Braley Pond/Bald Ridge Hike

The Charlottesville Chapter of the PATC resumed its recreational hike program on Saturday, June 27th with a members-only hike starting at Braley Pond in West Augusta, VA and climbing up the Bald Ridge Trail to a viewpoint near The Peak.  The group returned the same way (though they returned on the trail on the opposite side of Braley Pond) for a hike totaling 8.6 miles.  Attendees included Peggy Byrd, Nancy Handley, three members of the Ballen Family, John Brandt, hike leader Jeff Monroe, and his dog Gracie.

Reaction from one of our hikers:  I enjoyed my fellow hikers, the beauty of the trail, especially the fragrance of the wild roses, the view, the weather was amazingly comfortable, the light breeze was delightful.  I am a fan of wind.  It was also a treat to socialize with a group of people, my first since the middle of March. Thanks for planning and leading this hike. Looking forward to another one.

PATC Hike Program Resumption - Guidance for All Club Hikes

PATC Hike Program Resumption

Now that governments are relaxing COVID-19 restrictions, there is a strong desire to restart PATC sponsored hikes. The PATC Hiking Committee is committed to keeping everyone (including the general public, employees, volunteers, hikers and partners) as safe and healthy as possible as we begin to restart PATC’s Hiking Program.  The ultimate responsibility whether to participate or lead a hike rests with the individual and how comfortable they are with the risks involved on a particular location/hike, as well as comfort with the other hike participants. These guidelines apply to all PATC-sponsored hikes.

General Guidance

- No hikes will be posted on Meetup.com or other websites.

- Hike leaders should only lead hikes if they feel comfortable doing so.

- All hikes must comply with the essential health guidance to keep all participants safe. 

- If the group experiences a busy trailhead parking area, plan to go to another location or go home. 

- No more than ten (10) in a group.  Hike leaders can decide to limit hikes to fewer participants.

- Don't carpool with those you wouldn't otherwise be with, i.e. family members only to a carpool.

- Don't share food. 

- Start hikes early to allow for sufficient parking at the trailhead. 

- Regular PATC protocol would be observed - everyone signs a release, hike leader has safety                      talk, etc., with safety talk including COVID related hazards and protocols. 

- Read CDC Guidelines and understand health risks.

- Hikes will always be subject to change in light of changing advice/requirements from Government and Land Partner entities.

Specific Guidance

• Hikers should be reminded of social distancing requirements before every hike, along with other points listed below.
• All hikers must have face masks with them and be prepared to use them if passing others on the trail.
• Hikers drive their own vehicles to and from trailheads.
• Hikers meet at the trailhead, and will be told of the time and location of the meeting in emails sent only to attending hikers.
• All hikes will be in and out or circular until carpooling is allowed. No shuttle hikes.
• Preference in recruiting hike participants should go to (1) PATC members, (2) who are regular hikers with the group at this time, though, again, this is the hike leader's discretion.  
• Have a Plan B in mind, in case a hike leader finds a trailhead surprisingly crowded.
• Don't plan a social stop after the hike. 

PATC Hike Committee

General PATC COVID Guidelines: Link.

Trail Maintainers Clearing the Trails

Despite the Coronavirus halting the ability for hikers and trail maintainers to get out on many of the trails in our area, especially in Shenandoah National Park and off parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway for much of the spring, there was a loosening of restrictions in May, so many of the Charlottesville PATC members that are trail maintainers got busy getting out to clear their much loved sections.  Mostly folks went out individually or in pairs, but guidelines allowed groups of three or less, so a few work team events were organized among maintainers. Bill Holman, district manager of PATC Mutton Hollow/Vining tract in Greene County organized a work day where groups of three folks went out to tackle chainsawing and blowdown removal on the 10 miles of trails in that area. Iva Gillet, Mark Walkup, Jodi Frederiksen, Paul Henderson, Jeanne Siler, John Shannon, Marian Styles, Brian Muszynski, CJ Woodburn, David Crowe, Marit Anderson, and Mark Perschel have all helped on those trails clearing the many fallen trees.  Dave Abdallah also helps maintain a number of trails at Mutton Hollow with his wife, Jodi. Trails are clear and ready for hiking, which is beneficial now that the seven PATC cabins are open for renting. Social distancing, wearing of masks when in close quarters, and strict sanitizing of tools were practiced by all of the maintainers and helpers.

Other trail maintainers have been busy - Jeff Monroe and Barbara Martin on sections they maintain in Ramseys Draft Wilderness west of Staunton.

John Shannon and Marian Styles on the club AT section from Rockfish Gap to McCormick Gap in SNP.

Mark Walkup on trails in PATC Entry Run Tract near Stanardsville, where he is the district manager.

Marit Anderson and Mark Perschel on their AT section from Turk Gap to Crimora Lake Overlook in SNP.

Trail maintainers from Charlottesville PATC are reaching out to folks to set up small work trips to get the trails in good shape for hikers and backpackers to enjoy.  We hope members will be a part of these volunteer efforts.  And thanks to all who help keep the trails clear and in good shape!

submitted by Marit Anderson

Cellar Mtn Trail - May 24, 2020

In order to allow some hike leaders to discuss how to conduct group hikes safely in the wake of COVID-19, the Charlottesville Chapter opened up its first post-pandemic hike exclusively to hike leaders (and spouses).  A working document has been hammered out and put online for hike leaders to use and to comment on regarding leading hikes during this time.  A group of four veteran Chapter hikers attended.  Three of those hikers are hike leaders:  Jeff Monroe and Nancy Kern were co-leads, Charlottesville Chapter founding member John Shannon also attended, along with veteran hiker (and John's spouse) Marian Styles.

The group met at the trailhead for the Cellar Mountain Trail, which is in St. Mary's Wilderness but seldom sees any hikers - unlike the rest of this wilderness!  (There were no other hikers on the trail this day.) The Charlottesville Chapter had worked in late 2019 with Wild Virginia and the Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards (SAWS) to revive this trail from a state of serious overgrowth, over two separate work trips.  Today's hike was designed to check back on the trail, six months later, and to address any issues that have come up since the December work trip.  Participants brought tools, and several downed trees were cleared off of the trail, along with additional shearing of plants encroaching on the trail.  The trail is now 100% rehabilitated - with big thanks to Wild Virginia and to SAWS for organizing the 2019 work trips!

Lunch was completed in a safe, socially distanced manner.  Except for the dogs.

Photo taken at the eastern terminus of the Cellar Mtn Trail, three miles from the trailhead.

First snake of the hiking year.

A clean trail!

This sign was nearly covered with branches before plants were trimmed with hedge shears.

Charlottesville Chapter COVID-19 Group Hiking Protocol - Working Document

As Virginia's governor has started to lift pandemic restrictions, the PATC Charlottesville Chapter has worked to develop a draft protocol for future group hikes during the pandemic.  Below is a list of important points that the hike leaders have discussed.  The list below is subject to change as conditions and or knowledge changes, so refer back often. 

• Hike leaders should only lead hikes if they feel comfortable doing so.
• Hikes will always be subject to change in light of changing advice/requirements from Virginia's governor.
• Hikers should be reminded of social distancing requirements before every hike, along with other points listed below.
• The number of hikers will be limited (recommend 5 hikers, but no more than 10 - hike leader discretion-) until carpooling is allowed because of limited trailhead parking available. 
• Hikers meet at the trailhead, and will be told of the time and location of the meeting in emails only to attending hikers.
• Hikers drive their own vehicles to trailheads.
• All hikes will be in and out until carpooling is allowed. 
• Start hikes early to allow parking at the trailhead. 
• Plan group hikes based on the number of trailhead parking spaces available and likely trail conditions. Recommend limiting hikes to less popular locations with larger parking lots.  (E.g.:  Rt 56 AT Parking is a NO, but US. 60 AT Parking is a YES.)
• All hikers must have face masks with them - part of their "11 Essentials"!
• Hikes will not be advertised on Meetup at this time.  Although other Meetup groups have started advertising their hikes, it isn't fair to hikers who cannot participate.
• Preference in recruiting hike participants should go to (1) PATC members, (2) who are regular hikers with the group at this time, though, again, this is the hike leader's discretion.  
• Because hikes are severely limited in size, multiple club hikes should be allowed on a given day.
• Regular PATC protocol would be observed - everyone signs a release, hike leader has safety talk, etc., with safety talk including COVID related hazards as laid out after this list.
• Trail work hikes are strongly encouraged - many trails have seen little love during the pandemic and blowdowns/tree litter is likely.  Some hike leaders have expressed a preference to limit their outings to work trips for the short term - that is up to the hike leader's discretion but will be clearly communicated to potential participants in advance.
• Have a Plan B in mind, in case a hike leader finds a trailhead surprisingly crowded.
• Don't plan a social stop after the hike.  No need to overwhelm breweries or restaurants, even if they do have outdoor seating.  If possible, limit any group stops - gas, snacks etc. - during travel to/from trailheads.  Leaders can, however, encourage hikers to bring a lawn chair for socially distanced interaction after the hike.

Additional COVD-19 safety talking points to be sent to hikers in advance of a hike (adapted from gearjunkie.com):

• DON’T go out to public places (yes, even outdoor ones) if you’re feeling sick, are caring for others who are sick, or if you’re immunocompromised.
• DO bring all the gear, resources, food, and emergency supplies you will need (i.e., DON’T stop at stores or gas stations).
• DON’T be social: Don’t shake hands, high five, or get close to other hikers.
• DO be flexible: Consider alternate trails to separate you from crowds, and DON’T go during peak times.
• DON’T share gear, water, or food.
• DO bring a face mask
• Like wildlife, keep a safe distance and DO wash your hands often.