Hike the Blue Wall Passage, Palmetto Trail

Leave at 9:00 a.m. sharp
Mandatory: Whistle, water, lunch
Park fee: Free
Carpool fee: $5 to $7
Meetup site: Meet us at the Travelers Rest WalMart in front of Arby's.
Hike difficulty: Strenuous last 2 miles up to Vaughans Gap, balance is considered moderate
Mileage about 7 mi out and back
Elevation gain: about 1500 feet (last two miles to Vaughans Gap is 1200 foot elevation gain)
Hike speed about 2 mph, more or less

We will be hiking to Vaughns Gap from the Blue Wall Passage parking lot. We will be passing two small lakes and a 25 to 30 foot waterfall known by locals as Lanny's Cascade. This is on a side half loop which is new to us. Vaughns Gap is the turnaround at the edge of Hogback Mountain Road on the Palmetto Trail which continues up a dirt road. The Blue Wall Passage ends here. There are no views at this point. It is my understanding that the last two miles to Vaughans Gap is a bit of an up and it is reported as technical with some rocks and roots with some steps.

Other: If this is your first hike with me, please contact me via the Meetup site to discuss your capabilities before you come on your first hike with me. You are also responsible for the capabilities of any guest you bring so please make sure they can do the event. Emergency contact information: Please have an emergency information sheet in your pack in case of an emergency. Information on it should include your full name, address, and phone number, medical conditions, allergies, blood type (if known), and emergency contact name and telephone number. This information is for emergency medical personnel. We will not ask you for this information. No dogs please. Children under 14: Please check with me before you bring a child under 14.