Hightop Mtn/Vining Tract bushwhack - April 29, 2017

submitted by Jeanne Siler

     Bushwhacking isn’t what it sounds like.

     Whacking bushes happens on trail maintenance hikes.

     When ten folks took off from the Hightop Mountain pull-off near the Swift Run Gap entrance to Shenandoah Park entrance for a PATC bushwhack hike, it meant leaving the maintained and blazed trails of the park for a scramble through the not-yet-overgrown spring undergrowth.

     We joked that it should have been called a “Tramp Thru the Trillium,” so many of the lovely white and pale pink, three-pedaled wildflowers were still in full bloom as we made our way south and east toward Mutton Hollow.

     Trail leader Mark Walkup led the way, with help from Bill Holman and multiple GPS readings. Iva Gillet followed as sweep, with her ever-enthusiastic hiking pooch Remy alternating between sweep companion and leader of the pack. Both helped with hiker herding as the rest of us - Jeanne Siler, Dennis Templeton, Bev and Pete Fink, CJ Woodburn, Dave Borszich and Patrick Cory clambered over fallen logs and carefully picked our way downhill. We rarely wandered in a straight line because on a bushwhack everyone finds their own path of least resistance.

     Investigations continued all day with findings of three separate piles of bear scat, the stone remains of some mountain homes, an abandoned cemetery, a bear-chewed water bottle and trail sign post, several rare deep red trillium, and even a couple morels.

     CJ managed her first-ever morel sighting just beyond the site of the abandoned cemetery along the Park boundary near the Vining tract.

     Lunch was at a perfect picnic spot on the edge of a east-facing cliff with terrific views of the hollows and flatlands below. Drone photos were taken during lunch, with Remy providing extra amusement as she attempted to tackle the flying camera, which sounded ever so much like a giant bumblebee.

     After lunch the group headed down the to newly “refound” cemetery.  Mark, Bill and Iva had located the unnamed cemetery on a pre-hike a few weeks earlier. Bill plans to continue researching its history prior to being known as part of the Graves family property. It is detectable now only by a series of depressions and the remnants of a few pairs of fieldstone markers.

     The hike out was a simple affair once the Cliff and Boundary West trails on the Vining Tract were intersected, with hike leaders directing the troupe past the PATC’s popular Mutton Top cabin. The last stretch was completed thanks to Iva’s trusty F250, its pickup bed providing spacious seating for the raucous crowd, plus being a convenient spot for one muddy dog.

South River Falls rainsite hike - April 22, 2017

submitted by Iva Gillet 

     While the planned hike was a bushwhack from Hightop Mtn to the Vining Tract, the rainy forecast postponed that hike for a week. Instead 10 hearty hikers traveled to the nearby South River Falls to get in some exercise before the forecasted 3 days of rain.  Hike leaders Mark Walkup and Bill Holman herded Brian Muszynski, Dave Borszich, Patrick Cory, Pete Fink and Iva Gillet (with Remy) to the trailhead. We were joined by others we hadn’t seen in a while: Leon Gorman, Bill Westen, and Grace Ni, great to have them join us, even without ideal weather.  

     The descent through the lush forest let us glimpse early wildflowers and much garlic mustard. The falls were flowing nicely, and we had a quick lunch at the base, while Remy chased sticks thrown into the water and we took photos. Brian heeded John Shannon’s concerns and pulled garlic mustard as he could, dropping them on the road to prevent spreading. When we returned from the falls, we met up with some other hikers who were concerned that the garlic mustard droppings were ominous cult markings. Once we showed them Brian, they understood the issue.   

     As we began the ascent, the rain began, though not heavily. We completed our circuit by 1:30 and several of us headed to the Piedmont Environmental Council’s Heritage Event near Stanardsville which provides an opportunity for descendants of families who were living on the land inside the Shenandoah National Park to share their photos, stories, and maps.  We met some wonderful local folks who helped us further understand the people who lived near the Vining tract, Hightop Mountain, and Lydia. We all shared an appreciation of the land, while acknowledging that many local families were not treated fairly. There is so much to learn from these wonderful local residents, and we look forward to their event again next year.

Piney Ridge/Piney Branch River Loop - March 25, 2017

submitted by Gabriel Garretson

     Twenty-five hikers, including hike leaders, Gabriel Garretson and Michael Seth split into two groups (one clockwise and the other counter clockwise) and did a moderately strenuous hike 8 mile loop (1800 feet ascent) on the Piney Ridge and Piney Branch trail. Other hikers included Art Bykonen, Brian Muszynski, CJ Woodburn, Claire Cline, Dave Borszich, Dave Abdullah, Jodi Fredericksen, David Crowe, Eric Kurbanov, Eric Ryan, Karem & Jen Cosar, Iva Gillet, Lisa Bowling,  Mike Spencer, Patrick Cory, Patty Lane, Pete & Bev Fink, Sandra Trueworthy, Stephan Osbrach, Suzi Blaze and Tim Munford.

     The clockwise group lead by Michael Seth started earlier and descended the Piney Branch Trail. The counter-clockwise group lead by Gabriel, started later after car pools for Charlottesville arrived and hiked down the Piney Ridge trail.  Both groups met after hiking about 4 miles and had a joint lunch.  After the hike, Mike Spencer decided to do the hike again to retrieve his car keys and completed hiking a record 16 plus miles before dark.

Please see 25 photos from hike PATC meetup link below: 

https://www.meetup.com/PATCEvents/photos/27720293/

Rip Rap "Loppin and Hiking" - April 8, 2017

     "Many hands make light work" was in evidence on this combination hike and work trip.  Fifteen hikers (and one dog) showed up for this event and made quick work of clearing brush on the Appalachian Trail near Rip Rap.  Iva is checking, but 15 people may be a new record for a work trip.  After clearing brush from the trail we headed out toward Chimney Rock for lunch, then descended the long trail into to the hollow, ending at Meadow Spring.  After a short break we made a u-turn and headed back up, up, and up the trail to Rip Rap parking area.  A total hike of about 8 miles including the work portion.  

     A special thanks to John Shannon and Dave Borszich for the tread work on a couple of water bars.  The pick axe must have weighed 20 pounds by itself.  Lopping shear operators included Jeanne Siler, Marley McGrath, Bev and Pete Fink, Marian Styles, Anne Colgate, Dave Abdullah, Jodi Frederiksen, Andy Willgruber, Iva Gillet with Remi the happy hiking dog, and Amy and Evan Reed. 

Reported by Lindsay Brown

Robertson Mountain - April 1, 2017

submitted by Dan Ralston

     A beautiful day to be the only people on Robertson Mountain while swarms of folks hiked the mountain right beside us.  Actually we did see one other person during our hike.  The views from Robertson Mountain located right beside Old Rag are amazing before leaves cover the trees in spring.  The hike started at the Berry Hollow parking area which is shared by the return trail for Old Rag.  The beginning and end of the hike was on fire roads which evened out the steep, rocky and strenuous middle section of the hike that climbs up Robertson Mtn.

     Our four hikers, Michael Seth, Taylor Putney, Jeanne Densmore-Ralston and I enjoyed unobstructed views of Old Rag thanks to the leaves not quite yet being out.  A wonderful spring hike appreciated by all.