We Hike $5 – Virtual-ish 5k & 4 Mile Hike or Run for Charity – Blevins Gap

Race Info:

Join us for this "Virtual-ish 5k & 4 mile hike supporting United Cerebral Palsy

• Blevins Gap Nature Preserve
• There will be both a 5k and 4 mile option (for those that hate out
  and back hikes)
• All month to complete the virtual hike
• Everyone hikes/runs the same course
• Live Guided Hike March 20th at 8:30 am
• St. Patrick’s Day shenanigans ALL MONTH
• Prizes for the above mentioned shenanigans
• Donate $15 or more and get a race shirt
• Donations only, all funds go to UCP
• Course Map
• Course Video
• We encourage everyone to join the Land Trust of North Alabama

St. Patrick’s Day Shenanigans ALL month!! We will be having a
shamrock hunt for the whole family. There will be 5 shamrocks
(ok, these are really landscaping rocks I painted green) along the
trail. Each “shamrock” will have a number on it and also some
goodies for the kids. Take a picture of all 5 and post it on the FB
Event Page. Winners will be drawn at the end of the month. You

are probably thinking that this doesn’t really work with a group,
and yes, I agree. The scavenger hunt will be for the folks doing
virtual, but there will be plenty of opportunities for LIVE hikers to
win goodies. Kids can still find the goodies at the shamrocks
during the live hike. Keep your St. Paddy Day green attire since
green is also the awareness ribbon color of Cerebral Palsy…
wearing green will get you entered for some fun stuff (accessories
do NOT count, ha).

TRAIL INFORMATION: We will be hiking a few of the trails at the
Blevins Gap Nature Preserve. There will be a 3mile and 4mile
option.
We will meet at the trail head which is on the left side of the
parking lot.
We will start up the Bill and Marion CERTAIN trail. The
beginning is always messy (even with no rain!). Expect there
to be mud, but I promise it dries up once you head up the
hill.
The first half mile will be slow but not technical (just uphill).
Once you see this bench, you are almost to the top. Feel free
to use it, you’re not the only one tired. 
At about .8 of a mile you will come to a split in the trail. You
can go either way, but the map and markers have you going
right and hiking the West Bluff Trail. 

At mile 1.5 you will reach the overlooks. You will be able to
see to the river on the west side and then a beautiful view of
the Big Cove area to the East. I am not including a picture
since you need to go see it on your own, haha! This is the
point at which you can decide to turn around and just go
back the way you came, or continue on and make a loop
back to your car (4 miles total).
If you continue along you will see more incredible views of
Madison County. Once you approach mile 2 you will see the
large tower. You will make a sharp right turn here and head
down Varnedoe Trail. 
You will stay on Varnedoe Trail for almost the entire hike
back. Around mile 3.8 your trail will merge with Sugar Tree
(to the right) and you will stay on this until you see signs for
the parking lot.
I promise you won’t regret timing your hike to finish up with
a beautiful sunset over Huntsville. ** picture four
The trail will be marked with orange flags, streamers, and
signs. These trails are already very well marked and the
markers are probably not even needed. This is a very easy
to follow course.

While there, we ask everyone to follow state COVID-19 guidelines for social distancing, including wearing a mask, if you can't maintain 6 feet separation.  We are setting up this virtual event to keep everyone safe!  This is meant to be a fun event, so no pressure!  And the best part?  This is a FREE event.  We are merely asking for a donation for each event you sign up for.  All proceeds will go to UCP.

Hike anytime between March 1-31.