Hike Schedule
Upcoming Events
March schedule is below. More hikes and work trips may be added as our leaders finalize their plans. Watch your email for upcoming hikes for the week.
March schedule is below. More hikes and work trips may be added as our leaders finalize their plans. Watch your email for upcoming hikes for the week.
Wednesday, March 8: Madison Run Fire Road, 4 miles, easy, in/out. There should be some signs of spring waiting for us. Contact Karen and Mike Waterman for details (home 540-337-1273 or karenswaterman@gmail.com).
Saturday, March 11: Shenandoah Mountain Trail to Mountain House, 4.1 miles, moderately easy, shuttle hike in GWNF that includes the pretty, well designed Road Hollow Trail. We’ll meet at Mountain House on route 250 and shuttle hikers and some cars up to the Confederate Breastworks starting point which is only a five minute drive away. After hiking 1.4 miles on the Shenandoah Mountain Trail, we’ll turn down the Road Hollow Trail and follow it 2.5 miles to its intersection with the Ramseys Draft Trail then 0.2 mile to Mountain House parking lot. The narrow Road Hollow Trail twists its way in and out of mountain hollows with gentle undulations as it slowly descends 800 feet. In a couple places, it crosses step-over mountain streams that sometimes surface out of nowhere only to disappear underground again. Even in winter it is quite green in many places with pine trees and laurel bushes. In other places you can see across the hollows. The trail designers added interest and aesthetics by routing the trail close to and between trees, including many grade reversals and turns. Other than a few hundred feet of deep leaves, short rocky sections including some rock steps, and one step-up, this is a fairly tame trail that should be suitable for new hikers with proper footwear who walk or run frequently. To join us or ask questions, contact hike leader apprentice Gary Flynn at trailgary777@gmail.com. Gary is assisted by Pam Heinrich, hike leader trainer. Hike is limited to eight participants plus the two hike leaders.
Friday, March 17: St. Patrick’s Day Hike: Kennedy Ridge to Green Pond, 6.6 miles moderate/strenuous, out/back hike. What better way to spend St. Patrick’s day then to hike on a trail with an Irish name to a green pond? Wear green and bring something green to eat/drink. This is an exploratory hike and the hike will be limited to experienced hikers. Hike leader has not hiked this trail. This hike is in St. Mary's Wilderness. Contact hike leader Pam Heinrich (pamheinrich13@gmail.com or 540-290-5595) for details.
Sunday, March 19: Trail work on AT in South District of SNP on club member Kate Hoffmeyer's one mile section between Ivy Creek Hut Trail and Frazier Discovery Trail. We will clean out water bars for spring and clip vegetation. Bring gloves and a hand clipper if you have one. Meet at Massanutten Presbyterian Church on Rt. 33 at 8:00 a.m. or at Loft Mountain Wayside at 9:15 a.m. Contact leader Kate Hoffmeyer at kate.hoffmeyer@gmail.com with questions.
Thursday March 23: Slate Lick. 5-9 miles moderate. First annual Doctor Micheal J. Seth tribute hike. In recognition of Dr. Seth’s long running dedication to the Valley hiking community-and the fact that he has been telling us for three years that we should hike this area - we will hike the Slate Lick via Anthill Cutoff loop. We will follow the route as written up on AllTrails due to the heavy power line construction in the Vepco/Gauley Ridge Road area with a few modifications Depending on which gates are open the length will be 5-8 miles. There will be a healthy climb and several stream crossings. Contact James Fye for details @
540-830-2023 or jfye40@icloud.com
Saturday, March 25: Georgia Camp Trail thru hike to Mountain House with a short car shuttle. (The difficult version of the March 11 hike.) Here's another chance to pick up 10 miles for the North River Ranger District 90-mile challenge. We will ascend the Georgia Camp Trail 4.8 miles from its starting point on US 250 to its terminal junction with the Shenandoah Mountain Trail. Then we hike east along the ridge top for 2.8 miles, crossing US 250 at the Confederate Breastwork's parking area and continuing
to the junction the Road Hollow Trail. We descend 2.5 miles on Road Hollow Trail to the Mountain House parking area at Ramsey's Draft. This early Spring hike might be wet and cool or hot and dry and starts with a long, mostly gradual climb
along the old road that crossed over Shenandoah Mountain. We will meet at 9:00 AM in Churchville at the junction of US 250 and VA 42, along the fence at the rear of the shopping center and carpool to the trailhead. Hike limited to 8 strong hikers who know how to contend with green briars that will be growing in the trail here and there along the way. Contact hike leader John Kolp (540-887-1235 or jlkolp@yahoo.com) for details and to reserve your spot.
Saturday, March 25: Introduction to Trail Maintenance workshop is intended for anyone who wants to get a taste of trail maintenance. The goal is for attendees to leave the workshop knowing how to improve trails in a safe, enjoyable, effective, and sustainable way. You do not need to be a PATC member to attend. (NOTE: This workshop is currently full. If you would like to be on the waiting list in
the event someone cancels, signup at the following link:
https://www.meetup.com/PATCVolunteerEvents/events/291554601
Tentative date for next workshop is April 22.)
Sunday, March 26: Fridley Gap Loop Massanutten, 8 miles difficult. We will start the trail at Cub Run Road and do the 7 mile circuit with a couple of side trails to make it 8 miles. We climb and descend three mountains each climb harder than the one before, 2600 feet total. Varied landscape and nice views. Contact hike leader Michael Seth (sethmj@jmu.edu or 540 746 0605) for meeting time and place.
Wednesday, March 29: James River State Park
This will be a moderate hike of 7 miles around the Park. Each car will need a Parking Pass or Annual State Park Permit. We will meet at the Park Visitor Center. If Interested the Park Campgrounds are open and the Park is a Dark Skies Area. I plan to camp and hope for a Star- Lit -Night. Hike limited to 12. No dogs allowed policy. To register and for additional details contact Howard Davis at hsdhiker@gmail.com
Saturday, April 1: April Fool’s SNP Two-fer with sunset. Jones Run Falls and Blackrock Summit. I pity the fool that misses this hike! We will first hike to Jones Run Falls: 3.2 miles, moderate, out/back with 1,045 feet elevation change. After the hike to view the falls, we will break for dinner. We will then hike to Blackrock Summit for the sunset: 1 mile, easy, circuit hike with 175 feet elevation change. Join us for
one or both hikes. This could count on the PATC 2023 challenge as waterfall hike, summit hike and/or sunset hike. Contact hike leader: Pam Heinrich (pamheinrich13@gmail.com or 540-290-5595) for details.
Tuesday April 4: Elliott Knob: 8.5 mile hike from Dry Branch Gap to Rt 42. With optional 3-4 mile walk thru the Little North Mountain Wildlife Management Area; which requires a Hunting, Fishing, or Forever Wild Permit. Hike is just West of Buffalo Gap, VA. Limit is 12. No dog policy. To register for additional details contact Howard Davis hsdhiker@gmail.com
April 24 or 25 thru April 28: 40 mile Backpack-Hike on Tuscarora Trail between Silver,VA and Hancock, MD. Opportunity for a couple more hikers. Contact Howard Davis to review hike options and possibilities. hsdhiker@gmail.com
June 3 (rain date, June 4): Mile-a-Minute pull on Hankey Mountain. More details to come but will include a hike plus education identifying and reporting Mile-a-Minute.
Saturday, March 11: Shenandoah Mountain Trail to Mountain House, 4.1 miles, moderately easy, shuttle hike in GWNF that includes the pretty, well designed Road Hollow Trail. We’ll meet at Mountain House on route 250 and shuttle hikers and some cars up to the Confederate Breastworks starting point which is only a five minute drive away. After hiking 1.4 miles on the Shenandoah Mountain Trail, we’ll turn down the Road Hollow Trail and follow it 2.5 miles to its intersection with the Ramseys Draft Trail then 0.2 mile to Mountain House parking lot. The narrow Road Hollow Trail twists its way in and out of mountain hollows with gentle undulations as it slowly descends 800 feet. In a couple places, it crosses step-over mountain streams that sometimes surface out of nowhere only to disappear underground again. Even in winter it is quite green in many places with pine trees and laurel bushes. In other places you can see across the hollows. The trail designers added interest and aesthetics by routing the trail close to and between trees, including many grade reversals and turns. Other than a few hundred feet of deep leaves, short rocky sections including some rock steps, and one step-up, this is a fairly tame trail that should be suitable for new hikers with proper footwear who walk or run frequently. To join us or ask questions, contact hike leader apprentice Gary Flynn at trailgary777@gmail.com. Gary is assisted by Pam Heinrich, hike leader trainer. Hike is limited to eight participants plus the two hike leaders.
Friday, March 17: St. Patrick’s Day Hike: Kennedy Ridge to Green Pond, 6.6 miles moderate/strenuous, out/back hike. What better way to spend St. Patrick’s day then to hike on a trail with an Irish name to a green pond? Wear green and bring something green to eat/drink. This is an exploratory hike and the hike will be limited to experienced hikers. Hike leader has not hiked this trail. This hike is in St. Mary's Wilderness. Contact hike leader Pam Heinrich (pamheinrich13@gmail.com or 540-290-5595) for details.
Sunday, March 19: Trail work on AT in South District of SNP on club member Kate Hoffmeyer's one mile section between Ivy Creek Hut Trail and Frazier Discovery Trail. We will clean out water bars for spring and clip vegetation. Bring gloves and a hand clipper if you have one. Meet at Massanutten Presbyterian Church on Rt. 33 at 8:00 a.m. or at Loft Mountain Wayside at 9:15 a.m. Contact leader Kate Hoffmeyer at kate.hoffmeyer@gmail.com with questions.
Thursday March 23: Slate Lick. 5-9 miles moderate. First annual Doctor Micheal J. Seth tribute hike. In recognition of Dr. Seth’s long running dedication to the Valley hiking community-and the fact that he has been telling us for three years that we should hike this area - we will hike the Slate Lick via Anthill Cutoff loop. We will follow the route as written up on AllTrails due to the heavy power line construction in the Vepco/Gauley Ridge Road area with a few modifications Depending on which gates are open the length will be 5-8 miles. There will be a healthy climb and several stream crossings. Contact James Fye for details @
540-830-2023 or jfye40@icloud.com
Saturday, March 25: Georgia Camp Trail thru hike to Mountain House with a short car shuttle. (The difficult version of the March 11 hike.) Here's another chance to pick up 10 miles for the North River Ranger District 90-mile challenge. We will ascend the Georgia Camp Trail 4.8 miles from its starting point on US 250 to its terminal junction with the Shenandoah Mountain Trail. Then we hike east along the ridge top for 2.8 miles, crossing US 250 at the Confederate Breastwork's parking area and continuing
to the junction the Road Hollow Trail. We descend 2.5 miles on Road Hollow Trail to the Mountain House parking area at Ramsey's Draft. This early Spring hike might be wet and cool or hot and dry and starts with a long, mostly gradual climb
along the old road that crossed over Shenandoah Mountain. We will meet at 9:00 AM in Churchville at the junction of US 250 and VA 42, along the fence at the rear of the shopping center and carpool to the trailhead. Hike limited to 8 strong hikers who know how to contend with green briars that will be growing in the trail here and there along the way. Contact hike leader John Kolp (540-887-1235 or jlkolp@yahoo.com) for details and to reserve your spot.
Saturday, March 25: Introduction to Trail Maintenance workshop is intended for anyone who wants to get a taste of trail maintenance. The goal is for attendees to leave the workshop knowing how to improve trails in a safe, enjoyable, effective, and sustainable way. You do not need to be a PATC member to attend. (NOTE: This workshop is currently full. If you would like to be on the waiting list in
the event someone cancels, signup at the following link:
https://www.meetup.com/PATCVolunteerEvents/events/291554601
Tentative date for next workshop is April 22.)
Sunday, March 26: Fridley Gap Loop Massanutten, 8 miles difficult. We will start the trail at Cub Run Road and do the 7 mile circuit with a couple of side trails to make it 8 miles. We climb and descend three mountains each climb harder than the one before, 2600 feet total. Varied landscape and nice views. Contact hike leader Michael Seth (sethmj@jmu.edu or 540 746 0605) for meeting time and place.
Wednesday, March 29: James River State Park
This will be a moderate hike of 7 miles around the Park. Each car will need a Parking Pass or Annual State Park Permit. We will meet at the Park Visitor Center. If Interested the Park Campgrounds are open and the Park is a Dark Skies Area. I plan to camp and hope for a Star- Lit -Night. Hike limited to 12. No dogs allowed policy. To register and for additional details contact Howard Davis at hsdhiker@gmail.com
Saturday, April 1: April Fool’s SNP Two-fer with sunset. Jones Run Falls and Blackrock Summit. I pity the fool that misses this hike! We will first hike to Jones Run Falls: 3.2 miles, moderate, out/back with 1,045 feet elevation change. After the hike to view the falls, we will break for dinner. We will then hike to Blackrock Summit for the sunset: 1 mile, easy, circuit hike with 175 feet elevation change. Join us for
one or both hikes. This could count on the PATC 2023 challenge as waterfall hike, summit hike and/or sunset hike. Contact hike leader: Pam Heinrich (pamheinrich13@gmail.com or 540-290-5595) for details.
Tuesday April 4: Elliott Knob: 8.5 mile hike from Dry Branch Gap to Rt 42. With optional 3-4 mile walk thru the Little North Mountain Wildlife Management Area; which requires a Hunting, Fishing, or Forever Wild Permit. Hike is just West of Buffalo Gap, VA. Limit is 12. No dog policy. To register for additional details contact Howard Davis hsdhiker@gmail.com
April 24 or 25 thru April 28: 40 mile Backpack-Hike on Tuscarora Trail between Silver,VA and Hancock, MD. Opportunity for a couple more hikers. Contact Howard Davis to review hike options and possibilities. hsdhiker@gmail.com
June 3 (rain date, June 4): Mile-a-Minute pull on Hankey Mountain. More details to come but will include a hike plus education identifying and reporting Mile-a-Minute.
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 not allowed on our chapter 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 not allowed on our chapter hikes.