Hike Schedule
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November 2019 - January 2020
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.
Mid-Week Hikes
2nd Wednesday each month; short, 3-4 miles max. Usually have lunch afterwards. Leader: Theresia Barger (540) 337-1567.
- November 13: Saddleback Mountain Loop: Meet at the Swift Run Gap entrance station to Skyline Drive at 9 AM, then hike on the Saddleback Mountain Loop trail.
- December 11: Humpback Rock picnic area to Dripping Rock on the AT: Meet at the old Howard Johnson’s at Rockfish Gap at 9 AM, then hike from Humpback Rock picnic area to Dripping Rock on the AT followed by a Get Together at Theresia’s house after the hike.
- January 8: Smith Roach Gap Area: Meet at the Swift Run Gap entrance station to Skyline Drive at 9AM, then hike/explore from Smith Roach Gap down to an old cemetery and beyond.
Hikes, Worktrips, and Picnics
Sunday, November 3. SNP Stony Man, Easy, 3.4 miles, 370' elevation gain. This is a circuit hike starting at Skyland parking and hiking up to Stony Man cliffs for a fantastic view of the Shenandoah Valley. Return via the Passamaquoddy Trail and Furnace Spring Trail. Meet at Verona Park & Ride at 9:00 a.m. or Park & Ride East of Mt. Crawford (370 Friedens Church Rd., Harrisonburg) at 9:20 a.m. Contact Jean Stephens at 443-986-5649 or jtstephens12@yahoo.com.
Thursday, November 7. SSVC Annual Meeting and Pot Luck Dinner. Eat at 5:30 and meet afterwards. We will review the year's accomplishments, elect new officers, and make plans for next year. Bridgewater Municipal Building (Arey Assembly Hall on ground floor), 201 Green Street, Bridgewater. Contact Malcolm Cameron, malcolmgcameron@gmail.com, (540)234-6273.
Sunday, November 10. Wintergreen Overlook Hike: This easy to moderate hike is about 3 miles total. It begins and ends in the Humpback Rock Picnic Area. Meet at Food Lion in Stuarts Draft at 9:00 a.m. Leaders: Mike and Karen Waterman, karenswaterman@gmail.com or (540) 337 1273.
Saturday, November 16- Sherando Lake and Torry Ridge. This hike of around 7 miles will begin at the parking lot at Sherando Lake, near the bath houses. We will meet at 9:30 AM and head around the lower lake and then climb the trail up to Torry Ridge, then down White Rock trail back to the parking lot where we started. There are some steep parts where we will climb up to the ridge.There will be some pretty views. Bring lunch and water. Hike leaders are Betsy Solomon (kj4rmm@gmail.com--540-836-0584) and Tom Berkeley ( tomberkeley@gmail.com-- 434-610-1033)
Saturday, November 23. Rockfish Gap South on the AT to Humpback Rock Parking. This is a moderate 8 mile hike with no major ups or downs. Lunch/snack at Paul Wolfe Shelter at the 5-mile point. Short car shuttle. Meet at closed Howard Johnson restaurant at Rockfish Gap at 9:00. Hike leader is David Bennick (540) 337-5330 or dbennick@verizon.net.
Friday, November 29. “Turk”ey Hike and Work Trip. Start working off all the turkey and goodies that you ate at Thanksgiving and avoid the Black Friday shopping crowd with this short hike and work trip opportunity. We will begin by hiking to the summit of Turk Mountain. This is a 2.2 mile out and back, moderate hike with a fantastic rock outcrop view of the valley below. After the hike, we will begin working on the AT section from Turk Gap to Sawmill Run Overlook. This work trip will involve painting blazes (as long as the temperature is above 50 degrees) and working on waterbars to get them ready for the winter. You can join us for the hike, worktrip, or both. Meet at Verona Park and Ride at 8:30 or King’s Gourmet Popcorn at Rockfish Gap at 9:00 a.m. We will plan to begin working on the trail around 11:00 am. Meet at Turks Gap parking area, mile 94.1 on the Skyline Drive if you are not participating in the hike. Leader: Pam Heinrich, pamheinrich13@gmail.com or (540)-290-5595.
Tuesday, December 3. Worktrip AT: Pinefield Gap to Ivy Creek Overlook. Join us to help get our chapter’s section of the AT ready for winter. We will be working on waterbars and trimming vegetation. Meet at Simmons Gap Ranger Station at 9:30. Worktrip leader: Jeff Bolander, jblndr@hotmail.com
Saturday, December 7. Shenandoah River Loop. 7.8 miles, Moderate. Located in the Shenandoah River State Park, this loop follows along the river and features views as we hike along a bluff. Meet at the Verona Park and Ride at 8:30 am or Lowe’s off of Route 33 in Harrisonburg at 9:00 am. Hike leader: Pam Heinrich, pamheinrich13@gmail.com, (540) 290-5595.
Saturday, December 14: Hawksbill Loop, 4.3 miles moderate. We will begin by hiking up the Upper Hawksbill Trail, enjoy exploring the summit, and make our way down using the Salamander Trail to the AT. We will hike on the AT to Hawksbill Gap and complete our loop using the Skyland Horse Trail. Meet at the Verona Park and Ride at 8:30 or Massanutten Presbyterian Church at 9:00. Hike leaders are Sharon Carderelli: justonethingps274@gmail.com, 540-810-9648 and Pam Heinrich: pamheinrich13@gmail.com, 540-290-5595.
Saturday, December 21. Blackrock Summit. A shortish hike for the shortest day of the year. Starting at the Blackrock Summit Parking Area near milepost 85 on Skyline, we will take the AT up to the summit for the 360 degree views, only a 300 foot elevation gain and a 1.2 mile round trip. However, if the conditions are favorable and the group is willing, we can extend the hike via the Blackrock Spur and Trayfoot Mountain Trails. Meet at closed Howard Johnson restaurant at Rockfish Gap at 9:30. Hike leader is John Kolp (JLKolp@yahoo.com, 540-887-1235 or 917-288-2622).
Wednesday, January 1. New Years Day Hike – Braley Pond to Bald Ridge Overlook. Start the New Year off on the right foot – with an invigorating hike. 7 miles with a 3-mile option for those who want a shorter hike. This hike is an opportunity to see what what a terrible impact the Atlantic Coast Pipeline would have on some of our premier hiking trails on Shenandoah Mountain. So far, the trees have been cut along the corridor through the National Forest, but the pipeline has not been constructed. Meet at Braley Pond Day Use Area at 10:00 a.m. Those who wish may eat at a local restaurant after the hike. Leaders: Lynn and Malcolm Cameron, slynncameron@gmail.com, (540) 234-6273.
Saturday, January 11. Trimble Mountain Trail. Forest Service Trail # 375 loop trail in George Washington National Forest, 3.9 miles with about 1,100 foot elevation gain. Depending on trail conditions, micro-spikes or snow shoes might be required. Will cancel if bad weather or driving conditions, so be sure to check with leader. Meeting at bank parking lot behind the Tastee Freeze in Chruchville at 9:30 or at the Wild Oak Trailhead parking lot on FR 95 near Stokesville at 10:00 AM. Hike leader is John Kolp (JLKolp@yahoo.com, 540-887-1235 or 917-288-2622).
Saturday January 18. Spaghetti Hike. Hike will be 4-5 miles on the Madison Run Fire Road. Meet at Grottoes Food Lion on Route 340 at 10:00 AM. Contact hike leader Ron Radloff at radloff.ronald@gmail.com or (540) 269-8131 to let him know if you are coming for the hike and/or to Ron’s and Ann’s house for lunch/dinner afterwards and to see what you can bring to accompany the spaghetti: salad, bread, dessert, hors d’oeuvres or drinks.
Saturday, January 25. Old Rag (Easiest Route). 5.4 miles out/back hike, strenuous. Do you want to see the summit of Old Rag, and avoid the rock scramble? Leaving from Berry Hollow Parking area, this is considered to be the easiest route to Old Rag summit.. It is still rated a strenuous hike by Shenandoah National Park. Meet at Verona Park and Ride at 8:30 or Massanutten Presbyterian Church at 9:00. Leader: Pam Heinrich, pamheinrich13@gmail.com, (540) 290-5595.
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.
