Below are ODATC's hikes for Jan and Feb
January 4 (Wednesday) Fredericksburg Historic Trail (C/4)
Hank Harman’s annual favorite with Alec Alexander (833-0361 or jrob505@verizon.net ). Hike 5-1/2 miles on the sidewalks of Fredericksburg. This historical hike includes a cemetery which contains the grave of Mary Washington (Mother of George). Lunch Downtown. Carpool from the south end of the parking lot in the Ashland/Hanover Shopping Center, located off the northeast corner of Route 54 and Route 1. We leave from there at 9:00 am, so please plan to be there earlier to co-ordinate carpools. If not carpooling, meet at the Downtown Fredericksburg Visitor’s Center at 9:50 am.
January 6-8 (Friday - Sunday) Canaan Valley, WV
Len Toledo (lenlint@embarqmail.com or (434)589-2827). This is a trip to Canaan Valley Resort for winter activities: hiking, snowshoeing, x-country skiing, tubing, ice skating, and/or downhill skiing. The type and number of activities will be based on group interests and weather/snow conditions. Options of resort lodging or camping. See canaanresort.com for more information and to make your lodging reservation. Meeting time and location TBD a week before the trip.
January 7 (Saturday) Newport News Park B/3
10+ miles on flat trails. This is chance for 6-8 mile hikers to increase your endurance on an easy hike with an option to shorten. Bring lunch and water. Contact Alec Alexander E-mail jrob505@verizon.net or 833-0361 for details including carpool.
January 9 (Monday) Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden - Festival of Lights - Henrico
Mary Stahl (271-3976 or 627-2644). This is a free member's night and the last night of the lights. The garden is open from 5-10pm. I am a member and can get a limited # of reduced price tickets. The tickets are $13 for adults and $11 for seniors 55+. The cafe is open for food and there is music in the Bloemendahl house. Contact Mary. Meet at 6:00 pm.
January 10 (Tuesday) ODATC General Meeting, 6:00 – 8:30 pm, Science Museum of Virginia, first floor Discovery Room
Join us at the November general meeting with guest speaker John Bander, Bicycling Enthusiast presenting Oregon to Virginia: A Big Ride Across America. Plus club updates, gear swap (bring your outdoor gear for give away or barter), and a chance to catch up with and meet new friends. Museum closes to public at 5:00, setting up before but any time after 6:00 is fine. Meeting officially starts 7:00 pm.
January 11 (Wednesday) No hike. Call Ted to coordinate a hike. Members would be notified by email.
January 14 & 15 Paul Wolfe Shelter Freezeree backpacking. (C/3)
Anne Gilson and Beth Kirwin will head up the annual January Freezeree. It will take place January 14 & 15, 2017. You will get a chance to test out your winter gear. We will meet at the Rockville Park and Ride on Saturday January 14 and carpool. We will eat lunch at Every Day Cafe in Charlottesville then drive to Rockfish Gap and park. The hike is five miles south on the AT to the Paul Wolfe shelter. Some people stay in the shelter and others choose to tent. Sunday morning we will hike back to our cars and head to Weezie's for breakfast in Waynesboro. The January Freezeree is a chance to celebrate those people who have birthdays in January. It is open to people who were born in January, know someone who was born in January or someone who was born any other month of the year. Call Beth at 804-212-6437 or email at elkirwin@gmail.com if you want to join us.
January 14 (Saturday) York River State Park B/3
10+ miles with views of a salt marsh and the York River. Another chance for 6-8 mile hikers to increase your endurance on a fairly easy hike with an option to shorten. Bring lunch and water. Contact Alec Alexander E-mail jrob505@verizon.net or 833-0361 for details including carpool.
January 16 (Monday) MLK Day Richmond Riverfront RVA (C/4)
Theresa Duffey (taduffey2054@comcast.net or 550-0955) An easy 5+/- mile hike around the Richmond riverfront. Bring water and snacks. My aim will be a late lunch at Legends! Meet at the parking lot at the south end of the 9th St Bridge at 10:00 am.
January 18 (Wednesday) Downtown Canal Walk to Church Hill RVA (C-4)
Jack Martin (678-8083 or rjmartiniii@gmail.com). Meet at the free parking lot on Tredegar Street between the 2nd Street connector and the Lee Bridge near The American Civil War Center (Tredegar). Start the Canal Walk eastwardly toward the Great Ship Lock, up the hill to Libby Hill Park, around Church Hill, pass St. John’s Church and return to the cars. About 6 miles. Meet at 9:50 am.
January 22 (Sunday) Corbin Mtn Adventure (2/B)
Distance 11.5 miles with elevation gain of ~2000 feet (Plus or minus)
This will be another adventure starting in Nicholson Hollow and hiking all the way to Corbin Cabin (PATC facility). We'll then climb Indian Run up the north side of Thorofare Mtn/Corbin Mtn to the Old Rag Fire Road. We'll proceed down Corbin Hollow where some of the largest trees in the park can be seen to the Weakley Hollow Fire Road. From there it is a short walk back to the cars. Contact Ted Nelson (theodore.nelson@yahoo.com or 804-892-5517) for more information.
January 25 (Wednesday) - Pocahontas State Park - South Section - Chesterfield (C/4)
Jeff Samuels (536-2671 or jefflsamuels@yahoo.com). Hike 6.3 miles in the south section on wide multi-use trails. See Gill-Dance Cemetery and Group Camp 7 Lake. Restrooms only at the start. Enter park at Bright Hope Horse Complex which is directly across the street from the main park entrance on Beach Road (Rt. 655) 4 miles west of Rt. 10 (Ironbridge Rd.). Those without a park pass must buy and display a daily parking pass ($4 cash) which can be obtained at the metal collection box 0.3 miles from the complex entrance. Meet at the parking area near the restroom at the far end of the horse complex at 9:20 AM
January 28 (Saturday) Willis River Trail-Cumberland County (B/3)
Jack Martin (rjmartiniii@gmail.com or 804/678-8083). Trail is moderate with a few strenuous inclines and stream crossings. 12 miles. Bring lunch and water. We will leave from Westchester Commons (Rt. 288/US 60, Midlothian Tnpk.). Meet in front of Joann’s Fabrics at 8:30 am.
February 1 (Wednesday) Deep Run Park – Henrico (C/4)
Alec Alexander (833-0361 or jrob505@verizon.net). For a 5 mile hike, meet in the parking lot closest to the entrance. Bathrooms are available. Meet at 9:00 AM.
February 4 (Saturday) Beaverdam Park B/3
9.1 miles a nice walk in the woods along the shoreline of Gloucester’s 635 acre reservoir. Bring lunch and water. Contact Alec Alexander E-mail jrob505@verizon.net or 833-0361 for details including carpool.
February 8 (Wednesday) Classic Richmond Neighborhoods RVA (D/4)
Ted McGarry (218-1238). One in a series of two-hour morning hikes by Richmond native and retired City Planner. Coordinator’s choice: Bellevue in Northside. Meet and park on MacArthur Ave. at W. Laburnum Ave. 23227. Optional lunch at a local eatery. Meet at 9:50 am.
February 11 (Saturday) - NE Section Off Trail - Pocahontas State Park - Chesterfield (B/2)
Jeff Samuels (jefflsamuels@yahoo.com or 536-2671). Up to half of this somewhat challenging +-10.5 mile hike will be off trail along the scenic shoreline and forest north of Swift Creek Lake. Start on established trails, including the infrequently traveled Nunnaly and Deerfield Forest Trails. Eat lunch below Swift Creek Lake spillway. Afterwards, venture mostly off trail. Some points of interest include: Remnants of what may have been a still, spectacular views of Swift Creek Lake, a cemetery, a beaver dam, and the park's largest CCC built dam. Experienced hikers only - must be comfortable hiking sustained off trail and on uneven terrain. Sorry, no short bailout options, so must be prepared to hike the entire distance. Bring lunch and water. Restrooms at start only. $5 parking fee without park pass. Contact Jeff for meeting location, meeting time, and questions.
February 10-12 (Friday - Sunday) Blackwater Falls, WV
Len Toledo (lenlint@embarqmail.com or (434)589-2827). This a trip to Blackwater Falls State Park for winter activities: hiking, snowshoeing, x-country skiing, and/or sledding. The type and number of activities will be based on group interests and weather/snow conditions. See blackwaterfalls.com for more information and to make your lodging reservation. Meeting time and location TBD a week before the trip.
February 15 (Wednesday) Cold Harbor National Battlefield Park – Mechanicsville (D/4)
Jim Hunt (730-2364 or hikerjimhunt@hotmail.com). The National Park Service has set up 3.5 miles of very interesting trails through this major battlefield which protected Richmond during the War for Southern Independence. The trails have been expanded beyond the description of hike #13 in Nathan Lott’s 60 Hikes within 60 Miles. From I-295, take Exit 34 Creighton Rd. (Rte. 615) east to VA 156, right turn (South) on VA 156 for 2.5 miles to the ranger station on Cold Harbor Road. Meet at 9:50 AM.
February 19 (Sunday) Hike to the Paul Wolfe Shelter (B/2).
Please join me on a hike to the club’s shelter. We will hike 5 miles in from Rockfish Gap, have a lovely picnic lunch and hike 5 miles back out. Great time to look at the valley below with the leaves off the trees. Call Aseeyah Rhinesmith (804-382-6186) or email solitude1957@hotmail.com for details. Limited to 10 participants.
February 20 (Monday) Presidents Day - Dealer’s Choice - SNP
David Olli (864-1461 his SMV number). Doyle’s River or Camp Hoover. Contact Dave for meeting location and time.
February 22 (Wednesday) Poor Farm Park - Ashland (D/4)
Jim Hunt (hikerjimhunt@hotmail.com or 804-730-2364). Meet at the Park picnic area for an easy 4 mile hike, finish with optional lunch at Suzanne’s. Take I-95 to Ashland Exit 92, travel VA 54 west thru Ashland for about 5 miles. Look for the brown park sign and turn left on Liberty School Road. Go to the end. If you pass Patrick Henry H.S. turn around. Meet at 9:50 am.
February 25 (Saturday) Virginia Capital Trail (B/3)
Jim Hunt (hikerjimhunt@hotmail.com) or 804-730-2364) This is the first of a series where we walk the length of the Virginia Capital Train. Part of this section goes under I-295 and leaves Rt. 5 and goes in the forest. Meet at the Four Mile Creek Park parking area just east of I-295 on the north side of Route 5 and opposite the Exxon store. Meet at 9:00 AM. We will shuttle to the starting point. Bring lunch and water.
February 25 (Saturday) Introduction to Backpacking Class
Mike Shelor (trailguymike@aol.com or 337-7076) is once again offering his
classroom presentation (approximately 7 hours) covering the backpacking basics of equipment,
food, hygiene, first aid and clothing to get you ready for overnights to thru hikes. This is a two
part class. The second part of the class will be a field exercise at a future date to experience a
night in the woods. Mike had dozens of club members who began backpacking after
taking this class. Contact Mike for information on time and place for the classroom session.
March 12 (Sunday) Hike Leader Dinner
