SSVC Family Day at Natural Chimneys
We are holding SSVC's Family Day at Natural Chimneys Park (94 Natural Chimneys Lane, Mt. Solon, VA 22843) on Sunday, August 14 in Shelter 2 starting at 2:00 p.m. We will be grilling hamburgers, hot dogs, and veggie burgers. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share. We will have drinking water available, please bring a refillable water bottle to use for water. The pool will be open for a $4 per person fee. All PATC members, both hikers and trail maintainers, and their families are welcome. You might also wish to bring a chair if you prefer not to sit at a picnic table all day. If you have a lawn game you wish to share, please bring it. We are working on arranging some hikes, both short and long, that day. If you would like to lead a hike, either in the park or nearby, please coordinate with Jean Stephens ([email protected]) or
Pam Heinrich ([email protected]).
We are holding SSVC's Family Day at Natural Chimneys Park (94 Natural Chimneys Lane, Mt. Solon, VA 22843) on Sunday, August 14 in Shelter 2 starting at 2:00 p.m. We will be grilling hamburgers, hot dogs, and veggie burgers. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share. We will have drinking water available, please bring a refillable water bottle to use for water. The pool will be open for a $4 per person fee. All PATC members, both hikers and trail maintainers, and their families are welcome. You might also wish to bring a chair if you prefer not to sit at a picnic table all day. If you have a lawn game you wish to share, please bring it. We are working on arranging some hikes, both short and long, that day. If you would like to lead a hike, either in the park or nearby, please coordinate with Jean Stephens ([email protected]) or
Pam Heinrich ([email protected]).
2022 Valley Treasure Award
SSVC would like to congratulate Lynn Cameron on receiving the 2022 Valley Treasure Award from the Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley. The purpose of the Valley Treasure Award is to recognize members of the community who have been quietly working to save the land, resources, and way of life in the Shenandoah Valley. The Alliance recognized Lynn's work to save one of the most rugged and beautiful areas in the United States, but also the most accessible - Shenandoah Mountain. Her work and determination to have Shenandoah Mountain named as a National Scenic Area has spanned many years and has brought together members of several diverse industries, such as the timber industry, mountain bikers, hunters and others, to a common goal. Her perseverance to prove the existence of a threatened species of salamanders caused Dominion Power to move the route of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline off of Shenandoah Mountain. We know there are many years of work ahead of you, Lynn, but thank you for the work you have done so far. Congratulations on receiving the 2022 Valley Treasure Award.
Click the following link to view the award program:
2022 Valley Treasure Award Program
SSVC would like to congratulate Lynn Cameron on receiving the 2022 Valley Treasure Award from the Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley. The purpose of the Valley Treasure Award is to recognize members of the community who have been quietly working to save the land, resources, and way of life in the Shenandoah Valley. The Alliance recognized Lynn's work to save one of the most rugged and beautiful areas in the United States, but also the most accessible - Shenandoah Mountain. Her work and determination to have Shenandoah Mountain named as a National Scenic Area has spanned many years and has brought together members of several diverse industries, such as the timber industry, mountain bikers, hunters and others, to a common goal. Her perseverance to prove the existence of a threatened species of salamanders caused Dominion Power to move the route of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline off of Shenandoah Mountain. We know there are many years of work ahead of you, Lynn, but thank you for the work you have done so far. Congratulations on receiving the 2022 Valley Treasure Award.
Click the following link to view the award program:
2022 Valley Treasure Award Program
NRRD 90 Challenge
Congratulations to John Burkhardt and Jean Stephens for completing their 90 hiking miles and/or maintenance hours in the North River Ranger District. We know there are more of you out there that we haven't heard from. Please let Jean Stephens know if you have completed the requirements. We should have the patch completed in time to give out to the 2022 recipients at our 2022 Annual Meeting in November (date to be announced later). If you are looking for more information, please click on the link below.
http://www.ssvc.org/north-river-district-challenge.html
Congratulations to John Burkhardt and Jean Stephens for completing their 90 hiking miles and/or maintenance hours in the North River Ranger District. We know there are more of you out there that we haven't heard from. Please let Jean Stephens know if you have completed the requirements. We should have the patch completed in time to give out to the 2022 recipients at our 2022 Annual Meeting in November (date to be announced later). If you are looking for more information, please click on the link below.
http://www.ssvc.org/north-river-district-challenge.html
Tuscarora (TT60) Challenge
A reminder that the PATC is also sponsoring a challenge for the Tuscarora Trail. For more information, click this link:
http://www.patc.net/PATC/TT60Challenge.aspx
A reminder that the PATC is also sponsoring a challenge for the Tuscarora Trail. For more information, click this link:
http://www.patc.net/PATC/TT60Challenge.aspx
Saint Mary’s River Trail will be intermittently closed in August and September during trail improvement projects
The USDA Forest Service, in partnership with Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards (SAWS), will be working to stabilize and restore sections of the Saint Mary’s River trail (Forest Trail #500) in Saint Mary’s Wilderness in Augusta County. The 1.3-mile trail section from the trailhead at the parking lot to the intersection with the Saint Mary’s Gorge trail Forest Trail (#500B) will be intermittently closed for public and worker safety during the trail work in August and September.
The tentative dates of closure are:
Trail work will focus on repairing damage caused by remnant hurricane storms. Trail repair work will include moving large rocks by cable hoist to stabilize undermined trail sections to protect against future highwater events. Project work is expected to continue into calendar year 2023 and additional closure dates may be announced.
“I appreciate everyone’s patience during these temporary closures as we work to address much needed repairs in this special place,” said District Ranger Lauren Stull. “We are fortunate to be able to work with our partner, SAWS, to improve visitor experiences on the trail and protect the trail along the St. Mary’s River.”
For more information on these closures please contact the Glenwood-Pedlar Ranger Districts at (540) 291-2188 or visit our website: www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gwj/recarea/?recid=77719
The USDA Forest Service, in partnership with Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards (SAWS), will be working to stabilize and restore sections of the Saint Mary’s River trail (Forest Trail #500) in Saint Mary’s Wilderness in Augusta County. The 1.3-mile trail section from the trailhead at the parking lot to the intersection with the Saint Mary’s Gorge trail Forest Trail (#500B) will be intermittently closed for public and worker safety during the trail work in August and September.
The tentative dates of closure are:
- August 3-4
- August 8-12
- August 24-31
- September 7-14
- September 21-28
Trail work will focus on repairing damage caused by remnant hurricane storms. Trail repair work will include moving large rocks by cable hoist to stabilize undermined trail sections to protect against future highwater events. Project work is expected to continue into calendar year 2023 and additional closure dates may be announced.
“I appreciate everyone’s patience during these temporary closures as we work to address much needed repairs in this special place,” said District Ranger Lauren Stull. “We are fortunate to be able to work with our partner, SAWS, to improve visitor experiences on the trail and protect the trail along the St. Mary’s River.”
For more information on these closures please contact the Glenwood-Pedlar Ranger Districts at (540) 291-2188 or visit our website: www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gwj/recarea/?recid=77719
Update on Shenandoah Rail Trail
State Funding & Securing the Corridor for Future Public Benefit
The Virginia state budget included over $90 million set aside for trails. The trail funding also includes the establishment of a new trails office to support multi-use trail systems throughout Virginia. The new trail funding will provide the opportunity to help acquire the 48.5-mile unused rail corridor and secure it for future public benefit. Negotiations with Norfolk Southern, the current owner of the corridor, are currently underway.
Next Up - Outreach and Input!
The Partnership’s Communications Committee is getting ready to engage communities up and down the corridor, and we are looking for some community members to help with community meetings or/to represent the Shenandoah Rail Trail at community events. Training, talking points and materials will be provided.
For more information on Shenandoah Rail Trails, you can email them at: [email protected]
Visit their website at:
https://shenandoahalliance.org/project/shenandoah-rail-trail-partnership/
State Funding & Securing the Corridor for Future Public Benefit
The Virginia state budget included over $90 million set aside for trails. The trail funding also includes the establishment of a new trails office to support multi-use trail systems throughout Virginia. The new trail funding will provide the opportunity to help acquire the 48.5-mile unused rail corridor and secure it for future public benefit. Negotiations with Norfolk Southern, the current owner of the corridor, are currently underway.
Next Up - Outreach and Input!
The Partnership’s Communications Committee is getting ready to engage communities up and down the corridor, and we are looking for some community members to help with community meetings or/to represent the Shenandoah Rail Trail at community events. Training, talking points and materials will be provided.
For more information on Shenandoah Rail Trails, you can email them at: [email protected]
Visit their website at:
https://shenandoahalliance.org/project/shenandoah-rail-trail-partnership/
Program/Presentation at Walkabout Outfitters
August 3rd at 6:30pm, Russ Eanes will be doing a presentation on The Way of St. Francis (The Italian Camino) at Walkabout-Harrisonburg. Please spread the word, should be a fun presentation.
Walkabout Outfitter is located at:
90 North Main St Suite 102
Harrisonburg, VA 22802
August 3rd at 6:30pm, Russ Eanes will be doing a presentation on The Way of St. Francis (The Italian Camino) at Walkabout-Harrisonburg. Please spread the word, should be a fun presentation.
Walkabout Outfitter is located at:
90 North Main St Suite 102
Harrisonburg, VA 22802
