Trail Love for Camp Holiday Trails - May 22, 2022

Charlottesville PATC members helped Camp Holiday Trails renovate some much used trails and also prepare the rest of the trail system for the upcoming camper season on Sunday, May 22. CHT is a year-round non-profit camp for children with medical needs aged 7-17 years old at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains just outside of Charlottesville.  PATC trail maintenance leaders Bill Holman, Mark Perschel, and Marit Anderson had been contacted by the camp director, Tina LaRoche, for assistance in trail maintenance and advice for future upgrade of the most traveled sections. Mark and Marit inspected the camp trails in early May and with Bill's help set a plan in place.  Bill scheduled the Meet Up and on May 22 the leaders were joined by the following volunteers: Angela Daniel, Loran Zumbrunn, Jodi Frederiksen, Dave Abdallah, Anna Castle, Marie Moss, Karen Wilson, John Shannon, and a CHT Property Committee member (Jody).

Two groups were created to tackle the tasks.  Marit led Karen, Marie, and Angela doing vegetation cutback, sawing, and blowdown removal on the entire trail system, except Lucy's Landing.  Mark and Bill coordinated the team that did grading and mulching on the much-traveled waterfront trail. Temperatures had soared into the 90's over the weekend, so the event schedule had been revised to meet from 9am-noon.  Fortunately all of the work was completed in the three hours.  By then all were hot and sweaty!

Cold beverages and chocolate chip cookies were the rewards for the hard work.  After refreshments Marit offered a camp tour for those that had been working on the waterfront.  Anna and Loren took her up on the offer and got to see all of the features of this amazing place. Tina, Bill, Mark, and Marit plan to organize a fall event to do more projects on the CHT trails. Hope many can join us!

submitted by Marit Anderson

Mutton Hollow Spring Cleaning – April 30, 2022

 Anyone who thinks that working on trails is no fun should have joined sixteen humans and Remi the hiking dog on the last day of April at Mutton Hollow. Charlottesville Chapter President Bill Holman arranged for the effort to keep the trails in this lovely area in good shape.

We divided into two groups, one led by Mark and the other by Jodi and Dave. The two groups met up for lunch later in the day. Trees blocking trails were not a problem today, so we focused on removing a couple of invasive plants: wineberries and garlic mustard.  Mark also demonstrated how to improve trail drainage by using a McLeod, a two-sided tool.

In addition to enjoying the company of other outdoor enthusiasts today, we were treated to spring wildflowers, including trillium, Jack-in-the-pulpit, Mayapple, and showy orchids. Dogwood trees were in bloom as well.

Afterwards, half the group extended the fun by stopping by Maybelle’s Market in Dyke for ice cream—a fine end to a fine day.

submitted by Marian Styles