\n\\Due to low mileage and
  modest difficulty\, this would be a good trip if you are a first time bac
 kpacker and want to try it out.\\\n\nThis trip heads into the Saint Mary's
  Wilderness in the George Washington & Jefferson National Forest for an ea
 sy-access overnighter to St. Mary's Falls\, a 15-foot waterfall with a dee
 p plunge pool that's one of the most popular swimming holes in central Vir
 ginia.\n\nThe route sits inside the Saint Mary's River gorge\, which was h
 eavily mined for iron ore and manganese from the early 1900s until the min
 es were abandoned in the 1950s — you can still spot old tailings piles\, f
 lattened mining-road benches\, and concrete foundation remnants along the 
 way (Mine Bank Creek\, Mine Bank Mountain\, and the trail itself are all n
 amed for the old mining operations).\n\nExpect multiple creek crossings\, 
 some rock-hopping\, and possibly wet feet\, so trekking poles and a change
  of socks are strongly recommended.\n\nTrail Facts\n\nDifficulty Level: Mo
 derate\nLength: 9.4 Miles\nDuration: 2 Days\nElevation Gain: 1\,883 Feet\n
 Bear Canisters: Not Required\nPermits: None\nDogs: Allowed\nMeetup/Carpool
 : Vienna Metro South\nTrailhead Parking: Mine Bank Trailhead (37.911886\, 
 -79.086941)\nAllTrails Map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-route
 s/st-mary-s-falls-via-mine-bank-creek-trail-1b07211?u=i&sh=rak641\n\nTrail
  Details:\nWe will meet at The Vienna Metro station on Saturday morning at
  9 am and drive to the Mine Bank Trailhead parking lot (off Blue Ridge Pkw
 y).\nThe drive is about 3 hours. I will drive and am happy to have others 
 carpool with me - but please note\, I will have my small black labrador in
  the back seat.\n\nDay 1\nAfter we park\, we will hike about 4 miles (most
 ly downhill) to our campsite. Option A for camp is a large site situated w
 here the St Mary's and Sugartree Branch rivers meet. Depending on how crow
 ded it is\, we may need to choose a secondary campsite\, but will adjust a
 s needed. After we drop our bags and set up camp\, we will day hike to the
  falls where we can relax\, swim\, or even cliff jump!\n\nDay 2\nThe secon
 d day is just the reverse of the first day - so expect a 4 mile hile back 
 uphill to the car. On the drive home\, I plan to stop at 2 Silos Brewing C
 o in Manassas for food/drinks (9925 Discovery Blvd\, Manassas\, VA 20109).
 \n\nEssential Items:\n\nTent\nSleeping pad​\nSleeping bag suitable for exp
 ected temperatures​\nBackpack (appropriate for overnight backpacking)​\nBa
 ckpacking stove with fuel​\nPot\, cup\, dish\, and utensils​\nDehydrated m
 eals​ and snacks\nWater bottles or hydration system (capacity for at least
  2 liters)​\nWater filter or purification tablets​\nHeadlamp with extra ba
 tteries​\nRain gear\nDry bags or pack cover​\nWarm clothing layers (non-co
 tton)\nTrowel for and toiletries for Leave-No-Trace compliance\n\nOptional
  Items:\n\nPersonal first aid kit​\nMap and compass or GPS device\nPower b
 ank or external battery\nTrekking poles​\nCamp shoes\nElectrolyte suppleme
 nts​\nAlcohol​\nBooks\, games\, or other enterainment\nGaiters​\nSunscreen
 \, lip balm\, insect repellent​​\n\nCARPOOL: Don't forget if you want a ri
 de or are willing to offer a ride – be a friend to the environment\, save 
 money\, and make friends. If you carpool\, please offer to throw in for ga
 s.\n\nLIABILITY NOTICE:\nPlease remember that this group operates under th
 e common adventurer model. We are a group of friends and volunteers organi
 zing trips for fun and shared experience. Participants are expected to be 
 familiar with best hiking practices and choose hikes that align with their
  physical abilities and experience. Organizers and members are not liable 
 for any injuries\, loss\, or damage to persons or property arising from gr
 oup activities. By attending this event\, you agree to assume all risks as
 sociated with the activity.​\n\nFor more information on the common adventu
 rer model\, please see Ron Watters' definition.​\n\nIf you believe you may
  be lost during the hike\, follow the advice of the US Forest Service.\n​\
 nSee you on the trail!
URL:https://www.meetup.com/nova-trailblazers/events/315864765/
CATEGORIES:palaner,saved
STATUS:TENTATIVE
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END:VCALENDAR