Directions to Still Point Mountain Retreat
Note: Still Point Mountain Retreat is extremely remote, and not all online maps provide correct directions. It is best to use the directions provided here:
Beltway 495 or I-66 to Va. 267 (Toll Road) to Leesburg (28 miles). If you are traveling west on 495, the Va.-267 exit is #12, 3 exits after you cross the river; if you are going out I-66 instead, take exit 67 which reads Dulles Airport/495N/Baltimore to Toll Road 267, merge onto Va.267 W.
Follow Va. 267 West for 28 miles. Keep to the right. Do NOT get onto the Dulles Airport Rd. (for airport traffic only). Stay in lanes for “all local exits.” Va.267 is also called “The Greenway” after the second toll plaza. Toll is collected twice on your trip.
Toll Road ends at Leesburg. Exit U.S. 15 South/Va. 7 West towards Lessburg/Warrenton. Merge onto Va.-7 West towards Winchester.
Stay on Va. 7 for 5 miles. Take VA-9 Exit , marked Charles Town, W. Va. towards Hillsboro/Charles Town.
Follow Va.-9 through Hillsboro (8 miles); Proceed along Rt. 9, toward Charles Town (approximately 15 miles to Mission Road). Watch signage closely. Do NOT get on the new Highway 9 as there are no exits close to Mission Rd.
Just before approach to new Highway 9, Turn LEFT on Rt. 115/Charles Town Pike. Pass Liberty Gas Station, Appalachian Trail Crossing, Shenandoah River overlook. Pass Blue Ridge Elementary School, your marker to keep your eyes open for MISSION ROAD.
Turn left on MISSION ROAD. Follow Mission Road around 6.1 miles. Mission Road is a twisty, turny rollercoaster ride that begins with center and side lines & has one stop sign in the small community of Shannondale. It passes one store, a small convenience/grocery on the left. Drive continues to dip and wind in series of S curves. The center lines end at Rolling Ridge entrance on the left, as the road descends. On the left is a small, rustic sign saying Rolling Ridge and FLOC at a gravel/dirt road going to the left. There are mailboxes on other side of road.
Turn left opposite the mailboxes, following sign to Rolling Ridge. This dirt/gravel road twists and turns and goes uphill. There is one crossroad—large dumpster and gate to FLOC on left, sign for RR Staff Community straight ahead and Retreat House to right.
Turn right following Retreat House sign. Stay on this road a short distance to rough intersection with Christ Church Rd. Retreat House and Friends Wilderness signs point left, Christ Church Road, a narrow dirt/gravel road goes right.
Turn right on Christ Church Road. This bumpy narrow road goes slightly downhill. . Road widens slightly, then passes two houses, small A-frame to left and large cottage with detached brick garage to right, just before Road Ts at Patriot’s Way. There is no street sign marking Patriot’s Way.
Turn left on Patriot’s Way. Road parallels the river, descends, ascends & shortly comes to a farm-type gate, usually closed and locked. There is a combination lock on the gate. Combination lock changes from time to time. Use the access code received by email to unlock the padlock. Replace padlock in daisy chain fashion such that neighbors on the road can get in and out easily using their locks.
Follow this road through the gate and continue straight until road appears to end in front of a small, light colored house. Turn left. Drive up a steep hill. Road will wind around to the right. Road then straightens and leads through a short woods to Still Point house on right. Welcome.
Alternative Route
Take Rt. 270 to Frederick, Md
At Frederick, follow signs for Rt. 340 South/West towards Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Take Rt. 340 West. Two options here: We prefer staying straight (left lanes) onto Rt. 15. Next exit is marked 340/15/Jefferson St. At end of ramp turn left at traffic light, follow signs for 340 West. Alternate: trickier due to need to pretty quickly cross several lanes of traffic: bear right at 270/70 juncture onto the Rt. 70 West division of the road. Cross toward right lanes, to next exit right 340 West Harpers Ferry, Charles Town.
Stay on 340, cross river into West Virginia. Continue past Harper’s Ferry to Charles Town, West Virginia. Pass commercial area with Wal-Mart on the right, do NOT exit onto highway 9 or 340 by pass) continue straight (becomes Rt. 51), pass the race track and Hollywood Casino on the right. Next traffic light at (ANOTHER) Jefferson Street (7-11 on left and Jefferson Security Bank on right)
Turn left at traffic light onto Jefferson Street. Follow Jefferson Street until it Ts in front of another 7-11). This is the old Rt. 9, now called Rt. 115.
Turn left on 115 (East).
Stay on Rt. 115 East out of Charles Town and across Shenandoah River. Soon after crossing the river watch for sign for Mission Road.
Turn Right on Mission Road. Now follow directions on the other side for Mission Road to Still Point.
Helpful Telephone Numbers
STILL POINT: 304 728-2859
Welter Cell Phones: Mary Ann 301 332-5780, Greg 301 275-3084