Elliott Knob Shuttle Hike - July 7, 2018

submitted by Jeff Monroe

A large group 19 hikers scaled the western slope of Elliott Knob on the July 7, 2018 group hike for a combined Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club and PATC-Charlottesville event.  Ascent on the Cold Springs Trail wasn’t always easy, as the trail needs some trail maintenance love, but the view at the top was spectacularly clear for a July day. Views from the fire tower at the top easily exceeded 50 miles.  PATC members included Marit Anderson, Anne Colgate, Nancy Handly, David Crowe, Marie Moss, Claire Cline, Marian Styles, Debra Fisher, and hike leader Jeff Monroe with dog Gracie. Newcomers included Ivan Via, Kody Kiser, and Andrea Collins.  Five NBATC hikers joined the group, traveling from as far away as Bedford.  Several hikers also enjoyed talking and hiking with Hiking Upward website founder Tony Van Vugt, who traveled down from Ashburn for the hike.

Dunlodge Summer Potluck - June 10, 2018

submitted by Marit Anderson     

     We held our annual Summer Pot Luck at Dunlodge on Sunday, June 10. Despite a thunderstorm and power outage, the party went on with candlelight, a full crowd, many delicious dishes and refreshments, and a wonderful speaker from the ATC Board, Shalin Desai.  Shalin is a former AT thru hiker and Triple Crowner, who is interested in increasing the diversity on the trail.  He is spearheading an initiative to support underrepresented communities on the Appalachian Trail through Affinity Groups.  A Harvard business school graduate and soon to be law student at Vermont Law, he spoke eloquently and with conviction about his own experiences as a minority on the trail as an East Indian and LGBTQ association.  Charlottesville PATC Vice President, Marit Anderson, is now a co-leader for the Women's Affinity Group and also spoke about her role with that position.  The purpose is to reach out to Women, LGBTQ,  African Americans, Veterans, Youth, Latino, and Special Needs population to provide information, forums, and group events to draw more diversity to the trail.  The intent is that more varied people experiencing the trail will bring increased interest in trail maintenance, financial support, and overall support for the future of the AT.

     We had another guest, PATC Supervisor of Marketing, Emeline Otey, selling maps, books, and other merchandise.  Don White, PATC South District SNP District Manager was also present.  With many guests and members to enjoy the evening, it was a well received by all.

Corbin Mountain Hike - June 16, 2018

The Corbin Mountain Hike rescheduled from April 7 (due to inclement weather) was attended by 8 hikers including Marian Styles, Debra Fisher, Marie Moss, John Brandt, Nancy Handley, Jeanne & Dan Ralston, and hike leader, Marit Anderson.  Marian set up car pools from AHS and others arrived from different locations at 10 am at the Old Rag lower parking lot.  The place was packed, but fortunately overflow parking at the nearby neighbors was still available.  Of course, the majority of folks were headed for Old Rag, so our set hike up Nicholson Hollow was relatively empty.  Our path took us into the Shenandoah National Park along the Nicholson Hollow Trail with the lovely Hughes River next to it.  We arrived at Corbin Cabin about 2 hours later and 4 miles in.  Lunch and chocolate was enjoyed by the river...with many of us soaking our feet in the delicious, cool water.  Marian and Debra took the shorter route and backtracked to the parking area to make it an 8 mile trek.  The rest of the group continued on the 11 mile circuit on Indian Run Trail, to the Corbin Mountain Trail, then along the Old Rag Fire Road, following Corbin Hollow Trail along Brokenback Run, and finally back down the Weakley Hollow Fire Road.  At this point we got to join the throngs of Old Rag returnees and watch the Forest Service Safety personnel zoom up towards the Old Rag area.  We never found out if there were injured hikers, but we were hoping it was not anything serious. The temperature at the cars was in the mid 80's, so we were grateful the Corbin Mountain Hike had been in the shade, with 5 water crossings and gurgling water sounds a good part of the day.  The elevation gain for the day was 2,370 ft., much of the incline on the Indian Run Trail.  A few of the group members stopped by Sharp Rock Winery for wine tastings on the way home.  A special thanks to Marian for helping car pools and other logistics.

submitted by Marit Anderson

Shenandoah Mountain Trail - June 9, 2018

Submitted by Jeff Monroe

The hiking group of Marian Styles, Brian Muszynski, John Brandt, Suzanna Williams, Nancy Handley, newcomer Dan Cox, and hike leader Jeff Monroe joined veteran Valley Chapter members Lynn and Malcolm Cameron, and Michael Seth for a nine mile hike south on the Shenandoah Mountain Trail from U.S. 250.  There were few views and no waterfalls along the way, but the group was amazed by the many wildflowers and large fields of ferns under large trees.  This is a part of Shenandoah Mountain that gets much less hiker activity, compared to parts further north in Ramsey’s Draft Wilderness, and the group marveled at the health of the plant communities along the hike, with very few invasives.  Lynn showed off her amazing knowledge of the area by directing the group to a hidden trail that connected the Benson Run Trail back to the Shenandoah Mountain Trail. 

Hastening the return were threats of lightning and rain, but the group escaped any heavy downpours.  On the drive back both vehicles stopped for a motorcyclist who had fallen off of his bike on US 250 near the base of Shenandoah Mountain.  John and Suzanna helped other passing motorists get the bike off of the rider as it had pinned him to the pavement.  The rider claimed to be ok, and all were on their way.

Torry Ridge Trail - June 2, 2018

submitted by Barbara Martin     

On a Saturday morning threatening rain, five intrepid hikers, Jocelyn Prostco, Paul Henderson, John Brandt, Iva Gillet and Marie Moss, joined hike leader Barbara Martin on the Torry Ridge Trail.  We climbed up into a glory of mountain laurel trees and some rhododendrons.  Jocelyn discovered a spotted salamander.  We all enjoyed lively conversations with each other.  We had lunch at a rock fall, sitting on moss and lichen-cushioned rocks, sheltered by a blooming rhododendron.  As Paul and Iva consulted their phones to see the likelihood of rain, Barbara looked at the blackening sky and saw the wind picking up and made her own prediction.  Shortly after turning around to go back it started to pour, accentuated by booms of thunder.  Jocelyn wondered if it would rain buckets and then indeed it did.  She had her first experience of hiking in the rain and getting completely soaked.  All maintained good cheer as we made our way at a brisk pace back to the cars.  Thoughtful Iva had brought plenty of towels for the drowned hikers to dry off with.  Driving home we saw homes and yards completely flooded by the South River.  We congratulated ourselves on not being fair weather hikers!