Jeff Monroe, Scoutmaster of Troop 1028, and Iva Gillet, President of the Charlottesville Chapter of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, join Les Sinclair to talk about National Trails Day and trails in the area.

Some related links:
This is the Charlottesville Family article:  http://issuu.com/ivypublications/docs/charlottesvillefamily_june_2014/46

Locally: Albemarle County has some great trails too. http://www.albemarle.org/department.asp?department=parks&relpage=4648

Hiking Upward is a website that a lot of folks use to scope out local trails if they want to hike on their own.  And the library has books on good hikes for hikers of all abilities, as do the local bookstores.  A really great first guidebook, published by the PATC, is Circuit Hikes in Shenandoah National Park, which costs under $10 and is updated very frequently (now in its 17th edition).  Heading up to Shenandoah National Park almost any day of the week will give you access to ranger led hikes. 

Gear – #1 is a good map and knowledge on how to read it.  Blue Ridge Mountain Sports sells trail maps of the area, and you can also buy them from the entrance station at Shenandoah National Park.  I recommend the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club’s maps because they are frequently updated and data is checked by members who are local to the area. National Geographic also publishes local trail maps under the “Trails Illustrated” label – these are not updated as regularly and do not appear to have local hikers checking their maps’ accuracy.

Hikers should also bring water, sunscreen, food, a small first aid kit, and a cell phone.  Jeff Monroe says, “All of this is why I think the best first step is go join the local trail club for a hike.  They will take care of new hikers and make sure they aren’t going too hard for their abilities.”

In addition to the hikes described in Charlottesville Family Magazine, popular local hikes include:

Humpback Rocks – 40 minute drive, 5 miles south on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Sherando Lake Loop – 40 minute drive, south of Waynesboro, finish off with a swim!  (Entrance Fee Required)

Crabtree Falls – 1 hour drive.  The ultimate local waterfall hike, but stay on the trail!  (Entrance Fee Required)

And if you cannot or do not want to leave town, don’t forget about the Rivanna Trail, which loops Charlottesville.  It is 20 miles long, and I take the Boy Scouts on a full loop every October, as described here.

Here are some local events associated with National Trails Day:

Ragged Mtn Trail Building (reservations req)

5K Run on High Bridge Trail State Park, Farmville (reservations req)

Big Meadows, Shenandoah NP Multiple Events (Shenandoah access charge req)

Local Potomac Appalachian Trail Club Hike to Bear Church Rocks  (Meet at Albemarle High School Parking Lot at 9AM with water and lunch.)