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.
Headings are now color-coded:
Hikes
Work Trips
Other activities
SSVC UPCOMING HIKES, WORK TRIPS, & ACTIVITIES
Saturday, April 26th: Earth Day Staunton
Our chapter will host a table at Earth Day Staunton. We will spread awareness about the PATC, our work on local trails, and encourage participants to enjoy the outdoors nearby. Also, we are planning a children's activity as we expect many to stop by the event. We need people to help at our table. All you need is knowledge of our chapter/the PATC and a willingness to share.
Contact John Kolp to help ([email protected] or 917-288-2622).
Saturday, April 26th: Garlic Mustard Pull at Hone Quarry from 10:00-12:00
SSVC is teaming up with Friends of Shenandoah Mountain, Master Naturalists, Virginia Native Plant Society Shenandoah, Virginia Wilderness Committee to organize a garlic mustard pull at Hone Quarry. We are working toward eradicating garlic mustard from this special area that is rich with native spring wildflowers. We pulled everything we could find last year. We should find much less this year. Please come and help.
We should see a rich array of native wildflowers.
Learn more and register at: https://www.friendsofshenandoahmountain.org/garlic-mustard-at-hone-quarry2025.html. Leader: Lynn Cameron (540) 830-4524 or [email protected].
Sunday, April 27th: Cellar Mountain Hike
8 miles difficult
This is an out and back hike to a "secret" rockbed on Bare Mountain. We will meet at the Cellar Mountain Trailhead at 9. We will take Cellar Mountain Trail to Bare Mountain Trail. We will take Bare Mountain Trail out to Bare Mountain. From there it is a bit of a bushwhack .4 mile out to the rockbed. Hike limited to 10 people, as we will be hiking in St. Mary's Wilderness area.
Contact Lavern Beachy at 540-280-5675 or [email protected]
Thursday, May 1st: Kayak float on Elkhorn Lake
This is an easy paddle on flat water.
Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the boat ramp.
Extra kayaks may be available for those that would like to participate but don't have equipment. After the float, if there is interest, we can tramp across the shallow North River to look for May apples and Jack in the pulpits.
Additional site information: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/elkhorn-lake
Contact Jim Arnold at [email protected] for additional information.
Tuesday, May 6th: Kaylor Knob Massanutten
Approximately 7 miles, 1600' elevation gain.
This is a great hike for spring wildflowers as should see some not common on the Blue Ridge. The star attraction is Turkeybeard others are Chrysogonums, Lupines, Irises and Pink lady slippers. We will venture a bit off on a trail not on the map but in good condition.
Meet at the Park and Ride on 33 next to Mount Olivet Church and across from the main entrance of the Massanutten Resort at 9:00. Contact Hike Leader Michael Seth ([email protected]) if you are coming.
Wednesday, May 7th: SNP-Hawksbill to Big Meadows
This will be a Strenuous Hike of about 9 miles with around 2000 ft of up and 2000 ft of down elevation change. After meeting at the Byrd Visitor Center we will set up a shuttle to Upper Hawksbill Parking. After hiking to Hawksbill Summit we will hike back to the Byrd Visitor Center using the AT, Rose River, and Dark Hollow Trails. Great Views, Waterfalls, and hopefully some Wildflowers along the way. Hike limit is 12. Sorry, No Dogs for this hike. Hike leader will be Howard Davis.
To Signup for this hike visit the Charlottesville PATC Hiking Meetup Site: https://www.meetup.com/charlottesville-patc-hiking-and-trail-love/eventsNOTE:(You may be placed on the Waitlist but spots often become available as some folks decide not to go.)
Thursday, May 8th: Spring's awakening walk on Augusta Springs Wetlands Trail
We will meet at 9:00 a.m. at the entrance on Route 42 South of Buffalo Gap.
Additional site information at https://dwr.virginia.gov/vbwt/sites/augusta-springs-wetlands-trail/ and link to access the google map.
Contact Jim Arnold to register: [email protected].
Thursday, May15th: Kayak or canoe float on Beaver Creek reservoir in Albemarle County
Meet at the boat ramp at 9:00 a.m. Link to Beaver Creek map.
This is an easy paddle on flat water.
Contact Jim Arnold at [email protected] to register.
Thursday, May 22nd: Kayak or canoe float on Sherando Lake
We will meet in the parking lot at 9:00 am nearest the boat ramp (link to map).
After the float we can organize a picnic in the recreation area.
Please contact Jim Arnold at [email protected] to register.
May 22-26: Memorial Day Weekend Retreat
Carolina Furnace Camp & Retreat, 8481 Morland Gap Rd, Fort Valley, Va 22652
Join us for all or part of our Memorial Day Retreat. Camping & Group Cabins with Bathroom available (No Shower).
Cost will be approximately $10 nightly for Camping and $34 nightly for space in a Cabin. (There is a Large Bathhouse with Showers nearby).
Located in Fort Valley near Camp Roosevelt. Carolina Furnace is a gateway to great Hiking, River Floats on the Shenandoah, Mountain Biking, or just a peaceful get-a-way in the Woods. If interested or for additional information contact Iva Gillet [email protected] (or Howard Davis [email protected] )
Saturday, May 31st: Trail Magic Volunteer Opportunity
The Harrisonburg Appalachian Trail Community and PATC will partner to provide trail magic (food/beverages) to hikers at the South River Falls picnic area. If interested in helping, please respond to Dick Wettstone [email protected].
Saturday, June 14th: Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance’s “Best Weekend Ever” from 1-5pm
The event will take place downtown. In coordination with this event, area outdoor recreation will be featured in the future urban park space south of the Turner Pavillon (farmers market). Zones highlighting activities and displays for hiking/camping, biking, running, fishing/paddling, caving/climbing and parks/nature will be offered. In addition to live music, a representative from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy will attend for a ceremony celebrating the 100th anniversary of the ATC. More information to follow closer to the time of the event.
June 15-19: Great Smoky Mountains Camping & Hiking
Cades Cove Campground: Group Site #4
Cades Cove is located in the SW area of the GSMNP below Townsend, TN. This is a very busy area with much to do and is much easier to access if you are Camping. Potential hikes could include Gregory Ridge (11 miles) with possible Full Bloom Azaleas, Spence Field -Russell Field Loop (13 miles), Rich Mountain Loop (8.5 miles) with some shorter hikes possible,. And there is touring Cade Cove itself. Also, last year the tour road was reserved for just Bicycles on Wednesday. I have reserved a nice Group Campsite, plan to cut off participation at 12 and sorry, no dogs on this group outing.
To review details and participation contact Howard Davis at [email protected]
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.