Crozet Trails Hike - Saturday, February 19, 2022

Twelve hikers met up to hike the Crozet Greenway on a cool, clear Saturday morning of February 19.  The meeting point at 9 am was at the Western Ridge Clubhouse and the route went from there to Lickinghole Basin and along Lickinghole Creek crossing some meadows and finally to Claudius Crozet Park.  Despite these trails backing up subdivisions of the Crozet area, we enjoyed quiet woods, the gurgling creek, a hawk sighting, an eagle's nest in the distant trees, the lapping water at the basin, and some lovely crisp fresh air.  We took a snack break of chocolate chip cookies below the dog park at Claudius Crozet Park before backtracking to the parking area.  Once we reached our ending point after 7 miles of hiking we enjoyed some refreshments at the shelter near the Western Ridge Clubhouse including delicious wraps provided by Claire Cline (who was scheduled to hike, but had a conflict at the last minute) and adult & spritzer beverages from the leader. There were some newcomers to PATC and also some familiar faces.  Marit Anderson was the hike leader for the day and participants included Ginette Bellefeuille from Richmond, Mary Power from Madison, Lizzie Lewis newly to Charlottesville, Mari Kelly, Lori Dodwell, Cate Cunningham, Joe Simaid, Diana Maier, Brian Muszynski, Joan Gilrain, and Matt Fritts with his adorable dog, Cooper.  We hope everyone enjoyed the Crozet Trails, which may not be deep wilderness or mastering the mountains, but a nice option near to Charlottesville in Albemarle County and a good winter alternative when Skyline Drive or the Blue Ridge Parkway are closed. Thanks for joining us!

submitted by Marit Anderson                                                                                        

AT - Audie Murphy Section, February 6, 2022

 After tackling the AT Dragon's Tooth section on Saturday, the PATC hikers hiking the Virginia AT continued south on Sunday to complete from Trout Creek to Craigs Creek - known as the Audie Murphy Section because the trail passes a memorial for the WWII fighter who died in a plane crash nearby in 1971.  A couple of "other halves" joined Saturday hikers on Sunday, and RATC trail stalwart Dave Horst joined our group and told us about trail work and bridge construction he participated in on these sections of the AT.  He is also a retired veterinarian, which meant some interesting discussions with the Chapter's hiker-vet.

The hike started by climbing a north slope into the Brush Mtn East Wilderness Area, which slowed the group down as they navigated snow and ice on the ascent.  The group was eight hikers, within the 10 person limit for groups in a wilderness area. (Link.)

Fortunately, the really treacherous sections were only a small percentage of the hike, and everyone had traction devices.  A couple of hikers chose to use them, while others navigated without stopping to put them on.  Snow and ice was more prevelent on the Sunday hike than it had been on the Saturday hike.

We had been warned on Saturday, though, as we encountered two NB thru-hikers who told us they had walked a tightrope around snow in several spots.  They also said that Friday was the first day they saw anything but snow under their feet, dating back to early January.  Believe it or not - they started their hike in December!

The group also encountered another trail club hiking group on the trail, from the Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club.  

Once the hikers reached the ridge top, the ice was gone, though there were more icy areas on the ascent.  Everyone lunched at the monument, which had wooden benches and was almost exactly at the halfway point of the hike.  Of the PATC hikers, only the hike leader had completed this trail section in the past, and his memory was that this was a pretty dull section of trail compared with others in the area.  That recollection was wrong!  The views were wonderful, thanks in no small part to leaf-less trees.  It was a delightful hike, and temperatures were very pleasant.

AT From Dragon's Tooth Parking SB to Trout Creek

 This is a hike that went from 14 participants on Monday to 5 participants by Friday.  And it probably would have been canceled on Friday night except that three hikers were already in Blacksburg. spending the night before in a motel.  The hike leader had a friend from the RATC check the trails, and the report back was that everything would be very icy over the weekend - even the roads to the trailhead!  Virginia State Route 311 passing by McAfee Knob parking was especially at risk, as Thursday/Friday rains in advance of the overnight cold front meant that 311 could be icy and impassible.  

Instead, two Charlottesville hikers left at 6:20 AM and met the three other hikers at the Christiansburg motel before heading to the trailhead. 

Even the Saturday hike changed!  Originally, they planned to hike the AT's Keffer Oak section, but ice worries on the side road to the southern parking area created a reassessment. Several hikers who did not come had already done the Dragon's Tooth section and did not wish to re-hike that.  When they decided not to come, the only person who had done the hike before was the hike leader.  So the group traveled from Blacksburg to the trailhead on sometimes icy backroads and ascended to Dragon's Tooth.

What a great hike - there is no doubt why this is such a popular hike in the Roanoke area, as the Dragon's Tooth ascent had spectacular views, fun rock climbs, and a good workout.  The group took the Boy Scout Trail to the AT, which is not as popular as the direct ascent via the Dragon's Tooth Trail.  But the hikers were not going to leave AT miles on the table, and the AT ascent is arguably more spectacular.

The hike was 8.4 miles long and took just under 6 hours to complete, including lunch at Dragon's Tooth.

December 21, 2021 Winter Solstice Hike, Chimney Hollow Trail

 

Hike leader Barbara Martin led her annual Winter Solstice hike on December 21, 2021.  This year's hike was on Chimney Hollow Trail, a favorite hike.  She was joined by Larry Cutler, David Crowe, Claire Cline, John Brandt, John B and Karen Wilson.  

 

The weather was slightly chilly, but not too bad.  This is a great winter hike because of the beautiful views of Shenandoah Mountain in the background.

Hikers were treated to Barbara's special oatmeal, cranberry, dark chocolate chip hiker cookies.  

A jolly time was had by all.

 

Shenandoah Bushwack #1: January 15, 2022

The first Chapter hike of the year was the result of changed circumstances.  Weather forecasts all pointed to a large snowstorm rolling into the area on Sunday, so a group of PATC hikers seeking to complete the AT through Virginia changed their plans from a 3 day event near Blacksburg to only Saturday.  The hike changed from an AT hike to a Shenandoah Bushwhack hike.  

The group followed a route hiked by the Charlottesville Chapter five years earlier: Link.  This hike requires sharp eyes to find an old side road off of the AT near the Saddleback Mountain Trail - on the southern end of the SNP Central District.  Hikers agreed that, although many of them had hiked past the intersection multiple times without ever seeing anything, if they were looking for the old road it was pretty obvious to the eye.

The group descended in the old roadbed to the former route of the Spottswood Trail, now US 33, supersceded around 1933.  My theory is that cars had become more powerful by that year, and the sharp switchbacks of the previous route was no longer viable for this road over the Blue Ridge Mountains.  

Although sometimes overgrown - particulary difficult where there were stands of Greenbriar vines - the road in general remains in great shape nearly 90 miles after seeing its last car.  The group hiked east on the old Spottswood alignment, heading towards but not reaching the old Big Bend Fire Road.  They stopped to look for foundations of an old school that once was sited just off of the road.  While the group located some old house foundations - marked by overgrown Boxwoods, it did not likely reach the schoolhouse location.

The hike back was via the old Spottswood alignment and an open cut for a gas line and power lines.  This section had been recently cut - likely by a utility company.

The group was an all-PATC member hike, which included Charlottesville Chapter regulars Karen and John Ballen, Nancy Handley, Jocelyn Prostko, Sharon Celsor-Hughes, and hike leader Jeff Monroe.  From the Southern Shenandoah Valley Chapter were hikers Jim Fye, Pam Heinrich, Michael Seth, and Jean Stephens.  

Michael Seth had attended the same hike five years ago, but specifically requested this hike, to refresh his memory.

Descending via old road bed that connects the Spottswood Trail and the AT.

Standing on the old foundation.

Lunch.

Climbing back to the Spotswood Trail after lunch.

Our group of bushwhackers