Hey Guys! here is what we are doing: Drive out to Moormans River Reservoir, hike up the Turk gap branch to AT and continue to Turk Mt summit with a great view, have lunch at the summit, return the same way. About 2500 ft Elevation gain, around 12mi total distance. There is a 20% of rain, so rain gear is …
Announcements
Ramsey’s Draft Day Hike
Awesome hiking weather in the forecast for tomorrow! This will be a 14mi loop. Bring water, lunch, snacks, HEADLAMP/FLASHLIGHT, and crocs/sandals for numerous stream crossings. Drivers get off the waitlist first. Club provides gas money/seat in a car.
Intro to Rock Climbing
Come to the local rock climbing gym and learn how to climb! I will teach some basics of rock climbing and how to belay another climber and we will spend the rest of the time going at it. Climbing is an awesome sport and I’m hoping we can get lots more people to join us on peak trips and outdoors …
Bike to Old Rag Trailhead/Hike Old Rag
The plan is to drive to Madison, leave the cars at the house of a club member, Carolyn Farnsworth, and bike to the Old Rag trailhead on scenic backroads (approximately 20 miles one way), hike the 9mi loop on Old Rag, and bike back to Madison. Carolyn graciously offered to host a post-ride dinner, hence late end time. Drivers will …
Meteor Shower for Those Who Like to Go to Bed Before 2!
Hey guys! So peak time for the leonid meteor shower is from 11pm to 4am. I want to hit the earlier part, as i am old and like to go to bed a decent hour. 🙂 so here is the plan: Meet at echols at 1030 so we can hop in cars and head to Humpback rocks. We will take …
Meteor Shower for Those Who Like to Go to Bed Before 2!
Hey guys! So peak time for the leonid meteor shower is from 11pm to 4am. I want to hit the earlier part, as i am old and like to go to bed a decent hour. 🙂 so here is the plan: Meet at echols at 1030 so we can hop in cars and head to Humpback rocks. We will take …
Meteor Shower on Humpback Rocks!
Humpback Rocks, for those who don’t know, provide an amazing view during the day, and would provide for some awesome stargazing at night. So let’s make use of them for the Leonids meteor shower. The Leonids meteor shower is supposed to be a pretty brilliant display this year, mostly for viewers in Asia, but North America may not be left …
Hike at White Oak Canyon
This hike follows a beautiful stretch of White Oak Canyon as it descends the Blue Ridge in Shenandoah Park, with waterfalls and deep pools. We will start at the base of the mountain on the edge of the park near the town of Syria in Madison County and hike approximately five miles out and back with a lunch stop at …
Beginner Backpacking at Dolly Sods, Wv
Come stretch your legs in West Virginia. We will hike in 1-2 miles Friday night, camp out. On Saturday, we’ll hike 8-10 miles to our second campsite near Red Creek. We’ll plan on getting to camp early so that we can make a nice, big fire early since it’ll be dark early and rather cold. Sunday, we’ll pack up, hike …
House Mountain Trip.
Lets go check out House Mountain Becca told me about this looks like a pretty sweet beginnerish backpacking trip. It is about a 3 mile hike with packs to a saddle where we would camp. Then there is 2 different out and back hikes two to three mile each from the saddle. These go to Big and Little House Mountains …
Brms Discount Night
Hello fellow gearheads, Our discount night at Blue Ridge Mountain Sports is coming up fast! Next Wed Nov 4th from 8:15-9:15pm you’ll be part of an exclusive 20% sale to Outdoors at UVa members only. **Don’t forget: If you plan on buying gear that you’ll need to get fitted for (e.g. shoes, packs, etc.) you must go in this week …
Ramsey’s Draft Hike
Probably the last foliage hike of the season. Based on previous club trips to Ramsey’s Draft, very high likelihood of getting lost/bushwacking through a sea of stinging nettles, hence long pants recommended. This is a 16mi loop (longer if we get lost) on mostly undeveloped trail, previous hiking experience strongly recommended. Flashlight/headlamp required as the last hour (or two) we’ll …
Introduction to Outdoor Survival Skills
Have you ever wanted to learn the basics of outdoor survival in cold weather without all of your modern camping gear? In this adventure we will walk a ways in from the trailhead at Love Gap and then build a shelter out of forest debris, learn some of the basics of tracking animals and humans and how to start a …
Ragged Mountain Sunday Hike
In the mood for a day hike? Sunday is supposed to be 63 degrees and partly sunny, so it’s the perfect weather for a hike. We will do the 3-1/2 mile main trail at Ragged Mountain Natural Area, which is only about 15 minutes outside of Charlottesville. Bring water, a light jacket, and snacks/a light lunch, since we’ll be hiking …
Hike with a Rock Scramble
We will start on Blue Ridge Parkway, hike to Sherando Lake, scramble up to the Torry Ridge, follow it to the Mount Torry Furnace, drop into the Mills Creek drainage, climb back up towards the Bald Mtn and complete the loop along the Slacks Trail. The loop is 16mi long. Bring lunch, water, and a flashlight. Club provides gas money/seat …
Friendly Saturday Morning Hike
Hey guys, I have heard a lot about the views from this trail, and though it is short, it promises to be worth it. The Blackrock summit trail itself is only about a mile long, though there is a section of talus which makes the trail more tricky than it would otherwise be. However, I am also looking into a …
Three Ridges Dayhike
Ever popular 13-mi loop hike off Blue Ridge Parkway. 2 great overlooks, waterfalls, and the foliage should be spectacular. Bring water, lunch, snacks. Club provides gas money/seat in a car. Will expand the group size as drivers sign on.
Austin Mtn/Furnace Mtn Loop
This is a 12mi loop hike in the Southern section of Shenandoah National park. Bring water, lunch, snacks. Club provides seat in a car/gas money Will expand the group as drivers sign on
Apple Picking!
It’s finally starting to feel like fall, and there’s no better place to celebrate the change of the season than at Carter’s Mountain. At the top of the mountain is a historic apple barn which is the center of our activities. There you’ll find the market, gift shop and bakery. Breath-taking views from the market, as well as from an …
Kayaking, Rafting and Camping at the Gauley River
The Gauley River is one of the best stretches of whitewater in the country. Located 3 hours away in West Virginia, the river is “turned on” for approximately 6 weekends each fall when the Summersville dam is realesed. With this trip, you can choose your level of engagement…kayay if you have the experience, raft if you want an adventure, hike …
Acorn Harvesting Walk and Pancakes
If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to cook with wild edible plants this might be the adventure for you. We will walk up along the edge of O-Hill and collect some of the white oak acorns that are falling fast and then head over to Becca Percy’s house where we will shell and boil the acorns and make pancakes …
Another Mt. Pleasant Trip.
Car camping at Mt. Pleasant. What could be better. We will hike up to Mt. Pleasant catch sunset and then night hike down. Setup camp in a huge field and have an awesome night hanging out. Then on Monday we will do a shuttle hike from Crab Tree to the Priest distance is around 8 miles. After this we will …
Edible Plant Walk at Uva
This short walk offers a chance to learn where most of the edible fruit trees, nut trees, and berry bushes are on grounds and what time of year to harvest from them. We may also identify a few edible wild plants and kitchen herbs in the Pavilion Gardens if there’s time. Figs and pears are still on the trees so …
Edible Plant Walk at Uva
Have you ever wanted to know where all of the fruit trees, berry bushes and other edible plants at UVA are? In this short walk around grounds we will identify plums, peaches, pears, cherries, figs, culinary herbs and other edible plants in the Pavilion Gardens on either side of the Lawn and a few other wild edible plants. I will …
Hiking Big Schloss
I have heard great things about this hike and cannot wait to see what it is really like. It’s a bit of a drive (~2 hours), but will hopefully be worth it. Views are said to rival Old Rag. This shouldn’t be too strenuous of a hike, only steep in the beginning, and it will be up and back, not …
Humpback Rock Loops with Sunset
A new(at least to me) variation on the age old classic of humpback rocks. This is a fairly easy(to me) hike that is very rewarding for the work put, in should be possible for about anyone. The mileage can be either around 4 or a longer 6 mile with an added spur depending on how people feel. I will likely …
Devil’s Marbleyard.
Weather.com is projecting a beautiful, sunny day next Sunday, so let’s go hike the awesome Devil’s Marbleyard! The drive to Devil’s Marbleyard will take around 1.5-2 hours, and we’ll start up with a moderately easy 1.5 mile hike through the woods. From there, the mountain opens up into a 100 acre outcrop of granite rock, with rocks ranging in the …
Slacklining on the Lawn
Do you like balancing on random things, getting looked at oddly by strangers on the lawn, walking in straight lines, or just general hippie crap. Then come try slacklining. Feel free to come any time between 1:30 – 3:00 or even if you don’t sign up It’s a balance sport of walking on tubular webbing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slacklining This video should get …
Hiking with Bears at Jeremy’s Run – Snp
The weather is nice for once, and I have Labor Day off, so let’s go do a hike that I have wanted to hit for a long time! This hike is 14 miles on the very northern end of SNP, so the drive there will be about 2 hours. Jeremy’s Run is in the Beecher Ridge area, so there will …
Sunset/Full Moon Hike at Old Rag
We’ll hike to the top of Old Rag, watch sunset, and hike back to the cars under full moon. Bring water/snacks, flashlight/headlamp and Shenandoah Park pass if you have one. This will be approximately 8mi out and back hike with a few steep sections. Club provides seat in a car/gas money for drivers. Will expand the group as drivers sign …
Sunset/Moonlit Hike at Humback Rocks
Are you looking to leave the boundaries of campus and see the beautiful changing colors of the leaves? Humpback Rocks are only about half an hour away from UVA along Blue Ridge Parkway. The view from Humpback Rocks is fairly spectacular- you can see some of the city, but also the surrounding mountains. It is also a great view for …
Riprap Hollow Loop
Need to escape to the woods already here is your chance. This is an amazing 9 mile loop with 2 overlooks and a waterfall with possible swimming. http://www.hikingupward.com/SNP/RiprapHollow/ What to bring Lunch to eat at Calvary or Chimney Rocks At least a liter of water probably more bathing suit if interested in possible swimming Hiking shoes nothing else would be …
Riprap Hollow Loop
Postponing trip to a later date somewhere around end of august beginning of sept. when more people will be around to attend. Look for announcement with new trip dates. Mileage is around 9 with some up and down so be prepared for a somewhat strenuous hike at a decent pace. Actual hiking time should be around 5 hours will schedule …
Hike at Sugar Hollow
Sugar Hollow is a great place for identifying a number of edible and medicinal wild plants along the route to the waterfall above Moorman’s Creek. so we will make a few stops along the way on this hike to i.d. plants. If we are lucky there may be a few wild blackberries left as well! We’ll stop for a swim …
Sunday Blue Hole (Sugar Hollow) Hike/Swim!
Um guys, did you hear that it’s supposed to be NINETY-FIVE degrees Sunday? Let’s beat the heat and go for a swim in the freezing cold water at Blue Hole (aka Sugar Hollow, to some people). If you haven’t heard, this is on the list of things you have to do before you graduate UVA. We’ll meet at Echols at …
The Blueberry Hike
Rockytop Trail covers about 2-3 miles of blueberry bushes. The open face of the mountain has views of the Shenandoah Valley. Time permitting, we may even find a swimming hole. It is one of my favorite hikes in the park. Distance is about 14 miles and elevation gain is about 2600 ft. (not as bad as Three Ridges). This hike …
Friday Afternoon Hike at Riprap with a Swimming Hole and Blueberry Picking
We’ll drive to the lower Riprap trail head in Shenandoah Park and hike a couple miles to a swimming hole. Those who wish can continue another mile to pick some blueberries while others play in the swimming hole. Bring water, headlamp, swimsuit. If you need a headlamp you can check it out from the gear room this afternoon at 5:30. …
Wineberry Picking at Ragged Mountain
Wineberries are ripe along the Ragged Mtn trail, let’s go and pick some. It is about 5 mi loop hike, bring a container for berries and some water.
Midsummers Camping at Devils Marbleyard!
NOTE: I’ve moved the departure time for this trip back to FRIDAY NIGHT due to weather considerations; the plan is to fit in as much Awesome Stuff ™ on Saturday as possible and, depending on the whims of the skies, camp out again Saturday and leave Sunday, or leave Saturday night so we can start on our Sunday hangovers. (Kidding. …
Wednesday Afternoon Humpback Rocks Hike
Come out for a hike! I am going to look into less frequently taken hikes and longer ones, but for after work Humpback will have to do for this time. The weather should be nice. I propose taking the longer way down although that can be decided later. http://www.hikingupward.com/GWNF/HumpbackRocks/ Bring: good hiking shoes (the hike up is steep and rocky, …
Ramsey’s Draft Hike with a Camping Option
The plan is to hike the perimeter of the Ramsey’s Draft wilderness area, mostly staying on the ridges, but with one potentially exciting river crossing (bring crocs/sandals!). It will be a 20-mile loop day-hike. We’ll leave from Echols around 3pm on Friday, drive to Ramsey’s Draft and camp close to the trailhead. We’ll start hiking early on Sat morning. If …
Hiking Apple Orchard Falls
Are you looking for a hike with lots of streams? If so, this is a hike you should do, and is one of the most popular hikes in the Jefferson N.F. You will either be right next to streams or within sight of a stream for about 90% of this hike. It’s a 5.6 mile hike of moderate difficulty and …
Three Ridges Dayhike
This is a strenuous 14mi hike with excellent views, waterfall/swimming hole. Mountain laurel and rhododendrons should be in bloom. Bring plenty of water and lunch/snacks. Club provides gas money/seat in a car. Will take people off the waitlist as drivers sign up.
Wild Edible and Medicinal Plant Hike
If you would like to learn a variety of wild plants that you can use for food, herbal first aid, and starting camp fires this might the adventure for you. We will cover safety considerations with regard to harvesting and identifying wild plants and identify a number of berry bushes as well as edible roots and greens. I look forward …
Crabtree Falls Take 2!
So Jordo’s trip was epic, but we only saw the top of the falls, I want to see the whole thing. Here’s some info on the falls: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crabtree_Falls And here’s the hike: http://www.hikingupward.com/GWNF/CrabtreeFalls/ We’ll meet at Bonnycastle circle at 9am on Saturday. The high is predicted to be low 80’s, so bring plenty of water. Also pack a lunch and …
Hiking the Peak
This is considered to be one of the most strenuous day hikes in Shenadoah. It is located at the northern section of the park not far from Big Devil’s Stairs if you are familiar with the area. THe elevation gain is 3,255 feet and the hike is about 17 miles long. If you don’t want as strenuous of a hike …
Rock Out at Humpback Rocks
Need to get away from the library for a few hours? Want to see some great views of the region? Want to take advantage of your Outdoors club dues before school ends? Then come out for a great day hike to Humpback Rocks! We will depart from Echol’s brick wall at noon and head over to the rocks for a …
Virginia’s Triple Crown Day Hike
This hike will take us to 3 of the best viewpoints along the AT in Virginia: McAffee’s Knob, Tinker Cliffs, and Dragon’s Tooth. Total distance around 19 miles. Bring water, snacks, and a flashlight. The hike requires a shuttle so the drivers get off the waitlist first. In case there are not enough cars for a shuttle, we’ll bring along …
Introduction to Outdoor Survival Skills
This hike up to O-Hill provides an opportunity to learn some basic outdoor survival skills that can help one to live more comfortably in nature without modern camping equipment. We will hike up into the woods and build a survival shelter from forest debris that can keep one warm and dry, learn some nature observation skills that make it easier …
Cinco De Mayo Crabtree Meadows Camping and Crabtree Falls Hike
Hey guys! So we’ll leave in the afternoon on the 5th and head up to Crabtree Meadows where there are awesome REMOTE campgrounds. Do a little bit of hiking, toss the frisbee, build a big ole campfire and hang out all night. This is car camping so we will not have to carry any gear to the campsite. On the …