Take a Hike to the Museum of American...

This summer, the Smithsonian National Museum of American

History is featuring a gem of an ex-hibit on the Appalachian Trail’s first continuous thru-hiker, Earl Shaffer. Tucked away behind the escalator on the museum’s second floor, “Earl Shaffer and the Appalachian Trail” isn’t very large but packs a wallop in terms of conveying the sense of courage and pioneer spirit early thru-hikers needed to possess to accomplish their journeys.

Shaffer was the first person to walk the entire length of the Appala-chian Trail in one continuous hike. Shaffer started his trek at Mount Oglethorpe in Georgia in 1948 at a time when the trail was still being designed, constructed, and marked. Not much in the way of guidebooks, maps, or experienced AT hikers ex-isted to help point the way for travel-ers like him. Nevertheless, Shaffer had dreamed of hiking the trail since his youth, and, finally, at the age of 29 and after serving in World War II, he embarked upon the trip of his dreams to “walk the Army out of my system.” He completed his journey at Mount Katahdin in Maine four months later.

Notes from the Trail

As a person who enjoyed solitude, Shaffer generally walked the trail

In This Issue...

The High Cost of Swimming in the Potomac ...........................................................3

Appalachian Nature ........................................................4

In Memoriam .........................................................................5

Appalachian Trail Guide Book to Shenandoah National Park and Side Trails .......................................................................5

PATC Award Nominations .........................................5

PATC Volunteers ...............................................................5

Lee’s Overlook .....................................................................6

Leave No Trace Trainer Course ............................6

Reader Survey About the Potomac Appalachian ...........................................7

New Editor Wanted .........................................................9

Map 2-3, AT in Michaux State Forest, PA ........9

Trail Patrol New Member Training ......................9

Forecast .................................................................................10

Trailhead ................................................................................16Ads, Swaps, Volunteer Opportunities ...........18

New Boots ...........................................................................18

Cabin Memories de Plume ....................................19Help Wanted ......................................................................19

Take a Hike to the Museum of American History

The Newsletter of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club118 Park Street, S.E., Vienna, VA 22180-4609www.patc.net

Volume 39, Number 9September 2009

ISSN 098-8l54

alone. His only companion was his little black notebook, which he used as a diary to record the events of each day.

May 26: In the afternoon I came to Crampton Gap. Large aban-doned mansion and across the road is memorial arch in honor of War Correspondents with plaque nearby detailing the activities there dur-ing Civil War. In morning had passed Harpers Ferry about 11am, very foggy but took pic. Crossed Po-tomac on bridge and followed tow path along Canal, then climbed to Weverton Cliffs. Arrived Rock Run Lean-to before sunset.

The Smithsonian exhibition features Shaffer’s little black notebook itself as well as photographs he took along the way. The exhibit also features an interactive display that allows visitors to click on various places along the AT and see relevant excerpts from the little black notebook diary. The boots Shaffer wore throughout the entire 2,000-mile journey are also on display.

After his first thru-hike, Shaffer went on to devote much of the rest of his life to advocating on behalf of the AT, and parks and wilderness in

Earl Shaffer’s AT hiking boots.

Ph

oto

by

Ca

roli

ne P

ett

i

We want your input! Please complete the Reader Survey about

the Potomac Appalachian on page 7.

(continued on p. 2)

There’s a long footpath along the crest

Of the Appalachian chain

On the cloud-high hills so richly blest

With sun and wind and rain.

—Earl Shaffer

‘

‘

general. He also completed two more thru-hikes, the last in 1998 at the age of 79. Shaffer died in 2002.

September 2009 • Potomac Appalachian2

Address: 118 Park Street, S.E., Vienna, VA 22180Phone #: 703/242-0315Hours: Monday through Thursday, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM; Thursday and Friday 12:00 noon to 2:00 PM

Fax #: 703/242-0968Club E-mail: [email protected]: www.patc.netClub President (leave a message), Lee Sheaffer: 703/242-0315

HOW TO CONTACT US, Headquarters, Sales, Cabin Reservations, And Membership Information

Staff, During regular business hours

Position Staff Extension E-mail Staff Director Wilson Riley (Ext 105) [email protected] Trails Management Coordinator Heidi Forrest (Ext 107) [email protected] Business Manager Monica Clark (Ext 106) [email protected] Membership/Cabin Coordinator Pat Fankhauser (Ext 108) [email protected] Sales Coordinator Maureen Estes (Ext 103) [email protected] Lands Management Sonya Breehey (Ext 104) [email protected]

Potomac Appalachian Layout Editor: Stephanie Helline Editor: Gwenola Rolland-Chatila, [email protected] Features Editor: Joanne Erickson Forecast Editor: Vince Ferrari, [email protected]

Club Officers & Chairs Contact Infowww.patc.net then select [*contact us] from the list on the left or call the main number. Contact list published twice annually in the PA.Change of Address? Contact: [email protected]

Take a Hike, from page 1

“Earl Shaffer and the

Appalachian Trail” will be at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History until Oct. 11, 2009; second floor east; Alfred H. Small Documents Gallery. The museum is located on the National Mall at 14th and Constitution Streets,NW in Washington, D.C. Free.

“The Trail of My Life: The Gene Espy Story”

can be purchased through the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Go to www.atctrailstore.org and click on “Hiking Memoirs” or call toll-free 1-888/AT-STORE. $16.95 for ATC members and $19.95 for non-members.

Second Pioneer Featured

On the day I was at the exhibit, I was fortunate because the Smithsonian had arranged a book-signing event with Gene Espy, the Appalachian Trail’s second thru-hiker in 1951. Espy is the author of a recent book entitled, “The Trail of My Life: The Gene Espy Sto-ry” (2008, Indigo Publishing Group). The book is an enthralling account of Espy’s adventures on the Appala-chian Trail and the life’s lessons that prepared him for meeting the trail’s many challenges. Again, one is struck by the strength of character, purpose, and resolve it must have taken to step

PATC Volunteers Randy Motz and Caroline Petti join Gene Espy, the AT’s second thru-hiker, at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

out into the great unknown of the Appalachian Trail in those early years. These early thru-hikers are inspiration to all who follow in their footsteps and stand as testament to the value of all that was and contin-ues to be done to develop, maintain, and protect the AT. n

—Caroline Petti

September 2009 • Potomac Appalachian 3

Ph

oto

s b

y S

teve

De

lan

oy

On the Billy Goat Trail, Steve Delanoy, who has been a volunteer ranger in the C&O Canal National Park for more than 10 years.

One of the most “popular” spots to jump off the cliff...

jump off the cliff, not knowing what lies below. At times the river is high, at times it is low; it may look calm, but it is very dangerous. Strong currents, cold water, and large rock formations can quickly incapacitate swimmers. The river is not forgiving.

About a week ago, we helped one of our rangers with 15 teenagers he caught swimming from the Virginia side across the Potomac to the cliff to jump off. It took about an hour to get their information from dispatch and write tickets. Three of the kids gave the wrong names, so they each got an extra ticket.

One of the added benefits of enforc-ing the swimming law was that when these 15 teens were getting tickets, another 20 some kids were watching from behind rocks, and on the other side of the river were about five kids watching their swimming accom-plices get busted! And this is how the word gets out.

Punishment Fitting the Crime

Now for the next de-velopment. The kids had, of course, left their clothes, shoes, keys, and phones on the other side of the river. After they got their tickets, the kids were on their way home, in any way they could except for swimming across the river to Virginia.

They set out with

bare feet, most had no shoes, some had towels. Their experience while visiting our park is one they won’t soon forget!

Experienced hikers can have prob-lems on the trail with good shoes, but just imagine walking out of the Billy Goat Trail on bare feet, then down the towpath from the emer-gency exit to Anglers. It hurts me just to think about it.

Down by the bridge at Anglers, I looked up to see a few of the teens hobbling down the towpath. As they passed us, a few of them asked for bandages. At this time, I felt a little bad for them, but the fact is, all of them got to go home! Because some aren’t so lucky.

The river is fast, strong, and looks so calm on the top. If you are caught in a hydraulic, regardless of your swim-ming ability, you can find yourself in trouble that you can’t get out of. But so many young people think and feel, “It can’t happen to me”--as did I when I was younger—and while you hope it won’t happen, it may, as it has to so many unfortunate others.

Most people also do not think about what it costs the park to keep them safe. The emergency response to a swimmer in the water--or a body re-covery--can cost as much as $30,000 to $50,000, and that’s before the cost of patient care.

So please, let’s get the word out about swimming in the river--it may save the life of someone you know. Be safe, and enjoy our park! n

—Steve Delanoy

As we know, PATC works with many partners to maintain

hiking trails in four states and the District of Columbia: Great Falls National Historical Park is one of them.

Steve Delanoy has been a volunteer ranger in the C&O Canal National Park for more than 10 years. He explains how swimming can cost you your life or that of a friend.

Some people who visit Great Falls on the C&O Canal walk down on the boardwalk to see the spectacular scenic view at the overlook of Great Falls. But for the brave at heart who are courageous and love hiking, there is Billy Goat Trail section A. It’s a strenuous and dangerous ter-rain, but it’s one of the best hiking trails on the East Coast, as long as you stay out of the Potomac River.

Unfortunately, this year represents the worst in five years, with five accidental drownings so far, with August just begun. Yet the kids are coming out to the BGT to swim and

The High Cost of Swimming in the Potomac

The emergency response to a swimmer in the water--or a body recovery--can cost as much as $30,000 to $50,000, not to men-tion the cost of patient care.


confusing fall warblers, among oth-ers. Perhaps of more interest to many of us is the ridgetop migration of hawks. In addition to Hawks Gap and Waggoner’s Gap in Pennsylvania, birders are found daily in the fall at Snicker’s Gap, at the Route 7 cross-ing of the Blue Ridge in Virginia. Snicker’s Gap is at its best from Sept. 14 to 21, when thousands of migrat-ing broad-winged hawks stream past overhead on a good day. Migrating bats, butterflies, and dragonflies can be observed here as well.

Mating Rituals

Wasps, bees, and ants, the social insects of the order Hymenoptera--undergo their mating rituals in September. Throughout the year, these colonial insects, including paper wasps, yellowjackets, hornets, and black carpenter ants, have been exclusively females, obtaining food, fighting enemies, caring for the queen, and raising more females. Now, through a change in diet, initiated by decreasing sunlight, the queen’s eggs yield males and queens who, after metamorphosis, leave the nest in swarms of flying masses. The males grasp the queens and mate with them, falling to the ground. With the wasps and bees, only the mated queens will overwinter to start new colonies in the spring; all female workers and males perish.

In the case of ants, many of the female workers survive the winter underground. Mated queen ants are either taken back by the overwinter-ing females or overwinter on their own. In all cases, the males are short lived, serving their purpose and then simply starving to death.

While many spiders mate in the fall, then perish, leaving only an egg sack to overwinter, some young spider-ling species at this time of the year go ballooning on gossamer strands of silk. This allows them to scat-ter by the winds to new territories for overwintering and colonization.

Most of the ballooning spiders are of the family Linyphiidae. Some species are so common that hundreds of thousands of them may live on an acre of land.

Preparing for the Big Sleep

September is a month of prepara-tion for the mammals of our forests. White-tailed deer fawns lose their spotted summer coats, molting into a drab winter brown coat. Adult bucks will be rubbing off the velvet from their completed antlers, tearing and scraping many small trees and shrubs found along hiking trails.

By the end of this month, our true hibernator, the groundhog, or woodchuck, succumbs to the desire to sleep. While there are many adap-tations to survive the winter season, only the groundhog, jumping mice, and some bat species exhibit what we would call true hibernation (some experts will include chipmunks in this category). During hibernation, the groundhog’s body temperature drops from 98° F to 40 - 47° F, heart rate drops from 100 to 4-15 beats per minute, and respiration rate drops to one breath every three or four minutes. True hibernators must wake every month or so during the hibernating period to defecate and to exercise the brain.

Black bears are said not to truly hibernate, because, although their bodily processes are slowed, they are not suppressed to the extent found in the deep hibernators. Their body temperature decreases from 100° F to 91° F, heart rate drop from 45 beats to 13 per minute, and breath-ing decreases to two to four times per minute. September finds black bears quite mobile, looking for food sources, such as apple orchards or cornfields, waiting for the oak acorn crop to mature. They will not enter their winter dens until late Novem-ber or early December. n

—Bob Pickett

Alas, September is our last sum-mer month. Although tempera-

tures have been falling since mid-July, the metabolism of the forest continues to breathe in and out through photosynthesis and respira-tion. Next month is when our Gaian natural world shuts down its engine and moves into winter mode.

September is the time of fruiting for many plants. Ginseng, with its bright red berries, is traditionally harvested at this time. The white-fruited doll’s eye also stands out. Whether these highly-toxic white fruits with the black ends were really used for doll’s eyes, I don’t know, but I hope it is only apocryphal. And, if you haven’t tried paw paws, look for them along the Potomac River or in your larger farmers markets.

For the most part, only the most advanced of the dicot plants, belong-ing to the Aster family (Asteraceae), produce many members that flower during this month, such as numer-ous asters, goldenrods, ironweeds and Eupatoriums, including Joy-Pye weed, white snakeroot, and the bonesets. Their ability to produce fruits in less than a month enables them to take advantage of the pol-linating insects that still dominate in September.

Birds and Bugs

To pollinate these late-season flow-ers, many butterfly species have a second brood, or even a third brood, including most swallowtails, red-spotted purples, silver-spotted skippers, fall webworms, and the carnivorous harvester butterfly. This last butterfly is our only carnivorous species, as well as the only species in the harvester family (all others are found in Asia and Africa). Caterpil-lars consume aphids or other small insects where their eggs have been laid, and adults feed only on aphid secretions, rather than flowers.

September is the season of the fall bird migration. That means the

Appalachian Nature

Activity Flurry Focuses on Perpetuating Life


Dede Bauer died on

June 27 at the age of 93. She had moved to her home state of New York after about four decades in the Wash-ington area, where she worked as a

research scientist at NIH and volun-teered for numerous PATC activities.

PATC Award Nominations

In Memoriam: P

ho

to b

y La

ura

Bu

chh

eit

Ph

oto

by

Pa

tric

ia F

an

kh

au

ser

Volunteers enjoy fall foliage at Shenandoah National Park while raising visitor awareness, knowledge, and appreciation of designated wilderness during Wilder-ness Weekend 2008. Join us this year for the 9th annual Wilderness Weekend, Oct. 17-18. See Forecast for details.

Adelia C. Bauer (1916-2009)

PATC is now accepting nomina-tions for both Honorary Life Award and the Myron Avery Award. Both of these awards will be given at our annual meeting on Nov. 10, 2009. The Honorary Life Award is given to individuals who have contributed significantly to PATC over many years with their service in all areas of the club. The award is granted by a vote of the PATC Council.

The Myron Avery Award is given to one individual who has made a significant and substantial contribu-

tion to PATC over the past year. This award is granted by the PATC Executive Committee and cannot be a current member of the Execu-tive Committee. PATC members are encouraged to nominate candidates who they feel deserve these recogni-tions by e-mailing to [email protected]. The nomination should include the candidate’s name and a short explanation why that person should be considered for the award. All nominations need to be posted by Sept. 28, 2009. n

cabins, among others. Her favorite cabin was Doyle River; she served as co-overseer of that cabin for about 25 years. And in the years after she retired, she helped out at the cabins desk at Headquarters by preparing key packets for renters.

Travel was another of Dede’s great passions. She visited every continent and did mountain climbing or trek-king in North and South America, Europe, and Asia.

In her photography, as in all of her pursuits, Dede worked behind the scenes and put the spotlight on other people. Wherever Dede went, she spread her gifts of optimism and cheerfulness. Everyone who met her will always remember her radiant smile. n

Photography was one of Dede’s greatest loves; Dede was seldom without her camera. Thus it was natural that Dede headed PATC’s Photos and Exhibits Committee for many years. She prepared photo-graphic exhibits and slide shows for PATC Headquarters and for publica-tions, as well as for several Appala-chian Trail Conference meetings in the 1970s.

Dede was also a regular on cabin crews, helping to build Sexton, Jones Mountain, and the Vining Tract

Appalachian Trail Guide to Shenandoah National Park

with Side Trails, 13th ed.

Packed with essential, up-to-date information for hiking the Shenan-doah National Park, this book cov-ers all the Appalachian Trail inside Shenandoah National Park and ALL side trails inside the Park. New for the 2009 edition—eleva-tion profiles at the beginning of each section of the AT, current park regulations for hiking and camping, up-to-date info on trails, a section on PATC cabins in and near the park, as well as a brand new section on natural history of the park! Trails in this guide are shown on PATC Maps 9, 10, and 11. Available now at our Vienna Head-quarters or www.patc.us/ store today! Item #PB 120 for $9.60 members, $12.00 non-members.


Lee’s Overlook

The Firewall

It had been a hard but wonder-ful day on the trail, and now the

hiking was over and we were set-tling into our lean-to. I had taken my sons to hike the Devil’s Path in the Catskills Mountains of New York. This 25-mile trail packs quite a punch, with expansive views, north-ern forest, waterfalls, and 9,000 feet of altitude gain. After the second and most grueling day, which ended in a jump in a waterfall, we were getting dinner ready when one of my sons asked, “Who pays for all this?”

“Who pays for what?” I replied.

“All this, the trail, the shelter--all this.”

“Well, we are on state land, so I

guess the state of New York paid for all this,” was my response.

“It seems like an awful lot of work and expense for just a few hikers,” said my son.

“Well, most of the work is done by volunteers, so that cost the state nothing,” I said.

That was when it hit me, trail main-taining clubs like PATC and the New York/New Jersey Trail Confer-ence and their volunteer members are the last line of defense. Without the volunteer labor to maintain trails and build and maintain shelters, there would be no Devil’s Path or Appalachian Trail, or Old Rag and White Oak Canyon. While the land is owned by a government entity,

that entity usually has very little money or expertise to build and maintain a trail system.

Keepers of the Trail

In times of financial crisis, one of the first things to get cut is park infra-structure. This means things like trails, shelters, and other non-critical infrastructure do not get main-tained. However, the trails continue to be open, maintained, and in good shape because willing volunteers are working hard to keep them open. If there were no volunteers to keep these trails open, many would simply disappear and others would not be maintained to the standards they are today. It is these volunteers who make sure that the visitor experience is both full and more open than if there was no volunteer labor on our government lands.

It is also organizations like PATC that have the organization and expertise to both build and maintain these trail systems. In fact, PATC maintains trails in eight national parks and many more state and local parks. The cost to these parks is a small administrative cost compared to the huge labor and material cost it would take to maintain the hundreds of miles of trail that we maintain with volunteers.

So PATC and our volunteers act as a fire wall. Many now know this term from computer software, but the original meaning was literally a wall that would stop a fire--a wall made of brick or masonry that a fire could not penetrate. In times when there is no money for governments to provide the infrastructure for a trail system, organizations like PATC are there to continue to provide the labor and expertise to keep these trails and shelters open and acces-sible. When it comes to keeping the trails and shelters open, we are the firewall. I like to use a variation on the on the theme from the movie “Field of Dreams;” you own it, we will build it, and they will come. n

—Lee Sheaffer

Potomac Appalachian Trail Club Trail Patrol Presents

Leave No Trace Trainer CourseOctober 3 - 4, 2009The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club’s Trail Patrol is offering this two-day, cabin format course designed to enhance your understanding of Leave No Trace prac-tices and ethics and to increase your level of expertise and confidence in teach-ing Leave No Trace skills. Through focused activities, hands-on field experience and both formal and informal discussions, you will be introduced to concepts and methods that will advance your knowledge of Leave No Trace issues, expand your repertoire of low-impact skills and increase your effectiveness in teaching these important skills to others. This is a fun course in which all participants have a part in demonstrating the choices that can be made to minimize our impact on the land and our resources. After completing this course, participants will be registered as Leave No Trace Trainers with the national Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and will receive a certificate of course completion as well as their Leave No Trace Trainer lapel pin.What to Bring: Participants will sleep in beds/cots inside the cabin, there are no linens supplied, so bring a sleeping bag and pillow. The cabin has electricity, a full kitchen and modern bathroom. Participants should pack a lunch for Saturday and Sunday; all other meals will be provided. At the time of registration partici-pants will receive a planning packet that will include a detailed packing list.When: Sat. – Sun., October 3 - 4 Where: Pinnacles Research Station Cabin, Shenandoah National ParkCost: $40.00 for PATC Members, $60.00 for Non-member (Join PATC at the time of registration and get the member price!) The cost covers course materials and some meals.Course Size: Limited to 8 participants. Register early!Registration: Please contact Cindy Kelly at [email protected] or 410/939-5029 to confirm availability and reserve your spot in this course prior to mailing in the registration form which is (available on-line at http://potomacappalachian.org by following the Training link). Send registration form along with payment to: PATC, LNT Trainers Course, 118 Park Street, SE, Vienna, VA 22180-4609. Please include your e-mail address on the check. Information: Cindy Kelly ([email protected]), 410-939-5029


Reader Survey about the Potomac Appalachian

The editors of the Potomac Appalachian are seeking reader input. As part of our continuous effort to improve the Potomac Appalachian, this survey will help us to gauge readers’ views and interests in the format and content of the newsletter.

The following survey can be taken online at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=dxSbpAhXLftzQblSECQoIg_3d_3d

Or, you can tear out this page, fill in the survey form by hand, and send it to: Pat Fankhauser, Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, 118 Park Street, S.E., Vienna, VA 22180.

Either way, please take a few minutes to complete the survey before September 30, 2009. Your responses will be kept completely confidential. We appreciate your time and interest.

A. Delivery

The Potomac Appalachian is currently mailed to all PATC members. Please let us know if you would rather receive an electronic version instead of the hard-copy version. Receiving the newsletter electronically will save PATC money and help protect the environment by reducing use of fuel, paper, and ink. Whatever response you choose below, you will retain the option to change your preferred delivery method at any time. 1. Would you prefer to receive an electronic version of the Potomac Appalachian instead of your current hard-copy

version? ____ Yes. I’d prefer to receive an electronic version of the Potomac Appalachian instead of the hard-copy version

I now receive in the mail.

____ No. I’d prefer to continue receiving a hard-copy of the Potomac Appalachian in the mail.

2. If you answered “Yes” to question 1, please provide us the e-mail address to use to send you a link to the electronic version of the Potomac Appalachian at a later date: ___________________________________________.

B. Format

3. PATC is considering adding color to the newsletter. Keeping in mind that adding color will add cost to the publication, which of the following do you prefer?

____ Add color

____ Keep black and white

4. PATC is considering the possibility of transitioning to a more “environmentally friendly” printing process (e.g., recycled paper, soy-based ink) for the Potomac Appalachian. How important is this to you?

____ Very important

____ Somewhat important

____ Not important

5. PATC is considering accepting hiking-related paid advertisements in the Potomac Appalachian. How do you feel about this?

____ PATC should accept paid advertisements in the Potomac Appalachian.

____ PATC should not accept paid advertisements in the Potomac Appalachian.

C. Content

6. The Forecast is a day-by-day calendar of hikes, meetings, courses, and other events. Should the Forecast be removed from the Potomac Appalachian and provided only on the PATC Website?

____ Yes; remove the Forecast from the Potomac Appalachian, but continue to provide it on the PATC Website.

____ No; I prefer for it to remain in both the Potomac Appalachian and on the PATC Website.

(continued on p. 8)


8. If there are topics that you would like to see in the Potomac Appalachian that aren’t currently part of the publication, please describe them below:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. What do you like most about the Potomac Appalachian?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. If you could change one thing about the Potomac Appalachian, what would it be?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

11. Do you have any additional comments about the format or content of the Potomac Appalachian?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

12. What is your favorite source of information about hiking and trails-related activities in the mid-Atlantic states?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

D. Information About You

Please provide the following

Reader Survey about the Potomac Appalachian

7. Which of the following regular features of the Potomac Appalachian do you find interesting and/or useful? (Check all that apply.) ____ Cover Story

____ Editor’s Remarks

____ Council Fire ____ (monthly PATC Council meeting minutes)

____ Lee’s Overlook (President’s Comments)

____ Half Tails (a.k.a. “The Famous Peabody”)

____ Appalachian Nature

____ Trailhead (update of member work activities on trails, cabins, shelters)

____ Forecast (information on planned hikes, work trips, and meetings)

____ Chapter Information (about PATC Chapters and Sections)

____ Training Opportunities

____ Member Ads and Swaps

information about yourself.

13. Gender ____ Male

____ Female

14. Age: ____ under 18

____ 18–34

____ 35–49

____ 50–64

____ over 65

15. Approximate number of years you have been a PATC member:

____ not currently a member

____ less than 1 year

____ 1–5 years

____ 6–10 years

____ 11 years or more

16. Number of children: ___________

17. Ages of children (check all that apply):

____ under 5

____ 5–12

____ 13–21

____ over 21

18. Education level:

____ High school

____ Some college/Jr. college

____ College graduate

____ Post-graduate

19. What is your primary reason for PATC membership?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for your time and for helping us make the Potomac Appalachian a better newsletter!


Trail Patrol New Member TrainingSaturday October 24th, 2009 at Glass HouseTrail Patrol volunteers provide a reassuring presence to hikers, monitor trail conditions, and render assistance to the public when necessary. At this one-day course new Trail Patrol members will learn essential skills such as Leave No Trace, planning and preparing for patrols, and emergency procedures. We’ll also review basic land navigation and map skills prior to hitting the trail for an afternoon hike. Those who want to make a weekend of it can take advantage of the optional overnight acco-modations at Glass House on Friday and/or Saturday night. For more information and registration, go to http://www.patc.us/volunteer/trailpatrol/Members/Training.htm or e-mail [email protected]

We Want Your Input!

We want to know what’s on your mind about PATC’s monthly news-letter, the Potomac Appalachian (PA). We want to know what you like (and don’t like) about the PA and any changes you’d like to see to the content or format.

To help us get a better under-standing of the views of our read-ers, we have developed a brief survey. This survey will also help us identify those of you who would prefer to receive the PA electroni-cally via e-mail.

A link to our survey can be found online at: http://www.surveymon-key.com/s.aspx?sm=dxSbpAhXLftzQblSECQoIg_3d_3d

A paper version of the survey can be found on page 7 of this issue of the Potomac Appalachian. Please take a few moments to complete either the on-line or paper version of the survey before September 30, 2009. All responses will be kept confidential.

Thank you for your time and for helping us make the Potomac Appalachian a better newsletter! n

PATC LOOKING FOR NEW EDITORPATC is currently looking for a new editor for the Potomac Appalachian. This posi-tion will include identifying possible topics for articles for the monthly newsletter, collecting and editing all material received, editing for size and space, working with and recruiting new members of the PA committee to ensure correctness and qual-ity, and finally, preparing a proof for correction and printing. As with all volunteer positions, editor role experience is helpful but not required. This is an excellent way to either enhance or learn new skills that have professional applications. This new applicant must have good communication skills and be able to work with others as a team. For further information and to apply for this position, please contact Lee Sheaffer at [email protected]. n

Map 2-3, AT in Michaux State Forest, Pa.

GPS

Compatib

leSections

12 and 13

of Appalachian Trail

in Pennsylvania

Copyright 1994

Revised January 2009Edition 11, 2009

Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, Inc.118 Park Street, SE

Vienna, Virginia 22180

Compiled and Published by

MAP 2-3APPALACHIAN TRAIL

PA Route 94 to US Route 30 and other trails in

MICHAUX STATE FORESTCALEDONIA STATE PARK, PINE GROVE FURNACE STATE PARK,

KINGS GAP ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION & TRAINING CENTERPENNSYLVANIA

Hot off the presses! The 2009 edition of Map 2-3, AT in

Michaux State Forest, PA, (PA-94 to US-30) covering sections 12-13 of the AT as described in the “AT Guide for Pennsylvania” is now available! The map covers Sections 12 and 13 (30.5 miles) of the AT as described in the “AT Guide for Pennsylvania”. Printed on water-resistant, tear-resistant synthetic stock in 6 colors with a

scale of 1:50,000 and contour inter-val of 20 feet, this map has detailed enlargements of Caledonia State Park and Pine Grove Furnace State Park and all trails in the Kings Gap Environmental Education & Train-ing Center. The map is GPS com-patible. This 11th edition features a more detailed, accurate depiction of roads and the AT corridor plus over 25 landmark buildings to help hikers find the trailheads. Get your copy at

our Vienna Headquarters or www.patc.us/store today! Item #PA 110 for $4.80 members, $6.00 non-members. n

Potomac Appalachian(UPS-440-280) ©2009, Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, Inc.Published monthly by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, 118 Park Street, S.E., Vienna, VA 22180. Periodical class postage paid at Vi-enna, VA. Postmaster: send address changes to: PATC, 118 Park Street, S.E., Vienna, VA 22180 Subscrip-tion: (Free with membership) $9.00 annually; $.75 single copies.


Forecast

Chapters

Meetings

Charlottesville ChapterThe Charlottesville Chapter hikes every Satur-day; summer, winter, and in between. Hikes are usually 8 to 10 miles with some short er hikes. We usually maintain trails on the last Saturday of the month. Meet at Albemarle High School in Charlottesville at 9:00 AM with food and water for the day. The majority of hikes are in the South and Central Districts of SNP, with some in the North District and in George Washington Na-tional Forest. Our Chapter hikes are posted at www.avenue.org/patc/future_ hikes.htm. INFO: Jere Bidwell 434/295-2143 or John Shannon 434/293-2953.

North Chapter The North Chapter conducts monthly trail work trips on the Maryland and Pennsylvania sec tions of the AT and Tuscarora Trail. We also lead hikes on these and other trails. Maryland AT work trips are generally held on the first and third Saturdays - contact Leonard Keifer ([email protected]). Pennsylvania work trips are gener-ally held on the AT on the first Saturday and on the Tuscarora on the third Saturday - contact Pete Brown (peter.brown4@ worldnet.att.net) 410/343-1140. Pennsylvania AT work trips also include an optional Saturday dinner at the Gypsy Spring Cabin. For informa tion on upcoming hikes, contact Chris Firme ([email protected]) 717/765-4833. North Chapter home page (www.north.patc.net).

Northern Shenandoah Valley Chapter Bounded by geography and the principles of the “Mother Club,” the NSVC is much like the early PATC, a group of friends joining together to hike and have fun. The Chapter usually holds at least one hike per month. Members organize hikes of easy-to-moderate length and difficulty in SNP, on the Massanutten Mountain, and elsewhere. Quarterly post-hike, potluck dinner meetings are normally held at one of the club’s cabins with an opportunity to stay overnight in the cabin. Events may be found in the “Forecast” section of the newsletter, or at www.PATC.net. All are invit ed. INFO: Jack Reeder (BRIMS9672@ mypacks.net).

Southern Shenandoah Valley Chapter See www.ssvc.org or the link on the PATC Web site for descriptions of hikes and work trips. We usually hike in the southern and central districts of the SNP and in the GWNF. Contact the listed hike leader for information about a specific event, or contact Mark Gatewood at 540/248-0442.

West Chapter The West Chapter meets twice a year in March and September at various locations within the Chapter’s coverage area. The Chapter main-tains the Black Locust Trail and the southern-most section of the Catoctin Trail in Gambrill State Park (MD). Trailwork trips and hikes are scheduled from March through December. Day hikes, overnight weekend hiking trips, and back packing trips are occasionally scheduled. All activities are listed on the PATC Web site calen dar and on the Chapter’s Yahoo group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PATCWest) to communicate to Chapter members and to post activities. This is open to anyone who is interest-ed, however only current PATC members may post messages. Contact Dave Jordahl ([email protected]) 240/777-7741.

Ski Touring Section (STS) Since 1974 the STS has served to provide cross-country skiing experiences for beginner through expert. The Section sponsors winter weekend ski trips to the mountains in Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania; there are also more extensive trips that travel west, north, and across the ocean. Social events are scheduled throughout the year. If you share a respect for nature, enjoy outdoor exercise, peaceful scenic trails, and cheerful, good-hearted companions - join STS. Contact: Peggy Alpert, ([email protected]) 301/946-4497.

Mountaineering Section We’re a diverse group of local DC-area climb-ers. We also share common interests in promot-ing safe climbing, conserving the out doors, developing new climbers’ skills, repre senting the Washington-area climbing commu nity, and hav-

ing fun! We provide instruction for those wanting to learn the basics - we’re not a school, but we can get you started. We go climbing, either locally or further a field, nearly every weekend. In the winter we organize trips for beginning and advanced ice climbers. Please visit our Web site at www.potomac mountainclub.org/. Contact Bob Graver ([email protected]).

PATC Hikes PATC offers diverse organized hikes. There are K-9 Hikes, which invite you to bring your favorite dog; Family Hikes tailored to kids; Natural History Hikes stalking the fascinating but often elusive flora and fauna of the region; hikes featuring varying levels of difficulty with the Easy Hikers, In-Between Hikers, and Vigorous Hikers; Birding Hikes with experts to help sight and identify our avian neighbors; Historical Hikes tracking little-known struc tures in SNP; Series Hikes tracing the entire length of the Tusca-rora Trail or the trails of Pennsylvania, section by section; Backpacking Hikes traversing the tracts of West Virginia and Southern Virginia; hikes scheduled for weekends; ones scheduled for weekdays; Geology Hikes led by experts from the Smithsonian focused on the unique stratigraphy of our area; Mushroom Hikes with mycologists; Waterfall Hikes to beat the sum-mer heat; and Outreach Hikes to get together with the members of area groups like the Sierra Club or the Congressional Hikers. Check out the Forecast calendar and hear updates on the weekly tape (703/242-0965).

Other Clubs’ Hikes Capital (www.capitalhikingclub.org) and Wanderbirds (www.wanderbirds.org) hike on Saturdays and Sundays, traveling by bus and leaving from downtown, with suburban stops as well. Center Club, Northern Virginia Hiking Club and Sierra Club hike on both Saturdays and Sundays using carpools. Schedules are avail-able at PATC Headquarters and are pub lished in area newspapers on Fridays. West Virginia Highland Conservancy outings information at www.wvhighlands.org.

Meetings at PATC HQ, 118 Park Street, S.E., Vienna, VA unless otherwise noted.

New Members – First Wednesday of each MonthCheck Forecast schedule. Curious about the club? Want to learn more? The best way is to attend a New Members Meeting (both current and non-members are welcome!) Attend the meeting and find the mysteries of PATC revealed in full. INFO: Alan Day ([email protected]) 703/860-0181.

Mountaineering – Second Wednesday 8:00 PM – We meet every month on the second Wednesday except for August, unless noted in the Forecast. INFO: Bob Graver ([email protected]) or our web site: www.potomacmountainclub.org.

Shenandoah Mountain Rescue Group (SMRG) – Last Tuesday Business meeting – Last Tuesday of each month, 7:30 PM INFO: Doug Sigman ([email protected]) or www.smrg.org

PATC Council – Second Tuesday The council meets at 7:00 PM sharp. The PATC Council meets every month, except January and July, to conduct business of the club and in November for a dinner meeting. All members are always welcome. Come see how we make deci-sions about your club. INFO: Wilson Riley ([email protected]) 703/242-0693 X105.

Trail Patrol – First Tuesday 7:30 PM except January. Trail Patrol volunteers are PATC’s goodwill trail ambassadors to the hiking public. They provide a visible, reas-suring presence on the trails, and strive to educate the public on good hiking practices, minimum impact hiking, and camping ethics. Patrol members are trained in land navigation, emergency procedures, radio communications, and personal equipment. INFO: Katrina Hedlesky ([email protected]) 703/533-3652, or see our Web site: www.patc.us/volunteer/trailpatrol/


Forecast

September

1 (Tuesday)DEADLINE – October Potomac Appalachian Material due to editors 5:00 p.m. All items for the next issue of the newslet-ter due. Send Forecast events to [email protected] and all other articles to the editor at [email protected]. NOTE: Do not send photos or articles to headquarters. E-mail for address.

1 (Tuesday)HIKE – Vigorous HikersNorth District, Shenandoah National Park, VAParking at the base of Little Devils Stairs Trail (near the end of SR 614). We’ll climb Little Devils Stairs Trail to the AT via the Keyser Run Fire Road. We’ll then head south on the AT to the Thornton River Trail and back to the start via the Hull School trail and the Keyser Run Fire Rd. Total of about 17 miles, with 4500 ft. of climb. INFO: Tom Kloster ([email protected]).

2 (Wednesday)HIKE – Easy HikersBurke, VAFive level miles around Burke Lake. Meet at 10:15 a.m. From the Beltway, exit West onto Braddock Rd. At your leisure, move into the left-hand lane (excluding left turn lanes) and stay in this lane. In 1.9 mi. from the Beltway, the lane you are in becomes one of a pair of left-turn lanes onto Burke Lake Rd (Rt. 645). Stay with it and make the turn. (Don’t worry about the misleading sign before the preceding left.) Go 4.7 mi., then turn left onto Ox Rd. (Rt. 123). In 0.5 mi. (after passing the Golf Center), turn left into Burke Lake Park. Follow signs to the marina. Bring lunch and water. INFO: Sue King 703/356-6659.

2 (Wednesday)HIKE - Midweek HikersLocation to be determinedThe PATC Midweek Hikers carpool each Wednesday from the Washington, DC area to various trailheads. Hikes are at a moder-ate pace and about 8 to 12 miles in length with varied elevations. Current information, including meeting place, time, leader’s name and phone number, and a detailed descrip-tion of the hike are available on the PATC calendar at http://potomacappalachian.org.

2 (Wednesday)SPECIAL EVENT – Hiking the AT with Bob Phillips (REI)College Park, MD7:00 p.m. Bob Phillips will present his thru-hike of the 2,160 mile Appalachian Trail. The hike took 6 months and went through 14 states, Georgia to Maine. In addition to the many slides that will be shown, Bob will discuss trail history, development and tradi-

tions, equipment used, trail shelters, hostels, food, interesting people you will likely meet, and what it takes to “thru-hike” the entire trail. There will be a Q&A session. INFO: Barbara Ball ([email protected]) 301/982-9681.

4 – 7 (Friday – Monday)SPECIAL EVENT – Acme Trail Crew Annual PicnicLittle Orleans, MDThis Labor Day weekend, the Acme Tread-way Company is heading back out to the historic Little Orleans cabin for our annual picnic. Little Orleans cabin is adjacent to the C&O Canal National Historic Park and near the thriving mini-metropolis of Little Orleans, Md. What To Do? Rent a canoe from a local outfitter, bring your own inner tube and float lazily down the Potomac River, bring your bicycle, hike trails in the Green Ridge State Forest as well as the Towpath. Everyone who has participated in at least one trail project during the year is invited. You can bring your spousal unit as well as your children, too. You must register online for this event: www.acmetreadway.net/component/option,com_at tend_events/Itemid,/task,view/id,21/. INFO: Don White ([email protected]).

5 (Saturday)HIKE – Long DistanceWoodstock, VAA 15-mile hike with a short car shuttle in the George Washington National Forest that will include an ascent of Big Schloss and Little Schloss, the castles. Elevation gain 3,000 feet. These two rock outcrop-pings afford a nearly 360 degree view of the surrounding mountains and the Trout Run valley. Moderate pace to include stops as warranted to inspect interesting flora and fungi. Inexperienced hikers should contact leader for details. INFO: William Needham ([email protected]) 410/884-9127.

5 (Saturday)TRAIL WORK TRIP – First Manassas TrailManassas, VAThe Manassas Bull Runners Trails Crew are rebuilding over three miles of the First Bat-tle of Bull Run’s trails. This was the opening engagement of the Civil War. We are install-ing Water Bars, Culverts, turnpikes, and rebuilding the tread. Meet at the Manassas National Battlefield Park’s Maintenance Area off Sudley Road at 8:30 a.m. and work until noon. INFO: Bud Cunnally ([email protected]) 703/393-9808.

5 (Saturday)TRAIL WORK TRIP – Stonewall BrigadeColumbia Furnace, VAJoin us for an enjoyable day of trail work in the Great North mountain district. Meet at the parking area of Wolf Gap Recreation

Area, on Wolf Gap Road (VA 675) west of Columbia Furnace, Va. For directions and a map visit http://www.patc.us/volunteer/trails/stonewall/map_wolf_gap.html. INFO: Lee Manning ([email protected]) 703/560-0960.

5 (Saturday)TRAIL WORK TRIP – Yankee ClippersAppalachian Trail, PAINFO: Pete Brown ([email protected]) 410/343-1140.

5 – 6 (Saturday – Sunday)CABIN WORK TRIP - Rosser Lamb CabinStanardsville, VAHave you ever rented a wonderful PATC rental cabin? And been wondering how you can pay back for that outstanding experi-ence? Did you ever wonder where all of those great cabins come from? We have all of the answers at Rosser Lamb Cabin. Join us for an educational experience in cabin building. We may even have some fun and camaraderie and enjoy some delicious food. INFO: Charlie Graf ([email protected]) 410/757-6053.

8 (Tuesday)HIKE – Vigorous HikersNorth District, Shenandoah National Park, VAFrom the Pass Mt. Trail head we’ll climb to the Butterwood Branch drainage and follow it (easy bushwhack) to Thornton Hollow (thigh-deep wade). We’ll then ascend to the Blue Ridge and AT via Thornton River and Hull School Trails, visit Pass Mt. and Mary’s Rock, and return via Meadow Spring and Buck Hollow Trails. Very short car shuttle. About 15 miles and 4000 ft. of ascent. For more details, visit the Tuesday Vigorous Hik-ers web site at http://groups.google.com/group/Vigorous-Hikers. INFO: Bob Livezey ([email protected]) 301/320-4679.

8 (Tuesday)MEETING - Trail Patrol, 7:30 p.m.

9 (Wednesday)HIKE – Easy HikersRockville, MDA new, well-shaded 5 mile route in the Meadowside Nature Center, weather permitting, may bring us in sight of the ICC. Bring lunch and water. Directions: I-495 to Georgia Avenue north. Left on Norbeck Rd./ Route 28. Quick right on Muncaster Mill Rd. Left turn into the park. Park at the end of the park road. Alt. directions: I -270 north. Shady Grove exit east but don’t get all the way onto Shady Grove Rd. Stay right on the exit ramp to lead onto Redland Road. Follow Redland Rd. a few miles. Turn right at a light onto Muncaster Mill Rd. Cross Avery Rd. and turn right into the park, and park at the end of the road. Hint: The park entrance road is near where Muncaster Mill


served. INFO: Dave Jordahl ([email protected]).

17 (Thursday)CLASS – Camp Cooking for the Beginner (REI)Rockville, MD7:00 p.m. Explore the adventurous world of backcountry dining at REI. Camping guru John Linn will share his favorite hints for planning and preparing tasty, nutritious meals. Get tips for enjoying pre-packaged foods as well as learn ideas for do-it-yourself cuisine. INFO: Keith Kuhnsman 301/230-7670.

17 (Thursday)CLASS – Wilderness Safety 101 (REI)Fairfax, VA7:00 p.m. This free clinic taught by the Center for Wilderness Safety, talks about the bare essentials for being safe in the outdoors. Topics covered include a brief introduction to “wilderness” medicine, basic risk management concepts, and being properly prepared for an outing, as well as first aid kits and dealing with an emer-gency in outdoor and remote settings. For further info please visit www.wildsafe.com. INFO: Rhonda Krafchin ([email protected]) 571/522-6568.

19 (Saturday)TRAIL WORK TRIP- DC CrewWashington, DCJoin us on a summer Saturday for our September work trip in Rock Creek Park. We will meet outside of the Nature Center at around 8:20 a.m. and carpool over to the work site. PATC and NPS will provide all tools and instruction. Bring gloves, and wear appropriate clothing and footwear for out-door work. INFO: Alex Sanders ([email protected]) 703/465-8140.

19 (Saturday)TRAIL WORK TRIP – Roaring TuskersMartinsburg, WVThe Central District’s Roaring Tuskers will continue to work on the Tuscarora Trail relocation in Sleepy Creek Wildlife Manage-ment Area. Bring work gloves, water and lunch and we’ll provide the atmosphere. INFO: Walt Smith ([email protected]) 540/327-1241.

19 (Saturday)TRAIL WORK TRIP – Yankee ClippersTuscarora Trail, PAINFO: Pete Brown ([email protected]) 410/343-1140.

19 – 20 (Saturday – Sunday)CLASS – Trail Maintainer’s WorkshopNorth District, Shenandoah National Park, VANew and prospective trail overseers: Come

18, 2009. INFO: Heidi Forrest ([email protected]).

15 (Tuesday)HIKE – Vigorous HikersCentral District, Shenandoah National Park, VAFrom the Devil’s Ditch Hunter Access Trail parking area on Rt. 615 (1.9 miles past the Rapidan Wildlife Management Area sign), we will take the hunter access trail to the Conway River Trail and up to Skyline Drive. We will go up the drive a ways and down Powell Mtn. Trail to Rt. 759, then up Rt. 759 that morphs into the Meadows School Trail, across Skyline Drive and down the Slaugh-ter Trail to the Conway River Trail. A short ways back up the Conway River Trail we will turn on the hunter access trail and back to the parking area. About 18 miles and 4200 ft. of ascent. For more details, visit the Tuesday Vigorous Hikers web site at http://groups.google.com/group/Vigorous-Hikers. INFO: Gene Whitaker ([email protected]) 540/661-0150.

15 (Tuesday)MEETING - PATC Council, 7:00 p.m.

16 (Wednesday)HIKE – Easy HikersSandy Spring, MDEasy 5 mile-hike along the Underground Railroad Trail from the Woodlawn Manor and Barn to the Friends Meeting House and back. Meet at 10:15 a.m. at Woodlawn Manor. Bring water and lunch, or buy lunch at a great French bakery by the Friends Meeting House. Directions: From Beltway, take Georgia Ave north; go 3.2 miles, then turn right onto Layhill Road, by the giant water tower. Go 4.7 miles, turn left onto Norwood Road. Go about 100 yards and turn right into Woodlawn Manor. Or take New Hampshire Ave from Beltway. Go north for 6.4 miles, turn left onto Norwood, go 2 miles to Woodlawn Manor on your right. INFO: Dita Smith 301/983-9354.

16 (Wednesday)HIKE - Midweek HikersLocation to be determinedSee Sept. 2 event for more information.

16 (Wednesday)MEETING - Mountaineering Section, 8:00 p.m.

16 (Wednesday)MEETING – West Chapter Fall MeetingBoonesboro, MDThe Fall meeting of the West Chapter will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the visitor/nature center of Greenbrier State Park near Boonesboro, Md. The meeting is open to anyone interested in the Chapter, includ-ing both members and non-members of the club or chapter. Refreshments will be

Rd. crosses the stream, on the north side of the bridge. Inclement weather may alter our route, but unless the weather’s of extraor-dinary intensity, we’re likely to hike anyway. INFO: Margaret Chapman 301/977-8988.


10 (Thursday)MEETING – Trails District Manager and Crew Leader MeetingVienna, VAWe will meet (as usual) in the conference room at PATC Headquarters in Vienna. Arrive at 6:00 p.m. for food. Meeting will start after 6:30 p.m. INFO: Heidi Forrest ([email protected]) 703/242-0315.

12 (Saturday)SPECIAL EVENT – Heritage DayTriangle, VAVolunteers are still needed to staff our information booth at Prince William Forest Park for this annual event which begins at 8:00 a.m. and concludes at 1:00 p.m. INFO: Randy Motz ([email protected]).

12 (Saturday)TRAIL WORK TRIP – Roaring TuskersMartinsburg, WVThe Roaring Tuskers will continue to relocate the Tuscarora Trail in Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area. Bring work gloves, water and lunch and we’ll provide the atmosphere. INFO: Steve or Kathy Sharp ([email protected]) 240/338-3655.

12 (Saturday)TRAIL WORK TRIP – Spooky BeaversTriangle, VASpooky Beaver work trip in Prince William Forest Park. Meet at 9:00 a.m. in the Visitor Center parking lot. Wear boots and bring gloves, water, and a snack. INFO: Liles Creighton, 410/573-0067 or Mark Ellis, 540/658-0502.

12 – 13 (Saturday – Sunday)TRAIL WORK TRIP – Blue & White CrewCentral District, Shenandoah National Park, VACome out for a pleasant weekend of trail work on the AT overlooking gorgeous Jewell Hollow. Newcomers are always welcome. INFO: Dan Dueweke ([email protected]).

13 – 18 (Sunday – Friday)TRAIL WORK TRIP – Massarock CrewFront Royal, VAThe Massarock (PATC/USFS) Trail Crew working for the week in the Lee Ranger District. Volunteers report at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 13, 2009 for the work week of September 13 through September

Forecast


Forecast26 – 27 (Saturday – Sunday)TRAIL WORK TRIP – Prince William Forest ParkTriangle, VAIn celebration of National Public Lands Day, a trail work project is scheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2009 at Prince William Forest Park, Triangle Va. Volunteers are needed to help restore one or more of the heavily used trails so hikers and runners can safely use the trails. No prior trails maintenance experience is necessary and training and tools are provided. At least 50 enthusiastic volunteers over the age of 12 are needed to complete this work. Volun-teers should dress for the weather and bring water, leather gloves, eye protection, and a bag lunch. On-site registration is from 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. in the Pine Grove Picnic Area Parking Lot. The event will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The $5.00 entrance fee will be waived for volunteers. To pre-register for the event, e-mail your name and phone number to [email protected] or call 571/522-6568. National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands Americans enjoy. INFO: Mark Ellis ([email protected]) 703/376-4150.

29 (Tuesday)HIKE – Vigorous HikersCentral District, Shenandoah National Park, VAStarting at Hazeltop Overlook hikers will descend Powell Mtn., come up Rt.759 and Meadows School. Crossing Skyline hikers will continue on AT north to Bearfence Trail and the scramble before continuing on the AT to Laurel and Mill Prongs. Hikers will return to Bootens Gap and Hazeltop via the AT south and Skyline Dr. Approx. 18 miles, 4200 ft. of ascent. PATC Map 10. For more details, visit the Tuesday Vigorous Hik-ers web site at http://groups.google.com/group/Vigorous-Hikers.INFO: David Saah ([email protected]) 703/352-4685.

29 (Tuesday)MEETING - Shenandoah Mountain Rescue Group (Business meeting), 7:30 p.m.

30 (Wednesday)HIKE – Easy HikersWashington, DCThe Easy Hikers will hike a 4-5 mile circuit on the Battery Kemble and Glover Archbold trails and the C & O Towpath. A couple of minor stream crossings and one short steep and rocky section. Meet at 10:15 a.m. at Battery Kemble Park. Bring lunch and water. Directions: From MacArthur Blvd. in Northwest DC, turn NE (left if inbound, right if outbound) onto Chain Bridge Rd. Go to park entrance on right. Follow road to park-ing area. INFO: Gary Abrecht Cell on day of hike ([email protected]). Cell on day of hike: 202/546-6089.

Phillips Farm Pumpkin Patch for a compli-mentary hayride and cup of cider after the hike. Meet at 10:15 a.m. at Schaeffer Road Bike Trail parking lot. Bring water and lunch. Directions: Take I-270 north to Germantown exit 15B-- Rt. 118 south (Germantown Rd.) to Clopper Rd.(1.5 miles). Right onto Clop-per Rd. for 0.1 mi. left onto Schaeffer Rd. ( if you get to the first traffic light on Clopper you have gone to far). Follow Schaeffer Rd. 2 miles to circle at Soccer Park, continue around circle to Schaeffer Rd. In about 0.2 mile you will see Gray Rock Ranch on the left. Follow left side of gravel lane to Schaeffer Bike parking lot. INFO: Jean Phillips ([email protected]) 301/785-8621.


26 (Saturday)SPECIAL EVENT – National Public Lands DayTriangle, VAVolunteers are still needed to staff our information booth in Prince William Forest Park for this annual event from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. INFO: Randy Motz ([email protected]).

26 – 27 (Saturday – Sunday)SPECIAL EVENT – Hiking Info EventThurmont, MDCome to share or to learn about internation-al hiking experiences. Join Joel Anderson (who has done several long distance hikes outside the U.S.), George Alderson (see recent article in PA about hiking in France) and others for an informal gathering at Friendship Farm on Saturday starting at 2:00 p.m. Please bring your photos, maps, guidebooks, stories, ideas, and questions. The goal of this get-together is to learn from others and to foster an interest to hike internationally. Come for the day or bring your tent and spend the night. There will be a good dinner, pies, and breakfast on Sunday. Please let us know by Thursday, Sept. 24, for meal planning. INFO: Joel Anderson ([email protected]) 301/898-0047.

26 – 27 (Saturday – Sunday)TRAIL WORK TRIP – Cadillac CrewMartinsburg, WVJoin us as we continue to build new tread for the Tuscarora Trail relocation in the Devils Nose area at the northern end of Sleepy Creek WMA. Bring lunch and water for Saturday. Community dinner on Saturday night. Overnight at John Spies’ house west of Sleepy Creek Mountain. INFO: Jon or Katherine Rindt ([email protected]) 540/635-6351.

learn trail maintenance skills from SNP trail professionals and PATC crew leaders! The workshop will be held at Mathew’s Arm Campground. $25 registration fee. See advertisement in this issue of the PA. Don’t wait! There are only 25 slots and they go fast! INFO: Peter Harris ([email protected]) 540/349-2595.

20 – 25 (Sunday – Friday)TRAIL WORK TRIP – Massarock CrewFront Royal, VAThe Massarock (PATC/USFS) Trail Crew working for the week in the Lee Ranger District. Volunteers report at 5:00 p.m. in the evening of Sunday, September 20, 2009 for the work week of September 20 through September 25, 2009. INFO: Heidi Forrest ([email protected]). 22 (Tuesday)HIKE – Vigorous HikersFront Royal, VABeginning at Bentonville Landing on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River, we will climb the Tuscarora Trail and follow the Massanutten Trail south. We will descend the Indian Grave Ridge Trail to Seak Ford Landing where we will ford the Shenandoah River to pick up kayaks or canoes to paddle back to Bentonville Landing; about 12 miles of hiking with 1500 ft. of ascent and 12 miles of paddling. For more details, visit the Tuesday Vigorous Hikers web site at http://groups.google.com/group/Vigorous-Hikers. INFO: Dave Green ([email protected]) 703/536-5189.

23 (Wednesday)CLASS – Care and Feeding of the Long-Distance Hiker (REI)Bailey’s Crossroads, VA7:30 p.m. Long-distance hikes test the limits of endurance. Veteran hikers, Randy Motz, and his wife Georgia Harris will provide valuable tools for surviving a long-distance hike; the very same tools they used during their 2006 Appalachian Trail thru-hike and their hike of Vermont’s Long Trail. Use these tools on your own hikes. Have more fun! INFO: Mark Nelson ([email protected]) 703/379-9400.

23 (Wednesday)CLASS – Leave No Trace Games (REI)College Park, MD7:00 p.m. Join us for an evening of games that teach the principals of Leave No Trace. This is suitable for kids 7-12 years old. INFO: Barbara Ball ([email protected]) 301/982-9681.

23 (Wednesday)HIKE – Easy HikersGermantown, MDA 5-mile hike along the mostly rolling, shaded hiking and biking paths off Schaef-fer Road. The trail goes along stream valleys with some small steam crossings and open farm crop land. The group is invited to


ForecastMaster Educators. Cost: $40.00 for PATC Members, $60.00 for Non-PATC members (Join PATC at the time of registration and get the member price!) The cost covers course materials and meals with the excep-tion of lunch for Saturday and Sunday, which the participant should bring. INFO: Cindy Kelly ([email protected]) 410/939-5029.

6 (Tuesday)HIKE – Vigorous HikersWoodstock, VABeginning at the Little Sluice Mountain Trail parking area on FS 92, we will climb Little Schloss and then continue northeast to the Tuscarora Trail and loop back on the Mill Mountain Trail to Big Schloss. We will use the Big Schloss Cutoff Trail and FS 92 to complete the loop; 16 miles with 3500 ft. of ascent. For more details, visit the Tuesday Vigorous Hikers web site at http://groups.google.com/group/Vigorous-Hikers. INFO: Dave Green, ([email protected]) 703/536-5189.

6 (Tuesday)MEETING - Trail Patrol, 7:30 p.m.


10 (Saturday)TRAIL WORK TRIP – Spooky BeaversTriangle, VASpooky Beaver work trip in Prince William Forest Park. Meet at 9:00 a.m. in the Visitor Center parking lot. Wear boots and bring gloves, water, and a snack. INFO: Liles Creighton, 410/573-0067 or Mark Ellis, 540/658-0502.

13 (Tuesday)MEETING - PATC Council, 7:00 p.m.


14 (Wednesday)MEETING - Mountaineering Section, 8:00 p.m.

15 - 19 (Thursday - Monday)TRAIL WORK TRIPSand Springs ReloAppalachian Trail, Northern VA/WVPATC and ATC’s Mid Atlantic Crew are working on a 1 mile relocation of the AT at the north end of the “Roller Coaster”. This project was started last season and we are hoping to be able to finish and have it open by next spring. To do this we need your help! This is a weeks long project and the crew will be overnighting at the Blackburn Trail Center. You are welcome to come for the day or stay longer. For info call Chris

those great cabins come from? We have all of the answers at Rosser Lamb Cabin. Join us for an educational experience in cabin building. We may even have some fun and camaraderie and enjoy some delicious food. INFO: Charlie Graf ([email protected]) 410/757-6053.3 – 4 (Saturday – Sunday)CLASS – Basic Wilderness First AidVienna, VA9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. This 2-day class provides American Heart Association certification in Adult CPR, AED, and Basic First Aid. The second day the student will learn American Safety and Health Insti-tute (ASHI) Basic Wilderness First Aid. All certifications are valid for two years. Class will be held at the PATC headquarters. Cost of the class is $130. Pre-Registration is re-quired by September 25. Go to http://www.trailpatrol.patc.net/ for more information and the registration form. INFO: Saleena DeVore ([email protected]) 410/456-6861.

3 – 4 (Saturday – Sunday)CLASS – Leave No Trace Trainer CourseCentral District, Shenandoah National Park, VAPATC’s Trail Patrol is offering this 2-day, cabin format course designed to enhance your understanding of Leave No Trace practices and ethics and to increase your level of expertise and confidence in teach-ing Leave No Trace skills. Through focused activities, hands-on field experience and both formal and informal discussions, you will be introduced to concepts and methods that will advance your knowledge of Leave No Trace issues, expand your repertoire of low-impact skills and increase your effectiveness in teaching these important skills to others. This is a fun course where all participants have a part in demonstrating the choices that can be made to minimize our impact on the land and our resources. This course takes place in and around the White Oak Cabin. All outdoor activities are conducted on the grounds in the immediate vicinity of the cabin. There is no backpack-ing or other strenuous activity. Students have the option to stay overnight in the cabin facilities or pitch a tent outside. On completion of this course, participants will be registered as Leave No Trace Trainers with the national Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and will receive a certificate of course completion as well as their Leave No Trace Trainer lapel pin. What to Bring: Participants will sleep in beds/cots inside the cabin, there are no linens supplied, so bring a sleeping bag and pillow. The cabin has electricity, a full kitchen and modern bathroom. Participants should pack a lunch for Saturday and Sunday all other meals will be provided. At the time of registration par-ticipants will receive a planning packet that will include a detailed packing list. Instruc-tors: Instructors are members of PATC’s Trail Patrol who are also Leave No Trace

30 (Wednesday)HIKE - Midweek HikersLocation to be determinedSee Sept. 2 event for more information.October

1 (Thursday)DEADLINE – November Potomac Appalachian Material due to editors 5:00 p.m. All items for the next issue of the newslet-ter due. Send Forecast events to [email protected] and all other articles to the editor at [email protected]. NOTE: Do not send photos or articles to headquarters. E-mail for address.3 (Saturday)SPECIAL EVENT – In the StreetsFrederick, MDFor over 25 years the “In The Street” festival has been held in downtown Frederick. The festival began in 1983 after major reno-vations closed Market Street for several months. When the dust settled Mayor Ron Young decided to hold a festival for the en-tire community to celebrate the reopening of this prominent downtown area. That first festival boasted 10,000 in attendance and today “In The Street” attracts crowds of over 50,000! After 25 years, “In The Street” still celebrates the historic district and highlights the best of what Frederick has to offer. Walk the streets of Frederick, free from traffic and enjoy a full day of activities and shopping. The PATC booth will be located in front of The Trail House Outfitters on S. Market Street. We need 6-8 Trail Talkers to meet with the hundreds of people who stop by our tent for information on local trails and other hiking-related outdoor activities.11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. INFO: Randy Motz ([email protected]).

3 (Saturday)TRAIL WORK TRIP – Stonewall Bri-gadeColumbia Furnace, VAJoin us for an enjoyable day of trail work in the Great North Mountain district. Meet at the parking area of Wolf Gap Recreation Area, on Wolf Gap Road (VA 675) west of Columbia Furnace. For directions and a map visit http://www.patc.us/volunteer/trails/stonewall/map_wolf_gap.html. INFO: Lee Manning District Manager ([email protected]) 703/560-0960.

3 (Saturday)TRAIL WORK TRIP – Yankee ClippersAppalachian Trail, PAINFO: Pete Brown ([email protected]) 410/343-1140. 3 – 4 (Saturday – Sunday)CABIN WORK TRIP - Rosser Lamb CabinStanardsville, VAHave you ever rented a wonderful PATC rental cabin? And been wondering how you can pay back for that outstanding experi-ence? Did you ever wonder where all of


Forecastat 703/967-2226.Chris Brunton [email protected]

17 (Saturday)HIKE – Northern Shenandoah Valley ChapterWaterlick, VAThe Chapter’s new stimulus plan starts with an easy get-acquainted hike for members living the Northern Shenandoah Valley area and ends with dinner at a town restaurant. The hike: in the Fort Valley GWNF, one of the most beautiful hidden valleys in Virginia. Starting time: 10:00 a.m. at Glass House. Bring your own lunch and water. After the hike, all members and would-be members of the NSVC are invited to a social and busi-ness program at Glass House to help re-suscitate the Chapter and ourselves. BYOB. Coffee and soft drinks will be provided. See important further details under the NSVC chapter newsletter on the PATC website, PATC.net. Stay over at Glass House on Saturday night by reservation only. This cabin has running water and electricity, and is heated by wood stove. Eight bunks, some porch floor for sleeping available. Bring your own sleeping gear and meals. INFO: Martha ([email protected]).

17 (Saturday)TRAIL WORK TRIP – DC CrewWashington, DCJoin us on an autumn Saturday for our first October work trip in Rock Creek Park. We will meet outside of the Nature Center at around 8:20 a.m. and carpool over to the work site. PATC and NPS will provide all tools and instruction. Bring gloves, and wear appropriate clothing and footwear for out-door work. INFO: Alex Sanders ([email protected]) 703/465-8140.

17 (Saturday)TRAIL WORK TRIP – North District HoodlumsNorth District, Shenandoah National Park, VANothing beats brats and kraut! Join with the Hoodlums in their annual Oktoberfest work trip. The Hoodlums Trail Crew works on the AT and blue-blazed trails in the North District (Front Royal Entrance Station to Thornton Gap) of SNP. After a day of hard work, we will enjoy the camaraderie of fellow trail workers with an Oktoberfest theme meal at Indian Run maintenance hut. Come for the day, stay for dinner, and camp overnight if you wish. Or just come out and work with us for the day. Newcom-ers are always welcome! We will meet at Piney River Ranger Station, milepost 22 on Skyline Drive just across from Matthews Arm Campground at 9:00 am on Saturday. INFO: Wayne Limberg ([email protected]) 703/533-8639.

17 (Saturday)TRAIL WORK TRIP – Yankee Clippers

Tuscarora Trail, PAINFO: Pete Brown ([email protected]) 410/343-1140.

17 – 18 (Saturday – Sunday)SPECIAL EVENT – Shenandoah Valley Balloon & Wine FestivalMillwood, VACome visit the Historic Long Branch House & Farm for the Shenandoah Valley Hot Air Balloon and Wine Festival for a day of fine wine, great music, craft vendors, and of course, hot air balloons. This is the 13th year for this event which draws upwards of 50,000 people over the weekend. PATC will have its Trail Talker tent set up and will provide information on local trails and what PATC does to protect and preserve the many tails in the metropolitan area. We need numerous Trail Talkers to staff our tent at this 2-day event which runs from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information, go to http://www.historiclongbranch.com/balloonfest/. INFO: Randy Motz ([email protected]) or Lee Sheaffer ([email protected]).

17 – 18 (Saturday – Sunday)SPECIAL EVENT – Wilderness Week-endShenandoah National Park, VAEnjoy fall foliage and help raise visitor awareness, knowledge and appreciation of designated wilderness by volunteering at Shenandoah’s 9th annual Wilderness Weekend - the 33rd anniversary of Shenan-doah’s wilderness designation. We’ll set up at strategic Skyline Drive overlooks that view Shenandoah Wilderness with displays, maps, and information to talk with visitors about the existence and values of PATC and wilderness. On-the-job training provided. No prior experience needed. Volunteer for one day or two. INFO: Catherine Pipan ([email protected]) or Laura Buchheit ([email protected]).

17 – 18 (Saturday – Sunday)TRAIL WORK TRIP – Blue & White CrewCentral District, Shenandoah National Park, VAWhat better way to spend a gorgeous fall weekend than in helping to restore a section of the AT? Learn and practice trail-building skills with experienced crew members. Newcomers are always welcome. INFO: Steve Paull ([email protected]).

20 Tuesday)HIKE – Vigorous HikersCentral District, Shenandoah National Park, VAFrom Old Rag Ridge Trailhead we’ll climb to the summit and down the Saddle Trail to Old Rag Fire Road. We then climb to Corbin Mountain Trail and descend to Nicholson Hollow and back to the cars. About 15 miles and 3500 feet ascent. For more details, visit

the Tuesday Vigorous Hikers web site at http://groups.google.com/group/Vigorous-Hikers. INFO: Mike Moran ([email protected]) 703/281-4630.


24 (Saturday)CLASS – Trail Patrol New Member TrainingWaterlick, VATrail Patrol volunteers provide a reassuring presence to hikers, monitor trail conditions, and render assistance to the public when necessary. At this one-day course new Trail Patrol members will learn essential skills such as Leave No Trace, planning and preparing for patrols and emergency procedures. We’ll also review basic land navigation and mapping skills prior to hitting the trail for an afternoon hike. For those attending the course, overnight accom-modations at Glass House are available on Friday and/or Saturday. Advance Registra-tion is required. For more information, go to http://www.patc.us/volunteer/trailpatrol/Members/Training.htm. INFO: Matt Carroll ([email protected]) 703/389-3154.

24 – 25 (Saturday – Sunday)TRAIL WORK TRIP – Cadillac CrewRoundhill, VAJoin us as we try to complete the AT reloca-tion near Sand Spring and get that section open for hikers in 2010. Bring lunch and water for Saturday. Community dinner on Saturday night. Overnight at Blackburn Trail Center INFO: Jon or Katherine Rindt ([email protected]) 540/635-6351.

27 (Tuesday)MEETING - Shenandoah Mountain Rescue Group (Business meeting), 7:30 p.m.


31 – Nov. 1 (Saturday – Sunday)CABIN WORK TRIP - Rosser Lamb CabinStanardsville, VAHave you ever rented a wonderful PATC rental cabin? And been wondering how you can pay back for that outstanding experi-ence? Did you ever wonder where all of those great cabins come from? We have all of the answers at Rosser Lamb Cabin. Join us for an educational experience in cabin building. We may even have some fun and camaraderie and enjoy some delicious food. INFO: Charlie Graf ([email protected]) 410/757-6053. n


Economists refer to a generic motivator known as “utils of sat-

isfaction.” Trail workers can calibrate a valuation as the difference between using whatever is at hand and having the proper tools in good condition. The latter makes a job easier, safer, and more enjoyable. Before start-ing a task, take a moment to inspect tools for defects that should preclude use. At the end of a day, use a wire brush to clean off dirt. Better yet, do a little maintenance such as a squirt of WD-40 and a good wiping. If it is necessary to leave a damaged tool in a cache, clearly label it so no one inadvertently tries to use it and then notify the appropriate person. Keep-ing shared tools in good working order should increase everyone’s utils of satisfaction.

Devils Nose

July’s Cadillac Crew work trip achieved a key objective of reaching the Devils Nose rock outcrop above Meadow Branch. This area of rock formations with spectacular views, hemlock trees, rhododendron, and winding Meadow Branch is a unique ecosystem that provides hikers a wel-come change from the typical hard-wood forest and jeep roads. It is the main objective of DM Walt Smith’s Tuscarora Trail relocation project in West Virginia’s Sleepy Creek WMA. This section is a small part of the portion of the Tuscarora Trail to be included in the Great Eastern Trail from Florida to New York. To find out more about the Great Eastern Trail, see http://greateasterntrail.net.

For the almost three years of this project, the crew has been spoiled by overnighting at John Spies’ house outside Berkley Springs. Spoiled equates to a hot shower, flush toilets, cold beer, and a real place to prepare food.

Hoodlums March in July

After being rained out at their June work trip, the SNP North District Hoodlums were raring to go on July 18. That was just as well because the Lower Piney Ridge Trail had been untended for over a year, and Trail Patrol was reporting blowdowns and weeds as “high as an elephant’s eye.” Just the thing to get a good Hood-lum’s heart racing.

The crew was greeted with fall weather—blue skies, slight breeze, and temperatures in the high 50s at best. DMs Dick Dugan and Wayne Limberg divided the 20 arrivals into two crews. The larger headed down Upper Piney Ridge and then on to Lower Piney, stopping on the way at the old cemetery to read the headstones and pay their respects. Dick took a smaller crew down Upper Piney Branch and then on to Elkwallow. It was a long hike in and out, but at day’s end the two crews had cleared both Upper Piney Branch and Lower Piney Ridge, taking out 14 blowdowns ranging from 10 to 20 inches. This being the Hoodlums’ BBQ weekend, everyone retired to Indian Run hut for a table-sagging spread of hot dogs, burgers, wings, slaw, baked beans, and corn. The only regret was leaving one big

blowdown on Lower Piney Ridge but hey, the September ND overseer’s workshop is just around the cor-ner, as well as the Hoodlums’ Oktoberfest extravaganza. Remember, third Saturday every month.

Concerted Efforts Improve Upper Western Ridge

After their last trip was ended pre-maturely by thunderstorms, the DC Crew was eager to go back out and finish their work. Due to a great July turnout, they completed the turn-pike and replaced several waterbars. DM Alex Saunders thanks Ranger Ken Ferebee and Overseers Michael Hechter and John Crowe for leading the charge to repair this stretch of upper Western Ridge.

The following day, a group of volun-teers from The Mission Continues and assorted PATC characters as-sembled to re-route another section of upper Western Ridge. The trail had never followed the contours of the land very well, and with the heavy pedestrian and equestrian traf-fic, the tread had become a perma-nent hazard. Led by Daniel Connell and Alex Borisov from The Mission Continues and ironmen John Crowe and Ed Hanlon, the crew dug a much-improved trail around the afflicted section, closed the old trail, and installed checkdams to speed its repair. The trip was marred only by multiple attacks from maddened yellowjackets. Fortunately, casualties were light.

Eagle Scout Projects Times Two

July 25 was a notable day in Prince William Forest Park as two separate Eagle Scout projects were complet-ed. Eagle Scout candidate Edouard Guilloux from Boy Scout Venture Crew 1221, Stafford, Va., accepted the challenge of a work project on the Chopawamsic Trail, the park’s only trail requiring a backcoun-try permit. Edouard led his crew to install 15 rolling dips, reset a washed-out footbridge, remove logs from a ditch, clear vegetation, and reblaze the entire 2-mile loop and most side trails. Noel Freeman from the Spooky Beaver crew served as the PATC technical consultant while Dario Izquierdo, the grate-ful Chopawamsic Trail overseer and Edouard’s crew advisor, also lent a hand.

Trailhead – September 2009

Cadillac Crew on top of Devils Nose after a hard day.

Ph

oto

by

Joh

n S

pie

s

(continued on p. 9)


Eagle Scout candidate Matthew Ellis from Boy Scout Troop 26, Stafford, Va., and his crew broke 130 yards of new trail up a steep hill to replace a dangerously eroded section of the Quantico Falls Trail, installed

a log waterbar along with 6 rolling dips to control erosion, blocked off the old trail and a nearby social trail, and blazed the new section of the trail. The crew worked 118 hours to complete the tasks. Liles Creighton, PWFP co-district manager, served as PATC technical consultant while his counterpart and proud papa Mark Ellis took orders from his son for the day.

Thanks to Heidi Forrest at PATC Headquarters for the extra tools for the projects and to PWFP for al-lowing free entry for project partici-pants. For information on potential Eagle Scout or Gold Star (the Girl Scout equivalent to an Eagle Scout) projects in PWFP, contact Mark Ellis, [email protected] or 703/376-4150.

A Call to Battle

The First Battle of Bull Run, also called First Manassas, was the first major battle of the American Civil War, fought July 21, 1861, at a farming area outside the village of Manassas. There were several skir-mishes before this much bloodier en-gagement along the Bull Run stream banks. By this time both sides had the beginnings of large armies, but quickly realized the war would be longer than they had thought. On July 22, President Lincoln signed a bill that provided for the enlistment of 500,000 men for up to three years of service.

In concert with the National Public Lands Day (www.publiclandsday.org/) on Sept. 26, the PATC Manassas Bull Runners will have a trails work day at the Manassas Na-tional Battlefield Park. The Manas-sas Bull Runners are working hard to prepare the trails for the First Battle’s 150th anniversary in 2011. They need to divert some major water runoffs not far from where

Union forces advanced to meet the Confederate army in the field. This area is within the line of battle at the beginning of the engagement where the actual first major shoot-ing took place. To join this historical initiative, contact DM Bud Cun-nally at [email protected] or 703/393-9808.

Clay Wrestling

In early July, the Spooky Beaver Crew assembled to take on a badly eroded part of the Laurel Loop Trail in PWFP. Trip leader Liles Creigh-ton and crew members Stephen Osbrach, Noel Freeman, John Lyon, John McDowell, and rookie Allen Wheeler marched off with McLeods and pick mattocks to take on the dirt. With little recent rain, the pick side of the tools was badly needed as the Virginia clay lived up to its reputation of being like concrete. Nevertheless, nine water diversions were put in place, existing water di-versions and waterbars were cleaned, and tread was restored over about a ¼-mile distance. In addition, after some experimenting, 18 two-foot-long straps that endangered hik-ers were pulled out of the ground. Noel Freeman proved to be the best puller, but excellent work was done by all.

Southern Shenandoah Valley Chapter Continues Traditions

An article in the PATC Bulletin for April 1937 describes the club’s first trip to Shenandoah Mountain and Ramsey’s Draft in the George Wash-ington National Forest (GWNF) west of Staunton, Va. The author notes, “Hemlocks that are over three hundred years of age, “the excellence and completeness of the trail sys-tem,” and “the maturity of the forest growth … strongly suggest the New England woods.” He closes with, “This will be a good time to become familiar with a region which the Trail Club expects to frequent more and more in coming years.”

The trails are still excellent and com-plete but challenged by a jackstraw

Trailhead, from page 8

tangle of downed trees, and the hemlocks have been done in by the woolly adelgid. To help, the South-ern Shenandoah Valley Chapter con-tacted the North River Ranger Dis-trict of GWNF and offered to spread the PATC work ethic to the west. Chapter members now maintain the seven-mile Shenandoah Mountain Trail and 2.5-mile Jerry’s Run Trail, which connects Shenandoah Moun-tain Trail with Ramsey’s Draft Trail. It’s all part of the Ramsey’s Draft Wilderness, so hand tools rule. A three-plus-mile hike in to reach the work area is typical. Al Dahler led a July Chapter work trip that made use of time-honored techniques.

Facing blowdowns of 18 to 24 inches, with some monsters up to three feet in diameter, the crew cut what they could with crosscut saws and axes and step-notched the rest. In wilderness areas, trails are not blazed, and only a discernable treadway with reasonable passage is required.

Another Shenandoah Mountain project, guided by Lynn Cameron, is the Friends of Shenandoah Moun-tain (www.friendsofshenandoah-mountain.org). Lynn has pulled together a coalition of users – hikers, birders, hunters, fishermen, local businesses, mountain bikers – to support protection for Shenandoah Mountain. The Chapter has also taken part in scouting the route of the Great Eastern Trail, which will follow the existing Shenandoah Mountain Trail. Having read a bit of PATC history, Al thinks current ef-forts are very much in the early spirit of the club. He hopes to look back on work on Shenandoah Mountain and feel a sense of satisfaction equal to that of PATC pioneers on the Appalachian Trail. n

SEND US ...Please send any tales, techni-cal advice, accomplishments, or trail maintenance questions to Catherine Kelleher at [email protected].


Ads, Swaps, Volunteer Opportunities

Send Volunteer Opportunities and For Sale items to [email protected]. They will be kept in for 3 months, unless you request to have them deleted.

NEW BOOTS - Volunteers Appointed in July

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDPATC CABINS AND SERVICE DESK

The PATC cabins and service desk are in need of additional volunteers. Volunteers staff these desks every weeknight from 7pm to 9pm and Thursday and Friday from 12 noon to 2 pm. Volunteers help custom-ers rent cabins and assist people with PATC materials and activities. No experience is necessary and all training will be provided. Also, by being a volunteer you are eligible for the early cabin rental program. If you are interested in helping and have time in the evenings or after-noons to volunteer at our Vienna Va headquarters, please e-mail me at [email protected] or call 703/242-0693 and ask for Pat Fankhauser or Wilson Riley.

KEYSTONE TRAILS ASSOCIATION

Planning con-tinues for the Susquehanna Super Hike, the daunting 25-mile trail challenge to be held September

12. Participants can register online at www.active.com or visit www.kta- hike.org for more information. Volunteers are still needed to direct parking, assist with registration, help with event timing, and more. Volun-teers will receive a Super Hike t-shirt and be invited to attend the post-event picnic. Please contact Becky at 717/238.7017 or [email protected] for more information or to sign-up to volunteer.

Also, KTA will host the 2009 Fall Meeting & Hiking Weekend from Friday, September 25th to Sunday, September 27th in Marienville, For-est County. 717/238.7017 or [email protected] for additional informa-tion, or visit For more information or to register for the weekend, please use the same contact as below.

Volunteers Needed For Hot Air Balloon And Wine FestivalPATC will once again have an information booth at the Shenandoah Valley Hot Air Balloon and Wine Festival at Historic Long Branch Farm on Octo-ber 17 and 18th, 2009.

Volunteers are needed to help staff the booth, tell people what PATC does, and help sell PATC maps and guides. By volunteering for a two-hour shift, you will get a free pass into the festival for yourself and your family/friends for both days. If interested in helping out, contact Lee Sheaffer; [email protected]. Come join the fun, music and hot air balloons and help PATC all at the same time.

Pennsylvania Opportunities - to work long hours with no pay or ben-efits. Generous allowance of blisters, stinging/biting insects, and poison-ous plants. Special provision for rain and mud. Little or no supervision. Work hours optional. Location somewhere on the Tuscarora Trail in Pennsylvania. No certification from your doctor or hospital required. Contact Pete Brown, 410/343-1140, [email protected]

Join the “Manassas BullRunners”-New opportunity to work long hours with no pay or benefits. Keys to the “Trailmobiles”!! Drive to the work site!!! No walking with tools!!! This new district with 22 miles of hiking & horse trails will be maintained with a crew of PATC volunteers in conjunction with other volunteer groups. Contact John “Bud” Cunnally, 703/393-9808, [email protected]

Crazy Fanatic Hiker(S) Who Want To Give Back To The Trail - Over-seers wanted to adopt an orphan trail needing committed caretakers. The Rockytop Trail [lower section] is in need of a few good men or women. The hike to the lower Rockytop trail head is about 3.5 miles from Skyline Drive. It is about 1.5 miles from the western boundary to the lower trailhead but we have to ford Big Run. If this sounds fun to you, contact Pete Gatje - H 434/361-1309, [email protected]

A Trail with a ‘WEIV’ - “Enthusiastic and energetic overseer (or better yet a team of overseers) needed for section 513020 of the Tuscarora Trail in Pennsylvania. This is where the trail ascends 1400 feet up the southern end of Tuscarora Mountain. It offers wonderful opportunities for manicuring Greenbrier, flipping downed trees and limbs off the trail, and has plentiful rocky ledges for practicing your balancing skills in sometimes strong winds. This section includes the infamous site of Charlie Irvin’s ‘WEIV’ sign which needs a replacement as well as a replacement trail register. This section has what are likely the best views along the Tuscarora Trail. Really! The north-ern end of this section is at the Blue Trail which wends easily back to the Little Cove Creek valley and which can also be jointly maintained by the volunteer(s) for this section with the overseer for the next section north of it.” Contact Pete Brown at 410/343-1140 or [email protected] if you’re interested. Don’t wait for someone else to grab it before you do!

TrailsDave Bailey ...........................................Upper Hawksbill TrailJohn and Sharon Allen ................Lower Piney Ridge TrailChris Lyter ......................................... PA Tuscarora Mountain Rd.

to Jct. PA 641


PA Tuscarora Trail [K]- Co-Over-seers - Yellow Blazed Trail to PA 456 (6.7 miles)Ashby/Rte 50 AT/BB Map 7,8Chris Brunton - H 703/924-0406, [email protected] Trail - Sam Moore Shelter to Fent Willey Hollow (.7 miles)Appalachian Trail - Old Woods Road to VA 605 (1.4 miles) SNP Central AT - Map 10Dan Dueweke - 703/266-3248, [email protected] Trail - [co-overseer]- Marys Rock Trail to Byrds Nest 3 (1.3 miles)

Corridor MonitorsTom Lupp – 301/271-7340,

Virginia/West Virginia Map 7Keys Gap South Buzzard Rocks

Virginia Map 8-Ashby Gap North

Virginia Map 9-Harmony Hollow

Trails Pennsylvania Maps 2-3, 4, J, & KPete Brown - 410/343-1140, [email protected] Tuscarora Trail [J] - Co-Over-seer - Cowans Gap State Park to Lincoln Trail (4.3 miles)PA Tuscarora Trail [J] - PA 16 to Alice Trail

Just looking at these characters brings back memories of mak-

ing it to the top of just about any mountain overlook in Shenandoah National Park. This drawing was from an anonymous budding artist in 1977 staying at Meadows Cabin. Check out the socks-up-to-the knees guys. I especially like the one hiker leaning back on the hands of his friend for support.

If you’re in the PATC Headquarters area and would like to look into some old log books for possibly your own entry, then please give us a call, and we’ll arrange it: 703/242-0693, Ext. 108.

—Patricia Fankhauser, PATC Staff, and Ruth Durloo,

PATC Volunteer Staff

Cabin Memories de Plume

Shelters Volunteers needed for the AT SHELTER CONSTRUCTION CREW - Henry Horn - 301/498-8254, [email protected]

Cowall Shelter - MD Map5-6 [Rick Canter - H 301/924-4942, South [email protected]]POGO Campground - MD Map5-6 [Rick Canter- H 301/924-4942, South [email protected]]Sam Moore Shelter – VA Map 8 [Chris Brunton - H 703/924-0406, [email protected]]David Lesser Shelter - VA Map 7 [Chris Brunton - H 703/924-0406, [email protected]]

Help Wanted: Trail, Shelter, and Corridor Overseers/Monitors

(continued on p. 20)

PATC maintains over 1,000 miles of hiking trails and 44 shelters, and monitors several parcels of land, through the efforts of its many members. Below is a list of assign-ments that are in immediate need of dedicated volunteers, along with the location and the PATC map they are on (in the case of trails). Please con-tact the district manager or officer for the positions below that interest you.

Trail Overseers’ jobs are to main-tain specified section of a hiking trail.

By checking their trail periodically, they remove or repair obstructions to hikers such as blowdowns, weeds, trash, and water damage. For major problems, there are Trail Crews to help.

Shelter Overseers are in charge of maintaining a specified shelter. By checking their shelters periodically, they make sure the shelter is clean, tidy, and in good repair. When it is necessary to make improvements, Shelter Crews are available to help.

Corridor Monitors are charged with walking a specified section of National Park Service land along the Appalachian Trail a couple of times a year. Using a map and compass they follow a surveyed and marked prop-erty boundary. The corridor monitors make note of and report any illegal infringements on the property, prob-lems with a marker, or changes in the boundary. They are also responsible for maintaining a clear and well-marked boundary line.

From an anonymous budding artist in 1977 staying at Meadows Cabin.

118 Park Street, S.E.

Vienna, VA 22180-4609

Telephone: 703/242-0315

Mon. - Thur. 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Thurs. & Fri. noon - 2 p.m.

PERIODICAL

US POSTAGE PAID

AT VIENNA VA

& ADDITIONAL

MAILING OFFICES

Help Wanted, from page 19

Appalachian Trail - Jewell Hollow to Corbin Cabin Cutoff Trail (1 mile)Appalachian Trail - [co-overseer]- Stony Man Overlook to Passama-quoddy Trail (.7 mile)Appalachian Trail - [co-overseer]- North Hazeltop to Bootens Gap (.9 mile)Appalachian Trail - Pocosin Fire Road to Dean Mt. Road (2 miles)

SNP Central BB [north end]--Map 10Melvin Ellis - [email protected] (H) 703/860-1253 or 540/987-9797 Catlett Mountain Trail - Hannah Run Trail to Hazel Mountain Trail (1.2 miles)Catlett Spur Trail - Catlett Moun-tain Trail to Hazel Mountain Trail (1.1 miles)Crusher Ridge Trail - Nicholson Hollow Trail to Lambert Cabin park-ing (2.5 miles)Hannah Run Trail(upper) - Pin-nacles Overlook to Hannah Run (1.9 miles)Tulip Tree Cabin Trail - Tulip Tree Cabin driveway to Crusher Ridge Trail (0.3 mile)

SNP Central BB [south end] – Map 10Melanie Perl - H 540/717-2821, [email protected] Mountain - Hazeltop Ridge Overlook to VA 759 (3.6 miles)Rock Spring Cabin/Hut Trail - Rock Spring Cabin Parking to Rock Spring Cabin/Hut (.2 miles) Salamander Trail - Hawksbill Summit to AT (0.7 mile)

White Oak Canyon [1st sect.] - Skyline Drive to Waterfall viewpoint (2.3 miles)SNP South AT - Map 11Don White - 804/795.2914, [email protected] Trail - Hightop Parking Area to Hightop Hut Trail (2.1 miles)

SNP South Blue blazed - Map 11Pete Gatje - 434/361-1309, [email protected] Rocky Mount Trail - [co-overseer]- Summit of Rocky Mt. to 2nd Junction of Gap Run Trail (2 miles) [Person should live near the trail & should be in good physical condition.]Rockytop Trail [lower] - Lewis Peak Trail to Big Run Portal Trail (3.5 miles)[requires strong hiker with a passion for trailwork on a remote trail]

Tuscarora South - Map F, G, 9Rick Rhoades - 540/477-3247, [email protected] Trail - Sherman Gap to Veach Gap (3.1 mile)

Massanutten South - Map HTate Heuer - 202/255-6055, [email protected] Knob Trail - Mass Mtn South Trail to Mass Mtn South Trail (2.1 mile)Morgan Run Trail - Cub Run Road to Massanutten Mt. South Trail (1.4 mile)

District of Columbia – Map NAlex Sanders - H 703/465-8140, [email protected] Valley & Yuma Spur (1.0 mile)

Suburban Maryland - Map DCatherine Kelleher - 301/493-6956, [email protected][vacancies opening soon]

Manassas National Battlefield Park- John “Bud” Cunnally - 703/393-9808, [email protected] new district with 22 miles of hik-ing & horse trails will be maintained with a crew of PATC volunteers in conjunction with other volunteer groups. Join the “Manassas BullRunners”

Bull Run Occoquan TrailDave Fellers - 703/560-2171, [email protected] Run Occoquan Trail - Bull Run Park to Ordway (1.5mile)

Prince William Forest ParkLiles Creighton - 410/573-0067, [email protected] Loop - Picnic Area to Picnic Area (1.4 miles)South Valley Trail-[co-overseer] - High Meadows Trail to 1st Intersec-tion with Scenic Dr (1.7 miles)South Valley Trail - Scenic Drive 1st intersection to Scenic Drive 3rd intersection (1.9 miles)

Spotsylvania Battlefield ParkFrank Haas - 540/898-2213, [email protected] History Loop Trail - History Loop to History Loop (5.1 miles)Lee Drive North Trail - Howison Hill to Lansdowne Valley Road (3.0 miles) n

Take a Hike to the Museum of American...

Documents

Transcript of Take a Hike to the Museum of American...