Vegan Trekkers: Strenuous 7 Miles to Black Rock via the Appalachian Trail

Join the Vegan Trekkers for a strenuous 7.3 mile out and back hike to Black Rock, with an optional turn around at Annapolis Rock (5 miles), in South Mountain State Park, Myersville, MD. Meeting Point & Parking: 11175 Baltimore National Pike, Myersville, MD 21773 Meeting Time: 8:00am Distance: Long hike 7.3 miles, short hike 5 miles Pace: moderate (2 - 2.5 miles/hr) Elevation gain: 905ft Difficulty: Strenuous Duration: Long hike 4 hours, short hike 3 hours Type of trail: Natural Restrooms: None This hike is strenuous with some steep inclines and declines and very rough and rocky terrain. So please make sure that you meet these requirements in order to attend this hike: - fit to do 7.3 miles, or 5 miles, with considerable elevation change - can handle rough, rocky and steep terrain - have hiking shoes with good tread (sneakers won't do the job!) Suggested Carpool Location (please put a comment if you would like to carpool at this location): Gaithersburg Park n Ride Meeting time at this carpool: 7:00 am. When you sign up to join a hike you automatically acknowledge VSDC Vegan Trekkers Liability Waiver: https://vsdc.org/activity-waiver/ Transportation By Car: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LAYJsUYVLKmwdBLeA Dog friendly?: Yes. Please keep your dog leashed at all times Food/Water: Bring your own vegan snack and (non-alcoholic) beverage to enjoy. Please carry plenty of water! Weather: Be prepared! We will hike rain or shine, but if conditions pose a danger, we’ll cancel the hike and post a notice in the “comments” section. We suggest that hikers wear comfortable footwear and suitable clothing made from quick-dry, synthetic fabrics, as cotton can lead to uncomfortable blisters and life-threatening hypothermia in case of inclement weather. For important updates regularly monitor the "comments" section below. Don't be a no show! If your plans change, update your RSVP. Please read The 10 Essentials of Hiking: https://americanhiking.org/resources/10essentials/ Rules Pets: When hikes are organized in dog-friendly areas, hikers are invited to bring their pet(s). However, dogs are the sole responsibility of the owner(s) who brought them; should be up-to-date on their vaccinations & in possession of the relevant tags; and should be under the control of their owner(s) at all times. Dogs that demonstrate consistently aggressive or otherwise out-of-control behavior will be banned from future hikes. Owners should come prepared to dispose of their dogs’ waste in appropriate receptacles. Alcohol/Smoking/Intoxicants: Use of intoxicants such as alcohol, cigarettes and/or illegal substances is banned during the hikes. VSDC: More Than A Meetup We are so glad to have you as part of The Veg Society of DC Vegan Meetup group, and we enjoy seeing you at our events. Did you know that VSDC is a nonprofit organization with membership benefits? With VSDC membership, you will save money at area restaurants and businesses, attend VSDC member-only events, and, most importantly, support us as a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle. The membership fee is minimal, but the impact is significant! Become a member of VSDC . Liability Waiver and Code of Conduct When you sign up to attend, you automatically acknowledge VSDC's Liability Waiver and commit to follow the code of conduct found at Policies - VSDC - Veg Society of DC . VSDC. Creating communities. For your health, the animals, and the planet.