Hike Schedule
Upcoming Events
Our upcoming schedule is below. We have separated our schedule to include hikes and worktrips in one section and and other activities and later events in another.
Our upcoming schedule is below. We have separated our schedule to include hikes and worktrips in one section and and other activities and later events in another.
SatPlease note: hikes are added and changed throughout the month. Please check back often, follow us on Facebook, and be sure you are receiving our emails to ensure timely notifications.
UPCOMING SSVC MARCH HIKES AND WORK TRIPS
Sunday, March 17: Saint Paddy's Day 9.5 mile hike in the Big Levels
Up Kennedy Ridge stop by Green Pond then down St Marys Wilderness group limit 10.
Dogs on leash ok.
Contact James Fye @ 540-830-2023 or jfye40@icloud.com.
Wednesday, March 20: Seven Bends State Park
(previously scheduled for March 6)
7.5 miles, moderate
This is an out-and-back hike of 7.5 miles with an elevation gain of approximately 1000' elevation gain. We will hike along the North Fork of Shenandoah River, look for waterfowl, a red-tailed hawk, and eagles, and then head to the forest to find the reservoirs and for a brief historical overview. We will return on the same route. Hikers can choose to explore Eagle Edge Trail which leads to a family cemetery, apiary, historical landmarks about Camp Lupton, and a swinging bridge, or return to your car.
The pace for this hike is 1.7 to 2.2 miles per hour, and slower if needed. We will take breaks whenever anyone needs one.
CONTACT: Please contact Sue Collins, smcollins2013@gmail.com, for additional details. She will update you regarding any needed changes to the hike.
NOTES:
- Some trails on this hike are rated as difficult, particularly River Bend Rise.
- A Park fee of $5.00 or a state park pass is required.
- If you want to carpool from Woodstock, you can email smcollins2013@gmail.com. If you want to carpool contact me, and we wll create a group email so you can coordinate a location and time with others.
- This hike is led by Sue Collins and assisted by Jean Stephens.
- No dogs on this hike.
https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/document/data/seven-bends-avenza-map.pdf
PARKING: Meet at the Lupton Road Entrance, NOT the Hollingsworth Entrance. Seven Bends has TWO park entrances, and a road does NOT connect them. USE THIS ADDRESS*:* Lupton Access Address - 1191 Lupton Rd. Woodstock, VA 22664. You will cross a low water bridge and a parking lot will be to your right-- pass that parking lot and go to the upper lot, near the restrooms.
CARPOOL: Please contact Jean Stephens, jtstephens12@yahoo.com, to carpool from Staunton/Verona/Harrisonburg area.
RESTROOMS: Located at the park.
Thursday, March 21: Shenandoah Mountain Trail Crew Work Trip at Chimney Hollow
We’ll build several rolling grade dips to decrease erosion and channeling on the trail.
(Rain date: Thursday, March 28.)
No experience necessary.
Please contact Judy Bartlett to RSVP or ask questions: Judy Bartlett, bartlettjudy@gmail.com or 505-639-1717 (text or voice).
Saturday, March 23rd: First Saturday of Spring on Cold Mountain
This is the first in a series of hikes in the Jefferson National Forest in an area of the Blue Ridge Mountains about an hour or more south of Staunton. Cold Mountain features "balds," open meadows, which at 4,020' have alpine characteristics! This hike will be a 6.1-mile round trip with 1,586' of elevation gain as described in the Appalachian Mountain Club publication Best Day Hikes in the Shenandoah Valley (trip # 44). Inclement weather will cancel. The hike is limited to 10 participants and dogs are OK.
To register please e-mail jlkolp@yahoo.com.
Saturday, March 23: Shenandoah Mountain Trail Crew Work Trip at Hone Quarry.
(Rescheduled from March 9th)
After getting snowed out in January and rained out March 9th, we still have tread work waiting for us on Big Hollow trail at Hone Quarry. We plan to hike in about a mile before beginning our work to widen the trail and improve its out-slope. No experience necessary! We’ll likely do an out-and-back, rather than the full loop, to make sure we’re back at the parking lot no later than 4 pm.
If you’d like to participate, contact Brian Nixon, brian.l.nixon@gmail.com or 540-435-8964
Time/Place
To carpool:
9:00 am, Dayton Market (in the overflow parking up the hill behind the market). Map
At trailhead: 9:30 am, Big Hollow Trailhead at Hone Quarry Day Use area, just across low-water bridge on right or on trail access spur road on left with high clearance vehicle. Parking is limited. Map
Maximum number of volunteers needed: 12. Please RSVP to Judy.
What to bring: Lunch, water, and, if you have, PPE (hard hat, gloves, & safety glasses) and your favorite digging tool. We will provide additional tools and PPE.
What to expect: As mentioned, we plan to hike in about a mile before beginning our work. We’ll use various digging tools to widen the trail and improve its out-slope. We’ll likely do an out-and-back, rather than the full loop, to make sure we’re back at the parking lot no later than 4 pm.
Saturday, March 30th: Big Branch Falls via Moormans River Trail
7.6 miles, moderate with 880' of elevation.
Hike in south district of the Shenandoah National Park beginning at Blackrock Gap and using the Moormans River Fire Road to access Big Branch Falls.
To attend, contact Pam Heinrich, (540-290-5595 or pamheinrich13@gmail.com).
Other Activities and Future Hikes & Work Trips
Friday, March 22: Staunton Tree Stewards Winter Tree ID Walk
10 AM: Meet at the Gypsy Hill Park Bandstand
Staunton City Horticulturist Matt Sensabaugh takes us for a stroll to learn more about the trees in the park. This walk will focus on how to identify trees when there are no leaves out--a much bigger challenge than in summertime!
Staunton Tree Stewards carries on the grand tradition of citizen tree lovers of Staunton, who started planting trees at Gypsy Hill Park on Arbor Day 1889.
We'd love to know if you can come! RSVP to stauntontreestewards@gmail.com
An offshoot of Staunton Legacy Tree Project and a current project of Shenandoah Green.
Saturday, April 13: Garlic Mustard Pull in the Hone Quarry area
Beat It and Eat It!
Who: Anyone who loves native spring wildflowers
Date: Saturday, April 13
Time: 10 am - 2 pm
Place: Hone Quarry Picnic Area
Limit: 30 people
Garlic mustard is moving into the Hone Quarry area, threatening special wildflowers, like bloodroot, hepatica, and red trilliums. This invasive plant out-competes these native beauties by growing vigorously and poisoning the soil.
Fortunately, pulling garlic mustard is easy and effective, especially in the spring before it flowers or produces seed.
Please help us remove garlic mustard from several key areas at Hone Quarry. We will divide into four groups (each trained and led by a naturalist), pull for 1-2 hours, and then taste some garlic mustard pesto while we share experiences.
Note: We never remove any native plants from the National Forest. We are allowed to pull garlic mustard because it is a destructive invasive plant.
Learn more details and register at: https://www.friendsofshenandoahmountain.org/garlic-mustard-at-hone-quarry.html.
Questions? Contact Jean Stephens (jtstephens12@yahoo.com or 443-986-5649).
Saturday, April 13th: White Oak Canyon and Cedar Run Loop
This is one of the classic hikes in Shenandoah National Park's Central District. We will hike up from the eastern boundary of the park so all the hard climbing will be in the morning. This hike will be an 8-mile round trip with 2,720 feet of elevation gain as described in the Appalachian Mountain Club publication Best Day Hikes in the Shenandoah Valley (trip # 22).
Inclement weather will cancel. The hike is limited to 8 participants and sorry no dogs due to the difficult terrain -- to register please e-mail jlkolp@yahoo.com
Monday, April 22nd: An Earth Day Two-Fer
This is the second in a series of hikes in the Jefferson National Forest in an area of the Blue Ridge Mountains about an hour or more south of Staunton. We will attempt two climbs of neighboring peaks, Sharp Top and Flat Top, in the Peaks of Otter Recreation Area. The Sharp Top hike is 3.3 miles with 1,461 feet of elevation gain and Flat Top is 3.7 miles with 1,667 feet of elevation gain, as described in the Appalachian Mountain Club publication Best Day Hikes in the Shenandoah Valley (trips # 41 and #42). You are free to do just the first hike as we return to the cars for the short drive to the second trailhead. Inclement weather will cancel. The hike is limited to 10 participants and dogs are OK.
To register please e-mail jlkolp@yahoo.com
Planning help needed: Women's Weekend, May 3-5
We are working on a PATC Women's Weekend event to be held in Wardensville WV staying at the Trout Run School House. We need help in planning presenter/Speaker and hikes. We hope to plan for a hike each day with presentations and fun activities around the campfire at night.
If you are interested in helping plan, present or lead a hike for the weekend, please let Kristine know . Once the weekend activities are set, we will share and let everyone know how to sign up to attend.
Kristine Villatoro: outreachsup@patc.net, Supervisor of Outreach
Saturday, May 11th: Trail Magic Day with the Harrisonburg AT
community at the South River Falls picnic area. More details to come.
Saturday, May 18th: Mount Pleasant
This is the third in a series of hikes in the Jefferson National Forest in an area of the Blue Ridge Mountains about an hour or more south of Staunton. "Given the stunning views from Mount Pleasant and the relative ease of reaching its summit, this hike may well offer one of the best payoffs in the Shenandoah Valley." This hike will be a 6.5-mile round trip with 1,781 feet of elevation gain as described in the Appalachian Mountain Club publication Best Day Hikes in the Shenandoah Valley (trip # 45). Inclement weather will cancel. The hike is limited to 10 participants and dogs are OK.
To register please e-mail jlkolp@yahoo.com.
Thursday, May 23 - Tuesday, May 28: AT in Pennsylvania
Hike the northern most miles of the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania. We will arrive Thursday to settle in and make our hiking plans for the next days. We will hike Friday through Tuesday, leaving for home after Tuesday hike. Accommodations plans are still being made between camping at Evergreen Lake Campground and renting an Airbnb near Saylorsburg, PA. Participants can help decide. Hikes can be completed in any order but are listed below from south to north. 1) Lehigh Gap to Little Gap = 4.9 miles
2) Little Gap to Smith Gap = 7.3 miles
3) Smith Gap to Wind Gap = 8.1 miles
4) Wind Gap to Fox Gap = 8.1 miles
5) Fox Gap to Delaware Water Gap (New Jersey line) = 7.2 miles
Join us for all or some of the hike.
Contact Pam Heinrich if interested (pamheinrich13@gmail.com or 540-290-5595)
May 27-31: Grayson Highlands State Park Camping
Great time of year to visit Grayson Highlands and the Mt Rogers Recreation Area. Spring flowers, bird migration, and day hikes. Or create your own biking and other adventures. Group campsite has been reserved with the cost to be determined by # of campers, Arrival is set for Monday, May 27th and departure on Friday, May 31st. Or you can also reserve your own individual site (Limited) or rent a cabin and join us during the day. And OK to stay fewer nights if needed. Limit of 12 with no dogs on this trip.
For additional Information and to register contact Howard Davis at hsdhiker@gmail.com .
Saturday, June 1st: National Trails Day
SSVC will host a table and offer hikes at Loft Mountain in Shenandoah National Park on June 1 for National Trail Day. More details will be shared as the day get closer. Contact Pam Henrich, pamheinrich13@gmail.com or John Kolp jlkolp@yahoo.com to volunteer or get involved.
Notice for all hikes
All SSVC hikes will follow Covid-19 guidelines. The option to offer carpooling is a decision made by each hike leader. Hikers may always meet the group 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 allowed on our chapter hikes only when noted in the hike description.
All SSVC hikes will follow Covid-19 guidelines. The option to offer carpooling is a decision made by each hike leader. Hikers may always meet the group 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 allowed on our chapter hikes only when noted in the hike description.