News from the Valley Trails
Southern Shenandoah Valley Chapter of PATC
May 2021 Newsletter
Welcome to our newsletter for May, 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
Proposed patch for the MacKaye AT 100 Challenge
MacKaye AT 100 Challenge
If you haven’t registered yet, we hope you’ll join us. You have the rest of the year to complete it. Our chapter is planning hikes on the AT and trail work days to help.
To recap, there are 3 ways to join the challenge:
1. Hiking
2. Doing trail maintenance
3. Completing a combination of both hiking and trail maintenance that adds up to 100 miles
To view the full list of challenge rules and information, please visit www.patc.net/MackayeAT100
How is YOUR challenge coming along? We’d love to see your pictures out on the trails and in action!
If you haven’t registered yet, we hope you’ll join us. You have the rest of the year to complete it. Our chapter is planning hikes on the AT and trail work days to help.
To recap, there are 3 ways to join the challenge:
1. Hiking
2. Doing trail maintenance
3. Completing a combination of both hiking and trail maintenance that adds up to 100 miles
To view the full list of challenge rules and information, please visit www.patc.net/MackayeAT100
How is YOUR challenge coming along? We’d love to see your pictures out on the trails and in action!
Mark Your Calendar: Hikes and Work Trips
We are planning to host some upcoming hikes and work trips. We have some exciting things planned for May. More hikes and work trips may be added to our schedule as our leaders finalize their plans. Watch your email for upcoming hikes for the week.
Saturday, May 8: Skyland Horse/AT Loop, approximately 8.6 miles (including 3.5 on the AT), Moderate: Starting at the parking area at 41.7 (Skyland Northern Entrance/Stony Man Parking). We will cross the Skyline Drive at Skyland and start on the Skyland/ Big Meadows Horse Trail. We will hike the horse trail all the way to the junction of Cedar Run Trail, cross the drive and pick up the AT going north back to where we started. We will also get to see the upper falls of White Oak Canyon. Leader: Sharon Carderelli (justonethingps274@gmail.com or 540-810-9648).
Wednesday, May 12: Chessie Trail, 4-5 miles, out and back, easy.
Join Karen and Mike Waterman for a hike along the Chessie Nature Trail in Lexington. Hike is limited to 6 hikers. Leader: Karen and Mike Waterman (home phone 540-337-1273 or karenswaterman@gmail.com).
Saturday, May 15: Work Trip on Club's Section of the AT, Primary task will be constructing five new waterbars. Secondary tasks are trimming back greenbrier and undergrowth encroaching on the trail. After the workday, some volunteers are interested in visiting a nearby vineyard (about 30-45 mins away): https://www.stonemountainvineyards.com/Contact/Directions Leader: Jeff Bolander (jblndr@hotmail.com) There is a limit of 10 volunteers.
Sunday, May 16: Laurel Prong Lariat, 7 miles moderate, approximately 900' elevation change. Beginning at Bootens Gap, we will hike on Laurel Prong, Cat Knob and Fork Mountain Trail. We hope to see Lady Slippers in bloom. Leader: Pam Heinrich (pamheinrich13@gmail.com or 540-290-5595).
Friday, May 21 and Saturday, May 22: Work Trip on Crawford Knob. After great success on our first outings to clear Crawford Knob, we have two new days planned to continue our work. Leader: Jim Fye (jfye40@icloud.com or 540-830-2023).
Saturday, May 22: Elliott's Knob. 9.4 miles, Moderately difficult, approx. 2000' elevation change. We will start at the trailhead on Rt. 688 and hike to the fire tower on Elliott Knob. This is a steady uphill with rocky areas in some places. There should be lots of spring wildflowers to see along the way. We will return to the parking area. Number of hikers will be limited to 6 due to small parking area. Leader: Jean Stephens (jtstephens12@yahoo.com or 443-986-5649).
Saturday, May 29: Trail Magic Day at Salt Log Gap. We are planning a trail magic day at Salt Log Gap. Jean Stephens has organized a list of needed supplies based on a list provided by Dave Bennick. You can help out by donating supplies or signing up for a shift to help at the table. We may also offer hikes to Tar Jacket Ridge that day. See below for more information.
Saturday, June 5: National Trails Day. We are planning to offer a work trip and hike this day. More information to come.
We are planning to host some upcoming hikes and work trips. We have some exciting things planned for May. More hikes and work trips may be added to our schedule as our leaders finalize their plans. Watch your email for upcoming hikes for the week.
Saturday, May 8: Skyland Horse/AT Loop, approximately 8.6 miles (including 3.5 on the AT), Moderate: Starting at the parking area at 41.7 (Skyland Northern Entrance/Stony Man Parking). We will cross the Skyline Drive at Skyland and start on the Skyland/ Big Meadows Horse Trail. We will hike the horse trail all the way to the junction of Cedar Run Trail, cross the drive and pick up the AT going north back to where we started. We will also get to see the upper falls of White Oak Canyon. Leader: Sharon Carderelli (justonethingps274@gmail.com or 540-810-9648).
Wednesday, May 12: Chessie Trail, 4-5 miles, out and back, easy.
Join Karen and Mike Waterman for a hike along the Chessie Nature Trail in Lexington. Hike is limited to 6 hikers. Leader: Karen and Mike Waterman (home phone 540-337-1273 or karenswaterman@gmail.com).
Saturday, May 15: Work Trip on Club's Section of the AT, Primary task will be constructing five new waterbars. Secondary tasks are trimming back greenbrier and undergrowth encroaching on the trail. After the workday, some volunteers are interested in visiting a nearby vineyard (about 30-45 mins away): https://www.stonemountainvineyards.com/Contact/Directions Leader: Jeff Bolander (jblndr@hotmail.com) There is a limit of 10 volunteers.
Sunday, May 16: Laurel Prong Lariat, 7 miles moderate, approximately 900' elevation change. Beginning at Bootens Gap, we will hike on Laurel Prong, Cat Knob and Fork Mountain Trail. We hope to see Lady Slippers in bloom. Leader: Pam Heinrich (pamheinrich13@gmail.com or 540-290-5595).
Friday, May 21 and Saturday, May 22: Work Trip on Crawford Knob. After great success on our first outings to clear Crawford Knob, we have two new days planned to continue our work. Leader: Jim Fye (jfye40@icloud.com or 540-830-2023).
Saturday, May 22: Elliott's Knob. 9.4 miles, Moderately difficult, approx. 2000' elevation change. We will start at the trailhead on Rt. 688 and hike to the fire tower on Elliott Knob. This is a steady uphill with rocky areas in some places. There should be lots of spring wildflowers to see along the way. We will return to the parking area. Number of hikers will be limited to 6 due to small parking area. Leader: Jean Stephens (jtstephens12@yahoo.com or 443-986-5649).
Saturday, May 29: Trail Magic Day at Salt Log Gap. We are planning a trail magic day at Salt Log Gap. Jean Stephens has organized a list of needed supplies based on a list provided by Dave Bennick. You can help out by donating supplies or signing up for a shift to help at the table. We may also offer hikes to Tar Jacket Ridge that day. See below for more information.
Saturday, June 5: National Trails Day. We are planning to offer a work trip and hike this day. More information to come.
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.
Trail Magic Day at Salt Log Gap
On Saturday, May 29, SSVC would like to hold a Trail Magic Day to provide AT Thru-Hikers with a meal and snacks. We will meet at Salt Log Gap at 9:00 a.m. and set up a table with sandwiches, snacks, fruit, and drinks. Salt Log Gap was chosen because it is in an area where there are not a lot of stores or restaurants within easy access of the AT. We would love to have some of you contribute to this endeavor, either by volunteering to help at the table or by contributing food or drinks. Below is a list of items we would like to provide. If you could donate any of these or would like to help out at the table for an hour or so, please contact Jean Stephens at jtstephens12@yahoo.com or Pam Heinrich at pamheinrich13@gmail.com. We can arrange to pick up the items from you. The deadline for collection of items is Wednesday, May 26.
On Saturday, May 29, SSVC would like to hold a Trail Magic Day to provide AT Thru-Hikers with a meal and snacks. We will meet at Salt Log Gap at 9:00 a.m. and set up a table with sandwiches, snacks, fruit, and drinks. Salt Log Gap was chosen because it is in an area where there are not a lot of stores or restaurants within easy access of the AT. We would love to have some of you contribute to this endeavor, either by volunteering to help at the table or by contributing food or drinks. Below is a list of items we would like to provide. If you could donate any of these or would like to help out at the table for an hour or so, please contact Jean Stephens at jtstephens12@yahoo.com or Pam Heinrich at pamheinrich13@gmail.com. We can arrange to pick up the items from you. The deadline for collection of items is Wednesday, May 26.
- Small bags of chips
- Fruit (apples, oranges, bananas, grapes in bags)
- Doughnuts
- Small individually wrapped candy bars
- Crackers in individual packages (example: Lance brand)
- Cookies in individual packages
- Water bottles
- Cans of soda
- Ice
Local Trail Volunteers Hone their Skills with Crosscut Saws and Axes
North River District Volunteers Certified to use Crosscut Saws in our National Forest
Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards (SAWS) conducted a crosscut saw certification workshop in Hone Quarry Recreation Area on April 9-11, that will equip local Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) volunteers with the necessary skills to maintain trails in Ramseys Draft Wilderness.
Volunteer trail maintainers in Federally-designated Wilderness areas are required by law to use traditional tools, like crosscut saws and axes, rather than chainsaws, to remove fallen trees and logs from trails. Ramseys Draft Wilderness offers a special challenge because many old growth Eastern hemlock trees, killed by the nonnative invasive Wooly adelgid, have fallen across trails, creating large obstacles to hikers. Some are nearly 3 feet in diameter. The U.S. Forest Service requires certification for use of crosscut saws by volunteers, just as they do for chainsaws.
PATC’s North River District reached out to SAWS for training and certification that would meet Forest Service requirements. SAWS is a conservation non-profit dedicated to providing stewardship to protected public lands in the Southern Appalachian region, including in Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas and Kentucky. SAWS works shoulder to shoulder with the Forest Service to support their capacity to care for wild lands in the Southern Appalachians.
After a day of hands-on in the field with Paul Dickens and a day of classroom training on Zoom, PATC volunteers met with SAWS trainers at Hone Quarry for more instruction and evaluation. By the end of the weekend, nine PATC volunteers demonstrated proficiency in planning and executing cuts through complex blowdowns. Trainees were issued B Level Crosscut Saw certificates necessary to work independently on National Forest Wilderness trails. The volunteers are from Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Rockingham, Augusta, and Highland counties. PATC North River Trail Maintainers who were certified include: Chad Kauffman, Erick Kuhlmann, Roger Orndorff, Tom Engle, Larry Ragland, Billy Flint, Gary Flynn, and Lynn and Malcolm Cameron.
These PATC Trail Maintainers will put their skills to work in Ramseys Draft Wilderness to keep our trails open and usable by the hiking public.
We are trying to organize a second crosscut certification workshop to train and certify more North River District volunteers.
Lynn and Malcolm Cameron
PATC North River District Managers
North River District Volunteers Certified to use Crosscut Saws in our National Forest
Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards (SAWS) conducted a crosscut saw certification workshop in Hone Quarry Recreation Area on April 9-11, that will equip local Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) volunteers with the necessary skills to maintain trails in Ramseys Draft Wilderness.
Volunteer trail maintainers in Federally-designated Wilderness areas are required by law to use traditional tools, like crosscut saws and axes, rather than chainsaws, to remove fallen trees and logs from trails. Ramseys Draft Wilderness offers a special challenge because many old growth Eastern hemlock trees, killed by the nonnative invasive Wooly adelgid, have fallen across trails, creating large obstacles to hikers. Some are nearly 3 feet in diameter. The U.S. Forest Service requires certification for use of crosscut saws by volunteers, just as they do for chainsaws.
PATC’s North River District reached out to SAWS for training and certification that would meet Forest Service requirements. SAWS is a conservation non-profit dedicated to providing stewardship to protected public lands in the Southern Appalachian region, including in Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas and Kentucky. SAWS works shoulder to shoulder with the Forest Service to support their capacity to care for wild lands in the Southern Appalachians.
After a day of hands-on in the field with Paul Dickens and a day of classroom training on Zoom, PATC volunteers met with SAWS trainers at Hone Quarry for more instruction and evaluation. By the end of the weekend, nine PATC volunteers demonstrated proficiency in planning and executing cuts through complex blowdowns. Trainees were issued B Level Crosscut Saw certificates necessary to work independently on National Forest Wilderness trails. The volunteers are from Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Rockingham, Augusta, and Highland counties. PATC North River Trail Maintainers who were certified include: Chad Kauffman, Erick Kuhlmann, Roger Orndorff, Tom Engle, Larry Ragland, Billy Flint, Gary Flynn, and Lynn and Malcolm Cameron.
These PATC Trail Maintainers will put their skills to work in Ramseys Draft Wilderness to keep our trails open and usable by the hiking public.
We are trying to organize a second crosscut certification workshop to train and certify more North River District volunteers.
Lynn and Malcolm Cameron
PATC North River District Managers
Update on Crawford Knob
We got many things accomplished on our three days of work on Crawford Knob Trail. Special shout out to Jim Fye for organizing the group and providing water and Gatorade for a refreshing treat after a long day of work.
Jobs included trimming vegetation, placing rocks for easier water crossing, rerouting the trail in an area where a stream flowed through, clearing blowdowns, and blazing in areas where the trail had confusing turns. As the trail neared the knob, we found it to be especially overgrown and sometimes difficult to determine where the trail was located. Workers from the Charlottesville chapters also joined us to help reclaim Crawford Knob. A total of 19 different people worked over the three day period. Several workers returned for multiple days to help clear the trail.
Crawford Knob Trail has some special features. After a short climb for the first half mile, the trail descends to McKittrick’s Branch. This stream makes for a peaceful stop to enjoy the water. After crossing the stream and continuing to ascend the ridge line, hikers have views of the valley towards Buffalo Gap. While clearing the trail, workers even discovered an intact stone structure marking a spring.
Jim has two work trips planned for May (May 21 and 22). You can join him either day or both. Contact Jim Fye for more information: jfye40@icloud.com or 540-830-2023. Soon we will have this trail in great shape for hikers to enjoy.
Image #1: Our group of workers for the first day. Photo by Nancy Hall
Image #2: Nancy Hall works to clear vegetation from the trail.
Image #3: an after shot of the trail
Image #4: Ron Stoltzfus and Jean Stephens help work on the trail as it nears the knob.
We got many things accomplished on our three days of work on Crawford Knob Trail. Special shout out to Jim Fye for organizing the group and providing water and Gatorade for a refreshing treat after a long day of work.
Jobs included trimming vegetation, placing rocks for easier water crossing, rerouting the trail in an area where a stream flowed through, clearing blowdowns, and blazing in areas where the trail had confusing turns. As the trail neared the knob, we found it to be especially overgrown and sometimes difficult to determine where the trail was located. Workers from the Charlottesville chapters also joined us to help reclaim Crawford Knob. A total of 19 different people worked over the three day period. Several workers returned for multiple days to help clear the trail.
Crawford Knob Trail has some special features. After a short climb for the first half mile, the trail descends to McKittrick’s Branch. This stream makes for a peaceful stop to enjoy the water. After crossing the stream and continuing to ascend the ridge line, hikers have views of the valley towards Buffalo Gap. While clearing the trail, workers even discovered an intact stone structure marking a spring.
Jim has two work trips planned for May (May 21 and 22). You can join him either day or both. Contact Jim Fye for more information: jfye40@icloud.com or 540-830-2023. Soon we will have this trail in great shape for hikers to enjoy.
Image #1: Our group of workers for the first day. Photo by Nancy Hall
Image #2: Nancy Hall works to clear vegetation from the trail.
Image #3: an after shot of the trail
Image #4: Ron Stoltzfus and Jean Stephens help work on the trail as it nears the knob.
35 miles for 35 years Challenge Update
We had one member that completed our 35 miles challenge in the month of April.
Congratulations this month to John Kolp !
John is one of our fabulous hike leaders. He also helps out on work trips and with outreach projects. John enjoys all types of hikes and will explore new areas to find places to take others. If you hike with John, you may get to hear about his various adventures. After living in New York for many years, John has even helped introduce snowshoeing to some of our members.
We had one member that completed our 35 miles challenge in the month of April.
Congratulations this month to John Kolp !
John is one of our fabulous hike leaders. He also helps out on work trips and with outreach projects. John enjoys all types of hikes and will explore new areas to find places to take others. If you hike with John, you may get to hear about his various adventures. After living in New York for many years, John has even helped introduce snowshoeing to some of our members.
35 miles for 35 years Challenge
It's not too late to join us on this challenge.
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.
It's not too late to join us on this challenge.
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.
Prescribed Burns
Spring is a popular time for forest management teams to conduct a prescribed burn. Have you ever wondered why this practice is used? How does this affect the area around the trail?
On April 6, fire managers at Shenandoah National Park preformed a burn of approximately 50 acres of Big Meadows. The park has a schedule for managing Big Meadows, rotating portions of the approximate 140 acres from prescribed burns to mowing to no maintenance. Once measuring around one thousand acres, a portion of Big Meadows is burned each year for the purpose of maintaining the open vista by preventing encroachment from small trees and shrubs.
Prescribed burns have been completed in many areas of the George Washington National Forest this spring. For places such as Hone Quarry and Reddish Knob in the North River District and Massanutten Trail in the Lee District, fires are used to open up the tree canopy. This is done in hopes of encouraging more diversity of plant growth. You can read more about the recent activity in our area and learn more about the process of prescribed fires using this link: Prescribed Burns Ignite In Virginia
Image #1: prescribed burn in process at Big Meadows, photograph courtesy of Shenandoah National Park
Image #2 and 3: Massanutten Trail after a recent prescribed burn, photograph credits: Jeff Monroe
Spring is a popular time for forest management teams to conduct a prescribed burn. Have you ever wondered why this practice is used? How does this affect the area around the trail?
On April 6, fire managers at Shenandoah National Park preformed a burn of approximately 50 acres of Big Meadows. The park has a schedule for managing Big Meadows, rotating portions of the approximate 140 acres from prescribed burns to mowing to no maintenance. Once measuring around one thousand acres, a portion of Big Meadows is burned each year for the purpose of maintaining the open vista by preventing encroachment from small trees and shrubs.
Prescribed burns have been completed in many areas of the George Washington National Forest this spring. For places such as Hone Quarry and Reddish Knob in the North River District and Massanutten Trail in the Lee District, fires are used to open up the tree canopy. This is done in hopes of encouraging more diversity of plant growth. You can read more about the recent activity in our area and learn more about the process of prescribed fires using this link: Prescribed Burns Ignite In Virginia
Image #1: prescribed burn in process at Big Meadows, photograph courtesy of Shenandoah National Park
Image #2 and 3: Massanutten Trail after a recent prescribed burn, photograph credits: Jeff Monroe
Protect the Eyes Too!
by: Diana Maier
When hiking, it’s important to remember to take care of your eyes. Protect your eyes from physical injury (sticks/branches and debris), ultraviolet (UV) rays and glare.
Did you know that the type of sunglass lens is more important than the darkness? When you are considering sunglasses, be sure to check the sunglasses for fit and comfort, and that they are designated for UVA and UVB rays and glare. UV rays cause macular degeneration (progressive loss of central vision), cataracts and even corneal sunburns and eye cancers. Long-term exposure to UV can damage the cornea and lens of the eye. And UV rays increase with altitude.
Polarized lenses reduce glare from reflected light, such as from snow and water. It’s best to get UVA/UVB polarized sunglass lenses. And adding a broad-brimmed hat is helpful. In addition, don’t forget regular eye exams. Enjoy your hikes!
All content is created and published for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.
by: Diana Maier
When hiking, it’s important to remember to take care of your eyes. Protect your eyes from physical injury (sticks/branches and debris), ultraviolet (UV) rays and glare.
Did you know that the type of sunglass lens is more important than the darkness? When you are considering sunglasses, be sure to check the sunglasses for fit and comfort, and that they are designated for UVA and UVB rays and glare. UV rays cause macular degeneration (progressive loss of central vision), cataracts and even corneal sunburns and eye cancers. Long-term exposure to UV can damage the cornea and lens of the eye. And UV rays increase with altitude.
Polarized lenses reduce glare from reflected light, such as from snow and water. It’s best to get UVA/UVB polarized sunglass lenses. And adding a broad-brimmed hat is helpful. In addition, don’t forget regular eye exams. Enjoy your hikes!
All content is created and published for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.
