The Sherando Lake Recreation Area lies within the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains and is one of the most popular recreation areas in the George Washington National Forest. It has several hiking trails from easy to moderate and a great lake where you can swim not being prosecuted by fixed lifeguard eye ;). We will hike either the Cliff Trail, which …
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Sherando Lake Hike & Swim
The Sherando Lake Recreation Area lies within the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains and is one of the most popular recreation areas in the George Washington National Forest. It has several hiking trails from easy to moderate and a great lake where you can swim not being prosecuted by fixed lifeguard eye ;). We will hike either the Cliff Trail, which …
Beginning Kayaking Instruction
We’ll head to Walnut Creek park, which is 20-30 minutes away. Since we’ll only have about 5 club kayaks with us, we’ll trade out the boats so that half of the people will hike around Walnut Creek Park or go swimming or play frisbee while the other people kayak in the lake. You’ll get a chance to learn how to …
Start the Autumn Hike
Let’s see what the colors are at the start of autumn in the Shenandoah National park. The Doyles River trail offers a short (4hr) and a long (5hr) circuit of moderate difficulty. Here’s what the guide book says: “These circuits offer rewarding hikes along the east slope of the Blue Ridge. … they feature waterfalls along Doyles River and Jones …
Beginning/Intermediate Day Hike of Old Rag Mountain
This is going to be a great hike. After about a two hour drive, it’s about nine miles total with an amazing view from the top of the mountain. The hike starts off slowly with lots and lots of switchbacks. Once we’re about 2/3 of the way up, however, the hike becomes incredibly fun as it becomes a rock scramble. …
Apple Picking!
Do your grades stink already? Well, maybe your professor would like a fresh picked apple!!! hahaha Come pick some apples on a nice Friday afternoon and enjoy the beautiful views of Carter Mountain Orchard! Carter Mountain also has about 2 miles of hiking trails through the orchards and a barn. What is ripe for the picking now: Gala apples Ginger …
Fall Break at Old Rag- Later Trip
So…you’re not doing anything cool for “reading” break. Now you can! The hike to Old Rag Mountain offeres SPECTACULAR views. This is one of the most popular hikes in Virginia, and it’s a club favorite! There is another club trip to Old Rag that is leaving at 8:30 am, so this is your chance to still enjoy the outdoors if …
Hike Swim and Eat All in a Friday Eve’
So you’re not going to the Outer Banks. It’s okay. There is still fun to be had here. Friday! Friday! Friday! Off to Blue Hole in the western part of beautiful Ablemarle County. We drive, park, hike along the stream at the base of the mountain, and kazam, we have the crisp, cool, refreshing taste of mountain water and air …
Dayhike at Riprap Hollow
Riprap Hollow is a 9.6-mile hike through Shenendoah National Park. We’ll get some great views on Skyline Drive (if it’s not foggy) and then hike past waterfalls into a beautiful gorge with a swimming hole! Get out of the library and into the woods to enjoy this outstanding weather while it lasts! What to bring: LOTS of water, lunch, snacks, …
Hike’n’camp in Lovely Snp
I own a topo map of Virginia; it has a little blue circle that represents Charlottesville reservoir, which is fed by a pair of fresh mountain streams in SNP. I’d like to follow these streams down the mountain, (or follow the nearest path) and try to discover the water for myself, if at all possible. Who wants to come? After …
Climbing Via Ferrata
This trip is designed for brave climbers and NON-climbers looking for a unique and fun adventure! The trip takes place at Nelson Rocks on the VA/WVA border. Nelson Rocks is defined by the two giant rock towers that crown a beautiful green mastiff. Some of the longest rock climbing pitches on the east coast can be found here. Along these …
Hiking Old Rag
For those of you who didn’t get to hike Old Rag last weekend or if you had such a great time that you want to do it again, here’s your chance, weather permitting. I can fit 5 people including myself in my car, but if other people with cars sign up, I can expand the number of attendees. Also, if …
Shenandoah Day Hike
I just realized I haven’t gotten much use out of my annual Shenandoah park pass, so maybe this Saturday we can cure that problem. Anybody else feel like enjoying some of our beautiful June (soon to be hot as hell) weather for a little day hike Sat. at Old Rag? No limit to # of attendees on this trip, but …
Rivanna Trail Clean-Up With Rtf on National Trails Day
Saturday June 4th is national trails day and the RTF (Rivanna Trails Foundation) is putting together a huge morning workday from 8:30 to 1pm. The RTF is serving lunch afterwards with music and ‘fun surprises’. So if you like to use the Rivanna Trail and want to give back, would like to check it out and learn about trail maintenance, …
Hiking Old Rag
Take a break from studying and finals to remind yourself it’s GOOD to be at UVA with a hike up Old Rag Mountain! It’s a fun hour drive each way, and about a 7 mile, 4 hour round trip hike, with an elevation gain of 2,200 feet for a total of 3,291 ft. Great views from the top, with a …
Swimming, Walking and Enjoying Sugar Hollow
Apparently we can swim in a swimming hole (with rope swing). The place is beautiful. We will lightly hike and explore the place. Bring lunch, water,swim suit, warm clothes (in case), good/comfortable shoes.
Day Hike on Chessie Nature Trail
We’ll be hiking 6 miles on the Chessie Nature Trail. The trail is one way, so we will need to make a shuttle at the end of the trail. The Chessie Nature Trail follows along the Maury River. What the club provides: gas $ a seat in a car friendly hikers gung-ho leader what you should bring: lunch/snacks WATER if …
Day Hike on Chessie Nature Trail
We’ll be hiking 6 miles on the Chessie Nature Trail. The trail is one way, so we will need to make a shuttle at the end of the trail. The Chessie Nature Trail follows along the Maury River. What the club provides: gas $ a seat in a car friendly hikers gung-ho leader what you should bring: lunch/snacks WATER if …
Hike Old Rag (Early Trip)
There was a great response to Grace’s trip and there still are quite a few people on the waitlist so I’m going to lead a trip that departs a bit earlier for Old Rag on Saturday. From what I hear (to copy from Grace) it is a relatively easy, nice long hike (7 miles round trip) with a crazy fun …
Hike Old Rag!
Come hike Old Rag on Saturday! It’s a relatively easy, nice long hike (7 miles round trip) with a crazy fun rock scramble at the end. The view from the top is gorgeous too! What to bring: -$5 entrance fee -hiking boots (if you have them) or sneakers suitable for hiking -dress in layers (it’ll be colder on the mountain …
Humpback Hike Hiatus
Come enjoy the incoming spring weather!!! It is just a short drive and a nice hike to the top of the mountain. Then we can relax, eat lunch, and relax some more. What to Bring: Layers (will be a little chilly!) Lunch!!! camera smiles/stories book binoculars guitar kazoo anything you can carry and would want on the top of a …
Spring Break Backpacking/Hiking in Southern California
This trip is gonna be amazing! We are going March 4-13th. Friday morning we drive together to D.C. to catch our flight to Los Angeles (LAX). I’d like to get us all on the same flight to make everything easier. I’ve seen deals for only $250! Once in LA, we drive to Joshua Tree National Park. Yay! This is in …
Backpacking: Big Schloss/Tibbet Knob
We will begin our trip at Wolfe Gap- on the VA/WVA border. From here we will break out the headlamps and hike to the beautiful summit of Tibbet knob. The trail has some suprisingly steep sections, but is only about a mile and a half long. We will camp high- enjoying good food and good views from our tents. The …
Day Hike: White Rocks
This hike will take place in the George Washington National Forest on “Little Sluice Mountain” on the VA/WVA border. It is extremely remote and is rarely hiked. If you think you have heard of it- you are confused! lol. The trail will ascend a scenic ridge which leads to a protruding rock formation called, thats right, white rocks! The valley …
Day Hike
It’s supposed to be mostly sunny and in the 50’s this weekend. Let’s get outside! Swimming is an option too. It’s completely optional, of course 😉 You bring: clothes if you want, hiking shoes, water, lunch, money for supper if we decide to stop on the way back, flashlight. The club provides: gas money and a ride, a slightly loopy …
Day Hike: Three Ridges/ Mah- Har Trail
This is a moderate circuit hike that follows along the Appalachian Trail and then returns via the Mah- Har Trail. Total miles for this hike is about 13-14 miles. Three Ridges is a beautiful mountain that towers three thousand feet above the Tye River and surrounding apple orchards. Both the A.T. and the Mah-Har trails are very steep! And we …
Sweet Hike at Sugar Hollow
I have never been to Sugar Hollow but it is close by and supposedly pretty nice, so I am going there the Sunday after Thanksgiving break and you should too. It will be a quick day hike to stretch your legs and see some nice scenery, and I think there is a swimming hole for anyone feeling brave. The pace …
Rivanna Trail Foundation Monthly Workday
This Saturday is the RTF’s monthly trail work day. We work from 9-12 with other members of the RTF and community to maintain and construct parts of the Rivanna Trail system. This weekend we will likely be working between Ivy Rd and Fontaine Ave right in our backyard!. We would normally carpool but it might be better to try to …
Climbing at Old Rag, Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced
This trip is appropriate for all levels. Sorry for the late trip posting, but I was waiting for the weather forceast. The plan is getting up early Sat. hike to the top of old Rag Mountain and do some climbing there. If you are a beginner: There will be instructions on basics and easy and nice climbs. the hike up …
Sw Virginia: a River and Mountain Extravaganza
This trip will be an exploration of southwest virginia. The intent is to make the club’s first runs down Russell Fork river which has two sections, the first section is a nice intermediate class II-III, the next section has some pretty burly drops, rated at IV-V. We’ll get there tomorrow night after about a 5 hour drive, camp and have …
Hiking in Shenandoah
I haven’t decided which hike I’d like to do yet. I’m deciding from Riprap Hollow (9.6 miles) and Cedar/Whiteoak Canyon (8 or 9.3 miles depending on which way you go). They are each about an hour away, maybe less. Both have waterfalls and will be great hikes. You should bring: plenty of water, layers of warmer clothes, lunch Club provides: …
Hiking at Devil’S Marbleyard
This hike starts with a 1.5 mile hike to the base on the mountain. Then there is strenuous/fun uphill rock scramble over boulders of various sizes. There are great views at the top. I did this trip a couple years ago with the club and had a lot of fun. End time is an estimate. Doesn’t the name of this …
Day Hike: North Mountain
After posting two movie nights in just a matter of days; I thought it necessary to make up for such sedentary events by offering a grueling day hike. This hike is on the VA/ WVA border. (IT is not to be confused with Great North Mountain) The hike will begin on top of a ridge that has a very exposed …
Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics Discussion
“Leave No Trace (LNT) is a program that strives to educate visitors to public lands about the nature of their recreational impacts as well as techniques to prevent and minimize such impacts. LNT is best understood as an educational and ethical program, not as a set of rules and regulations. It’s a way of governing ourselves so that the government …
Hiking Camp Holiday Trail
The total distance of this hike is 5.7 miles. The entire trail goes around 2 lakes with some fairly steep hills. If it ends up being too tough for some people then we can just hike around the first lake that is 3.5 miles. Bring some water and food in case we take a break to enjoy the scenery. I …
Hiking Camp Holiday Trail
The total distance of this hike is 5.7 miles. The entire trail goes around 2 lakes with some fairly steep hills. If it ends up being too tough for some people then we can just hike around the first lake that is 3.5 miles. Bring some water and food in case we take a break to enjoy the scenery. I …
Hiking at Humpback Rocks
I did this hike with the outdoors club a couple years ago. It’s a fun time. Not too long, but pretty strenuous uphill rock scrambling. Gotta love the rock scrambling!! Start and end times are estimates coz I’m not sure how long the drive is or how long the hike is….I don’t remember. Club provides: gas money for drivers, ride …
Backpack Workshop, Backpacking Series
We will show you how to adjust several straps of a backpack. how to pack it for different kind of trips. difference of backpacks… if you have a backpack you are welcome to bring it and show it to others, backpacks are different. This workshop is from backpacking series. We had tents workshop that I think people liked it. we …
Fall Gauley & Climbing
We will be leaving here on Friday, October 1, and driving up to WV to camp for the night. We will be climbing all day Saturday and Sophie will be setting up a trip for those who don’t want to raft, but want to go climb for the day. You need to have some climbing experience to climb, but this …
Apple Picking at Carter Mountain Orchard
The plan: pick some apples in the orchard, enjoy the views, walk on the 2 mile trail through orchard, and check out all the yummy food at the apple barn. I don’t know how much it costs to pick apples (because its impossible to get ppl at Carter Mountain on the phone) but bring about $10 to be safe or …
Trail Running at Jones Run
I want to go run the Jones Run / Doyle River loop this Saturday. It’s about 7 miles. I’m not too into speed, and parts of it are steep, so it’ll probably be a slow pace or walking at times (gasp). Plus, it’s a really nice area and I might want to enjoy a little bit (there’s a swimming hole …
Tents Workshop, Backpacking Series
Ever wondered How to pitch a tent, pack it, clean it, find a good location for it and things like this? Come join us on the Lawn on Thursday for a quick workshop about this. You can bring your food and eat dinner there. we will quickly go over tents and differences like 2/3/4..pole, symmetric/unsymmetric, light tents/ 3 season/ 4 …
Sunday Study Break Day Hike
Sundays were not made for studying, they were made for the outdoors!! Come take a hike on Skyline Drive. We’ll be hiking the Dark Hollow Falls, a 1.5 mile hike that has excellent views of the falls. The club provides: a ride, gas, a fun time and a friendly trip leader (me!) You should bring: plenty of water and snacks
White Oak Canyon Day Hike
If you want to brave the bad weather we’re supposed to have this weekend and see some great waterfalls, this is your chance. White Oak Canyon is one of the more popular hikes in Shenandoah Park and I want to get my money’s worth out of my recent annual pass purchase! If you come on this hike and have a …
Sunset Hike at Shenandoah National Park
My favorite hike! We’ll take off early in the afternoon and get back when it’s nearly dark, so we’ll be hiking in the woods in the dusk. It’s really beautiful up there, and we’ll be hiking to the foot of a lesser-known waterfall, so if you want to swim, dress appropriately. Last year it wasn’t quite hot enough that I …
Old Rag Day Hike
This is a gorgeous hike. I’m taking other officers’ word for that — I actually haven’t been on this particular hike! But it’s a club favorite and I’ve been disappointed not to go on some of our past trips there. It’s easy to medium difficulty, and the views are spectacular (there are lots of photos in our photo gallery for …
Waterfall Hiking & Camping
This is one of my two favorite hikes in all of Shenandoah National Park! We’ll see lots of beautiful waterfalls up close, and even get to go on a natural waterslide (so please wear a bathing suit!)! The hike is 9.6 miles long and will take about 8 hours. This is not a backpacking trip so you won’t have to …
VA Beach Blowout! Sun & Sand, Paddling, Hiking, Biking, SCUBA,
Come make some new friends while paddling, hiking, and/or scuba-diving, or just veg on the beach! Then have a nice dinner & s’mores by the campfire, and sleep under the stars or in a tent. ***CATCH SOME RAYS, SWIM, & BUILD SANDCASTLES. A nice beach is just a short walk from our campsites. Also, there are free hot showers. ***GO …
AT/Shenandoah Nat’l Park long day hike
Long (say 15-17 mile) day hike on the Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah Nat’l Park. Start time is quite flexible–personally speaking, the earlier the better. Which trail segment we will do is by consensus of participants. In the event that by Friday evening Sunday’s forecast still calls for rain, we will step the trip back to Saturday. How long the trip …
The Great Smoky Mountains Hiking Extravaganza
We’re going to be going to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, for some fantastic hiking. Expect to see gorgeous foliage, crisp, cool streams, lots of wildlife, and incredible vistas that will amaze you!!! We will drive down on Saturday, do day hikes on Sunday and Monday, and drive back on Tuesday. Outdoors …