Start
Oct 11, 2025 at 8:30 AM
End
Oct 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM
RSVP
Fall Foliage Ride
It's about that time to set up Northern Virginia Jeepers Association Annual Fall Foliage Ride. This is a family friendly ride perfectly suitable for stock Jeeps. Flagpole has a little bit of everything including climbs, water, mud, rocks, and amazing scenic views/Fall foliage. We will divide this ride into (at least) two groups and will plan to meet at the big meadow at the top to enjoy some views, eat a group lunch, and take some photos.
This is one of the club’s more popular rides, it will be open to MEMBERS ONLY.
Last year was a blast and we all had tons of food from the potluck and lots of fun!
The Trail:
Flagpole is a great stock-friendly trail with a little bit of everything.
Group 1 will start up Union Springs where you can expect a little stream crossing, then some very scenic forest trails before hitting the mud flats where you can get as deep and muddy as you would like. Once we finish there, we will go down the stair steps, then up a little rock climb. A few more mud puddles will be crossed before getting to the big meadow where we will stop and meet the rest of the group and eat lunch and enjoy some of the best fall views around. Once we leave the meadow, there are a couple more rock areas before coming back down Switzer Lake which is another very scenic trail.
Group 2 will do the same, but in the opposite direction starting from Switzer Lake going up a steady hill climb with gorgeous views on the way up. Once at the top we will go down a rocky climb towards Meadow Knob Group 1s trail. For all stock Jeeps or lightly modified Jeeps, this would be the easier option but regardless of the group you are in each way is doable (there were just a couple times I had to get pulled).
Lunch:
Traditionally, we have done a trail potluck which was a great time. Everyone bring something that you can share.
When you sign up, let us know what you’re bringing.
....if you do not want to participate, just bring something for you to eat when we stop.
Mandatory Requirements for this ride are:
Jeep with functioning 4wd
Spare tire (and tools to change)
Food & drinks (yes, I always consider snacks mandatory and we will do a group lunch at the meadow)
Recovery points (front & rear)
Full tank of gas
Follow Tread Lightly principles (including pack in-pack out)
Recommended:
Fire extinguisher & first aid kit
Comms (we will use GMRS channels TBD)
Recovery gear & tools
Camera- You never know what you will see up there. Bear, snakes, deer, fox, quail, streakers, etc.
Chair- To eat lunch, relax, and enjoy some scenery at the meadow
Jacket/Sweatshirt- it can get chilly on top of the mountain
Logistics:
Location: We will meet at Mountain View Elementary School parking lot
2800 Rawley Pike, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Time: 8:30 AM, this will be an all-day ride
We will do a safety brief at 8:45 and depart at 9:00
Trail comms: GMRS (Ch TBD)
Level: Green
Depending on the number of sign-ups we may go in three groups, 15 rigs will be the max per group.
Groups 1 & 2 will use Union springs road and Switzer lake road.
Again, when you sign up, please specify what you will bring for lunch.
It's about that time to set up Northern Virginia Jeepers Association Annual Fall Foliage Ride. This is a family friendly ride perfectly suitable for stock Jeeps. Flagpole has a little bit of everything including climbs, water, mud, rocks, and amazing scenic views/Fall foliage. We will divide this ride into (at least) two groups and will plan to meet at the big meadow at the top to enjoy some views, eat a group lunch, and take some photos.
This is one of the club’s more popular rides, it will be open to MEMBERS ONLY.
Last year was a blast and we all had tons of food from the potluck and lots of fun!
The Trail:
Flagpole is a great stock-friendly trail with a little bit of everything.
Group 1 will start up Union Springs where you can expect a little stream crossing, then some very scenic forest trails before hitting the mud flats where you can get as deep and muddy as you would like. Once we finish there, we will go down the stair steps, then up a little rock climb. A few more mud puddles will be crossed before getting to the big meadow where we will stop and meet the rest of the group and eat lunch and enjoy some of the best fall views around. Once we leave the meadow, there are a couple more rock areas before coming back down Switzer Lake which is another very scenic trail.
Group 2 will do the same, but in the opposite direction starting from Switzer Lake going up a steady hill climb with gorgeous views on the way up. Once at the top we will go down a rocky climb towards Meadow Knob Group 1s trail. For all stock Jeeps or lightly modified Jeeps, this would be the easier option but regardless of the group you are in each way is doable (there were just a couple times I had to get pulled).
Lunch:
Traditionally, we have done a trail potluck which was a great time. Everyone bring something that you can share.
When you sign up, let us know what you’re bringing.
....if you do not want to participate, just bring something for you to eat when we stop.
Mandatory Requirements for this ride are:
Jeep with functioning 4wd
Spare tire (and tools to change)
Food & drinks (yes, I always consider snacks mandatory and we will do a group lunch at the meadow)
Recovery points (front & rear)
Full tank of gas
Follow Tread Lightly principles (including pack in-pack out)
Recommended:
Fire extinguisher & first aid kit
Comms (we will use GMRS channels TBD)
Recovery gear & tools
Camera- You never know what you will see up there. Bear, snakes, deer, fox, quail, streakers, etc.
Chair- To eat lunch, relax, and enjoy some scenery at the meadow
Jacket/Sweatshirt- it can get chilly on top of the mountain
Logistics:
Location: We will meet at Mountain View Elementary School parking lot
2800 Rawley Pike, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Time: 8:30 AM, this will be an all-day ride
We will do a safety brief at 8:45 and depart at 9:00
Trail comms: GMRS (Ch TBD)
Level: Green
Depending on the number of sign-ups we may go in three groups, 15 rigs will be the max per group.
Groups 1 & 2 will use Union springs road and Switzer lake road.
Again, when you sign up, please specify what you will bring for lunch.
