Cadillac Crew & Charlottesville PATC trail building at the Vining Cabin - August 26-27, 2017

     Eight members of the Charlottesville PATC united with the Cadillac Crew on August 26 and 27 to build trails at the Vining Cabin in Greene County.  Volunteers included Michael Seth, Dave Borszich, Mark Walkup, Bill Holman, Iva Gillet, Gabriel Garretson, Mark Perschel, and Marit Anderson from our club with Jacob C., Ellen L., Dan F., Kathy L., Tysha R., Martha B., Robert F., Kirsten E, Dennis L., and Vic F. from the Cadillac Crew (last names were not disclosed due to social media concerns by the project chair).  We worked from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday and were able to build a quarter mile trail from the ground up including some stairs and rock crossings over portions of Mattie's Run.  It was great to collaborate with some very experienced trail builders!  Most of the Cadillac Crew drove down from Northern Virginia, as well as a couple from Williamsburg, VA.  After our work on Saturday night we convened at the Cadillac Crew host's house - Hope and Steve Barber only a few miles away on Rt. 33 for a pot luck dinner.  Amazing food and comradery among the two clubs.  Marit and Mark joined the Cadillac Crew spending the night at the Barber's property and helped with a morning of putting finishing touches on the trail on Sunday.  Joint future trail building projects at the Vining Cabin and nearby areas were discussed...we will keep everyone posted.

Hope and Steve Barber's home and site of the pot luck and housing of Cadillac Crew -Marit and Mark camped on the side lawn

The Barber's overflow cabin...cute little place 

Submitted by Marit Anderson

St Mary's Falls - August 12, 2017

submitted by Iva Gillet

     It was a warm day for a hike in the wilderness to St. Mary's Fall when eight hikers and Remi the best hiking dog headed off to enjoy the beauty and cold mountain water. Gabriel Garrettson, Bill Westin, John Brandt, Bill Holman, Marian Styles, Debra Fisher, and newcomer Brigitte Hogan followed the rugged but well worn trail, crossing the St Mary's River 5 times each way. All but 2 hikers soaked up the river coolness, with Remi enjoying whoever would throw a stick for her! It was not crowded when we arrived, so we soaked and enjoyed our lunches and treats at the base of the falls. We passed several groups as we retraced our steps back to the parking lot, as others also admired the clear mountain trout stream. Come join us for a waterfall hike soon!

South River Falls Loop - August 19, 2017

submitted by Dan Ralston

     This moderate hike won the hearts of all that joined.  The hikers led by Dan Ralston were: Jeanne Ralston, Lindsay Brown, Bev & Pete Fink, Marit Anderson, Mark Persche, Nancy Handley, Michael Seth, Gabriel Garrettson and two new folks that we hope will join us again: Suzi Blaze and Tora Powell. We even had a rattle snake sighting to add to the day’s hike.

     The waterfall, even though the water wasn’t high was still impressive. This is one of the nicest hikes that the Shenandoah National Park has to offer.  The day was perfectly beautiful, sunny and with a cool breeze.  We had lunch at the base of the falls and most of us soaked our feet in the serene water.  A wonderful hike that is always welcoming to all levels of hikers.