Hike Schedule
| hike_schedule_for_aug.-oct._2019.pdf |
August - October 2019
Please call or email a few days ahead of a hike to let us know you are coming and to find out about any changes in hike location. Bring lunch, water and sturdy shoes. No dogs please.
Note: Tick season is here. Be sure to take precautions and spray your pants with permethrin and let dry before wearing. You can find permethrin products at outdoor stores.
Mid-Week Hikes
2nd Wednesday each month; short, 3-4 miles max. Usually have lunch afterwards. Leader: Theresia Barger (540) 337-1567.
Hikes, Worktrips, and Picnics
Sat. Aug. 17. Hankey Mountain: Dowells Draft – Wild Oak Trail to Dividing Ridge Parking. 6 miles. Moderate. 1250 ft el. gain. Short shuttle. The ACP has been halted by the 4thCircuit Court decision invalidating the Forest Service permit. On this hike we will see the swath of trees removed over a year ago from the route through the National Forest by Braley Pond and over Hankey Mountain. Meet at Churchville TasteeFreez behind the bank at 8:30 a.m. Leaders: Malcolm and Lynn Cameron, slynncameron@gmail.com, (540)234-6273.
Sat. Aug. 24. SNP South District Volunteers & Overseers Appreciation Picnicat Misty Mountain Camp Resort near Crozet. 1:00 P.M - Don White will provide meat and buns and everyone else should bring a dish to share. Sign up at https://www.southshenandoah.net/the-fellowship/picnic-signup.html
Sun. Aug. 25. Crabtree Falls and The Priest. This is a shuttle hike. 9 miles, strenuous with over 2,200 foot gain in elevation. We will start by hiking up the Crabtree Falls Trail, next to the cascading falls. Then we’ll follow along Crabtree Creek to Crabtree Meadows Road and its junction with the A.T. We’ll head north on the A.T. climbing 700 feet to the top of The Priest. After enjoying the spectacular view from the rock outcropping, we will start our 3,000 ft descent to the trailhead on Route 56. Meet at Riverheads High School at 8:30 a.m. Estimated return by 5:00 p.m. Hike leaders: Dave Bennick: dbennick@verizon.net, (540) 337-5330, and Pam Heinrich:pamheinrich13@gmail.com, (540) 290-5595.
Thurs. Sept. 5. SNP Volunteers Appreciation Dinner; Luray VFW; 5 PM. RSVP to Jessica Kusky at SNP by August 30, Jessica_kusky@nps.gov, (540) 999-3500, x3181.
Sat. Sept. 7. Shenandoah Mtn. Trail Maintainer’s Hike/Picnic and Meeting with John Stacey, Supervisor of Trails for PATC. We will hike up Grooms Ridge Trail to the overlook and back and then go to a private cabin near Union Springs for a picnic and meeting with John Stacy. We will discuss what we need and how PATC can support us. Everyone who has worked (or plans to work) on Shenandoah Mountain and Ramseys Draft trails is welcome. Meet at Wild Oak Parking Lot at 10:30 a.m.to hike 3.4 mi (1220 ft elev. gain) or join us for the meeting and picnic at 3:00 p.m. Please bring a dish to share. Contact Lynn Cameron to let us know you are coming and get directions: slynncameron@gmail.com, (540) 234-6273.
Sat. Sept. 14: Saint Mary's Trail to Falls. About 5 miles round trip. EASY-MODERATE. This trail has little elevation change but has five river crossings each way (some of which can be tricky). You may want to bring walking poles and water shoes. Meet at 9:00 at Riverheads High School. Leaders: Pam Heinrich, pamheinrich13@gmail.com, (540) 290-5595 and Steve Brong, sbrong12345@gmail.com
Sat., Sept. 21. Braley Pond Butterfly Hike.This hike will focus on finding and identifying butterflies. 4 miles, Easy. The Johnson’s Loop Trail is 3 ½ miles plus ½ mile Theresia’s scenic route. Meet at Churchville TasteeFreez at 9 a.m. Weather permitting bring a bag lunch to enjoy there in the picnic area. Hike leaders are Karen and Mike Waterman, karenswaterman@gmail.com or (540) 337-1273 with Mike Smith as a butterfly expert.
Sun., Sept. 29. Chimney Hollow Trailon Crawford Mountain. 7 miles round trip. 1600 ft. elevation gain. Meet at Churchville TasteeFreez plaza behind the bank at 9:00 a.m. Hike leader: John Kolp, jlkolp@yahoo.com, (540) 887-1235
Sun. Oct 6. Big Run Loop Trailin SNP- Circuit hike 5.8 miles, total climb 1,365 ft. Moderate-Difficult. Trail descends from Big Run Overlook on Skyline Drive, then follows crest of ridge between branches of Big Run. Trail ascends to meet the AT which returns to Big Run Overlook. Meet at Verona Park & Ride at 8:30 or Elkton Food Lion at 9:15. Hike leader: Jean Stephens: jtstephens12@yahoo.com, (443) 986-5649
Sat., Oct. 12. Chestnut Ridge Trail on Shenandoah Mountain(near Rawley Springs), SSVC member John Schuster has cleared and blazed this trail that was once maintained by former SSVC president John Held for years. This is an opportunity to hike on a trail that has not been maintained for many years. 9 mi., 2100 ft. elev. change with stream crossings near beginning. Hike leaders: Lynn and Malcolm Cameron, slynncameron@gmail.com, (540)234-6273.
Sat., Oct. 19 . The Priest Shelter. Hike from the AT parking at the base of The Priest at 910 feet to the summit at 4,063 feet and then down to the shelter for lunch at 3,840 feet. Hike is 9.6 miles and is moderate plus. Meet at Reids Gap parking at 9:00. Leader is David Bennick (540) 337-5330 or dbennick@verizon.net.
Sun. Oct. 20. Flat Run Trail Work Trip. (near Elkhorn Lake). This is an easy 2-mile trail what needs to be cleared so that hikers can enjoy it again. This is a good opportunity for anyone who has not done trail work to learn how and do some good. Meet at Churchville TasteeFreez behind the bank at 9:00 a.m. Worktrip leaders: Lynn and Malcolm Cameron, slynncameron@gmail.com, (540) 234-6273 and Jean Fraser, jeancfraser2@yahoo.com
Sat..Oct. 26.White Rock Falls. Hike down to easy stream crossing, up the mountain via switchbacks to waterfall and then up to Slacks Overlook for snack/lunch. Then return to parking area. Hike is about 6 miles and is easy to moderate. Meet at White Rock parking at milepost 19 on the Blue Ridge Parkway at 9:30. Hike leader: David Bennick (540) 337-5330 or dbennick@verizon.net.
Thurs., Nov. 7 (Save the date) Annual SSVC meeting. 5:30-8:00 p.m. Bridgewater Town Hall.
Please call or email a few days ahead of a hike to let us know you are coming and to find out about any changes in hike location. Bring lunch, water and sturdy shoes. No dogs please.
Note: Tick season is here. Be sure to take precautions and spray your pants with permethrin and let dry before wearing. You can find permethrin products at outdoor stores.
Mid-Week Hikes
2nd Wednesday each month; short, 3-4 miles max. Usually have lunch afterwards. Leader: Theresia Barger (540) 337-1567.
- August 14: Albright Loop Trail. 3 miles. Meet at closed Howard Johnson restaurant at Rockfish Gap at 9:00
- Sept. 11: Ivy Creek Overlook to Pinefield Gap. This is the SSVC AT trail section. 2 mi. Meet at Howard Johnson at Rockfish Gap. at 9:00 or at Loft Mountain Wayside parking area at 9:45.
- Oct 9: McCormick Gap to Beagle Gap and Return. 3.6 miles. Meet at closed Howard Johnson restaurant at Rockfish Gap at 9:00.
Hikes, Worktrips, and Picnics
Sat. Aug. 17. Hankey Mountain: Dowells Draft – Wild Oak Trail to Dividing Ridge Parking. 6 miles. Moderate. 1250 ft el. gain. Short shuttle. The ACP has been halted by the 4thCircuit Court decision invalidating the Forest Service permit. On this hike we will see the swath of trees removed over a year ago from the route through the National Forest by Braley Pond and over Hankey Mountain. Meet at Churchville TasteeFreez behind the bank at 8:30 a.m. Leaders: Malcolm and Lynn Cameron, slynncameron@gmail.com, (540)234-6273.
Sat. Aug. 24. SNP South District Volunteers & Overseers Appreciation Picnicat Misty Mountain Camp Resort near Crozet. 1:00 P.M - Don White will provide meat and buns and everyone else should bring a dish to share. Sign up at https://www.southshenandoah.net/the-fellowship/picnic-signup.html
Sun. Aug. 25. Crabtree Falls and The Priest. This is a shuttle hike. 9 miles, strenuous with over 2,200 foot gain in elevation. We will start by hiking up the Crabtree Falls Trail, next to the cascading falls. Then we’ll follow along Crabtree Creek to Crabtree Meadows Road and its junction with the A.T. We’ll head north on the A.T. climbing 700 feet to the top of The Priest. After enjoying the spectacular view from the rock outcropping, we will start our 3,000 ft descent to the trailhead on Route 56. Meet at Riverheads High School at 8:30 a.m. Estimated return by 5:00 p.m. Hike leaders: Dave Bennick: dbennick@verizon.net, (540) 337-5330, and Pam Heinrich:pamheinrich13@gmail.com, (540) 290-5595.
Thurs. Sept. 5. SNP Volunteers Appreciation Dinner; Luray VFW; 5 PM. RSVP to Jessica Kusky at SNP by August 30, Jessica_kusky@nps.gov, (540) 999-3500, x3181.
Sat. Sept. 7. Shenandoah Mtn. Trail Maintainer’s Hike/Picnic and Meeting with John Stacey, Supervisor of Trails for PATC. We will hike up Grooms Ridge Trail to the overlook and back and then go to a private cabin near Union Springs for a picnic and meeting with John Stacy. We will discuss what we need and how PATC can support us. Everyone who has worked (or plans to work) on Shenandoah Mountain and Ramseys Draft trails is welcome. Meet at Wild Oak Parking Lot at 10:30 a.m.to hike 3.4 mi (1220 ft elev. gain) or join us for the meeting and picnic at 3:00 p.m. Please bring a dish to share. Contact Lynn Cameron to let us know you are coming and get directions: slynncameron@gmail.com, (540) 234-6273.
Sat. Sept. 14: Saint Mary's Trail to Falls. About 5 miles round trip. EASY-MODERATE. This trail has little elevation change but has five river crossings each way (some of which can be tricky). You may want to bring walking poles and water shoes. Meet at 9:00 at Riverheads High School. Leaders: Pam Heinrich, pamheinrich13@gmail.com, (540) 290-5595 and Steve Brong, sbrong12345@gmail.com
Sat., Sept. 21. Braley Pond Butterfly Hike.This hike will focus on finding and identifying butterflies. 4 miles, Easy. The Johnson’s Loop Trail is 3 ½ miles plus ½ mile Theresia’s scenic route. Meet at Churchville TasteeFreez at 9 a.m. Weather permitting bring a bag lunch to enjoy there in the picnic area. Hike leaders are Karen and Mike Waterman, karenswaterman@gmail.com or (540) 337-1273 with Mike Smith as a butterfly expert.
Sun., Sept. 29. Chimney Hollow Trailon Crawford Mountain. 7 miles round trip. 1600 ft. elevation gain. Meet at Churchville TasteeFreez plaza behind the bank at 9:00 a.m. Hike leader: John Kolp, jlkolp@yahoo.com, (540) 887-1235
Sun. Oct 6. Big Run Loop Trailin SNP- Circuit hike 5.8 miles, total climb 1,365 ft. Moderate-Difficult. Trail descends from Big Run Overlook on Skyline Drive, then follows crest of ridge between branches of Big Run. Trail ascends to meet the AT which returns to Big Run Overlook. Meet at Verona Park & Ride at 8:30 or Elkton Food Lion at 9:15. Hike leader: Jean Stephens: jtstephens12@yahoo.com, (443) 986-5649
Sat., Oct. 12. Chestnut Ridge Trail on Shenandoah Mountain(near Rawley Springs), SSVC member John Schuster has cleared and blazed this trail that was once maintained by former SSVC president John Held for years. This is an opportunity to hike on a trail that has not been maintained for many years. 9 mi., 2100 ft. elev. change with stream crossings near beginning. Hike leaders: Lynn and Malcolm Cameron, slynncameron@gmail.com, (540)234-6273.
Sat., Oct. 19 . The Priest Shelter. Hike from the AT parking at the base of The Priest at 910 feet to the summit at 4,063 feet and then down to the shelter for lunch at 3,840 feet. Hike is 9.6 miles and is moderate plus. Meet at Reids Gap parking at 9:00. Leader is David Bennick (540) 337-5330 or dbennick@verizon.net.
Sun. Oct. 20. Flat Run Trail Work Trip. (near Elkhorn Lake). This is an easy 2-mile trail what needs to be cleared so that hikers can enjoy it again. This is a good opportunity for anyone who has not done trail work to learn how and do some good. Meet at Churchville TasteeFreez behind the bank at 9:00 a.m. Worktrip leaders: Lynn and Malcolm Cameron, slynncameron@gmail.com, (540) 234-6273 and Jean Fraser, jeancfraser2@yahoo.com
Sat..Oct. 26.White Rock Falls. Hike down to easy stream crossing, up the mountain via switchbacks to waterfall and then up to Slacks Overlook for snack/lunch. Then return to parking area. Hike is about 6 miles and is easy to moderate. Meet at White Rock parking at milepost 19 on the Blue Ridge Parkway at 9:30. Hike leader: David Bennick (540) 337-5330 or dbennick@verizon.net.
Thurs., Nov. 7 (Save the date) Annual SSVC meeting. 5:30-8:00 p.m. Bridgewater Town Hall.
To become a member of SSVC,
join PATC and indicate an interest in the SSVC on the membership form.
www.ssvc.org and find us on Facebook
join PATC and indicate an interest in the SSVC on the membership form.
www.ssvc.org and find us on Facebook
