Unless otherwise noted, all Hikes meet at Java Java Coffee shop on Rt. 250 just west of Charlottesville. For trailhead meeting locations for those not coming to Charlottesville see individual hike listing.

Upcoming Hikes:

The May 4th hike to Hone Quarry is a special VIP Hike to thank our major donors. If you would like to go, please contact our office at 434-971-1553.

It's not a hike but the 3rd annual Treehugger's Ball is Saturday May 10th! See here for more information.

Saturday, June 7 - National Trails Day Joint Work Trip with Wild Virginia and Virginia Wilderness Committee on Bald Ridge Trail in Ramseys Draft Wilderness.  This trail has a number of blowdowns.  Bring your Coronas and crosscut saws.  No chainsaws.  Meet at Mountain House Picnic Area off Rt. 250 at 9:00 a.m.  Work leader:  Al Dahler, (540) 943-6369.

PLEASE TELL YOUR FRIENDS!

Past outings:

Saturday, April 19th — Vances Cove & Paddy Run Hike

March 1, 2008 - Trimble Mountain

Pictures taken by David Hannah: (L) Hikers on Trimble Mountain (R) South end of Little River Roadless Area as seen from Trimble Mountain

Saturday, December 8, 2007 - Spy Rock: Twenty-five miles of the Appalachian Trail curl and dip through Nelson County on its journey from Georgia to Maine.  The AT through Nelson county includes a little jaunt out and back from the top of famous Crabtree Falls to a little known jewel of the George Washington National Forest.  Spy Rock was a Civil War lookout that was used by Confederate soldiers to monitor Union troop movements.  Waterfalls. Calf-burning inclines with matching plunges. Peaceful isolation. Spectacular perches - one, appropriately named Spy Rock, offers nearly 360-degree views (especially in the winter). Giant boulder outcrops that seem to hang in air.  This was an 8-mile strenuous hike. Sorry you missed it!

Spy Rock, George Washington National Forest

November 2007 Blackrock Summit, Shenandoah National Park: Another excellent Wild Virginia hike!

Saturday, July 21, 2007 - Skidmore Fork proposed Wilderness Area. A beautiful day, not too humid, greeted 8 hikers for this out and back hike up the Skidmore Fork road behind the Switzer Dam and lake. We didn't see bears as some had seen the previous week in this same location, but we did see ruffed grouse, prothonotary warbler, ovenbird, and more. The black cohosh (aka "fairy candles" were in full bloom). Lily, Gavin, and Lisa had never been to the George Washington National Forest. We hope your first visit was not your last!

Saturday June 9, 2007 - Augusta Springs Wetlands southwest of Staunton, VA was a great trip!

Check out list of Birds seen on hike.

Saturday, March 17, 2007 - Three Ridges Summit Hike with Sierra Club-Piedmont Group. WHAT A DIFFERENCE TWO WEEKS MAKE IN THE MOUNTAINS OF VIRGINIA! Board member Eric Gilchrist got these gorgeous shots on this hike up Three Ridges, the newest Wilderness Area in Virginia. Thanks Eric!

October 22, 2006: Board member Ernie Reed led a great trip to see the fall colors on Shenandoah Mountain and learn more about the area we are working to protect. The hike was in the Ramseys Draft Wilderness Area and included breath taking mountain views and old growth forest. Click here for PATC image of trail map.

September 17, 2006: An easy hike on the AT from Dripping Rock off the Blue Ridge Parkway and up to the overlook to watch the hawk migration.

August 27, 2006: A great trip to Cold Stream in Shenandoah National Park!

July 9, 2006: An excellent outing with our friends from the Virginia Native Plant Society to learn about native and invasive species on the George Washington National Forest. More info on this hike will be posted soon.

June 11, 2006: A great hike to Walker Mountain to see an old timber sale and a new one in the works. Great to see some new folks on this hike!

May 6, 2006: A gorgeous hike in the Trilium Fields of Thompson Wildlife Management Area led by top ecologist and photographer Gary Fleming (photos: Copyright Gary Fleming: Trillium grandiflora, Cypripedium caleolus)

April 8, 2006: Great Eastern Trail scouting trip with Potomac Appalachian Trail Club
March 12, 2006: Signal Corps Knob Timber Sale, Augusta County: GREAT NEWS! TIMBER SALE DROPPED!
December 11, 2005: Hike up to the 360 degree views of Spy Rock!
November 13, 2005: Several Wild Virginia folks hiked to the Sideling Hill Timber Sale.

Our public hike into the woods took us on an overnight trip to Vance's Cove and a visit to the Paddy Timber Sale, an area slated for logging despite an appeal filed by Wild Virginia and the Southern Environmental Law Center.  Wild Virginia Conservation Director Steve Krichbaum and noted botanist Dr. Robert Hunsucker led the hike through the timber sale units along Paddy Run.  We encountered state threatened species (we cannot reveal the species as it is very sensitive to human disturbance and poaching) and documented their presence.  Logging will begin very soon. For more information or to get involved in monitoring this timber sale, please contact Steve Krichbaum (info at bottom right of page).

Dr. Robert Hunsucker sharing his knowledge of the wilds:

The Timber Ridge Trail in the Little River Roadless Area: May 8, 2005: You missed a great hike up the beautiful 4,397 ft. summit of Reddish Knob west of Briery Branch, Virginia!  Mike Kruse led a small group on this strenuous climb to the top.  But the views were worth it. 

7.5' Topo Quad: Reddish Knob

Reddish Knob is the highest peak in northern Virginia. This hike will be a hard 7.5 mile one way up hike. Don't be discouraged from going, just be ready for some effort. The 360 degree views are worth it!

This is the site President Clinton chose to deliver is historic speech announcing protection of 58.5 million acres of roadless forest. President Bush is now actively undoing those protections. To read his speech go here: http://www.roadless.fs.fed.us/documents/clinton_remarks.htm

Mt. Crawford Hike: March 6, 2005: A great hike in the snow!