Devils Marbleyard - September 16, 2014

Clai and Pete on the upward climb of Devils Marbleyard

 The Devils Marbleyard hike on September 16 was not for the faint of heart.  Hike leaders, Pete Fink and Marit Gay, put together an adventure hike described on the PATC schedule to include bouldering, bushwhacking, and hiking. Five fearless hikers took the challenge including Clai Lange, Bev Fink, Dave Borszich, Barbara Martin, and Michael Seth. 

Bev and Barb pick a line and keep on moving

 The hike began in the James River Face Wilderness within the Jefferson National Forest.  The usual 8.3 mile loop starts with the Belfast Trail, skirts the boulder field, connects to the Gunter Ridge Trail, and loops back southeast across Little Hellgate Creek on the Glenwood Horse Trail.  Pete had wanted to find a way to climb up through the boulder field and bushwhack back down to find the Gunter Ridge Trail.  He used coordinates from where the Belfast Trail intersects the Appalachian Trail to help track a line.  It was not easy going, but provided for an adventure we will all remember!

Dave took the day off of work to do this crazy hike!

 It took us over two hours to climb the boulder field and bushwhack to connect to the Gunter Ridge trail, which was less than a mile in length. But we persevered and we were elated to finally find it.  A short lunch and homemade cookies were enjoyed at the campsite near the AT intersection.  Next time we would like to do the 3 mile spur, because there is a spectacular 360 degree view at a clearing known as the "Helicopter Pad" on the un-maintained Sulphur Spring Trail. We were a bit worried about having enough time to complete the Gunter Ridge Trail to do it today though.

The group concentrates on their footing - the area of  Natural Bridge Station is in the background

Pete's legs after the bushwhacking portion of the trek

Barb, Dave, Clai, Bev, Michael, and Pete leaving the James River Face Wilderness towards Petites Gap Road

We survived! Time for dinner at The Palms in Lexington

Second Mountain Trail in Massanutten - August 30, 2014

       John Shannon, John Brandt, Marian Styles, Rich Bard, Bill Holman, C.J. Woodburn, Iva Gillet, and Emily Berry from Charlottesville joined Michael Seth who led this short hike/worktrip on a sunny hot late August day.  At the trailhead they were joined by Lynn and Malcolm Cameron, Mike and Karen Waterman, from the Southern Shenandoah Valley Chapter.  

         We parked our cars along Cub Run Road walked about a quarter mile to the start of the orange blazed Massanutten Trail.  Then after .7 of a mile we turned on the 1.9 mile Second Mountain Trail to Kaylor Knob about a 1100 elevation gain.  As we ascended Second Mountain we cut back on blueberry bushes and scrub oaks that were closing in on the trail with our loppers and clippers.  With many hands we made considerable progress. We quit half way up, having tackled the worst sections and had lunch at the top.  Although the hike leader promised good views to the east they were obscured by the newly grown chestnuts trees.   Michael Seth shared peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies his wife baked and John Shannon shared delicious pumpkin cake. But at least it was a little cooler at the top.  

        After our descent we stopped at a watering hole near where we parked our cars.  Although the water level was low it was deep enough to soak in and all but Emily, Mike Waterman and Bill did so. Afterwards some of us stopped at Hank's Smokehouse for beer and food.

Cranberry Glades Wilderness, WV August 23-25, 2014

      Hike leaders Kelly O’Rourke and Michael Seth planned a 2 day weekend to explore the southernmost terrain typical of New England wilderness - full of spruce, hemlock, bogs and ferns.  CJ Woodburn organized an elaborate camp dinner of Tex-Mex dip; homemade parmesan chips; chicken, steak and veggie kabobs;  and salad.  Bill Holman cooked over the open flames in the fire pit that Geoff Manning-Smith had kept burning from his arrival on Thursday to his departure on Monday.  We all enjoyed an amazing birthday cake from Chandler’s for CJ’s birthday, so there was no roughing it in the wilderness for us!  Watoga State park allows for the choice of cabins or camping, so the couples - Kelly and Charles Staples and Susanna and John Williams - enjoyed cabin stays while Mike Smith, Geoff, CJ, Iva Gillet and Bill chose the remote campsite where we saw no one else.  Mike Seth really roughed it by staying in a nearby hotel!  The stars and Milky Way were impressive during the new moon and we had pleasant temperatures with just a passing shower on Saturday night.

      Saturday morning we met at the Greenbrier river trail and headed to the Cranberry Glades Wilderness area that is ~ 8 miles from the Watoga State Park.  All but Geoff and Bill went 9.5 miles thru the wet bogs.  We also enjoyed a trail next to the Williams River. Fortunately we had taken time at the fabulous Visitor’s Center to get maps of this region that are hard to find.  There was a wonderful relief map of the Monongahela National Forest and many wonderful displays.  

     Sunday Iva, Bill, Geoff, the Michael’s, Charles and Kelly walked the half mile boardwalk trail in the glades we saw the carnivore pitcher plants and other things that Mike Smith and Mike Seth knew the names of.   Then we started on the Cowpasture Trail loop.  Kelly and Charles made the whole circuit while the others turned around to get back to civilization earlier in the day.  The Cowpasture trail should have been named the hemlock/crabapple/cool bridge with beaver dam trail.  Kelly/Charles finished the ~ 8.5 mile loop then headed up to High Rock; a 3 mile out/back.  The views would have been spectacular in better weather, as it was cloudy and mostly obscured.  Monday Kelly/Charles did the very pretty Arboretum ~ 4.5 mile loop where we spotted some unusual red mushrooms that looked like Indian pipes (maybe pinedrops related to Indian pipes).  We finished our tour of Watoga by going on a couple more trails in the park.  We all had a wonderful weekend and look forward to doing it again, as there are many, many miles of trails in this remote, underutilized region.

Moonlight Hike on Hawksbill - August 9, 2014

Reported by Iva Gillet

     Fourteen adventurous hikers met at the Swift Run Gap entrance for this unusual Saturday hike. Making it especially unusual was that Iva was EARLY for the meet-up, thanks to kayaking earlier in the day with Bill Holman, CJ Woodburn, and Tricia Neumann on the Shenandoah River. Consequently when Dave Borszich arrived early, then Pete and Bev Fink with Emerald Young, and Brian Muszynski arrived early, and John Sinclair, Lynn Murray, and Lars Wehrmeyer were early, Iva was actually there to meet them. We munched on grapes that Bill had provided while Douglass May, Michael Seth, and Norman Beil drove up to complete the group. 
     We carpooled to the trailhead, with the Park full of activity this evening. Big Meadows was hosting a Full Moon viewing, so many people were there with their lawn chairs, await the moonrise. Meanwhile, we assembled and began our 3 mile hike up Hawksbill along the AT.  We were pleased that the weather was clear allowing us views into the Shenandoah Valley. When we arrived at the Hawksbill summit, there were surprisingly few people for such and significant moonrise and unanticipated clear weather. We enjoyed our picnic items, including wine that Brian carried up, and birthday blondies for Tricia’s upcoming annual age increase. Bill had trouble lighting the candles, as the wind was starting to pick up too. We savored the view of the setting red sun with the moon rising in opposition near Old Rag.
     We learned that Lars was in America to fill in for a friend’s Tae Kwon Do class and is an apprentice electrician in Germany.  Emerald is working hard on her trail maintenance skills and has signed up for a 5 day workshop. Dave took over photography duties this evening, which accounts for the exceptional photos. Norman is nearing the end of his summer in Charlottesville, and will be heading back to NJ for his teaching duties. Pete and Bev will be heading back to the White Mountains in September to hike some rugged mountains. As the darkness and wind increased, our group gradually wound its way down the Lower Hawkbill trail to the cars a mile away. The headlamps were helpful in the dense forest. Everyone had an enjoyable evening without the rain that was forecast and we were glad we had greeted the Super Moon with gusto.

 

Trail Maintenance - AT Section from Turk Gap to Crimora Lake Overlook - August 2, 2014

Eleven eager volunteers came out to help do trail maintenance on a section PATC hike leaders, Marit Gay and Jeff Monroe, oversee between Turk Gap and Crimora Lake Overlook. Fortunately overcast skies made for a cooler day.  The work accomplished included clearing waterbars, building new waterbars, removing a fallen tree over the trail, and weed trimming the middle section of the trail.  The volunteers were made up of  Michael Seth, Emerald Young, Dave Borszich, Pete Fink, Brian Muszynski, Bill Holman, Iva Gillet, Rich Bard, and John Brandt.  Mark Perschel and Marit Gay directed the activities and were very grateful to all for the energetic help for the day.  Lunch, homemade dessert, and a cooler of adult beverages were enjoyed by everyone after nearly three hours of labor on the trail. Following this was a group hike to the summit of Turk Mt. A contingent of hikers went on to the Blue Toad Pub to finish off the day.  Thanks everyone!

Emerald is the queen of line trimming

Iva admires the new waterbar Bill helped build

Michael, Bill, and Rich- experts at clearing waterbars

Iva, Pete, Dave, Mark, Rich, Bill, Michael (in back)  Brian and Emerald (front)

John (far back) and Marit (headband) join the group