Take a hike and help out the Shenandoah National Park Trust. You can do that on September 22 when the annual Shenandoah Scramble takes off!

The event, a fund-raiser for the trust, is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on the 22nd (the first day of autumn, by the way...) from the Big Meadows picnic area.

You can choose from one of six trails to participate. Simply pledge $100 to the trust, rally your supporters to pledge to your cause, and plan which trail to hike. Here are the six candidates:

1. Stony Man to Skyland to Big Meadows. This hike will stay high along the ridgeline and take hikers to two of the best peaks in the park! (7 miles, Strenuous)

2. Lewis Springs Fall Loop. This is a good family hike with waterfalls and views. (3.6 miles, Moderate)

3. Mill Prong Loop. This moderate out and back hike with 800 feet elevation change will take you to the Rapidan Camp, President Hoover's summer retreat on the Rapidan River. (3.6 miles, Moderate)

4. Hawksbill. This hike puts you on the highest peak in the park and offers outstanding views! (3 miles, Moderate)

5. Rose River Loop. This hike offers a waterfall and several smaller cascades along the trail. (4.6 miles, Moderate)

6. Stony Man Summits and lower cliffs. This is a short and pleasant hike with a moderate 500 foot elevation change, yet offers some of the best vistas in Shenandoah National Park. (3 miles, Easy)

Participants will gather for a light breakfast at 8 am at the Big Meadows Picnic Grounds and then head out to hike with their group and hike leader (each hike can accommodate up to 20 hikers). Our leaders are CPR/First Aid or Wilderness Safety certified. They know and love Shenandoah National Park and will provide a wonderful experience. Participants reconvene for refreshments after their hikes.

Registration is $25 per hiker ($10 for children 13 and under) and hikers agree to raise a minimum of $100 ($200 per family), which will support projects and programs in Shenandoah National Park. Registration includes the group breakfast, post-hike refreshments and Shenandoah Scramble t-shirt. To inspire participants, Shenandoah National Park Trust will award prizes– including a kayak, hiking and camping gear and a 2-night stay offer for two in the national park– to the hikers who raise the most money.

Pre - registration is required. You can do that on this page. Registration includes group breakfast, event t-shirt and post-hike refreshments. Hikes vary in length and difficulty. All hikes are guided. Registration website includes your own pledge-collecting page that you can email to friends and family. So don't stop at $100...there are terrific prizes for the most money raised, things such as a kayak, hiking and camping gear and even a two-night getaway for two!

All money raised must be delivered to SNP Trust before September 22.

If you can't make it to the Scramble, you can still donate to the Trust via this page.