Overview: Join the Oak Spring Garden Foundation (OSGF) and Michael Gaige for a day exploring plant communities and interpreting the landscape on a Northern Virginia section of the Appalachian Trail. This section traverses a number of interesting ecological areas including pine knobs, rocky slopes, rich hardwood hollows, and distant views. Stone walls, old fields, and abandoned homesites make it all the more interesting providing the perfect adventure to analyze and unpack the formation of various plant arrangements and their response to ecological and human disturbances.

What to Expect: In total, the hike will cover about 6.5 miles (with about 1,500 feet of elevation gain and loss) and is best suited for participants experienced in moderate to strenuous hikes of approximately the same distance. As this is a one-way trail, once started, participants must be able to complete the hike. Participants will initially meet at the Snickers Gap trailhead where an OSGF van will transport the group to the start point of the hike. The hike will end at the same trailhead near parked cars. Note outside of an outhouse, there will not be any restrooms available on the trail so please plan accordingly.

Participants should arrive prepared for an all-day adventure with proper footwear, sufficient water, additional snacks and appropriate dress for the weather, rain or shine. Binoculars and digital cameras encouraged.

The pace of the hike will accommodate discussion of the landscape and breaks but will be attentive to concluding on time.

Complimentary Items: A boxed lunch will be provided. When purchasing ticket(s) for lunch, you will select either a:

1. A turkey sandwich OR

2. A gluten-free, vegan option

Exact menus will be determined closer to the date of the event. All lunches will include a small side such as a fruit salad, or chips. Please note that unfortunately, we can not accommodate specific dietary needs. If you have dietary restrictions and are unable to eat the provided lunch, please plan to pack a sack lunch.

About Oak Spring Garden Foundation: The Oak Spring Garden Foundation (OSGF) is a philanthropic foundation based at the former primary estate of the late Paul and Rachel Mellon, who were major philanthropists in the U.S. of the arts, humanities, and sciences in the second half of the twentieth century. OSGF is located in the northern Virginia Piedmont and Blue Ridge Mountains region (ca. one-hour drive from Washington, D.C.). Led by Sir Peter Crane, the Foundation’s inaugural President, OSGF provides workshops, short courses and supports residencies for artists and scholars. Its celebrated Library comprises rare books, manuscripts and works of art relating to horticulture, landscape design, botany and natural history. It is becoming a new center of stimulation of all things botanical, from fundamental research in plant evolution and conservation, to horticultural and plant conservation practice, to the history and art of plants, gardens and landscapes.

Photo Release Statement: By attending this event, you consent to your likeness and image being used for ongoing promotional and marketing efforts.

Availability: This walk will be capped at 12 participants. Registrations will be accepted on a rolling basis through Zeffy until full.