Potomac Appalachian June 2015 - Potomac Appalachian Trail Club

Transcription

The Newsletter of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club
June 2015 ‑ Volume 44, Number 6
Huntley Cabin, The newest PATC cabin.
Photo by Mel Merritt
PATC’s Newest Cabin to come online July 1
Volunteer of
the Month
4
The Huntley Cabin sits next to a babbling brook on 100 acres in Tutweiler Hollow on the
western side of Shenandoah National Park next to PATC’s Lambert Tract. The house was built
by Joan and Robert Huntley of Bethesda, Md., in 1979 as a mountain getaway on the site of an
old mountain homestead.
It is a two-bedroom cabin with two baths and a modern kitchen with a dishwasher! It has both
a front porch for sitting and a screened porch on the back for outdoor meals. It also has a whole
house fan to cool off the cabin on those warm summer nights. The Cabin will sleep six in two
double beds and one bunk bed.
The PATC reservation system and Cabins Desk will begin taking reservations starting June 1st
for rentals beginning July 1. The online reservation system is available at www.patc.net/cabins—
Make a Reservation. The Cabins Desk can be reached at 703/242-0315, ext. 102 Monday
through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
What's that
Flower?
5
HIKE OF THE MONTH OUT OF TOWN EDITION
MT. PLEASANT, VIRGINIA
YOUTH
SECTION
23
118 Park Street, S.E.,
Vienna, VA 22180‑4609
www.patc.net
ISSN 098‑8l54
Giving something a name can sometimes raise expectations. An ice cream named “Really Good”
better taste better than other, more normally named ice creams. In a neighborhood where names
are Cow Camp, Hog Camp and Tar Jacket, to give a mountain a name such as Mt. Pleasant is to
raise expectations.
In addition, getting to Mt. Pleasant is no easy task, with several miles of curvy back roads
followed by more rough gravel roads. So, with all the effort and the name, the hike needs to be
pretty spectacular. Expectations are high!
Mt. Pleasant is located near, but not on the Appalachian Trail between the towns of Amherst
and Buena Vista Virginia. US Rte. 60 connects the two towns and signs give good directions
to the trail head. A good map is also helpful in finding the trail head. Once you are on the
gravel road, continue past the parking lot for the Appalachian Trail and for another 0.3 miles
(continued on p.14)
always well appointed in a holiday season flavor, the food is
good, speakers are good, but getting there is not good. We
have reserved the same venue for this year’s banquet. But
next year, we will see if we can find an establishment that
is convenient, not overly expensive and has a good menu.
One thing that stood out in the discussions during our session
was the necessity for good communications. I have heard from
members of staff as well as volunteers that communication
is not a strong suit in PATC. We must get better at this.
As you are aware, past presidents as well as this president
have used the PA as a means to communicate with the
membership. John Hedrick as president not only communicated
thoughtful messages, he also used an email newsletter,
and has continued to do the same as the Vice PresidentOperations. Communicating with the members is important.
Want to know who the gentleman on the left is?
Check the January 2015 PA.
Dick’s Musings
I have written on a number of occasions about the Strategic
Plan, and this time I will talk about the conclusion of
Stage 2 on April 25. The consultants with whom the
Strategic Planning Committee is working conducted
an environmental scan (survey) to present, review,
and validate the data gathered during the survey.
Before going further, I would like to take this opportunity to
thank those who supported the committee’s efforts. In total
there were 1,205 responses, with 991 complete responses.
That was a good level of response. If there are that many or
more responses when the draft Strategic Plan is sent to the
membership for review and comment, that would be great.
Please remember, the Strategic Plan, which will be presented to
the membership on Nov. 18, will be a plan that the members
have opportunities to give input on. If a member does not
comment, their point of view cannot be considered. When
the opportunity comes, please take the time to comment
on the draft, which will be available in June for review.
The meeting held on Saturday, April 25, was excellent. There
was a great deal of discussion by the members, and suggestions
about the findings of the survey. I do not believe there has
been another opportunity for a group to gather to have such
discussions previously. The facilitators were challenged by the
discussions to keep the group focused on the matter at hand. It
was interesting to find that the three top reasons for people to
join PATC were: 1) to provide financial support, 2) to give back
to the trails and 3) to meet people who enjoy the outdoors.
We also found the reason members do not attend the
Annual Business Meeting and Banquet is the location. I
remember commenting that it takes John Hedrick and me
an hour and a half to get to Vienna, but once in Vienna, it
takes another 45 minutes to get to the venue. The facility is
2
Where we fall down is communication in the workplace,
which is essential and helps improve morale, increase efficiency
and create healthy working relationships. I must admit, I
am just as bad at communications as the next person, but I
am working on improving my communication skills. As a
volunteer-driven organization, we tend to communicate with
ourselves more so than with those who are action takers (staff)
and other volunteers working on the same project as we.
There is nothing like poor communication to trigger rumors,
gossip and conflict as well as distrust among colleagues, staff,
other volunteers and volunteer supervisors. As unique as PATC
is, communications is our worst enemy we do not do that well.
I ask all members to communicate with your counter-parts,
be they staff or another volunteer, or a volunteer supervisor.
At this point I would like to add a quote I have read that
puts this in perspective; it goes like this: “…effective
communication skills are a key aspect of being able to succeed
within the workplace environment. Good communication
improves office morale, reduces messy office politics and
decreases workplace conflict, making for a healthier happier
workforce.” Poor communication can be our worst enemy
As one would expect, PATC products and services were
listed high on the importance factor. Maps were considered
the most important, as 98 percent of the respondents stated
so. Trail crews and cabin crews came in a close second and
third. PATC publications came in fourth in the importance
rating. In addition, it was noted the membership expressed
a need for diversity in age and of peoples who are members
as well as those who are in senior management positions.
A number of options were discussed briefly, due to the limits of
time, but both are of concern of the membership. PATC must
think and create ways that encourage more diverse membership.
If we do not recognize the changing cultural heritage of the
population within the geographic area in which we serve,
PATC will be a small club with little influence or stature.
Like to comment? Forward comments to: [email protected].
—DICK
“Plans are nothing; planning is everything.” —Dwight D. Eisenhower
June 2015 • Potomac Appalachian
HIKING THROUGH HISTORY
AN HISTORIC APPALACHIAN TRAIL BIENNIAL,
JULY 17 THROUGH 24, 2015
SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY, WINCHESTER, VA
It is almost here, a little more than a month to go. If you are
reading this before June 1 and intend to attend, sign up by
May 31 at www.atc2015.org. Registration prices increase on
June 1. If not, registration will remain open until July 1.
It is hard to believe that PATC and the Mountain Club of
Maryland began planning for this event in the summer of 2011.
We feel that during all this time that we, the 2015 steering
committee, were creating something special. After all the
planning and negotiations we still believe that this biennial
will be something that both host clubs can be proud of.
If you look at what we have to offer during this weeklong
event, we feel that we have the best hikes, best workshops, best
excursions, best special events and best entertainment that
can be presented. To top that off, we cannot think of a better
location to hold an Appalachian Trail Biennial. Few hikes
will take over an hour drive time to get to the trail head. Most
hikes are within a 30-mile radius of campus. Our excursions
take in everything from early morning birding to sunsets.
Our theme, Hiking Through History, could not describe
another place more steeped in American history. Winchester
has ample pre-colonial history and dates back to 1729. George
Washington used Winchester as his headquarters as a British
Colonel during the French and Indian War. The area was hotly
contested during the Revolutionary War and no less than seven
major battles were fought in or near town during the civil war.
The likes of Stonewall Jackson and Philip Sheridan had
headquarters in Winchester during the Civil War. In addition,
Winchester was home town to polar explorer Richard Byrd
and music star Patsy Cline. If that’s not enough, Harpers Ferry
is thirty minutes away, Antietam Battlefield is 45 minutes
away and Gettysburg Battlefield is a little over an hour from
campus. The saying that you cannot kick a stone in Winchester
without it rolling over something historical is literally true.
This is the time to show the entire Appalachian Trail
community what we have and what a fine event we can present.
In order to do this, we still need your commitment as volunteers.
There are many ways you can help, but the first step is to
go to www.atc2015.org and sign up as a volunteer. We need
everyone who is willing to volunteer. Some particularly
urgent needs are manning our raffle ticket booth during our
registration from Friday, July 17, through Sunday July 19.
We are fortunate to have many friends who have donated
a wide variety of items to be raffled off. This will be
our one fund raiser during the biennial and will go a
long way in defraying the cost. Volunteers need only
to sit at the raffle ticket desk and sell raffle tickets.
Other needs are for hike leaders, and help around
campus with housing, food and camping.
We also still have a need for excursion leaders. Excursion leaders
make sure that everyone is present for the excursion and that
everyone gets back to campus. Experts handle the skill or
instructions and if there is a fee, the excursion leader goes at
no charge. Here is a list of excursions which still need leaders.
• A Day in Front Royal, Saturday, July 18
• Walk in the Woods—Sustaining our Forest
and Wildlife, Sunday, July 19
• VA Winery and Lunch in Bluemont, Monday, July 20
• Old Town historic Winchester, Tuesday, July 22
• VA Winery and Ghost Tour, Tuesday, July 22
There will also be a reception to honor all the people
who volunteered during the week. It will be held
on Tuesday, July 22, and will provide dessert and
beverages. Volunteers also receive a free volunteer t-shirt
different from the shirt on sale at the registration.
Again, volunteering is easy, just go to www.atc2015.org
and click on the volunteer page. You can also e-mail us at
[email protected] and our volunteer coordinator
will make sure that you get a volunteer position that
is right for you. Thanks and we are looking forward
to seeing you at Shenandoah University in July.
—Lee Sheaffer & Rush Williamson
Co-Chairs: Shenandoah 2015, Hiking Through History
3
Volunteer of the Month
Dan Smith
Dan Smith started out working with
the Yankee Clippers in Pennsylvania.
When he first came out on worktrips,
he wore sandals. While this was
the source of some good-natured
ribbing by the crew, Grandma
Gatewood would have been proud!
Dan Smith enjoying the fine views
Photo by Dan Smith
A New Trail is Born!
Have you ever thought about what it
would take to conceive of a new trail
system, then design and execute a
plan to bring that idea to fruition?
That's what happened when the Manassas
Bullrunners trailcrew was approached by
the quasi-state agency Virginia Outdoors
Foundation in August 2013 to come up
with a new hiking trail on their natural
area preserve in northern Virginia.
Since starting work with VOF in 2010
in the southern portion of Bull Run
Mountains Natural Area Preserve, our
trail crew had gained a reputation. We
were known for eliminating muddy
or rutted trail sections by installing
rock waterbars or creating reroutes to
address long standing trail issues on the
preserve. Would we be willing to plan
and create a new hiking trail system
that would open up a new portion
of the preserve for educational and
environmental recreation and study?
The guidelines provided by VOF were to:
a) pass by as many historical structures
and sites as possible; b) leverage existing
ATV trails where reasonable to avoid
creating new paths, but not including
steep or eroded sections; and c) take
4
Every volunteer has a strong suit, and Dan
is known for his ability to run up trees
like a squirrel to set high-lines for the grip
hoist. Dan moved up the ranks to become
the AT overseer for 4.5 miles from Pine
Grove Furnace to Woodrow Road. This is
the northernmost section of the AT that
PATC maintains...he is almost working
in New England. He is the co-overseer of
the Gypsy Spring Cabin and the overseer
for the Tom's Run Shelter as well.
Off-trail, Dan has two sons. He is taking
courses to become a teacher, and he is also
hikers into diverse habitats, including the
eastern ridge of Bull Run Mountains.
We started scouting possible routes and
were almost immediately enchanted
by the preserve's beauty and ecological
diversity. Like its southern sister, the
environment of the northern part
of the preserve is like a Shenandoah
National Park in miniature. Stream
valleys originating from pristine spring
heads include swaths of ferns and
support healthy insect and amphibian
populations; mountain laurel thickets
grow so dense that it can take a half hour
to go 20 feet at times; rock ledges provide
shelter for a healthy population of snakes
and other reptiles; lone survivors of the
chestnut blight grow over 40 feet tall.
taking a certification course to become
a Pennsylvania wildland fire fighter.
Dan is an avid hiker, in fact, he was not
through hiking when he through-hiked
the Appalachian Trail, so he hiked the
Pacific Crest Trail as well. We have to
wonder if he wore sandals, or if the
Continental Divide Trail is on his agenda.
Dan will spend this summer hiking the
Appalachian Trail professionally, as one
of PATC's Ridgerunners in Maryland.
That means that he is not just a volunteer,
but a paid employee of the club as well.
(Hey waitaminute: can he still be the
Volunteer of the Month? Uh oh.)
PATC thanks Dan Smith for handling
multiple volunteer roles "way up north".
Know someone who goes “above and
beyond” for PATC? Nominate them
as Volunteer of the Month! Send
nominations to [email protected].
Rick Purvis standing with an
American Chestnut
Photo by Janis Stone
Archaeological studies have shown the
area has been used before European
contact, with chert flakes revealing stone
point production. Land records reveal
a section of the property was surveyed
by George Washington in 1774. During
the Civil War, the area was used by
Colonel "Gray Ghost" John Mosby to
hide from Federal troops; he created
Camp Spindle here to hide captured
prisoners until they could be taken south.
After approval by VOF of our proposed
route in January 2014, work began on
(Continued on p. 19)
actually building the trail. About 40 percent of the finished trail is on the old
ATV paths; the rest was created from scratch. The finished loop trail is 4.2 miles
long and has a modest elevation gain of 700 feet. In difficulty and feel, it is
comparable to the Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah National Park, with the hike
taking you across small streams, along old roads, through thickets, across rock fields,
and passing by old home sites.
Most of the actual trail work consisted of clearing our way through the laurel and
creating a hikeable trail surface. While some chainsaw, axe and rock work was
needed in spots, the primary tools were McLeods, loppers and handsaws. We
completed the last 75 feet of the trail on Sunday, April 26, 2015, with a topping off
ceremony on the ridge.
The trail will be named for Bob Lee, the former director of VOF. Another group
supporting VOF will be installing a 6-car gravel parking area later this year. The trails
will be open to group hikes with prior approval by VOF; these groups must be led
by someone who is familiar with the trails and the usage rules for the preserve. To
arrange for a group hike, contact VOF's Owned Lands Manager Amanda Scheps at
540/347-7727, x 227.
Emeline Otey sawing
through a dead log
Photo by Janis Stone
—Janis Stone
What is that flower?
Monocots in May–June
Yellow stargrass (Hypoxis hirsuta—hairy) has bright yellow flowers with six tepals.
The flowers may be almost an inch across and are in clusters of one to nine atop
a thin, leafless stem close to the ground, never more than a foot tall. The plant’s
narrow leaves are taller than the flower stem and come from the ground. Hypoxis
means acidic. They are wide-spread though I have seen them in the Massanuttens
and Great North Mountain more than in Shenandoah National Park.
Yellow Stargrass flowers are
close to the ground surrounded
by grass-like leaves
Photo by Richard
“Finding Wildflowers in the Washington-Baltimore Area,” by Cristol
Fleming, Marion Blois Lobstein, and Barbara Tufty suggests finding
yellow stargrass at Sugarloaf Mountain in Maryland and upland
parts of Turkey Run and Great Falls Parks in Virginia.
Blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium) is similar in size to yellow stargrass. Its long, flattened,
pointed leaves look like grass until the blue flowers pop out just below the tip of
the leaf-like stem. It may produce several flowers, but usually only one is open.
We have two species in our area, with somewhat confusing names. S. angustifolium
is called stout blue-eyed grass or narrow-leaved blue-eyed grass. Angustifolium
means narrow leaved. S. mucronatum is called slender blue-eyed grass or needlepoint blue-eyed grass. Mucronatum means short pointed. The two are very similar.
Slender blue-eyed grass stems are narrower than narrow-leaved blue-eyed grass
and do not branch. I have seen blue-eyed grass in a wide variety of places.
Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana) has one-to-two foot erect stems with pointed,
narrow leaves alternating up the stem until the top where a pair of bracts subtends
the cluster of flowers. The one-inch flowers have three blue/purple petals. Yellow
anthers perched above the petals stand out against the blue. It is called spiderwort
because the angular leaf arrangement suggests a squatting spider. The genus is named
for seventeenth century naturalists John Tradescant, Sr. and John Tradescant, Jr.
I have seen spiderwort on Threetop Mountain and on the Gap Creek Trail
on the way up to Duncan Knob on the west side of the Massanuttens; in Bull
Run Regional Park on the ridge above the Run; and on Maryland Heights
above Harpers Ferry. “Finding Wildflowers in the Washington-Baltimore Area”
suggests rocky woods near Great Falls Tavern on the Maryland side of Great
Falls and the dry woodlands along Difficult Run on the Virginia side.
(continued on p. 18)
5
Hiker's Notebook
Milkweed: What makes a Monarch
The common milkweed is a botanical contradiction.
It is a weed—a successful colonizer of waste areas—by its
very name; however, it is also a viable crop with numerous
practical uses including insulation, rubber and rope, to say
nothing of its sweet aroma and generally pleasant appearance.
It is a poison with a potency that merits a warning in
every field guide; however, it is also one of the many
edible wild plants lauded for savor and nutrition.
It is one of the more notable medicines of the Native Americans,
some of whom applied it to their arrows for its toxicity. It is
shunned by grazing animals for its acrid taste; however it is
the sine qua non food source for many insects, not the least
of which is larvae of the iconic monarch butterfly, which are
protected by the milkweed’s poisons from their own predators.
It is widely considered to be the singular plant with the greatest
potential for exploitation that has escaped the agricultural
combine of the commercial food and drug industries.
Milkweed was one of the first plants identified by the
earliest colonists of North America. The first depiction of
the plant was provided by John White, a member of the
1585 colonial expedition to Roanoke sponsored by Sir
Walter Raleigh. He was the governor of the subsequent “Lost
Colony” established in 1587 and the grandfather of Virginia
Dare, the first English child born in North America.
Milkweed flower in full efflorescence.
Photo by R. Stromberg
His drawing of the milkweed is captioned “The herbe which
the savages call Wysauke wherewith theie cure their wounds
which they received by the poisoned arroes of their enemyes.”
The drawing was given to John Gerard, the noted English
herbalist and author of the seminal tome “The Herball
or General Historie of Plants,” who was coincidentally a
financial backer of the Roanoke expedition. He included
the plant in the 1597 edition of “The Herball” under the
title of Indian Swallow-woort: “There growth in that part
of Virginia, or Norembega, where our English men dwelled
(intending to erect there a colony) a kind of Asclepias,
or Swallow-woort, which the savages call Wisnanck.”
White noted the copious quantities of silk-like fluff that
emerged from each pod on maturation, and, in keeping with
the puritan credo of the time offered the following observation:
“…beholde the justice of God, that as he hath shut up those
people and nations in infidelitie and nakedness; so hath he
not as yet given them understanding to cover their nakedness
… notwithstanding that the earth is covered over with this
silke … which were sufficient to apparel many kingdoms
if they were more carefully manured and cherished.”
He recommended that the plant be called Virginia
silkweed, apparently with no knowledge of the milky
latex exudate. The name milkweed was first used by
the American botanist Jacob Bigelow in 1814.
6
The ruptured pod "Each pod produces
hundreds of seeds on pappi of diaphanous
silk-like filaments on maturation.
Photo by W. Needham
News from Bears Den
Lodge and Hostel
We’ve all heard the cliché, “there’s
bad news and good news” and
even Bears Den is occasionally
affected by “bad news!”
The “bad news” is, after two years, Dana
Baxter is leaving her position as manager
of Bears Den to embark on bigger and
better things in Baltimore. Dana has
been a tremendous asset to Bears Den;
facilitating positive change in overall
operations and overseeing much needed
capital improvements to the aging
and historic building. The wonderful
hospitality and support she has shown
to the hundreds of hikers that stay at the
hostel each year will long be remembered.
The “good news” is Dana’s
replacement is Glen Breining. Glen
New Bears Den caretaker Glen Breining
has volunteered daily at Bears Den
Photo Credit: Glen Breining
for nearly two years, during which
time he planted perennials on the
grounds, kept the grass mowed and trails passable, assisted hikers and other guests,
and performed a variety of maintenance chores. Glen can be compared to “the
energizer bunny”, moving from one project to the next, day in and day out.
When asked why he doesn’t sit and rest more, he says, “I like being busy and
feeling as if I am accomplishing something.” He also says that after many years of
being in the restaurant business, the work he performs at Bears Den is a welcome
respite from the stress and hassle of working and living in the “big city.”
If you haven’t been to Bears Den in a while, it’s worth the trip. The lodge is open
daily from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and the sunset at Bears Den Rocks along the Appalachian
Trail is as spectacular as ever. Reservations to the lodge or campground can be made
by calling Glen at 540/338-9028. The Bears Den cabin is nestled in the woods
about a half mile from the lodge, and can accommodate up to eight people.
Reservations for the cabin can be made online at www.patc.net or by calling
703/242-0315 Monday through Friday between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
—Edna Baden
Save the Date
Please join our partners and friends in land conservation for this
special event. For more information contact Edna Baden, staff
director, at [email protected] or call her at 703/242-0315, Ext. 105
WHAT: Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet
WHERE:Meadowlark Gardens, Vienna, Va.
WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015 (Note: This is the
third Tuesday in November)
TIME:
6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
WHY:
To celebrate our commitment to trails and the hiking community
Invasive Plant
Education and
Control Event
Saturday, June 27, 2015
The PATC Naturalist Committee
would like to invite volunteers to
join an invasive plant control work
trip to Blackburn Trail Center.
During the event, volunteers will
learn how to identify and manage
some of the most common and
detrimental invasive/exotic
plant species found along the
Appalachian Trail. Volunteers will
also have the opportunity to assist
in removing some of these species.
The focus of the day will be on
removing garlic mustard (Alliaria
petiolate) in support of the 2015
AT Garlic Mustard Challenge. The
goal for the 2015 challenge is to
collectively remove 2,189 pounds
of garlic mustard along the AT, one
pound of garlic mustard for every
mile of the Appalachian Trail.
If you are interested in learning
more about how you can combat
invasive plants, or would just like
to get out to the trail and get your
hands dirty, then consider joining
us for this work trip. Work will
begin at 10 a.m. and run to 4 p.m.
You should bring lunch, water and
heavy gloves, and wear tough work
clothes. PATC will provide shovels
and other tools. Parking is available
at Blackburn Trail Center. Space is
limited so don’t wait to register!
For more information on the
2015 Garlic Mustard Challenge,
visit www.appalchiantrail.org/
gmchallenge. To register for this
event, please contact Dan Pulskamp
at [email protected].
7
Forecast
CHAPTERS
Charlottesville Chapter
The Charlottesville Chapter hikes every
Saturday; summer, winter and in between.
Hikes are usually 8 to 10 miles with some
shorter hikes. We usually maintain trails
on the last Saturday of the month. Meet at
Albemarle High School in Charlottesville at
9 a.m. with food and water for the day. The
majority of hikes are in the South and Central
Districts of SNP, with some in the North
District and in George Washington National
Forest. Chapter hikes are posted at www.
patc‑charlottesville.blogspot.com/ (select
Hike Schedule from the menu)
INFO: Iva Gillet ([email protected]) or
Dan Ralston ([email protected])
North Chapter
The North Chapter conducts monthly trail
work trips on the Maryland and Pennsylvania
sections of the AT and Tuscarora Trail. We
also lead hikes on these and other trails.
Maryland AT work trips are generally held
on the first and third Saturdays; contact
Leonard Keifer (mdtrail@ yahoo.com).
Pennsylvania work trips are generally held
on the AT on the first Saturday and on the
Tuscarora on the third Saturday; contact
Pete Brown (yankeeclippers@ patc.net)
410/343‑1140. Pennsylvania AT work trips
also include an optional Saturday dinner
at the Gypsy Spring Cabin. For information
on upcoming hikes, contact Chris Firme at
717/794‑2855 or bncfirme@ innernet.net.
Chapter home page is www.patcnorth.net.
Northern Shenandoah Valley Chapter
The NSVC Chapter is now in the process
of reorganizing to build a chapter that has
a focus in line with that of the club and
provides each member the opportunity
to help build and direct the club in its
activities. For more information on becoming
a member of the Chapter or how to get
involved in the reorganization process
contact the interim Chapter President
Brian Heflin at [email protected].
Southern Shenandoah Valley Chapter
For descriptions of hikes and work trips,
go to www.ssvc.org or www.patc.
net. We usually hike in the southern and
central districts of the SNP and in the
GWNF. Contact the listed hike leader for
information about a specific event, or contact
Malcolm Cameron, malcolmcameron@
gmail.com or 750/234‑6273.
West Chapter
The West Chapter is meant to serve those
residents who live in the area bounded by
8
Frederick, Md., to Leesburg, Va., west to
Hancock, Md. and to Berkeley Springs, W.
Va. However, anyone, regardless of where
they reside, may request to join the chapter’s
Yahoo group (www. groups.yahoo.com/
group/ PATCWest). The group is open to
anyone interested in chapter events but only
current PATC members may post messages
to the group. Hikes, trail work trips and other
activities are generally scheduled from March
through December.
INFO: Dave Jordahl westpatc@ hotmail.com.
SPECIAL INTEREST SECTIONS
Ski Touring Section (STS)
heat; and, outreach hikes to get together
with the members of area groups. Check
out the Forecast calendar on the PATC
website www.patc.net for information.
Trail Patrol
Trail Patrol volunteers are PATC’s goodwill
ambassadors to the hiking public. They
provide a visible, reassuring presence on the
trails, and strive to educate the public on good
hiking practices, minimum impact hiking and
camping ethics. Patrol members are trained in
land navigation, emergency procedures and
personal equipment.
INFO: Murry Moskowitz (trailpatrol@ patc.
net) or www.patc.net/trailpatrol.
Since 1974, the STS has served to provide
cross‑country skiing experiences for beginner
through expert. The section sponsors
winter weekend ski trips to the mountains in
Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania;
there are also more extensive trips that travel
west, north and across the ocean. Social
events are scheduled throughout the year.
If you share a respect for nature and enjoy
outdoor exercise, peaceful scenic trails, and
cheerful, goodhearted companions, join STS.
INFO: Rob Swennes
robertswennes@ hotmail.com.
Other Clubs’ Hikes
Mountaineering Section
Center Hiking Club
We’re a diverse group of local D.C.‑area
climbers who share a common interest in
promoting safe climbing, conserving the
outdoors, developing new climbers’ skills,
representing the Washington‑area climbing
community and having fun! We provide
instruction for those wanting to learn the
basics—we are not a school, but we can get
you started. Our climbs are local or further
afield, nearly every weekend. In the winter,
we organize trips for beginning and advanced
ice climbers. Please visit our website at
www.potomacmountainclub.org/.
INFO: Andrew Weinmann at 540/550‑6522
or [email protected].
PATC Hikes
PATC offers diverse organized hikes. On
weekends and weekdays, there are family
hikes tailored to kids; natural history hikes
stalking the fascinating but often elusive
flora and fauna of the region; hikes featuring
varying levels of difficulty with the Easy
Hikers, Midweek Hikers, and Vigorous Hikers;
birding hikes with experts to help sight and
identify our avian neighbors; historical hikes
tracking little known structures in SNP;
series hikes on a long trail or in a specific
area; backpacking trips; geology hikes
focused on the unique stratigraphy of our
area; waterfall hikes to beat the summer
We include these hikes to give members
more chances to hike. Please note that
there is no charge to go on a PATC hike,
unless specifically stated. For many of
these clubs there is a charge if you are
not a member of their organization.
Capital Hiking Club
(www.capitalhikingclub.org) and
Wanderbirds (www.wanderbirds.org)
hike on Saturdays and Sundays, traveling
by bus and leaving from downtown,
with suburban stops as well.
(www.centerhikingclub.org) and Sierra Club
(www.dc.sierraclub.org) hike on Saturdays
and Sundays using carpools. Schedules
are available at PATC Headquarters.
Northern Virginia Hiking Club
(www.nvhc.com/) offers an amazing
number and variety of outdoor activities.
West Virginia Highland Conservancy
(www.wvhighlands.org) Outings
are mostly in W. Va.
MEETINGS
New Members
Third Wednesday of each Month (verify in the
Forecast). Curious about the club? Current,
new and non‑members are welcome to come
and learn about PATC.
INFO: Supervisor of Membership,
membershipsup@ patc.net
Mountaineering ‑ Second Wednesday
7:30 p.m. except for August, or unless noted in
the Forecast.
INFO: Andrew Weinmann
(540/550‑6522 or [email protected])
Shenandoah Mountain Rescue
Group (SMRG) ‑ Tuesday
Group Business Meeting, 7:30 p.m.
INFO and next meeting date:
join@ smrg.org or www.smrg.org
PATC Council—Second Tuesday
The council meets at 7 p.m. sharp, except
January and July, to conduct business of the
club. In November, we have a dinner meeting.
All members are welcome. Come see how we
make decisions about your club.
INFO: Edna Baden at 703/242‑0693
x105 or EBaden@ patc.net.
Trail Patrol—First Tuesday
7:30 p.m. except January.
INFO: Murry Moskowitz
([email protected]) or www.
patc.net/trailpatrol.
June
2 (Tuesday)
HIKE—Vigorous Hikers: Austin MountainBlackrock Loop, SNP, 8:45 a.m.
Parking at the end of VA Rte. 663, we’ll
ascend the Madison Run Road and Austin
Mountain Trail to the AT, hike north to turn on
the Doyles River Trail, then follow the Jones
Run Trail back to the AT. We return to cars via
the Blackrock Spur and Furnace Mountain
trails. Est. 17 mi.with 4,100 ft. of ascent.
INFO: Tom Kloster ([email protected])
2 (Tuesday)
TRAIL PATROL—Meeting,
Vienna, VA, 7:30 p.m.
Come to the back door of the PATC
headquarters building.
INFO: Christopher Firme
([email protected])
3 (Wednesday)
HIKE—Easy Hikers: Goldmine
Trail, Potomac, MD, 10:15 a.m.
Easy to moderate 6 mile hike along the C&O
towpath and the Gold Mine Trail to Great
Falls Tavern, and return via the towpath,
Gold Mine Trail and Berma Road. Meet at the
parking lot on MacArthur Blvd., across from
the Old Anglers Inn. (Note: The address for
Old Anglers Inn is 10801 MacArthur Blvd.,
Potomac, MD 20854) From I-495 Beltway, go
west on Clara Barton Parkway to its end at
MacArthur Blvd. Go west (left) one mile and
turn left into the parking area. Bring sturdy
hiking shoes, lunch and water. Pets must be
on leash.
INFO: Stephen Brickel 301/946-2520 or
202/297-1570 ([email protected])
3 (Wednesday)
HIKE—Easy Hikers: Bull Run-Occoquan
Trail, Fairfax Station, VA, 10:15 a.m.
Hike about 5 miles from Fountainhead Park to
Wolf Run Shoals with a side trail. Bring water
and lunch. Restrooms available at the parking
lot. Directions: To reach Fountainhead, take
I-95 south of the Beltway, exit at Occoquan
and travel north on Rte. 123 approximately 5
miles. Turn left onto Hampton Rd. and drive
3 miles to the entrance on the left. 10875
Hampton Rd. Fairfax Station, VA 22039
INFO: Alan Day. On day of hike: 703/3623400 ([email protected])
6 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—Spooky Beavers Crew:
Prince William Forest Park, VA, 8 a.m.
Celebrate National Trails Day with the
Spooky Beavers Trail Crew as we maintain
the 37 miles of hiking paths in historic Prince
William Forest Park, Triangle, VA. Take exit
150 (Quantico/Triangle) off I-95 and head
west on Rte. 619 (Joplin Road) for less than
a mile. Park entrance is on the right. Meet at
the Turkey Run Education Center parking lot.
Wear boots and dress for the weather. Bring
water, a trail lunch and leather work gloves.
We typically work until 2:30 p.m., but you can
leave when you like. Let Mark Ellis know if
you’re coming.
INFO: Mark Ellis 703/376-4150
([email protected])
6 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—DC Crew: Rock
Creek Park, 8:15 a.m.
We will be working on the Valley Trail on
National Trails Day as we continue our efforts
to improve access within the park. Meet at
the Nature Center at 5200 Glover Road. We
will carpool to the worksite and expect to
finish by noon. No experience necessary.
All are welcome. Bring gloves and wear
appropriate footwear and clothing for a few
hours of manual labor. Rain or shine.
INFO: Alex Sanders ([email protected])
6 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—Yankee Clippers:
AT in Pennsylvania, 8:30 a.m.
We will meet at Caledonia State Park at 8:30
and leave by 9 a.m. Dinner will be at Gypsy
Spring Cabin for those who respond via email.
INFO: Dewey Clark
([email protected])
6 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—South Mountaineers:
AT in Maryland, 9 a.m.
This will be our annual National Trails Day
event. Bring water, lunch, boots and gloves.
INFO: Leonard Keifer ([email protected])
6 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—Stonewall
Brigade: GWNF, 9 a.m.
Looking for an excuse to get outdoors? Join
the Stonewall Brigade as we spend the day
maintaining more than 35 miles of trails on
Great North Mountain in George Washington
National Forest. Your reward will be the
healthful benefits of linear gardening and the
heartfelt thanks of passing hikers. Join us for
the day, or stay over and camp at the Wolf
Gap Recreation Area and make it a weekend.
We meet at the Wolf Gap Recreation Area.
Bring lunch, water and gloves. Fun and tools
will be provided. For information, map or
directions, email [email protected]
INFO: Mike Allen 540/869-8066
([email protected])
6 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—West Chapter:
National Trails Day at Sugarloaf
Mountain, MD, 9:30 a.m.
National Trails Day is held annually the first
Saturday in June. Refer to the American
Hiking Society website for events nationwide
(http://www.nationaltrailsday.org/ntdevents/). This event is at Sugarloaf Mountain,
the last work session of the spring season
before the summer break. Maintenance
of existing and installation of new erosion
control structures on the west side of the
northern peaks trail (blue-blazed) and
near the summit area. See http://www.
sugarloafmd.com/images/maps/102709_
trailmap.pdf. Tools provided. RSVP so that
we know how many tools to bring. Bring your
own favorite trail tool(s) if you want. Dress for
the weather in clothes you don’t mind getting
dirty, sturdy hiking boots, work gloves, eye
protection, water, lunch or snacks. Meet at
the lower parking lot just outside the entrance
to Sugarloaf Mountain.
INFO: Dave Jordahl ([email protected])
7 (Sunday)
HIKE—Wanderbirds: Big Schloss, George
Washington National Forest, VA, 8 a.m.
Enjoy the view from the top of the castle
on the ridge. All hikers start at Woodstock
Reservoir and end at Wolf Gap Recreation
Area. Long hikers pass Sugar Knob Cabin
9
Forecast
using the Little Stony Creek and Mill Mountain
trails. Moderate hikers take a shortcut
consisting of Fire Road 92 and the Big Schloss
Cutoff Trails. Est. 12 mi. (strenuous) and 7 mi.
(intermediate). PATC Map F. Bus fare: $20/25.
Departs from 17th and K Sts. and the Vienna
Metro.
INFO: Emil Friberg 202/812-8990
([email protected]) and
Marsha Johnston 619/855-0669
([email protected])
9 (Tuesday)
HIKE—Vigorous Hikers: Paw
Paw Tunnel, MD, 9 a.m.
Starting on the C&O towpath, we’ll veer off
and explore the area south of the tunnel,
visiting an abandoned tunnel and bridge
of the Western Maryland RR and views of
the operating CSX system from old roads
and bushwhacking through an open forest.
Afterwards, we continue east on the towpath
and other trails before turning back and going
through the 3,100-ft. Paw Paw Tunnel. Est. 1516 mi with 2,000 ft. ascent. Two bushwhacks
are necessary but are easy, and a third is
optional.
INFO: Duncan Thompson 703/5272349 ([email protected])
over/underpasses, turn left off US40 at the
sign to Greenbrier State Park. Park near the
visitor center/nature center, where we will
convene.
INFO: Margaret Chapman 301/9778988 ([email protected])
10 (Wednesday)
HIKE—Easy Hikers: Fort Circle
Trail, Washington DC, 10:15 a.m.
The Easy Hikers will hike about 4.5 miles on
the Fort Circle Trail in Southeast Washington.
This trail connects several of the forts built
on the Anacostia heights to defend the
city during the Civil War. Meet outside the
Benning Road Metro station on the blue line.
This will be a one-way hike that will end at a
Metrobus stop, where we will take a bus to
the Eastern Market Metro station. Bring exact
change for the bus or a SmarTrip card. Bring
lunch and water.
INFO: Gary Abrecht 202/546-6089
or cell on day of hike, 202/365-2921
([email protected])
13 (Saturday)
HIKE—3rd Annual HARC Hike for
Hunger and Hope: AT, MD, 7 a.m.
The PATC Council meets every month except
for January, July and November to conduct
the business of the club. All members are
welcome. Come see how we make decisions
about your club. Meetings generally end
around 9 p.m.To participate by phone, dial
877/746-4263 and when prompted enter
participant code 0247170#
INFO: Edna Baden 703/242-0315
x105 ([email protected])
Take A Walk On The Wild Side! to Fight
Hunger and Promote Literacy. This fully
supported hike features 5-mile (easy, good
for families), 10-mi. (moderate) and 20-mi.
(strenuous) routes. You can look forward
to snacks, water and Gatorade refills, and
lunch for the 10 and 20 mile hikers. All hikes
will be along the Maryland section of the AT
and will end at Washington Monument State
Park. Following the hikes, participants will be
directed to our “celebration,” where they can
claim their T-shirt, relax and enjoy good food
and friendship. For information and to register
go towww.harccoalition.org/hike
INFO: Jack Castle ([email protected])
10 (Wednesday)
HIKE—Easy Hike: Greenbrier State
Park, Myersville, MD, 10:15 a.m.
13-14 (Saturday-Sunday)
CLASS—Leave No Trace
Trainer Course, SNP, 8 a.m.
9 (Tuesday)
MEETING—PATC Council
Meeting, Vienna, VA, 7 p.m.
Hiking followed by an optional swim in a
mountain lake setting. The featured hike
is 5 hilly miles, or you may choose to stroll
lakeside on your own. Bring lunch, water
and a MD state park pass or money to pay
the entry fee. A bathhouse is available.
Directions: I-270 north to I-70 west, take exit
# 42. Turn right at the end of the exit ramp
off I-70, and follow Rte. 17 signs north. You'll
make another right turn soon in order to stay
on Rte. 17. Turn left on US40. Shortly past
Pleasant Walk Road, AT parking lot, and I-70
10
A two-day, low-mileage backpacking format
course offered by PATC’s Trail Patrol to
enhance your understanding of Leave No
Trace practices and ethics, and increase your
level of expertise and confidence in teaching
Leave No Trace skills. Participants should
be experienced campers or backpackers.
Instruction will concentrate on the
incorporation of low impact techniques in
camping and backpacking settings. We will
not teach basic camping skills. On completion,
participants will be registered as Leave No
Trace Trainers with the national Leave No
Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, and receive
a certificate of course completion and their
Leave No Trace Trainer lapel pin. Cost: $45
for PATC members, $ 65 for non-members.
Join PATC at the time of registration and get
the member price. The cost covers course
materials and meals, with the exception of
lunch on Saturday and Sunday, which the
participant should bring. Limited to eight
participants. Visit www.patc.net and follow
the Classes and Training link to register
on-line, or contact Cindy Kelly to request a
registration form. Participants must be 18
years of age or older.
INFO: Cindy Kelly ([email protected])
13 (Saturday)
HIKE—Hazel Mountain Natural
History Hike, SNP, 8 a.m.
Join Bob Pickett on an 8-mile hike in the
central district of SNP. We'll do a number
of small stream crossings along the Hazel
River and will include the White Rocks
trail. It's a great time for finding reptiles
and early summer wildflowers. As always,
we'll be lifting logs and talking about what's
happening in the natural world at this time
of the year. Bring lunch, rain gear and
binoculars. Plan on being on the trail until
around 5 p.m. We'll meet and carpool at 8 a.m.
on the north side of the Vienna metro. Join us
for dinner after the hike if you wish.
INFO: Bob Pickett 240/4570352 ([email protected])
13 (Saturday)
CABIN WORK—Lincoln Loggers: Old
Rag Cabin Construction, VA, 8:30 a.m.
Work TBD. See https://sites.google.com/site/
patclincolnloggers/
INFO: John Corwith
([email protected])
13 (Saturday)
HIKE—Greater Waynesboro,
PA, AT Community, 9 a.m.
Our Second Saturday Hike, usually 4 miles
in the Waynesboro, PA, area. Locations
vary. Bring water, snack, hiking poles if
you use them. Dress in layers and wear
sturdy footwear. For information, check our
Facebook page “The Greater Waynesboro,
PA, Appalachian Trail Community.”
INFO: Tawnya Finney
([email protected])
13 (Saturday)
AT in MD, 9 a.m.
Have fun working with the South
Mountaineers. Bring water, lunch, gloves
and boots. Tools provided. Expect to hike 3-6
miles. We will most likely be battling weeds.
We meet in Frederick County, MD.
14 (Sunday)
Rag Cabin Construction, VA, 8 a.m.
patclincolnloggers/
INFO: John Corwith
([email protected])
14 (Sunday)
HIKE—Wanderbirds: Rose River
Loop, Dark Hollow and Lewis Spring
Falls trails, SNP, VA, 8 a.m.
Long hikers begin at the upper Hawksbill
parking lot and follow the Skyland Big
Meadow Horse Trail. They go left at the
junction with Rose River Loop Trail, and
follow it and the Dark Hollow Falls Trail. At
Dark Hollow Falls parking lot, they follow the
drive south to Lewis Spring Road. They take
Lewis Spring Falls Trail down to view the falls,
and then up to the AT north to Fishers Gap
Overlook and the bus. Moderate hikers start
at Fishers Gap and cross the drive to Rose
River Loop and Dark Hollow Falls trails, and
follow the path of the long hikers to Lewis
Spring Road. Here they follow the AT north,
or follow the long hikers to Lewis Falls and
then the AT north. Est. 11.5 mi. (strenuous)
and 8 mi. (strenuous). PATC Map 10. Bus fare:
$20/25. Departs from 17th and K Sts. and the
Vienna Metro.
INFO: Annetta Depompa 410/535-5171
([email protected]) and Roxanne Fleming
16 (Tuesday)
HIKE—Vigorous Hikers: AT/
Sky Meadows, VA, 8 a.m.
Beginning at the AT parking lot on Rte. 601
just north of Rte. 50, we will head south on
the AT to Sky Meadows State Park,exploring
the trails and enjoy the views. Est. 17 mi. with
3,000 ft. of ascent. PATC Map 8.
INFO: Joan DAlonzo 302/530-4202
([email protected])
17 (Wednesday)
HIKE—Easy Hikers: Louise Cosca
Park, Clinton, MD, 10:15 a.m.
Visit an off-the-beaten-track nature preserve
in PG County. Hike will be 5 miles, mostly
under cover of trees. Some uneven terrain
and small stream crossings. Bring lunch and
water. Meet at the Clearwater Nature Center
(restrooms available). Directions: From the
Beltway in Maryland, take Exit 7 and go south
on Branch Avenue (MD 5) toward Waldorf.
After 3.5 miles, take exit ramp for Woodyard
Road (MD-223) and turn right (south). In 0.8
miles, turn left on Brandywine Rd. Go 0.9
miles and turn right on Thrift Road. Go 2 miles,
passing three different entrances to Cosca
Park, until you see the sign for Clearwater
Nature Center. Turn right and follow signs to
nature center parking. GPS address for the
park HQ, 1/2 mile from nature center turn-off,
is 11000 Thrift Road.
INFO: Jennifer Newton 202/543-3039
([email protected])
17 (Wednesday)
HIKE—Easy Hikers: Sugarloaf
Mountain, Dickerson, MD, 10:15 a.m.
We will be hiking approximately 5 miles, with
good views over the surrounding valleys.
Moderately strenuous. Elevation gain 800
feet. Bring water and lunch. Restrooms
available. Directions: From the Beltway, take
I-270 about 20 miles to exit 22 (BarnesvilleHyattstown). Turn right (west) on MD-109
for 2.8 miles, turn right onto Comus Road for
2.3 miles to entrance of Sugarloaf Mountain.
(7001 Comus Rd . Dickerson, MD 20842) Turn
right for 1.7 miles to West view parking area.
Meet near kiosk.
INFO: Frank Bryn 408/972-1212
20 (Saturday)
We will work on the Valley Trail as we
continue our efforts to improve access within
the park. Meet at the Nature Center at 5200
Glover Road. We will carpool to the worksite
and expect to finish by noon. No experience
necessary. All are welcome. Bring gloves and
wear appropriate footwear and clothing for a
few hours of manual labor. Rain or shine.
20 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—ND Hoodlums:
North District, SNP 9 a.m.
Trail Crew works on the AT and blue-blazed
trails in the North District (Front Royal
Entrance Station to Thornton Gap) of SNP.
After a day of hard work, we will enjoy the
camaraderie of fellow trail workers with a
BBQ theme meal at Elkwallow Picnic Area.
We will also be hosting any thru-hikers
who can join us. Burgers and all the fixings.
Come for the day, stay for dinner, and camp
overnight if you wish. Newcomers are
welcome. We will meet at Piney River Ranger
Station, milepost 22 on Skyline Drive, just
across from Matthews Arm Campground.
INFO: Wayne Limberg 703/5338639 ([email protected])
20 (Saturday)
You can get your exercise for the weekend
working on the AT with the South
Mountaineers. Expect to hike 3-6 mi. Bring
water, lunch, gloves and boots. Tools
provided. We meet in Frederick County, MD.
20 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—The Flying McLeods:
A.T. - Blackrock Summit, 9 a.m.
The Flying McLeods crew will work on
treadway rehabilitation and grade dips along
this 0.5 mile section of the Appalachian Trail
below Blackrock Summit. Meet at Blackrock
Summit parking area
INFO: Don White (rockfish@
southshenandoah.net)
20 (Saturday)
SPECIAL EVENT—Mason-Dixon AT
Outdoor Festival, Waynesboro, PA, 10 a.m.
The inaugural Mason-Dixon AT Outdoor
Festival, sponsored by The Greater
Waynesboro, PA, Appalachian Trail
Community, at Red Run Park just west of AT,
offers six musical performances, raffles,
food, vendors, contests, children's activities,
displays and a Duck Derby. Highlighted guests
include the national Subaru Leave No Trace
team, who will camp all weekend, offering
demonstrations. Open to the public 10 a.m. to
4 p.m. Thru hikers may register to camp Friday
and Saturday nights. For more info, see our
Facebook page.
INFO: Kathy Seiler, Chris Firme, Tawnya
Finney ([email protected])
Join the Hoodlums in their annual BBQ work
trip and thru-hiker food fest. The Hoodlums
11
Forecast
21 (Sunday)
HIKE—Wanderbirds: Neighbor and
Knob Mountains, SNP, VA, 8 a.m.
Long hikers start at Beahms Gap Overlook
and follow the AT north for about 1 mile
and turn left onto Neighbor Mountain Trail.
After crossing Jeremy's Run, they ascend
Knob Mountain Trail. They turn right at the
junction with Knob Mountain Cutoff Trail and
follow it to the AT north, which leads them to
Elkwallow Wayside and the bus. Moderate
hikers start at Panorama and follow the AT
north, crossing over Pass Mountain on their
way to Elkwallow Wayside and the bus. Est.
11 mi. (strenuous) and 8 mi. (moderate). PATC
Map 9. Bus fare: $20/25. Departs from 17th
and K Sts. and the Vienna Metro.
INFO: Robert Holley 703/239-0131
([email protected]) or Jim Fitzsimmons
21-26 (Sunday-Friday)
TRAIL WORK—Central District
Trail Crew Week, SNP, 4p.m.
This five-day crew will be housed at the
Pinnacle Research Center near the Pinnacle
Picnic Area in the Central District of SNP.
Vehicles may be driven to the center. Crew
members will pack their own lunches, and
breakfast will be self-serve at the cabin. The
crew will eat out for dinner. A PATC manager
will stay with the crew and work together
under the supervision of a park ranger. For
more information see http://www.patc.net/
WorkCrews.
INFO: Heidi Forrest, PATC Trails Coordinator,
703/242 0315 x107 ([email protected])
23 (Tuesday)
HIKE—Vigorous Hikers: Cunningham
Falls/Catoctin Mountain, MD, 8 a.m.
A clockwise circuit of Cunningham Falls and
Catoctin Mountain state parks, starting at
Cunningham Falls Manor Area visitor center
and taking in the views at Cunningham Falls,
Hog Rock, Blue Ridge, Thurmont, Wolf Rock,
Chimney Rock and Cat Rock. Est. 17 mi., with
3,500 ft. of ascent.
INFO: David Saah ([email protected])
24 (Wednesday)
HIKE—Easy Hikers:Seneca Creek State
Park, Gaithersburg MD, 10:15 a.m.
About 5 miles over rolling terrain in Seneca
Creek State Park (11950 Clopper Road,
Gaithersburg, MD). Bring water. No dogs.
From the Beltway, exit to I-270 north. After
about 7 miles (at the exit for Rt. 370), move
into the local lanes. In about 3 miles, take
12
Exit 10 (for Rte. 124 west and Rte. 117 west).
Follow the signs for Rte. 117, which becomes
Clopper Rd. After 2.1 miles, turn left into the
park. In 0.3 mile, turn right toward the Clopper
Lake Recreation Areas. In 0.1 mile, turn left
toward the Boat Center. Immediately turn
right into the big parking lot (N 39° 08.741',
W 077° 15.160'). NOTE: This is not where we
have often met for this hike. Since this is our
last hike until September, we will lunch at a
restaurant after the hike.
INFO: Sue King 703/356-6659
27 (Saturday)
We continue our brush cutting agenda on
South Mountain. Expect to hike 2-5 mi. Bring
water, lunch, gloves and boots.
27 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—Cadillac Crew:
Biennial Trail Preparation, 9:30 a.m.
Sprucing up trails that will be part of the ATC
2015 Biennial. Location TBD. Contact below
for more information. See https://www.
sites.google.com/site/cadillaccrewreg/
registration.
INFO: John Corwith
([email protected])
28 (Sunday)
HIKE—Wanderbirds: AT and Rocky Knob
to Caledonia State Park, PA, 8 a.m.
Long hikers will start at Shippensburg Road
where the AT crosses. They will hike south on
the AT and Rocky Knob Trail to the reservoir,
where they will join the moderate hikers.
Moderate hikers head west on Orebank Road
off Pine Grove Road (Rte. 233), will climb the
side of Long Pine Run Reservoir dam, and
then will follow the reservoir shoreline, where
they will join the long hikers. All hikers will go
left on the shoreline trail, then left on Birch
Run and Milesburn roads to Locust Gap Trail.
All hikers will follow Hosack Trail to the AT.
They will take the Three Valley and Ramble
trails to the bus at Caledonia iron furnace
parking lot. Est. 12 mi. (intermediate) and 9 mi.
(intermediate). PATC Maps 2 and 3. Bus fare
$20/25. Departs from 17th and K Sts. and the
Grosvenor Metro.
INFO: Michael Roehm 301/2237385 ([email protected])
30 (Tuesday)
HIKE—Vigorous Hikers: AT, Thornton
Gap to Stony Man, SNP, 8:30 a.m.
Non-stop great views on this two-way tour of
several Central District big peaks. Est. miles:
19, with 5,000 ft. of ascent. We'll stay cool by
staying high. PATC Map 10.
INFO: Bob Livezey ([email protected])
30 (Tuesday)
MEETING—PATC Executive
Committee, Vienna, VA, 7 p.m.
Monthly meeting of the PATC Executive
Committee.To participate by phone (by
invitation only), dial 877/746-4263 and when
prompted enter participant code 0203572#
July
7 (Tuesday)
MEETING—Trail Patrol meeting, 7:30 p.m.
Please come to the back door for the meeting.
INFO: Christopher Firme
([email protected])
11 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—Spooky BeaversCrew:
Prince William Forest Park, VA, 8 a.m.
Celebrate National Trails Day with the
Spooky Beavers Trail Crew as we maintain
the 37 miles of hiking paths in historic Prince
William Forest Park, Triangle, VA. Take exit
150 (Quantico/Triangle) off I-95 and head
west on Rte. 619 (Joplin Road) for less than
a mile. Park entrance is on the right. Meet at
the Turkey Run Education Center parking lot.
Wear boots and dress for the weather. Bring
water, a trail lunch and leather work gloves.
We typically work until 2:30 p.m., but you can
leave when you like. Let Mark Ellis know if
you’re coming.
INFO: Mark Ellis 703/376-4150
([email protected])
11 (Saturday)
patclincolnloggers/
INFO: John Corwith
([email protected])
11 (Saturday)
HIKE—Greater Waynesboro,
PA, AT Community, 9 a.m.
Our Second Saturday Hike, usually 4 miles
in the Waynesboro, PA, area. Locations
vary. Bring water, snack, hiking poles if
you use them. Dress in layers and wear
sturdy footwear. For information, check our
Facebook page “The Greater Waynesboro,
PA, Appalachian Trail Community.”
INFO: Tawnya Finney
([email protected])
11 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—Stonewall
Brigade: GWNF, 9 a.m.
Looking for an excuse to get outdoors? Join
the Stonewall Brigade as we spend the day
maintaining more than 35 miles of trails on
Great North Mountain in George Washington
National Forest. Your reward will be the
healthful benefits of linear gardening and the
heartfelt thanks of passing hikers. Join us for
the day, or stay over and camp at the Wolf
Gap Recreation Area and make it a weekend.
We meet at the Wolf Gap Recreation Area.
Bring lunch, water and gloves. Fun and tools
will be provided. For information, map or
directions, email [email protected]
INFO: Mike Allen 540/869-8066
([email protected])
as soon as possible. For more information on
the conference, and to register, go to www.
atc2015.org.
INFO: Randy Motz ([email protected])
18 (Saturday)
Join the DC Crew on a summer morning in
Rock Creek Park! We will be working on the
Valley Trail as we continue our efforts to
improve access within the park. Meet first at
the Nature Center (5200 Glover Road, NW,
Washington DC 20015). We will carpool to
the work site and expect to finish by noon.
No experience necessary; all are welcome.
Please bring gloves and wear appropriate
footwear and clothing for a few hours of
manual labor. Rain or shine.
18 (Saturday)
SPECIAL EVENT—ND Hoodlums:
ATC Biennial Conference,
Winchester, VA, 9 a.m.
The Flying McLeods crew will work on
treadway rehabilitation and grade dips along
this 0.5-mile section of the Appalachian Trail
below Blackrock Summit. Meet at Blackrock
Summit Parking Area.
INFO: Don White (rockfish@
southshenandoah.net)
And now for something completely different.
The North District Hoodlums usually have
their annual Mediterranean work trip the third
weekend in July, but this year they will be
helping out at the ATC Biennial Conference.
Don't worry, there will still be plenty of work,
fun and food. Plan to join us and attend the
convention at Shenandoah University in
Winchester, VA.
INFO: Wayne Limberg,703-533-8639
([email protected])
7/12/2015 (Sunday)
25-26 (Saturday-Sunday)
CLASS—Basic Wilderness
First Aid, Vienna, VA 9 a.m.
11 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—The Flying McLeods:
A.T. - Blackrock Summit, 9 a.m.
patclincolnloggers/
INFO: John Corwith
([email protected]
17-24 (Friday-Friday)
SPECIAL EVENT—ATC Biennial
Conference: Winchester, VA, 8 a.m.
PATC and The Mountain Club of Maryland are
hosting the 40th ATC Biennial Conference,
“Hiking Through History,” in Winchester, VA,
on July 17-24, on the campus of Shenandoah
University.This week-long conference
will include 180 hikes, 100 workshops, and
35 excursions to local areas of interest.
Each evening there are exciting adventure
presentations and stellar entertainment. This
event is expected to draw up to 1,200 people
from around the world. Registration opens
on April 15, and everyone is urged to register
the Trail Patrol.
INFO: Saleena DeVore 410/456-6861
([email protected])
25 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—Cadillac Crew:
Tuscarora Trail, PA, 9:30 a.m.
Trail clearing on the Tuscarora Trail in
southern PA. Staying at Little Cove cabin.
https://www.sites.google.com/site/
cadillaccrewreg/registration
INFO: John Corwith
([email protected])
28 (Tuesday)
MEETING—PATC Executive
Committee, Vienna, VA, 7 p.m.
Monthly meeting of the PATC Executive
Committee.To participate by phone (by
invitation only), dial 1-877/746-4263 and when
prompted enter participant code 020 3572#
Day one of this two-day class covers
Adult CPR and AED and American Heart
Association First Aid. You will receive a
textbook and a certification card good for
two years. Day two is American Safety and
Health Institute (ASHI) Basic Wilderness
First Aid. You will learn how to do bleeding
control, splinting, and other basic first aid
skills in the wilderness setting. There will be
plenty of hands-on time, and paramedics with
years of backcountry experience will teach
the classes.The cost of the class is $130, and
will be held at PATC headquarters 9 a.m.-5
p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Preregistration
is required no later than the Friday one week
prior to the class. Registration is accepted
on a first-come-first -served basis. For more
information or to download the registration
form, contact Saleena DeVore. Sponsored by
13
Hike of the Month
Continued from p.1
to the well-marked parking lot for
Mt. Pleasant. The trail is a loop and
begins and ends at this parking lot.
I hiked the Henry Lanum Trail in a
clockwise direction but either way will
accomplish the same thing. Walking
through the stile placed there to prevent
anything but foot travel, the trail begins
to ascend on a wide, grassy trail. The
trail seems to go up this section of the
mountain in giant steps as you ascend a
short steep section and then level out only
to do this again. After three of these giant
steps, the trail levels off and you walk
through heavy forest on a wide path.
After a while, the trail begins a descent
into a gap where the trail turns from
a wide grassy path to a rocky single
tread. There the trail begins a steep
ascent past large rocks. At one point
on this ascent the trail steeply ascends
through a gap in a giant rock. The
trail reaches a more level area and does
not climb to the peak of a companion
mountain known as Pompey Mountain.
Instead, the trail skirts around the rocky
peak along a generally flat trail, going
between giant rocks which seem to be
distributed randomly all about this flat
plain. The trail also winds toward the
edge of a steep drop off while never
getting completely to the edge. A little
investigation off the trail proves that
while there is a very steep cliff-like edge
to this flat shoulder, there is never a
clear view beyond the thick woods.
The trail continues to meander like
this for a while passing large boulders
where the tread is generally flat. The
trail then begins a gentle descent
to a large flat gap between the two
peaks of Pompey and Mt. Pleasant.
Mt. Pleasant. Both are not to be missed
and putting both together provide a
360-degree view of the surrounding
area. Turning left at the sign takes you
to the east peak after about 0.1 miles of
ascent and a very brief rock scramble.
This area is so large and so flat that
several large camp grounds are
established in this area. In this flat area
you come to a sign at a trail intersection.
One direction leads down to the parking
lot, and a spur trail leads to the peak of
Mt. Pleasant. These signs are useful for
directions but they also indicate mileage
which is both inconsistent and confusing.
From this point the views are amazing
and expansive as you look to the east
and south. Following a small path down
to a second outcrop gives you added
views to the east and north. Returning
to the trail intersection and following
the steeper trail to the west peak
provides additional views to the west
and south. At this overlook there is also
another rock outcrop which gives even
better views to the north and west.
For instance, the sign at the parking
lot states that the Henry Lanum Loop
trail is 5.1 miles long. This is technically
correct but does not include the spur
trail required to reach the peak of Mt.
Pleasant. The spur trail indicates that
it is 0.5 miles to the peak; this is also
technically correct, but as you will
see does not tell the whole story.
Begin the spur trail with a gradual
ascent. In a very short distance this
trail intersects with a side trail which
leads steeply downhill to a spring in
0.1 miles. Continue up the gradual
spur trail as it continually switchbacks
up the side of the mountain.
The trail continually ascends but because
of the gentle grade is never very steep.
The trail is also a geologic wonder as
it passes and sometimes goes directly
around large boulders on the way
up. After 0.5 miles of climbing you
come to another sign pointing in two
directions to the two opposing peaks of
Taken together, the twin peaks of
Mt. Pleasant provide a wide panorama
of the entire mountainous area between
Charlottesville and Lynchburg, Va. What
a grand view it is, with the piedmont
stretching out to the east, the ridges
and valleys starching far to the west and
ridges and peaks stretching to both the
north and south. The views are, well, let’s
call them pleasant, as you ponder the
expansiveness or the area all around you.
After taking in all this wonder, return
via the spur trail to the sign and the
rest of the Henry Lanum Loop. From
here the trail begins a gentle descent
which gradually gets steeper as it
descends among giant boulders. After
descending steeply, the trail turns left
onto an old road bed and remains level
with an occasional ascent and descent.
Depending on the time of year and the
amount of rain, this is also the section
East Peak
Photo by Lee Sheaffer
14
mountain. Eventually the trail ends
at the parking lot where you began.
When you name a mountain Mt.
Pleasant, you raise the expectations
of the experience people expect. If by
pleasant you mean a gentle walk in the
park, you will surely be disappointed.
These trails are as steep and rocky
as anything you are going to find
on the nearby Appalachian Trail.
If you mean pleasant by way of
outstanding views, then Mt. Pleasant
exceeds expectations with a combination
of expansive views which encompass
the entire area from piedmont to
plateau and everything in between.
Large rock typical of
those on the trail
Photo by Lee Sheaffer
of trail where you will get your feet wet.
During wetter times of the year the rocks
create many seeps with water flowing
from underneath the large rocks and
across the trail. There are also several
stream crossings that will vary in flow
from a trickle in dry times to a cascading
rock hopping torrent in wetter times.
Along these stream beds and also along
the road bed the ground is covered
in both rhododendron and mountain
laurel. This makes for enjoyable and
mostly flat hiking as the old road makes
its way around the west edge of the
THE FACTS:
MAP: the best map is PATC Map 13. It is
detailed enough to give precise directions
to the trail head and even tells you when the
road will become unpaved at the National
Forest Boundary.
DISTANCE: the loop plus spur trails to the
summit are 6.7 miles
ALTITUDE GAIN: 1,620 ft.
DIFFICULTY FACTOR: 147.3
CAMPING AND FOOD: Camping options are
many with good camping at nearby Hog Camp
Gap near the trail head and a large camping
area at the gap between Pompey Mountain
and Mt. Pleasant. This is about a two- to
three- mile hike in depending on which way
you hike the loop. Both spots have a natural
water sources. There are no food options
nearby but I would suggest taking Highway
151 north of Amherst to Nelly’s Ford where
Devil’s Backbone, Bold Rock, Wild Wolf and
Blue Mountain all have large breweries and
restaurants within a 15 mile stretch of road.
—Lee Sheaffer
Leave No Trace
Trainer Course
Shenandoah National Park, VA
Presented by the National Outdoor
Leadership School (NOLS). Hosted
by the Potomac Appalachian Trail
Club, Trail Patrol in partnership
with Shenandoah National Park
These courses are designed to enhance
your understanding of Leave No Trace
practices and ethics and to increase
your level of expertise and confidence
in teaching Leave No Trace skills.
Through focused activities, hands‑on
field experience and both formal and
informal discussions, you will be
introduced to concepts and methods
that will advance your knowledge of
Leave No Trace issues, expand your
repertoire of low‑impact skills and
increase your effectiveness in teaching
these important skills to others.
On completion of this course,
participants will be registered as Leave
No Trace Trainers with the national
Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor
Ethics and will receive a certificate
of course completion as well as their
Leave No Trace Trainer lapel pin.
2015 Schedule of Classes
April 25‑26
Outdoor Instruction (Low
Mileage Backpacking)
June 13‑14
Outdoor Instruction (Low
Mileage Backpacking)
Sept. 19‑20
Cabin Course – This course takes
place in and around a park cabin.
There is no backpacking. All students
may stay overnight in the cabin
bunks or opt to pitch a tent.
Fees: $ 45 (PATC member),
$ 65 (non‑members), includes all
course materials and weekend
meals (except lunches).
Class sizes are limited to eight
students, so register early!
Visit www.patc.net and follow
the Classes and Training link to
register on‑line or contact Cindy
Kelly at [email protected] to
request a registration form.
Pre‑registration is required. Participants
must be at least 18 years old.
15
trailhead
Blue and White Crew Tackles Mary’s Rock
John Stacey, boulder buster
Photo by Buz Groshong
The opening weekend for the Blue and White Crew’s 2015
season began with a treadway rehab on the lower end of
the Mary’s Rock AT section. A good turnout insured that
a much needed sidehill and de-rocking effort would be
accomplished. Stepping up to the job of iceberg demolition
(iceberg being a large boulder that is buried too deep in the
trail to excavate, yet sticks up and creates an obstruction),
B&W’s John Stacey spent the day swinging a 10-pound
mash hammer like John Henry and leaving only stone
chips and dust in his wake. Meanwhile, Patrick Wilson
introduced new crew members Laura and Dalton to the radial
symmetry of a climbing locust log staircase. Dig, dig, dig –
dirt out, log in. And so the day went in rock and wood.
The AT from Panorama to Mary’s Rock overlook is a highuse section as evidenced by the steady procession of hikers
going past us all day long. It will also be included in one
of the Biennial hikes later this summer, one of the reasons
the crew was brought to bear. Although there will be many
hikes planned for the biennial, each trail section walked
will be seen as an example of PATC maintenance.
Blue and White Crew, Part 2
The Blue and White Crew lived up to its name by spending a
weekend working on Meadow Spring trail (blue blazed) just
two weeks after rehabbing the A.T. (white blazed). Meadow
Spring, with a trailhead a couple of miles south of Thornton
Gap in Shenandoah National Park, gets heavy use because of
its easy access to the panoramic views of Mary's Rock. Hiker
traffic and erosion had been widening and deepening the trail
bed—until the Blue & White crew was called in to spruce it up.
Utilizing the many sawn and debarked locust logs that they
had cached along the trail last winter, the crew was able to
install waterbars and checkdams along nearly the entire length
of the trail. Many of the logs replaced rotten, crumbling
oak logs from years past. Crew leader pro tem Patrick
Wilson insisted that each checkdam be level, centered, and
square to the trail and that waterbar logs be buried deeply
so hikers won't walk around. The crew complied without
complaint, mostly. When rain set in and work wrapped
up, passing hikers uttered the highest praise that trail
workers ever get: "It looks like it's always been this way."
Patrick organizes work trips on blue-blazed trails in
the Central District of Shenandoah most weekends
and always welcomes newcomers. If you’re interested
in volunteering, write to [email protected].
16
Stonewall Brigade Came Out Swinging
The Stonewall Brigade come out swinging in April, with
McLeods and Pulaskis that is. Stonewallers Leslie and
Lee Manning, Kathy Thie, Matt Brewer, aka Brewer, and
Mike Allen took to the slopes of Tibbet Knob for a day of
sidehill work. Taking full advantage of near perfect weather,
just a tad chilly for lunch at the knob, and optimum soil
moisture content, they made quick work, cutting new
bench along sections of Tibbet Knob Trail. We can check
that off our ATC to-do list! Give us another day like this
in May and who knows what we will accomplish.
Saturday also gave Tibbet Knob Trail Overseer Kathy Thie a
chance to test drive her new trail. With sidehill issues resolved,
it looks like smooth sailing for Kathy and her husband Harry
at least until the next big summer T-Storm blows through.
The Stonewall Brigade maintains 35 miles of trail within the
Great North Mountain District of George Washington National
Forest. They gather for worktrips at the Wolf Gap Recreation
Area on the first or second Saturday of each month. For more
information about the “Brigade” visit our web site http://www.
ljmanning.com/stonewall/ or email District Manager Mike Allen.
Hoodlums Get to It
The redbuds were in full
bloom and sun shining as
new Hoodlum chief exec
Janice Cessna welcomed
over two dozen ready
and willing volunteers to
the April 18 Hoodlum
work trip. Following
Janice's remarks, DM Noel Freeman gave the mandatory
tailgate safety talk and divided the Hoodlums into four
crews. The main goal was to ensure that the North District's
trails were ready for what looks to be a bumper crop of thruhikers this year and the various ATC Biennial hikes in July.
Half a dozen or more thru-hikers had already traversed
Shenandoah National Park and during the day, the Hoodlums
saw a half dozen more.
Two of the Hoodlum crews set off for Upper Thornton River
trail which runs between Skyline Drive and the AT. One crew
worked from the AT down while the other started at the Drive
and worked up. Upper Thornton River trail is something of an
orphan in that it is too short for a full-time overseer.
District managers, summer crews and the Hoodlums
look after it as needed and it had been a while since it
had some TLC. Though less than half a mile long, it
provides access to the AT from the Drive and is a key
link in four popular loop hikes in the North District.
By quitting time, the two crews had done a major rehab,
putting in multiple checkdams, waterbars and steps.
Meanwhile, a crew led by Casey Buboltz kept busy on the
Elkwallow trail and then the AT on north of Gravel Springs,
cleaning and rehabbing waterbars and checkdams and taking
out a big blowdown on South Marshall. The real award for
socialist labor, however, went to the crew led by Dave Nebhut
and Steve Osbrach and included Mike Landis, Ceresa Haney
and John Allen. That crew drew the short straw and got
blowdown removal on the Lower Piney Branch and Lower
Piney Ridge loop.
John uses timber tongs to
install a new checkdam on a
cupped section of trail.
Photo by Stan Turk
In SNP "lower" often means uphill both ways and that loop
is no exception. Those are also wilderness trails which means
the crew had some "interesting" crosscut tales to tell as the
Hoodlums dug into their traditional Tex-Mex potluck at the
end of the day.
Send your “on the trail” tales to the Trailhead
editors at [email protected].
17
What's that Flower?
Continued from p.5
We have two species of clintonia in
our area. They are named after early
American politician and naturalist
DeWitt Clinton. Both have basal
whorls of oval, shiny leaves, and their
six-tepal flowers appear in umbels
atop leafless, one-foot stems.
Yellow clintonia (C. borealis—northern)
has loose umbels of yellow or yellowgreen, one-inch flowers. It is found
above 2,500 feet. White clintonia (C.
umbellata) has a compact umbel of
smaller, white flowers, and also grows in
the mountains, but lower down, though
the two may overlap. I often encounter
them after flowering time. Ripe berries
of white clintonia are black while yellow
clintonia berries are blue, giving it its
other common name, bluebead lily.
I have seen yellow clintonia on several
high spots in Shenandoah NP: Compton
Peak, Hogback, Hazel Mountain
and Cat Knob. The only time I have
seen white clintonia was along the
AT on the way to Compton Peak.
Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa) provides
beauty along our trails despite having
insignificant flowers. The shiny, six-inch,
heart-shaped leaves have prominent
veins circling from the stem to rejoin
at the pointed tip. They grow in whorls
around the stem. In early spring, first
whorl of leaves is an eye-catching, shiny
light green. The plant is a vine up to five
meters long, twining around other plants.
The vine grows anew from the ground
every year. The plants are dioecious (male
and female flowers grow on separate
plants). The tiny, six-tepal flowers grow
on long, branching strands. The female
flowers are atop quarter-inch ovaries.
They are common throughout our area.
—Richard Stromberg
(Top) The prominently veined leaves of
wild yam vines outshine the tiny flowers.
(Center) Yellow anthers stand out against
the purple of spiderwort petals. (Bottom)
Blue-eyed grass pop out of the tip of the
grass leaf-like stem.
All pictures by Richard Stromberg
18
Help Wanted
Corridor Monitors
Tom Lupp ~ 301/663‑6644, [email protected]
•Buzzard Rocks ~ Northern VA, Map 7 [south of Rte.9]
•Ashby Gap North ~ Northern VA, Map 8 [north of Rte.50]
•Whiskey Hollow ~ Northern VA, Map 8 [south of Rte.50]
Trails
Pennsylvania AT, Blue blazed & Tuscarora ~
Maps [2‑3, 4, J, & K]
Pete Brown ~ 410/343‑1140, [email protected]
•PA Tuscarora Trail [J] ~ Cranes Gap to Longs Gap (2.5 mi)
•PA Tuscarora Trail [J] ~ Longs Gap to PA Rte.74 (3.3 mi)
•PA Tuscarora Trail [J] ~ PA Rte.74 to McClure’s Gap (3.3 mi)
•PA Tuscarora Trail [J] ~ McClure’s Gap to Warner Trail (3.7 mi)
•PA Tuscarora Trail [J] ~ PA 233 to Bill Miller Trail (3.9 mi)
•PA Tuscarora Trail [J] ~ Bill Miller Trail to Cowpens Road (4.7 mi)
•PA Tuscarora Trail [J] ~ Hemlock Road to Mountain Road (4.9 mi)
•PA Tuscarora Trail [J] ~ Mountain Road to PA Rte.641 (6.2 mi)
SNP South District Appalachian Trail ~ Map 11
Don White ~ 804/795-2914, [email protected]
•Appalachian Trail ~ Jarman Gap to
Summit of Calf Mountain (16mi)
•Appalachian Trail ~ Co-Overseer ~ Ivy Creek
Hut Trail to Frazier Discovery Trail (1.0mi)
•Appalachian Trail ~ Co-Overseer ~ Sawmill
Run to Jarman Gap (1.9mi)
Tuscarora Central ~ Map L
John Spies ~ [email protected]
•Tuscarora Trail ~ Larrick Overlook to Lucas Woods (2.3 mi)
•PA Tuscarora [K] ~ Co-Overseer ~ Alice
Trail to Yellow Blazed Trail (4.2 mi)
•Tuscarora Trail ~ Lucas Woods to Loman Branch (1.9 mi)
•PA Tuscarora [K] ~ Yellow Trail to PA 456
•Tuscarora Trail ~ Farmer-Lockhart to Capon Springs (6 mi)
•Alice Trail [K] ~ Co-Overseer ~ Tuscarora Trail to PA 456 (1.4 mi)
•Frye Path Trail ~ Tuscarora Trail to Laurel Run Trail (.4 mi)
•Hunter Trail ~ Tuscarora Trail to PA 16 (.8 mi)
•Laurel Run Trail ~ Tuscarora Trail to Frye Path Trail (.5 mi)
Harpers Ferry / Ashby Gap AT & Blue blazed ~ Map 7 & 8
Chris Brunton ~ 703/967-2226, [email protected]
•Appalachian Trail ~ Spout Run to Sam Moore Shelter (1.2 mi)
•Appalachian Trail ~ Sam Moore Shelter
to Fent Willey Hollow (.7 mi)
SNP North District Blue blazed ~ Map 9
Noel Freeman ~ 540/850-1397, [email protected]
•Little Devils Stairs Trail ~ Keyser Run Fire Road
to East Park Boundary (VA 614) (2mi)
•SNP Central District Blue blazed [north] ~ Map 10
•Tuscarora Trail ~ Loman Branch to Yellow Spring Road (3.7 mi)
•Rock Cave & Overlook Trail ~ Pinnacle Overlook
to Pinnacle Campground (.1 mi)
•Devils Nose Connector ~ Devils Nose Parking
Area to Tuscarora Trail (.5 mi)
Tuscarora South ~ Map F, G, 9
Rick Rhoades ~ 540/477-3247, [email protected]
•Tuscarora Trail ~ Gerhard Memorial Shelter
to Waites Run Road (4.4 mi)
•Tuscarora Trail ~ Doll Ridge to Rock Marker (1.5 mi)
Great North Mountain ~ Map F
•Melvin Ellis ~ H 703/860-1253 or 540/9879797, [email protected]
Mike Allen ~ (540) 869-8066, [email protected]
•Hannah Run Trail (lower) ~ Hannah Run to
Nicholson Hollow Trail (1.9 mi)
DC Metro District- Map N
SNP Central District Blue blazed [south] ~ Map 10
Sean Dunn ~ 540/478-7953, [email protected]
•White Oak Canyon [1st sect.] ~ Skyline Drive
to Wwaterfall viewpoint (2.3mi)
•Cedar Run (upper)[W1/2] ~ 2nd stream crossing
from the bottom to Hawksbill Gap (2.5mi)
•Saddleback Mountain Trail [loop] ~ AT to AT (1.4 mi)
•North Mountain ~ Stack Rock Trail to VA 720 (4.3 mi)
Alex Sanders ~ (703) 465-8140, [email protected]
•Glover Archbold Trail ~ Co-Overseer ~ C&O
Canal to Van Ness Street (3 mi)
Prince William Forest Park
Mark Ellis ~ 703/376-4150, [email protected]
•Birch Bluff Trail ~ The Crossing Trail to Laurel Loop Trail (1.7 mi.)
•Piedmont Forest Trail ~ Parking Lot to Parking Lot (.4 mi)
Potomac Heritage & Great Falls Trail ~ Map D
Toby Torla ~(703) 241-8792, [email protected]
•Potomac Heritage Trail ~ Gulf Branch to Pimmit Run (1 mi)
19
Easy
National Trails Day 2015
Story of the Forest
Trail 1.8 mi. 10 a.m.
Beyond the Trailhead
Saturday, June 6
9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
In partnership with Shenandoah National Park, the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club’s
Trail Patrol is sponsoring “Beyond the Trailhead,” an opportunity to leave your car
behind and experience the outdoors through hiking.
Join us for guided hikes, and hands-on demonstrations of the use of traditional tools
such as two-man crosscut saws. An expert instructor with Emergency Response
Training will have a booth demonstrating first aid topics such as snake bites, first
aid kits, splints and bandages. Visitors are encouraged to participate. Learn new
skills for the safe and responsible enjoyment of our natural world. Events will be held
throughout the day at Byrd Visitor Center (milepost 51). Admission to the event is free*
and open to the public.
Hikes starting at Byrd Visitor Center: Please arrive 15 minutes prior to hike time.
Please be sure to bring water, food, clothing, and footwear as appropriate for the hike.
Register for a hike at Byrd Visitor Center the day of the event, or pre-register for a hike
by emailing [email protected] by June 3. For further information visit www.patc.net.
*Normal Shenandoah National Park entrance fees apply.
Hiker's Notebook
Continued from p.6
The milkweed plant is the type species for
the milkweed family—Asclepiadaceae—
consisting of over 250 genera and 2,000
species worldwide; the genus Asclepias
has 140 species worldwide of which 108
are in North America. The milkweed
family is comprised of plants with two
shared characteristics: the aforementioned
milky latex exudation and an
idiosyncratic method of pollination.
The male anthers generate fertilizing
pollen in specialized sacs called pollinia
that are configured in horseshoe-shaped
pairs. As the plodding pollinator
proceeds along the flower petal in
pursuit of the nectar cynosure, slits
in between the petals are configured
to promote the distension of one leg
in order to hook onto the horseshoe
pollinium for transport to the
female style of the next flower.
The process must be repeated with
some exactitude at the destination to
succeed; pollen inserted backwards
fail to successfully germinate.
The evolutionary purpose for this
burdensome cross pollination process
is unclear, as it impedes rather than
enhances the probability of fertilization
(most plants rely on a simple pollen
dusting of an insect’s hairy legs). The
20
paucity of milkweed pods on each
plant relative to the ubiquity of the
flowers attests to this observation.
The relative rarity of the pods is offset
by their fecundity—each producing
hundreds of seeds and by their mode
of transport, windborne on pappi of
diaphanous silk-like filaments—Gerard’s
covering for the nakedness of the Indians.
The evolution of these seed bearing
filaments favored a waxy covering to
prevent water absorption and a hollow
structure to enhance wind-borne
distribution. Light weight and waterproof
are key attributes for insulation materials.
Prior to World War II, the seed fibers
from the kapok tree (Ceiba pentandra)
which grows primarily in south
Asia, were used for the insulation
in life jackets. The disruption of
ocean going trade due to wartime
hostilities motivated the identification
of milkweed as an alternative; over
20 million pounds of milkweed
fiber were used in the manufacture
of over one million life vests.
A number of studies of milkweed
as an alternative to goose down in
insulated clothing and bedding have
been conducted over the last decade.
While goose down is superior in terms
of compressibility and loftiness (a textile
term for full-bodied, firm and resilient),
Appalachian Trail
Ramble 2.0 mi.
10:45 a.m., 1:30 p.m.
Moderate
Dark Hollow Falls
Hike 1.4 mi.
9:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m.
Advanced
Rose River-Dark
Hollow Falls Loop
3.0 mi. 10 a.m.
Rapidan Camp
National Historic
Landmark 4.0 mi.
9:45 a.m.
it is expensive at over $100 per pound. A
pound of milkweed floss requires about
100 pods; a one acre plot of milkweed
will produce about 100 pounds of
floss. The economics of milkweed floss
(it is a weed after all) relative to goose
down (geese need food and shelter)
makes it a compelling alternative.
The legion of medicinal properties
attributed to milkweed is probably
related to its general toxicity; moderate
levels of which can have palliative effects
by deterring pests and predators. Various
types of milkweed were extensively used
by Native American tribes for a wide
variety of conditions, primarily those
that required some form of purging—
as an emetic to induce vomiting, as a
cathartic to stimulate bowel movement,
and as a diuretic to increase urine flow.
The roots were boiled to make a tea
that was used as an expectorant and to
induce sweating; the milky latex was
used topically to treat warts and as a
vulnerary bandage, taking advantage
of the coagulation of the sticky white
exudate when exposed to air. The
uses were sometimes contradictory:
Mohawks used it with Jack-in-thePulpit as an antifertility drug; Hopi
women used it to stimulate the flow
of breast milk after parturition.
The widespread use of milkweed by
Indians was adopted by colonists as a part
of the folk medicine practices of that era.
The English herbalist Nicolas Culpeper
established the precedent for milkweed
as medicine with his publication of “The
Complete Herbal” in 1653, in which
he characterizes it as having a “faculty
against all poisons… and are effectively
given to such as are bitten by any
venomous beast or stung by any serpent
or other creature” and “taken also in
wine against the plague and pestilence.”
with a serpent entwined. It is the basis
for the symbol used to characterize the
medical profession to this day, not the
frequently mistaken caduceus, the dual
serpent staff of Hermes (who was a
messenger and not a healer). It remains
unclear why a serpent was chosen as
the symbol for healing, though theories
abound. Of all of the possible plants
that Linnaeus could have honored with
the assignation of the Greek god of
healing, he chose milkweed, testimony
to its alleged panacean properties.
The combinations of nativist uses
and Culpeper’s encomiums resulted
in the inclusion of Asclepias syriaca
in the United States Pharmacopoeia
from 1820 to 1882 as a treatment for
constipation and for application to bee
stings, cuts and warts, though there
were many other “off label” uses.
Milkweed’s complex chemistry
is reflected in the species specific
associations that it has with animals—
it is food for some and distasteful at
best and poisonous at worst for others.
The latex contains what are broadly
called cardiac glycosides, enzymes
that promote the contraction of the
heart muscle which could be used to
offset arrhythmia and heart attack
(though there is no indication that
it has ever been used for this).
The choice of Asclepius as the genus
name is testimony to the purported
healing benefits of milkweed. Asclepius
was the Greek god of medicine—the
namesake god of numerous healing
temples in ancient Greece; among his
daughters were Hygieia, the goddess
of sanitation and health, and Panacea,
the goddess of universal cures.
His somewhat counterintuitive symbol,
the rod of Asclepius, consists of a staff
First of
the Month
The bitter principles alpha and beta
asclepiaden that are found in chemical
analyses of the latex give rise to the
bitter taste that is anathema to larger
grazing mammals and birds, but which
is attractive to insects that employ it
to prevent being eaten by these same
animals. In addition to Monarch
caterpillars, milkweed beetles (Tetraopes
tetraophtalmus), the large and small
milkweed bugs (Oncopeltus fasciatus
and Lygaeus kalmii respectively) and
the milkweed leaf beetle (Labidomera
clivicollis) all feed on milkweed. All
of these insects advertise their toxicity
aposematically, their Halloween
orange and black colors a visible
warning to predators so that, if eaten
once, they will not be eaten again.
And, last but not least, milkweed plants
can be eaten by Homo sapiens, not to
render them distasteful to predators, but
rather to provide nutrition. However,
they can only be made edible by
boiling—not once but two or three times
disposing of the water after each cycle—
in order to rid them of their bitterness.
This is not all that uncommon in plant
and fungi cooking, as bitter principles are
often volatile, and are thus evaporated
in the cooking process. Young sprouts
up to eight inches high can be gathered
and cooked as something like a wild
asparagus. The flowers and leaves are
reputed to be something of a delicacy.
Even the pods are edible if gathered
early enough, an okra-like entrée
without the gooiness of Cajun cuisine.
—William Needham
DEADLINE FOR POTOMAC APPALACHIAN ARTICLES AND FORECAST
Articles to be considered for publication in PA should be submitted to [email protected]. Digital photos
are welcome if they meet the requirements for a print publication, good contrast and at least
5x7 inches assuming a print resolution of 300 dots per inch. Please supply information for photo
caption and name of photographer. Photographs need not be connected with a story.
Forecast items to be included should be posted to the PATC calendar at patc.net by the deadline.
HOW TO CONTACT US Headquarters, Sales, Cabin Reservations, and Membership Information
Address: 118 Park Street, S.E., Vienna, Va. 22180
Phone #: 703/242‑0315
Fax #: 703/242‑0968
Club Email: [email protected]
Internet: www.patc.net
Club President (leave a message),
Dick Hostelley: 703/242‑0315
Hours: Monday‑Friday, 11:30 a.m.‑1:30 p.m.
Club Officers and Chairs Contact Info
Contact list is online at www.patc.net/contacts
Change of Address? Log on to www.patc.net
and update your address online, or contact
[email protected]
Staff, During regular business hours
Position
Staff
Staff Director Edna Baden Trails Management Coordinator Heidi Forrest Sales Coordinator Diane Yang
Finance Coordinator Mona Flichock
Cabin Coordinator
Anne Corwith
IT Coordinator Kit Sheffield ExtEmail
105 [email protected]
Potomac Appalachian
Editor Rachel F. Levin [email protected]
Co‑Editor Dan Pulskamp
Forecast Editor
Jack Bowie
PA‑[email protected]
Co‑Forecast Editor
Dan Varela
Layout Designer
Carey Dueweke
Co‑Layout Designer
Tara Jones‑Oxenrider
21
22
“Gone Fishing”
June has a lot of fish-themed days. The first week of June
is considered Fishing Week. June 18 is Go Fishing Day, and
June 25 was proclaimed National Catfish Day by former
President Ronald Reagan.
Whether you’re on land or on boat, fishing is an enjoyable
activity that can yield big rewards. There are numerous
places to fish in and around the Shenandoah region and
Appalachian Trail. Shenandoah National Park hosts over
70 streams that are home to 38 fish species and more than
22 aquatic insects.
Within SNP, all waterways, including streams and
tributaries are open for catch and release recreational
fishing, and some areas are designated open for
harvest. When areas are catch and release, it
means you are able to capture fish but must safely
unhook and return the fish to its natural environment
before the fish experiences exhaustion.
Remember, catch and release is vital to sustaining the
sport of fishing, so work with the upmost care for the fish
in mind. When practicing catch and release fishing, try to
release the fish without removing it from the water.
If you have to handle the fish outside of water, make sure
your hands are wet, and avoid holding the fish around its
gills (remember fish need gills to “breath!”) In an area that
is open for harvest, anglers, people who fish, are able to
catch fish for the purpose of consumption, but the amount
of fish an angler is allowed to keep is regulated.
YOUTH
N
O
I
T
C
E
S
another state and over 12 years of age you must acquire a
valid Virginia fishing license.
Maryland has similar licensing rules. If you are a resident of
Maryland and under the age of 16, you do not need a fishing
license to fish. However you’ll need a recreational crab
license to keep any crabs you manage to catch. Maryland
Department of Natural Resources hosts Free Fishing Days
on the first two Saturdays of June. On a Free Fishing Day,
individuals may fish in the tidal and non-tidal waters of
Maryland with or without a Maryland fishing license.
Take one of these opportunities to try out fishing and see if
it is the sport for you.
"To go fishing is the chance to wash one's soul with pure
air, with the rush of the brook, or with the shimmer of sun
on blue water. It brings meekness and inspiration from the
decency of nature, charity toward tackle-makers, patience
toward fish, a mockery of profits and egos, a quieting of
hate, a rejoicing that you do not have to decide a darned
thing until next week. And it is discipline in the equality of
men—for all men are equal before fish."—Herbert Hoover
The National Park Service has a list of park streams
designed as open for harvest in Shenandoah National park
on their website. The list includes close to 20 streams in six
counties throughout Virginia.
Fishing guidelines vary by state so be sure to check our
specific laws before casting your line. If you are a resident
of Virginia and under the age of 16, you do not need a
license to fish! However, if you are visiting Virginia from
Youth Section Editor: La Benn —Contact the Youth Section at [email protected]
23
PERIODICAL
118 Park Street, S.E.
Vienna, VA 22180‑4609
US POSTAGE PAID
AT VIENNA VA
Telephone: 703/242‑0315
Monday‑Friday 11:30 a.m.‑1:30 p.m.
NEW BOOTS
Volunteers Appointed in April
Shelters
Robert Fina
Jim & Molly Denton shelter
Trails
Jim Fetig
Dennis Helfrick
Kevin Kramer
Margeau Faticone
Marc Thomas
Phyllis Kimmel
AT ~ Viewpoint Trail to Jenkins Gap
Old AT / Purple Trail
Tuscarora Trail ~ PA Rt. 641 to Fannettsburg Road
Little Run Loop
Whitehaven Trail
Battery Kemble Trail
Basic Wilderness First Aid (BWFA)
Emergency Response
Training and Trail
Patrol Presents:
Basic Wilderness
First Aid and
Wilderness First Aid
Day one of this two‑day class covers Adult CPR and AED and American Heart Association
First Aid. You will receive a textbook and a certification card good for two years. Day two
is American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) Basic Wilderness First Aid. You will learn
how to do bleeding control, splinting and other basic first aid skills in the wilderness setting.
There is plenty of hands‑on time, and paramedics with years of backcountry experience
teach the classes.
Upcoming classes
Wilderness First Aid (WFA)
Basic Wilderness
First Aid, Vienna
Wilderness First
Aid, Fredrick
July 25‑26
Oct. 17‑18
Sept. 26‑27
Nov. 7‑8
Cost of the class is $130, and it is held at the PATC headquarters. Pre‑registration is required
no later than the Friday one week prior to the class. For more information or to download the
registration form, go to patc.us/volunteer/trailpatrol/Forms/1stAidRegForm.pdf or contact
Saleena DeVore at [email protected], or 410/456‑6861.
Join us for a 20‑hour Wilderness First Aid Class! In this class, you will learn how to get help,
move and transport patients, conduct patient assessments, documentation, how to handle
medical and environmental emergencies, injury prevention and care, and much more. There
is plenty of hands‑on practice time as well as scenarios. This class is conducted inside and
outside on the trail. Each student will receive a certification card good for two years through
ECSI and a waterproof field guide. Cost of this class is $180, and pre‑registration is required.
This class is held in Frederick, Md. Please contact Saleena DeVore (see above) for more
information or the registration forms. No experience is required.
Potomac Appalachian
Printed on 100% Post
Consumer Waste Paper
(UPS‑440‑280) ©2015, Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, Inc.
Published monthly by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, 118 Park Street, S.E., Vienna, Va.
22180. Periodical class postage paid at Vienna, Va. Postmaster:
send address changes to: PATC, 118 Park Street, S.E., Vienna, Va. 22180
Subscription: (Free with membership) $9 annually; $.75 single copies.

Potomac Appalachian June 2015 - Potomac Appalachian Trail Club

Transcription

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