News from the Valley Trails
Southern Shenandoah Valley Chapter of PATC
March 2021 Newsletter
Welcome to our newsletter for March, 2021.
If you have a Facebook page, be sure to look for and like our page, PATC Southern Shenandoah Valley Chapter. On there, we will try to post updates as we have them. If you don't already receive them, you can also subscribe to our email blast by using the link on our home page: SSVC PATC
If you have a Facebook page, be sure to look for and like our page, PATC Southern Shenandoah Valley Chapter. On there, we will try to post updates as we have them. If you don't already receive them, you can also subscribe to our email blast by using the link on our home page: SSVC PATC
Announcements
- John Schuster is in need of help to load his rental truck on March 4th. He needs a couple of people for a couple of hours. If you are free and willing to help, contact John at 540-746-1922
- For 2021 calendar year, PATC is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Benton MacKaye's idea for the Appalachian trail by offering a challenge of hiking 100 miles and/or completing 100 hours of trail work on the AT. The outreach committee is in the process of finalizing plans for the challenge. They hope to offer a special patch as part of this celebration. Watch your email for more information.
- In support of President Biden’s Executive Order on Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing, the National Park Service is implementing a mask requirement for employees, visitors, partners and contractors. At Shenandoah National Park, face masks are now required in all park buildings and facilities, including, but not limited to, park visitor centers, administrative offices, lodges, gift shops, restaurants, backcountry shelters, picnic pavilions and restrooms. Masks are also required on NPS-managed lands when physical distancing cannot be maintained, including crowded trailheads, narrow or busy trails, overlooks, and other areas of interest that draw large groups of visitors.
Mark Your Calendar: Hikes and Work Trips
The following are planned dates for hikes and work trips. Until winter weather has past, we may need to reschedule hikes. Hopefully, we can start enjoying more wildflowers and less snow. Watch your email for more details and weekly updates.
The following are planned dates for hikes and work trips. Until winter weather has past, we may need to reschedule hikes. Hopefully, we can start enjoying more wildflowers and less snow. Watch your email for more details and weekly updates.
- Tuesday, March 2: Tunnel Tuesday. 4.5 miles moderately easy. Have you been wanting to hike the new Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail? Join us to hike the length of the trail from the Waynesboro side. We will walk to the end of the trail in Afton and return. Leader: Pam Heinrich (pamheinrich13@gmail.com or 540-290-5595)
- Sunday, March 7: Staunton Walkabout Part 3. Back by popular demand, John is planning to lead another walk around Staunton. Leader: John Kolp (JLKolp@yahoo.com or 540-887-1235)
- Saturday, March 13: South River Falls. Approximately 5 mile moderately strenuous hike to the bottom of South River Falls and return. At 83 feet, South River Falls is Shenandoah National Park's third-largest falls. We will use South River Falls Trail, South River Fire Road and the AT to complete the circuit. This hike will also include an optional side trip to Bootens Gap after the hike to look for the Fairfax Stone. Leader: Pam Heinrich (pamheinrich13@gmail.com or 540-290-5595).
- Saturday, March 20: Work trip on the Club's section of the AT . Pinefield Gap to Ivy Creek Overlook in Shenandoah National Park. Leader: Jeff Bolander (jblndr@hotmail.com).
- Saturday, March 27: Big Branch Falls from Blackrock Gap . 7.6 miles out/back moderate hike to Big Branch Falls from Blackrock Gap. We will be hiking on the North Fork Moormans River Trail. Leader: Sharon Carderelli (justonethingps274@gmail.com or 540-810-9648).
- April 6, 8 and 10: Work trips on Crawford Knob Trail. See below for more information. Leader: Jim Fye (jfye40@icloud.com or 540-830-2023)
- Crawford Knob Trail (#487) may be the closest GWNF trail to Staunton but one of the least used. The east access is complicated by the fact that FR#1269 is gated. The west access requires a hike in on Crawford Mt Trail (2-1/2mi) or Chimney Hollow Trail (3-1/2mi). As a result the trail is greatly in need of clearing. On a recent snowy day hike to Crawford Knob by way of Crawford Mountain, Jean Stephens and Jim Fye had a brainstorm that we should put together a work trip before it’s too late. FR#1269 will open April 1 for Youth Spring Gobbler season and remain open until May 16. It will most likely take several trips. The first will be April 6 (Tuesday), the second trip will be April 8th (Thursday) and the final trip will be on the afternoon of April 10th (Saturday). We will need to start in the afternoon on Saturday due to hunting being allowed until noon that day.
Notice for all hikes
All SSVC hikes will follow Covid-19 rules. Facemasks should be available and used when close to other hikers. Social distancing should be maintained throughout the hike. At this time, we will not be carpooling for any hikes. All drivers must meet at the trailhead. Attendance will be limited at the discretion of our hike leaders. Preference will be given to PATC members. PATC rules do not permit children under the age of 18 to participate in a hike without a parent or guardian present. Dogs are not allowed on our Chapter hikes.
All SSVC hikes will follow Covid-19 rules. Facemasks should be available and used when close to other hikers. Social distancing should be maintained throughout the hike. At this time, we will not be carpooling for any hikes. All drivers must meet at the trailhead. Attendance will be limited at the discretion of our hike leaders. Preference will be given to PATC members. PATC rules do not permit children under the age of 18 to participate in a hike without a parent or guardian present. Dogs are not allowed on our Chapter hikes.
Member Shout Out
Lynn Cameron was featured in a podcast produced by Virginia Outdoor Adventures. During the 1-hour podcast, Lynn talks about outdoor recreation opportunities and gives an update on the campaign to designate Shenandoah Mountain as a National Scenic Area. It is a wonderful podcast and Lynn is a great speaker. We hope you take the opportunity to listen. The episode is available on:
Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/3hmZj1f
Spotify https://spoti.fi/3hecFwG
Google Podcasts https://cutt.ly/5hMj0gy
Podcast Addict https://cutt.ly/YhMkxGZ
Stitcher https://cutt.ly/shMj9BG
TuneIn https://bit.ly/3ncznHa
Lynn Cameron was featured in a podcast produced by Virginia Outdoor Adventures. During the 1-hour podcast, Lynn talks about outdoor recreation opportunities and gives an update on the campaign to designate Shenandoah Mountain as a National Scenic Area. It is a wonderful podcast and Lynn is a great speaker. We hope you take the opportunity to listen. The episode is available on:
Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/3hmZj1f
Spotify https://spoti.fi/3hecFwG
Google Podcasts https://cutt.ly/5hMj0gy
Podcast Addict https://cutt.ly/YhMkxGZ
Stitcher https://cutt.ly/shMj9BG
TuneIn https://bit.ly/3ncznHa
35 miles for 35 years Challenge Update:
All you have to do is hike on our official PATC chapter hikes for a total of 35 miles in one year. Miles will be tracked using the sign-in sheets turned in to the President by hike leaders. All who qualify will receive a patch at our annual meeting (or later if completed after meeting date) in 2021.
Official Rules:
1. All 35 miles must be hiked on official SSVC PATC hikes.
2. Hikers must be PATC members.
3. Hikes must be taken between December 5, 2020 and December 10, 2021.
Hope that you can join us during the year and earn your anniversary patch.
All you have to do is hike on our official PATC chapter hikes for a total of 35 miles in one year. Miles will be tracked using the sign-in sheets turned in to the President by hike leaders. All who qualify will receive a patch at our annual meeting (or later if completed after meeting date) in 2021.
Official Rules:
1. All 35 miles must be hiked on official SSVC PATC hikes.
2. Hikers must be PATC members.
3. Hikes must be taken between December 5, 2020 and December 10, 2021.
Hope that you can join us during the year and earn your anniversary patch.
Honoring Tom Johnson
Thank you to all the Chapter members who submitted ideas on how PATC could honor Tom Johnson. All the ideas were submitted to Joe Lombardo, PATC's President. Joe recently emailed Jean Stephens, SSVC chapter president, to let her know what PATC's Executive Committee (with input from Tom's family) had decided. See a portion of Joe's email below:
"I wanted to get back to you with ExCom’s decisions on honoring Tom Johnson prior to our Council meeting. While the book publication didn’t make the cut due mostly to quality issues, we did decide to move forward with several significant measures to honor Tom’s legacy:
Thank you to all the Chapter members who submitted ideas on how PATC could honor Tom Johnson. All the ideas were submitted to Joe Lombardo, PATC's President. Joe recently emailed Jean Stephens, SSVC chapter president, to let her know what PATC's Executive Committee (with input from Tom's family) had decided. See a portion of Joe's email below:
"I wanted to get back to you with ExCom’s decisions on honoring Tom Johnson prior to our Council meeting. While the book publication didn’t make the cut due mostly to quality issues, we did decide to move forward with several significant measures to honor Tom’s legacy:
- Nominate Tom to the A.T. Hall of Fame (nomination submitted)
- Name the PATC library in Tom’s honor (motion to be presented to Council for approval at Feb meeting)
- Install a bench in Tom’s honor (pending final decision on location and cost; Blackburn Trail Center is most likely location)
Staunton Legacy Tree Project:
John Kolp, SSVC member and hike leader is also a leader in Staunton's Legacy Tree Project. If you are interested in helping with this tree planting project, see the flyer below or contact John at JLKolp@yahoo.com or 540-887-1235.
John Kolp, SSVC member and hike leader is also a leader in Staunton's Legacy Tree Project. If you are interested in helping with this tree planting project, see the flyer below or contact John at JLKolp@yahoo.com or 540-887-1235.
