THE NEWSLETTER OF THE POTOMAC APPALACHIAN TRAIL CLUB
APRIL 2017 ‑ VOLUME 46, NUMBER 4
Spring beauty is aptly
named as the epitome
of the beauty of spring
after the frigid silence
of winter; it instantiates
renewal. Photo by Wm
Needham
SPRING BEAUTY:
WHAT HATH GOD WROUGHT?
MYTH OF CREATION
2
WHAT'S THAT
FLOWER?
3
As a rooster crows to announce the dawn, the passing of the vernal equinox has its own herald.
Its delicate clusters of white petals limned with pink, there is no better name than spring beauty
(Claytonia virginica) to capture its annual recrudescence.
Although each flower is relatively small, there are multiple blossoms on each individual spring
beauty plant. Multiple plants grow in miniature copses that carpet moist upland woods - a
Garden of Eden suggesting divine provenance.
As a spring ephemeral, the plant follows the rules of phenology, blooming before the leafy
canopy of summer growth steals the sunlight from hundreds of feet above. Spring beauty is one
of many understory flowering plants that must grow and attract pollinators for fertilization to
engender the essential seed all in the short weeks between the spring warming that signals their
emergence and the summer shadows that mandate their demise.
They are not alone; transient wildflowers are necessarily relegated to the fleeting sunlit hiatus of
the early spring. Hepatica, coltsfoot, bloodroot, dandelion, columbine and trout lily are among
their more notable cohorts that beguile the wanderer. That the spring beauty is abundant among
them attests to its successful adaptations against nature’s unforgiving ways.
An alternate name for spring beauty is groundnut, referring to the amyloid corm from which
the plant arises and where the photosynthetic product is stored. A corm is similar to a tuber, the
latter familiar as the potato and the yam (the sweet potato, which is not the same as the yam, is a
root and not a tuber).
HELP WANTED
20
118 PARK STREET, S.E.,
VIENNA, VA 22180‑4609
WWW.PATC.NET
ISSN 098‑8L54
The distinction between corms and tubers is confusing as both are hypogeal growths used
by their respective plant as nutrient repositories. Tubers are multiple swollen portions of
stolons, the side branches of the underground stem; multiple tubers for a single plant propagate
vegetatively from the “eyes.”
A corm is the vertical portion of the underground stem that is thickened and fleshy; there is one
corm per plant and in most cases the corm persists from year to year so that spring beauty is a
perennial and not an annual plant. A corm is also similar to the bulb associated with tulips and
onions; to add to the confusion corms are sometimes called solid bulbs or bulbo-tubers.
continued on P. 20
HOW TO HELP THE
APPALACHIAN TRAIL
CONSERVANCY PROTECT
AGAINST THE MOUNTAIN
VALLEY PIPELINE
As you have read in past issues of this
newsletter, a pipeline project proposed
near Roanoke, Va., poses two threats to
the interests of PATC.
Call the U.S. Congress switchboard at
202/224-3121 and tell them you want to
speak to your Representative’s office; then
call each of your Senators. You do not
need to know who they are; your zip code
will get you directed.
We all recognize that such projects
are essential but they could be routed
through areas that are already heavily
affected by infrastructure projects such
as the I-66 crossing near Winchester, Va.
As important, there is no justification for
proposing exemptions for such projects
from a management planning process we
all have fought for and which are valuable
tools for professionals who manage these
projects.
For more information go to
AppalachianTrail.org/StopThePipeline.
First, it is proposed that the pipeline will
cross the AT near Roanoke. Second, the
proposal includes a provision to exempt
such infrastructure projects from the
George Washington & Jefferson National
Forest Management Plan which is used
by the forest to accommodate its many
users. If this proposal is approved, ALL
national public lands may be threatened!
Interestingly, at the time of writing this
article, the U.S. EPA is opposed to this
project on the grounds that it is absolutely
unnecessary.
While the club under President Don
White responded during the public
comment period, ATC has just released
information on actions individuals can
take. To be clear, both PATC and ATC
understand the need for pipelines and
electrical grids; however, the threats
presented by this particular proposal are
existential to our interests.
How can you help?
Make a donation to the ATC fund
established by ATC to fight this
pipeline. Send donations to ATC at 799
Washington St. Harpers Ferry, W.Va.
25425. Make the check out to ATC/
MVP appeal fund. Or donate online
at: https://donate.appalachiantrail.org/
default.aspx?tsid=7638
2
THE MYTH OF CREATION
In the 1920s there was a vibrant hiking
culture in Washington, D.C. At least
two clubs were formally organized: the
Red Triangle Club and the Wildflower
Preservation Society.
A Baltimore hiking club, the Fussgangers,
sometimes hiked with the clubs in the
Washington area.
The Washington-based clubs hiked the
C&O Canal and trails in Rock Creek
Park; sometimes they headed to the
mountains. It was all private land: there
was no Shenandoah National Park,
no public land all, and no clubs that
were building hiking trails. Out in the
mountains, they were probably walking
down dirt roads or primitive paths that
went from one Appalachian Mountain
settlement to another. The fact is that we
just don’t know, except in general terms,
where they hiked.
In downtown Washington, a young
Harvard-educated man had recently
moved from New England and was
working for the U.S. Shipping Board
as an admiralty lawyer. His name was
Myron Avery, and he came from Maine
where he had grown up hiking in the
mountains.
In a 1952 article in the PATC Bulletin,
Andy Anderson, who also liked to hike,
recounts how he met Avery:
It was a rainy Saturday in November
1927. A trip had been scheduled by
the Wildflower Preservation Society,
but the downpour was so steady and
persistent that I concluded it was no day
for botanizing. Around noontime the
rain stopped and the sun came out. I was
debating what to do with myself when I
remembered that the Red Triangle Club
had a hike scheduled for that afternoon.
I joined the party and there I met Myron
Avery for the first time….We discussed
equipment for a while, and then I
mentioned that P.L. Ricker, President of
the Wildflower Preservation Society, had
been talking to me about organizing a
club to work on the Appalachian Trail.
Myron reacted with such enthusiasm that
it appeared that he had been thinking
along the same line. He wanted to call a
meeting right away.
(Incidentally, Anderson was wrong
about the month in which he met Avery.
Avery was already in touch with Arthur
Perkins, the Chairman of the Board
of the Appalachian Trail Conference,
in late October, stating that a group in
Washington would meet to form a new
club.)
Anderson and Avery arranged for
a meeting several weeks hence at
Anderson’s office in the Metropolitan
Bank Building in Washington. In the
meantime, the two met others who were
interested in the same thing, and when
the meeting occurred on November
22, there were six people in the room:
Anderson, Avery, Homer Corson, P. L.
Ricker, L. F. Schmeckebier, and Frank
Schairer.
These, the “Immortal Six,” thus
established PATC on Nov. 22, 1927 –
90 years ago. They elected Avery their
president, and a great deal more will be
said about Myron Avery in the next issue
of the Potomac Appalachian.
-Tom Johnson
APRIL 2017 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
Redbuds grow in tightly-bunched clusters
of three to nine flowers on old growth
even on the main trunk. The whole
flower is magenta/pink: petals, calyx
(sepal) tube and stem.
As the flowers fade, redbud leaves start to
open. They are simple, entire and broadly
heart-shaped with prominent veins. The
pods are long and flat. They start out
green and turn brown and persist on the
plant into winter.
Redbud has heart-shaped leaves and flat
pods. Photo by Richard Stromberg
PATC members Jake Anagnost and Julia Falk (pictured) were among a PATC crew
that relocated the Ford Mine Trail at Great Falls Park in Maryland. We met up early on
Saturday, Feb. 18, and, with the coordination of Joshua Nolen, an NPS ranger at Great
Falls, we grabbed tools from their cache and realigned a segment of the trail from a
lower, boggy area. The new path bypasses a lower section that spent most of the year
under water and surrounded by mud. Photo by Craig Falk
WHAT’S THAT FLOWER?
THE PEA FAMILY—REDBUD
AND CLOVER
Eastern redbud (Cercis Canadensis) is a
highlight of the spring explosion of wild
flowers. This small tree or shrub lines
country roads and trails with bright
magenta flowers that fill the branches
before the leaves appear. Going through
it may seem like driving or walking
through cotton candy. It blooms from
late March through April.
Redbud is a forest edge or understory
plant. Bushes often appear in a row in
the woods under the leafless trees and are
common throughout our area.
The flowers have the typical pea-family
APRIL 2017 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
form: the large upper, notched petal
called the banner; two smaller, wing
petals, and two petals at the bottom that
are fused to look like the bottom of a boat
or canoe and are called the keel. You may
not recognize these parts until the redbud
opens fully.
Redbud’s magenta flowers have the
typical pea-family form. Photo by Richard
Stromberg
Clover blooms from April through the
summer, generally growing in open areas
where it is so common that we tend to
ignore it. Its genus name is Trifolium
because it has three leaflets that are round
or oval and entire or with tiny teeth.
Clover flower heads look like spikey balls
but if you look closely, you will see that
each spike has a typical pea family form.
We have several clover species in our area.
Red clover (T. pratense—of meadows)
flowers are magenta. The round
flower heads may be over an inch in
circumference. The flower heads are tight
against leaves on the stem below them.
The leaflets are often blotched with a
white “V”.
White clover (T. repens—creeping)
flowers are white or rose-tinged. The
round flower heads usually are smaller
than red clover. The stems creep along
the ground, and each flower stalk arises
directly from the creeping stem and has
no leaves on it—the only clover that does
not have leaves on the stalk with the
flower. The leaflets sometimes have white
markings.
3
Alsike clover (T. hybridum—hybrid) is
similar to white clover but stems do not
creep along the ground and leaves grow
on the stem below the flower head.
Medic and Medicago derive from the
Greek word for alfalfa, Medice, which
derives from Media, supposedly the
country of its origin. The scientific name
for alfalfa is Medicago sativa. Sativa
means sown, and, of course, alfalfa is
often sown by farmers for forage and
to fertilize fields since alfalfa, like most
members of the pea family, has root
nodules that fix nitrogen in the soil.
Instruction Weekend: May 6-7 (Sat. –
Sun.) Bear’s Den Hostel Campground,
Bluemont, VA (Sat. overnight car
camping in campground encouraged
but not required)
The flower heads of rabbit-foot clover (T.
arvense—of cultivated fields) are fuzzy
gray cylinders with a rosy tinge.
We have three clovers with bright yellow
flowers in round heads. They are called
hop clovers.
Large hop clover (T. aureum—golden)
has flower heads and leaflets over ½
inch long, and the middle leaflet has no
stalk. Low hop clover (T. campestre—of
fields) flower heads are ⅓ to ½ inch with
normally more than 15 flowers and the
middle leaflet has a stalk. It usually
is prostrate on the ground. Least hop
clover (T. dubium—doubtful) is similar
to Low Hop Clover but heads are only ¼
inch with less than 15 flowers. Maturing
flowers stay on the plant and bend down
turning brown resembling hops.
Black medic (Medicago lupulina) has
similar flowers and foliage to the hop
clovers, but the leaflets have a short bristle
at the tip. They are called black because
the coiled seedpods are black.
4
Expand your enjoyment of the outdoors
through the practice of backpacking.
Provides basic instruction in equipment
selection and use, information and
techniques to enhance safety and
comfort, and Leave No Trace methods
to protect our fragile backcountry
environment.Includes an overnight
backpacking trip accompanied by
experienced backpacking instructors.
Designed for persons 18 years and
older who have no prior backpacking
experience, as well as former
backpackers seeking to update their
skills.Introduction night: Monday,
May 1 7 p.m. – 9 p.m., PATC HQ
Rabbit-foot Clover flower heads are fuzzy
gray cylinders with a rosy tinge. Photo by
Richard Stromberg
The flower heads of crimson clover
(T. incarnatum—blood red) are also
cylindrical and are dark red as indicated
by the common and scientific names.
It is less common in our area than the
previous ones.
Backpacking 101 An
Introductory Backpacking
course offered by PATC’s
Trail Patrol
White clover (top) has no leaves on the
flower stem while red clover (foreground)
has three leaves with white marks
below the flower head. Photo by Richard
Stromberg
None of the above species are native. The
only native clover in our area is Kates
Mountain clover (Trifolium virginicum).
It is a rare plant that grows only in
shale barrens in the Appalachians from
southern Pennsylvania to Virginia, so if
you see a clover with white flowers and
elongated leaflets, let me know where you
saw it.
Overnight Backpacking Trip: May
20-21 (Sat. – Sun.) Trip destination and
times TBD.
Fee: $100 for PATC members, $125 for
Non-members.
Pre-registration required at least 10 days
prior to class. Class size limited to 25.
For more information or to download a
registration form, go to:
www.patc.net/bp101 Or contact John
Bridges at
[email protected] or
703/726-0188
You might wonder: is a shamrock a
clover? Pictures of a shamrock always
show heart-shaped leaflets, not the round
leaflets of clovers. The heart-shaped
leaflets indicate Wood Sorrel (Oxalis
montana), which is native here and in
Ireland. Those “shamrocks” sold in the
supermarkets for St. Patrick’s Day are
Oxalis regnellii or triangularis from
Brazil.
-Richard Stromberg
APRIL 2017 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
Join a Crew!
Get a FREE WEEK in Shenandoah
National Park!
Why spend your hard earned money
on a spa or personal trainer when you
can soak up the sun and air for free in
Shenandoah National Park working
alongside park rangers as a member of
the North District's May trail crew?
Along with the exercise, you will be
learning new skills. We will be working
May 21-22. Room and board provided.
No experience needed but you should
be ready to put in an eight hour day of
moderate physical labor.
If you can hike and garden, you can do
this. Must be 18 or older. For details,
contact Wayne Limberg at
[email protected].
VOLUNTEER WITH THE
POTOMAC APPALACHIAN!
HELP WANTED
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Join us for the 9th ANNUAL PATC EARTH DAY WEEKEND
APRIL 22 – 23, 2017
SHAVER HOLLOW TRACT NEAR LURAY, VA
This 60-acre tract, nestled against Shenandoah National Park, includes both the Tulip
Tree cabin and the Lambert cabin. Now it also includes the newly acquired Huntley
Cabin (pictured) and adjacent 102-acre property.
Join us for a weekend of grounds cleaning. We’ll focus on constructing a stone
retaining wall along the pond near Lambert cabin where last fall, a liner was placed
on the bottom of the pond to eliminate underground leaks. Now we need to do some
cosmetic work to make the pond beautiful again.
Guests can stay Saturday night in the Lambert Cabin (which has electricity, plumbing
and a nice kitchen!) or camp in the campground. The cabin holds 12, so, first come,
first served. Saturday breakfast and dinner, and Sunday breakfast will be provided
(usually about $15/person). Bring loppers, hand snips, shovels, gloves, your lunches
and “beverage of choice” for dinner and after-dinner pleasure.
Responsibilities with be shared with
current Graphic Designer of the
newsletter. Commitment to approximately
15 hours of design work every other
month is expected. Education in graphic
design and experience with Adobe
InDesign is required.
There is no better place than at this residence to celebrate the real meaning of Earth
Day. This is the property that for 42 years was home to Darwin Lambert and his wife,
Eileen. This is where they practiced a life-long commitment of living with nature, or
as Darwin Lambert called it, Earthmanship - "the art and science of living on Earth for
maximum health and happiness while enhancing the planet's resources and functions
as the home of life."
Email
Rachel at [email protected] if
you are interested.
Darwin, the first employee of the Shenandoah National Park in 1936, has authored
a number of publications, including “The Undying Past of the Shenandoah National
Park,” and “The Earth-Man Story,” in which he presents his Earthmanship
philosophy of life.
For more information, please call Bob Pickett (240/457-0352, or [email protected]).
APRIL 2017 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
5
Leave No Trace Master
Educator Course
April 30 - May 4, 2017
Shenandoah National Park, Va.
Presented by the National Outdoor
Leadership School (NOLS)
Hosted by the Potomac Appalachian Trail
Club, Trail Patrol
In partnership with Shenandoah National
Park
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
The PATC welcomes letters to the
editor of the Potomac Appalachian from
members concerning Club activities or
operations. Send your letter to letters@
patc.net. Letters must be fewer than
200 words and may be edited for
brevity and clarity. Include your full
name - anonymous submissions and
pseudonyms will not be considered.
Also include your mailing address,
e-mail address, and telephone number:
these are used only for verification and
will not be published. Letters become
the property of the PATC and may be
republished in any format.
Would you like to organize and lead
Leave No Trace Trainer Courses or just
take your own Leave No Trace skills up a
notch?
The Leave No Trace Master Educator
Course expands on the skills and ethics
covered in the Leave No Trace Trainer
Course (prior attendance in a trainer
course is not required). In addition, the
Master Educator Course teaches you
how and qualifies you to conduct Leave
No Trace Trainer Courses.
The PATC Maps Committee regretfully
announces the retirement of its two
map apps, PATC - Shenandoah and
PATC - Maryland/Northern Virginia/
West Virginia. We are unable to
support much-needed updates to
the apps at this time. Although the
apps are no longer available for
purchase, those of you who have
already purchased the apps will be
able to continue to use them as long
as your device's operating system can
support the app. We are grateful for all
the feedback we have received from
users. We know that they are popular
with many of you. Thank you for your
support!
Instructors from both NOLS and PATC
will conduct this backpacking format
course. The first day of the course is a
classroom session, taking place at a park
cabin where you will also spend your first
night in a bunk. The second through fifth
days are spent backpacking in beautiful
Shenandoah National Park.
To learn more about this course or to
register:
http://www.nols.edu/lnt/master_
educator.shtml
Volunteer at PATC HQ!
Needed – customer service and cabins
desk volunteers for PATC headquarters
store.
Hours:
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through
Friday; Wednesday evening, 6 p.m. to
8 p.m.
To volunteer, for one or more mid-day
shifts or Wednesday evenings a month,
contact Bill Ryan (rocko_ryan@verizon.
net) for the customer service desk,
and Steve McLaughlin (gr8swim@aol.
com) for the cabins desk.
6
APRIL 2017 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
VOLUNTEER OF THE
MONTH NOMINATIONS
We all know one – or more… those
PATC volunteers who go above and
beyond the “call of duty”, achieving
extraordinary results on behalf of
the club. Help us recognize these
special people by nominating them
to be Volunteer of the Month. They
will be recognized both on the
PATC website and here in the PA.
Nominations should be typed in
Microsoft Word. Nominations should
be 400 words or less. Include notable
PATC accomplishments, current
duties and outside organization
involvement. A brief biographical
sketch may also be included. Pictures
should accompany every submission.
Pictures should be in jpeg format, high
resolution and at least 300k. Send
nominations to [email protected].
SOLO Wilderness First Aid
Could you get hurt when crossing a stream, using trail or cabin maintenance tools,
encountering bees or a timber rattlesnake, slipping on autumn leaves or icy trails,
or driving around a hidden curve in the mountains? What other scenarios can you
imagine?
Benjamin Franklin aptly noted, "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail." Learn
how to help yourself and fellow hikers / maintainers by attending the 20-hour MEDIC
SOLO Wilderness First Aid certification course, brought to you by PATC Member Matt
Rosefsky. No prerequisites. For adults and youths ages 12 and up. Know your loved
ones are safe wherever they are.
Charlottesville, Va.: April 15-16 or May 27-28.
Other locations: Blacksburg, Richmond and Virginia Beach, Va.; D.C.; N.C.
Info / Class Photos / Testimonials / Registration Online: www.solowfa.com
Questions? 434/465-8733
APRIL 2017 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
7
EMERGENCY
RESPONSE
TRAINING AND
TRAIL PATROL
PRESENTS:
BASIC WILDERNESS
2017 Classes:
May 6-7 WFA, Frederick
July 29-30 BWFA, Vienna
Sept. 30-Oct. 1 WFA, Frederick
Oct. 21-22 WFA, Frederick
Dec. 2-3 WFA, Frederick
Dec. 10-11 WFA Frederick
Basic Wilderness First Aid (BWFA)
Day one of this two-day class covers Adult CPR and AED and
American Heart Association First Aid. You will receive a textbook
and a certification card good for two years. Day two is American
Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) Basic Wilderness First Aid. You
will learn how to do bleeding control, splinting and other basic first aid
skills in the wilderness setting. There is plenty of hands-on time, and
paramedics with years of backcountry experience teach the classes.
Cost of the class is $130, and it is held at PATC headquarters. Pre-registration
is required no later than the Friday one week prior to the class. For more
information or to download the registration form, go to www.patc.net/firstaid
or contact Saleena DeVore at [email protected], or 410/456-6861.
Wilderness First Aid (WFA)
Join us for a 20-hour Wilderness First Aid Class! In this class, you will
learn how to get help, move and transport patients, conduct patient
assessments, documentation, how to handle medical and environmental
emergencies, injury prevention and care and much more. There is
plenty of hands-on practice with hypothetical scenarios. This class is
conducted inside and outdoors on a trail. Each student will receive a
certification card good for two years through ECSI and a waterproof
field guide. Cost is $180, and pre-registration is required. The class is
held in Frederick, Md. Please contact Saleena DeVore (see above) for
more information or registration forms. No experience is required.
PATC Store Feature Item
PATC Trail Club Bandana-Beautiful natural cotton bandana with full color print of Old Rag Mountain, PATC Logo and SNP Logo. Show
off your PATC pride and wear it yourself or dress up your four legged hiking partner and let your pooch wear it proudly. Dip in cool
water and tie around your neck for a refreshing feel on a hot day. Buy online or stop by our Vienna location and save on shipping.
$8.80 for members/$11 for non-members, plus tax.
8
APRIL 2017 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
Trail Maintenance Workshop
PATC Presents:A Traditional
Tools Workshop
April 22-23 at Pinnacles
Research Station, SNP
The traditional tools workshop will
familiarize overseers with proper crosscut
saw and axe techniques. Instruction will
be provided on how to size up and safely
clear a blowdown with hand tools, when
and how to use wedges, safely swing an
axe, and how to care for these tools.
Workshop leaders will discuss situations
you’ll likely encounter on the trail and
conduct field exercises demonstrating
the various tools used to tackle these
challenges. Note that this is a workshop
only and will not result in a sawyer
certification. The workshop is open to
any PATC member, but preference will
be given to trail maintainers and crew
members.
Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 16 & 17, 2017
Shenandoah National Park - North District
This annual workshop, conducted by PATC’s Hoodlums Trail Crew and Shenandoah
National Park and held in the North District of the park, is designed to teach basic
skills to new and prospective trail maintainers, as well as to provide more advanced
training in trail design, construction, and maintenance.
Instruction will be provided by SNP trail professionals and experienced PATC crew
leaders. Workshop participants who wish to camp during the weekend may stay at
the Mathews Arm Campground in the North District. Participants will have free entry
to the park and campground.
The workshop will begin Saturday morning at 9 a.m. and end Sunday at 1 p.m. A $30
fee will cover Saturday dinner, Sunday breakfast and Sunday lunch.
The workshop has a strict limit of 30 participants and in past years has filled up early.
The registration deadline is Aug. 18 or as soon as the workshop is filled.
For more information, or to register, contact Peter Harris ([email protected] or
703/408-7812). Please do not submit the form and fee until you contact Peter to make
sure the workshop isn’t already full.
Participation in the workshop is available only to members of PATC and registration in
advance is required.
For further information, contact Dan
Dueweke ([email protected])
APRIL 2017 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
9
FORECAST
CHAPTERS
Charlottesville Chapter
The Charlottesville Chapter enjoys the trails
most every Saturday and occasionally during
the week for hikes and trail maintenance
varying from 4-12 miles. Destinations are in
the Shenandoah National Park, the George
Washington National Forest, or other
enticing places within a 2 hour radius of
Charlottesville. All activities are posted at
http://patc-charlottesville.blogspot.com/p/
hike-schedule.html. Come join us on a
Central Virginia adventure!
INFO: Iva Gillet ([email protected]) or
Marit Anderson ([email protected]).
North Chapter
The North Chapter conducts monthly trail
work trips on the Maryland and Pennsylvania
sections 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 generally held
on the AT on the first Saturday and on the
Tuscarora on the third Saturday; contact
Pete Brown ([email protected])
410/343‑1140. Pennsylvania AT work trips
also include an optional Saturday dinner
at the Gypsy Spring Cabin. For information
on upcoming hikes, contact Chris Firme at
717/794‑2855 or [email protected].
Chapter home page is www.patcnorth.net.
Northern Shenandoah Valley Chapter
The NSVC Chapter is now in the process
of reorganizing to build a chapter that has
a focus in line with that of the club and
provides each member the opportunity
to help build and direct the club in its
activities. For more information on becoming
a member of the Chapter or how to get
involved in the reorganization process
contact the interim Chapter President
Brian Heflin at [email protected].
Southern Shenandoah Valley Chapter
For descriptions of hikes and work trips,
go to www.ssvc.org or www.patc.net.
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 David Bennick, dbennick@
verizon.net or 540/337-5330.
10
West Chapter
The West Chapter is meant to serve those
residents who live in the area bounded by
Frederick, Md., to Leesburg, Va., west to
Hancock, Md. and to Berkeley Springs, W.
Va. However, anyone, regardless of where
they reside, may request to join the chapter’s
Yahoo group (www. groups.yahoo.com/
group/ PATCWest). The group is open to
anyone interested in chapter events but only
current PATC members may post messages
to the group. Hikes, trail work trips and other
activities are generally scheduled from
March through December.
INFO: Dave Jordahl [email protected].
but often elusive flora and fauna of the
region; hikes featuring varying levels of
difficulty with the Easy Hikers, Midweek
Hikers, and Vigorous Hikers; birding hikes
with experts to help sight and identify
our avian neighbors; historical hikes
tracking little known structures in SNP;
series hikes on a long trail or in a specific
area; backpacking trips; geology hikes
focused on the unique stratigraphy of our
area; waterfall hikes to beat the summer
heat; and, outreach hikes to get together
with the members of area groups. Check
out the Forecast calendar on the PATC
website www.patc.net for information.
SPECIAL INTEREST SECTIONS
Trail Patrol
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 and enjoy outdoor exercise,
peaceful scenic trails, and cheerful,
goodhearted companions, join STS.
INFO: Rob Swennes
[email protected].
Please visit our website at http://www.patc.
us/chapters/ski/ to check on the kinds of
Nordic skiing trips we offer each winter.
Mountaineering Section
We’re a diverse group of local D.C.‑area
climbers who share a common interest in
promoting safe climbing, conserving the
outdoors, developing new climbers’ skills,
representing the Washington‑area climbing
community and having fun! We provide
instruction for those wanting to learn the
basics—we are not a school, but we can get
you started. Our climbs are local or further
afield, nearly every weekend. In the winter,
we organize trips for beginning and advanced
ice climbers. Please visit our website at
www.potomacmountainclub.org/.
INFO: Mark Maier, [email protected] or
703/408-6912.
PATC Hikes
PATC offers diverse organized hikes.
On weekends and weekdays, there are
family hikes tailored to kids; natural
history hikes stalking the fascinating
Trail Patrol volunteers are PATC’s goodwill
ambassadors to the hiking public. They
provide a visible, reassuring 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 and personal equipment.
INFO: Murry Moskowitz (trailpatrol@patc.
net) or www.patc.net/trailpatrol.
Other Clubs’ Hikes
We include these hikes to give members
more chances to hike. Please note that
there is no charge to go on a PATC hike,
unless specifically stated. For many of
these clubs there is a charge if you are
not a member of their organization.
Capital Hiking Club
(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 Hiking Club
(www.centerhikingclub.org) and Sierra Club
(www.dc.sierraclub.org) hike on Saturdays
and Sundays using carpools. Schedules
are available at PATC Headquarters.
Northern Virginia Hiking Club
(http://www.meetup.com/NVHCHiking/) offers an amazing number
and variety of outdoor activities.
West Virginia Highland Conservancy
(www.wvhighlands.org) Outings are mostly
in W. Va.
APRIL 2017 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
APRIL
1 (Saturday)
2 (Sunday)
1 (Saturday)
MEETING—North Chapter Annual
Overseer Meeting, 9 a.m.
HIKE—Wanderbirds: Kings Gap,
Cumberland County, PA, 8 a.m.
Annual meeting for North Chapter trail,
shelter, and cabin overseers to exchange
information with forest, park, gameland,
and ATC partners. Pete Brown must be
notified if you plan to attend. INFO: Pete
Brown ([email protected])
Kings Gap is an environmental education
center situated at the northern terminus
of the Blue Ridge. Its mature forests are
wild enough for us to have seen black bear.
Thousands of native Pinkster azaleas will
be in bloom during this hike. We make use
of several trails to visit the park’s upland
areas as well as the biologically diverse
Kings Gap Hollow watershed. Est. 8 mi.
(intermediate) and 12 mi. (strenuous).
Kings Gap State Park Map. Fare: $20/$25.
Departs from 17th & K Sts. and the
Grosvenor Metro INFO: Josh Silverman
703/582-3456 ([email protected]) or Kay
Weston 240/381-7845 (kweston70@gmail.
com)
CLASS—Leave No Trace (LNT) Trainer
Course, SNP, 7:30 a.m.
The PATC Trail Patrol is offering this
two-day, low-mileage backpacking
format course designed to enhance your
understanding of LNT practices and ethics
and to increase your level of expertise
and confidence in teaching LNT 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 LNT issues, expand
your repertoire of low-impact skills
and increase your effectiveness in
teaching these important skills to others.
Participants should be experienced
campers or backpackers. Instruction
will concentrate on the incorporation of
low impact techniques in camping and
backpacking settings, but we will not be
teaching basic camping skills. 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. On completion of this
course, participants will be registered as
LNT Trainers with the national Leave No
Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and will
receive a certificate of course completion
as well as their LNT Trainer lapel pin.
Cost: $45.00 for PATC Members, $65.00
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 exception
of lunch for Saturday and Sunday, which
the participant should bring.Course Size:
Limited to 8 participants. Register early!
Visit www.patc.net and follow the Classes
and Training link to register on-line.
Participants must be 18 years or older.
INFO: Cindy Kelly ([email protected])
1 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK— AT, Frederick County, MD,
9 a.m.
Join us for a fun-filled event involving
dirt and teamwork. Newcomers always
welcome. We hike 1-5 mi. depending on
the specific agenda. Please bring water,
lunch, gloves and boots. INFO: Leonard
Keifer ([email protected])
2 (Sunday)
1 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—Stonewall Brigade: Great
North Mountain, GWNF, 9 a.m.
Looking for an excuse to get outdoors?
Join us as we spend the day maintaining
trails. Your reward will be the healthful
benefits of linear landscaping, and the
heartfelt thanks of passing trail users. We
meet at the Wolf Gap Recreation Area.
Bring a lunch, plenty of water, and sturdy
gloves. Tools, instruction, and camaraderie
will be provided. Join us for the day, or
stay over and camp. INFO: Mike Allen
([email protected])
1 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—Old Line Crew: Antietam
Battlefield, Sharpsburg, MD, 9 a.m.
Please join us for trail work at this historic
park. No experience is necessary. We
will be working on tread improvements to
one or more trails at the battlefield. New
volunteers are welcome
TRAIL WORK—West Chapter: Sugarloaf
Mountain, Dickerson, MD, 10:30 a.m.
This is our inaugural trail work trip of
2017 on the northern peaks (blue-blazed)
trail of Sugarloaf Mountain; starting off
where we left off last Fall. Installation of
new and maintenance of existing erosion
control structures. Meet at 10 a.m. on
Mount Ephraim Rd. on the west side of
the mountain. Refer to trail map; meet
near half-mile marker B-8. Carpooling
is strongly encouraged due to limited
parking. Bring work gloves, eye protection,
water, lunch, or trail snacks. Dress in
clothes that you don't mind getting
dirty and appropriate for the weather
conditions. Shorts are NOT recommended.
We generally work until around 3:30 p.m.,
however leave when you need to. Tools
and training provided. Please RSVP so
that I know how many tools to bring. INFO:
Dave Jordahl ([email protected])
INFO: Jim Tomlin ([email protected])
APRIL 2017 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
11
FORECAST
4 (Tuesday)
HIKE—Vigorous Hikers: 14th Redbud, MD
Edition, 8 a.m.
The 13th Redbud in April 2015 didn’t work
out so well, but let’s try for a 14th this year
with something entirely different. We’ll
attempt the entire length of the Catoctin
Trail, 26.5 mi. and about 5000’ of ascent.
And we’ll do it with a normal carpool
meeting time! Bailouts at approximately
20.5 and 22.5 possible. (PATC Map 5) INFO:
Bob Livezey ([email protected])
5 (Wednesday)
HIKE—Easy Hikers: Wolf Trap Farm Park,
Vienna, VA, 10:15 a.m.
An easy hike in a mostly wooded area on a
3-year old trail built by PATC. We will hike
onto an extension into Wolf Trap Canyon
and back. Meet at the Wolf Trap Farm Park
ticket office (1635 Wolf Trap Rd. Vienna Va.
22181). There are restrooms there. Bring
lunch and water. Directions, take I-495
and exit 45 Rte. 267 west (Dulles Toll Rd.)
follow signs (Wolf Trap) & pay a $1,50 toll.
To avoid the toll, take Rte. 7 and exit on
Towlston Rd. Drive 1 1/4 mi. to park on left.
Second alternative route is Chain Brige
Rd. through Tysons. Take Old Court House
Rd. on right to Trap Rd., then right into
Park. Park around the ticket office. We will
meet at the ticket office. INFO: Edna Trimm
703/304-5197 ([email protected])
5 (Wednesday)
CLASS—Best Hikes in and around SNP,
REI, Bailey’s Crossroads, VA, 7 p.m.
SNP holds hundreds of miles of trails. The
AT is the jewel in a crown of paths that
offer historical sites, wondrous vistas,
and magnificent terrain. PATC's founders
conceived the AT, its volunteers built it
and many other trails around it in the park,
and volunteers maintain the network to
this day. Learn about the best circuits
and secret spots from someone who has
hiked most all of them. This one-hour
12
presentation is free, but space is limited
and advance registration is required at
www.rei.com/baileyscrossroads. INFO:
Larry Broadwell ([email protected])
8-9 (Saturday-Sunday)
CLASS—Hike Leader Training - Spring, 8
a.m.
Trail Patrol offers a hike leader class
for hikers who are learning new skills
as well as formal hike leaders of outing
groups who are updating their group
leadership skills. The two day course
provides essential skills for leading
safe, environmentally responsible, and
enjoyable hikes. We cover how to handle
basic first aid, leadership development,
trip planning, standard procedures,
emergency procedures, gear and clothing,
map reading and navigation, and Leave No
Trace outdoor ethics. The training includes
lectures with hands-on applications and
trail-based scenarios. The course is open
to all levels from novice to experienced
hikers. Fee: $50 for PATC members; $85 for
non-members. Pre-registration is required
& limited to 10 students. INFO: Courtney
([email protected])
8 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—DC Crew: Rock Creek
Park, 8:15 a.m.
Join the DC Crew for our first major work
trip of 2017! We will be working on the
upper Valley Trail as we continue our
efforts to improve access within the park.
Meet first at the Nature Center at 8:20 a.m.
at 5200 Glover Road, NW; Washington DC
20015. We will carpool to the worksite and
expect to finish by noon. No experience
necessary; all are welcome. Please bring
gloves and wear appropriate footwear
and clothing for a few hours of manual
labor. Rain or shine. INFO: Alex Sanders
([email protected])
9 (Sunday)
HIKE—Wanderbirds: Virginia Bluebell
hike, Bull Run – Occoquan Trail, VA, 8 a.m.
There are literally acres of Virginia
Bluebells on the banks of Bull Run; the
result of rich, seasonally flooded, sandy
soil. We have timed the hike so we will see
vast stands of these flowers in full bloom.
Trout lilies, beavers, heron, kingfishers and
migratory warblers also vie for attention.
Moderate hikers start at Hemlock
Overlook and proceed north (upstream) on
the Bull Run – Occoquan Trail to Bull Run
Regional Park. Long hikers start hiking
north from Bull Run Marina; extra-long
hikers start at Fountainhead Regional
Park. Est. 8 and 12 mi. (intermediate) and
18 mi, (strenuous). Bull Run-Occoquan Trail
Map. Fare: $20/$25. Departs from 17th &
K Sts. and the Vienna Metro INFO: Jesse
Buckwalter 443/852-4094 (JxJunkMail@
gmail.com) or Jeannie Fauntleroy 703/8516592 ([email protected])
11 (Tuesday)
HIKE—Vigorous Hikers: Mt. Marshall and
Vicinity, SNP, 8:30 a.m.
Starting at the end of SR 625, we'll climb
the Mt. Marshall trail to the Bluff trail
which we'll follow to the AT. Hiking north
on the AT to Jenkins Gap, we'll return to
the cars via the Mt. Marshall trail. About
18 mi. and 3000’ of ascent. (PATC Map 9).
INFO: Josh Silverman (betula54@msn.
com)
11 (Tuesday)
CLASS—Trekking up Kilimanjaro, REI,
Woodbridge, VA, 7 p.m.
There is more than one route to climb
Africa's highest mountain, and more
than one way to plan it. Whether you
are interested in doing it or just learning
more about it, Bob Melchior will show
the photos, present the data, and explain
the options you need to understand
this majestic peak and its amazing
APRIL 2017 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
environment. His one-hour presentation
is free, but space is limited and advance
registration is required at www.rei.
com/woodbridge. INFO: Larry Broadwell
([email protected])
11 (Tuesday)
MEETING—PATC Council Meeting,
Vienna, VA, 7 p.m.
The PATC Council meets every month
except for January, July and November
to conduct the business of the club. All
members are welcome. Come see how we
make decisions about your club. Meetings
start promptly at 7 p.m. and generally end
around 9 p.m. To participate by phone, dial
1-877/746-4263 and when prompted, enter
participant code 024 7170# INFO: Brewster
Thackeray 703/242-0315 x105 (brewster@
patc.net)
12 (Wednesday)
HIKE—Easy Hikers: Fort Marcy Park,
McLean, VA, 10:15 a.m.
We will hike five mi. on the Potomac
Heritage Trail, from Turkey Run to Fort
Marcy. This will be a somewhat more
strenuous hike than usual, with ups and
downs and two stream crossings but no
other rocky sections. Meet at Fort Marcy
Park, McLean VA (38.93312° N, -77.12506°
W). Bring lunch and water. Restrooms
at the start of the hike, after the shuttle.
Directions: Take GW Parkway N from
Rosslyn about 3.5 mi. to Fort Marcy exit.
There is no access to Fort Marcy from
the S Parkway! A car shuttle will be used
since this is a one-way hike. INFO: Gary
Abrecht 202/546-6089 Cell on day of hike,
202/365-2921 ([email protected])
15 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—Yankee Clippers:
Tuscarora Trail, PA, 8:30 a.m.
No experience needed! Dress for being
out until late afternoon and bring lunch
APRIL 2017 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
and water. Contact Pete for more
information and to be notified in the event
the trip is cancelled. INFO: Pete Brown
([email protected])
15 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—ND Hoodlums: North
District, SNP, 9 a.m.
Where’s the salsa? Join the Hoodlums in
their annual Southwestern work trip. We
work 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
a Southwestern theme meal at Elkwallow
Picnic Area. Come for the day, stay for
dinner, and camp overnight if you wish.
Or just come out and work with us for the
day. Newcomers are always welcome! We
will meet at Piney River Ranger Station,
MP 22 on Skyline Drive just across from
Matthews Arm Campground. INFO: Janice
Cessna ([email protected])
16 (Sunday)
HIKE—Wanderbirds: AT to Marys Rock,
Central SNP, VA, 8 a.m.
Both hikes offer, at the end, an optional
climb up Marys Rock, with its commanding
360 degree view and 3500’ elevation.
Both hikes end at the Hazel Mountain
Overlook, a half mi. walk north on Skyline
drive from the Meadow Springs Trail.
Moderate hikers begin on the Nicholson
Hollow Trail junction with Skyline Drive
(at Hughes River Gap). They descend to
the historic Corbin Cabin and then hike
back up to the ridge by the Corbin Cabin
Cutoff Trail. Here, moderate hikers go
north on the AT to Meadow Spring with an
optional climb up Marys Rock. Long hikers
start at the Stony Man Parking Area and
descend via Sky Meadows Horse Trail,
Old Rag Fire Road, Corbin Mountain Trail,
and Indian Run Trails to Corbin Cabin. At
this point long hikers join the moderate
route. Est. 9 mi. (strenuous) and 11.5 mi.
(strenuous). PATC Map 10. Fare: $20/$25
(no park fee; free entrance day). Departs
from 17th & K Sts. and the Vienna Metro,
INFO: Jeff Thompson 703/859-0157
([email protected]) or Laura
Heaton 571/212-259 2 (lauraheaton41@
gmail.com)
18 (Tuesday)
HIKE— Vigorous Hikers: South from Buck
Hollow & Back, 8 am.
We’ll climb the Buck Hollow Trail to the
drive. After a little way south we will
take the access road to Birds Nest 3 and
then AT south. We will take Corbin Cabin
Cutoff trail and Nicholson Hollow trails
east. We’ll then take the Hannah Run Trail
and Catlett Spur Trail north to the Hazel
Mountain trail and descend the Buck Ridge
trail to our start. (Approximately 18.3 mi.
and 3800’ elevation.) INFO: Gene Whitaker
([email protected])
19 (Wednesday)
HIKE—Easy Hikers: Cabin John Trail,
Potomac, MD, 10:15 a.m.
An out-and-back hike totaling 6 mi. north
on Cabin John Trail from Democracy
Blvd. to Goya Dr.; the northern end of
Cabin John Trail. Flat to rolling, no stream
crossings without bridges. Meet in the
parking lot serving both Cabin John
Indoor Tennis and Locust Grove Nature
Center (7777 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda).
Bring water and lunch (optional). Lunch
will be near the Nature Center at hike’s
end. Directions: From I-495 in either
direction, take Exit 36 for MD Rte. 187, Old
Georgetown Rd. On exit ramp, go north on
Old Georgetown Rd. toward Rockville. Go
0.9 mi., make a left onto Democracy Blvd.,
and continue 1.9 mi. to parking lot on right
(brown signs). If southbound on I-270,
keep right at split for I-495 S, Exit 1 for
13
FORECAST
Democracy Blvd., bear right on exit ramp,
0.9 mi. to lot on right. No pets. Restrooms
in tennis center. INFO: Dick Kerr 301/5129173 ([email protected])
22 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—DC Crew: Rock Creek
Park, 8:15 a.m.
Join the DC Crew on a lovely spring
Saturday in Rock Creek Park! We will be
working on the Whitehaven Trail as we
continue our efforts to improve access
within the park. Meet first at the Nature
Center at 8:20 a.m. at 5200 Glover Road,
NW; Washington DC 20015. We will
carpool to the worksite and expect to
finish by noon. No experience necessary;
all are welcome. Please bring gloves and
wear appropriate footwear and clothing
for a few hours of manual labor. Rain or
shine. INFO: Alex Sanders (wdctrails@
yahoo.com)
21-22 (Friday-Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—Cadillac Crew: Old Rag
parking lot connector trail, 9 a.m.
Continue work on the trail from the future
Old Rag parking lot up to the old park
boundary. Landscaping work around
Old Rag cabin. Staying at the cabin Fri
& Sat night, Sat happy hour, potluck,
and breakfastat the cabin. INFO: Kirsten
Elowsky 703/554-4979
22-23 (Saturday-Sunday)
TRAINING—Traditional Tools Workshop,
SNP, 9 a.m.
The Traditional Tools Workshop will
familiarize trail maintainers and volunteers
with hand tools necessary to safely size
up and clear fallen trees from trails. We
will demonstrate bucking procedures for
crosscut saws and axes, use of wedges
to stabilize logs, and use of drawknives
to peel bark. Workshop leaders will
discuss situations you'll likely encounter
14
on the trail when clearing blowdowns,
when to proceed, and when to walk
away. Saturday's classroom sessions
and practical exercises will be followed
by fieldwork on Sunday. Although this
workshop follows the US Forest Service
training guide, it is not a certification class
and no sawyer cards will be issued. It
will provide a good background for those
wishing to become a certified crosscut
sawyer through a USFS program. The
workshop will be held at the Pinnacles
Research Station and is open to any PATC
member, but preference will be given to
trail maintainers and crew volunteers.
INFO: Dan Dueweke (dandueweke@gmail.
com)
22-23 (Saturday-Sunday)
SPECIAL EVENT—Earth Day at Lambert
Cabin, 10 a.m.
Come join us for a weekend of fun at
Lambert Cabin! We'll be focused on
creating a stone retaining wall along the
edge of the 'tadpond', which currently is
chock full of wood frog tadpoles. We'll
also be gathering and removing bamboo
shoots that we'll cut around the pond.
Other grounds activities will be offered
for those who like weeding and pruning.
We'll be staying in Lambert Cabin, which
holds 12 (first come/first served). Camping
is also available on the grounds. Saturday
night dinner and Sunday breakfast will be
provided (nominal fee between $10 - $15
ea.). Just bring your lunches, a sleeping
bag, toiletries, clothes, gloves and the
'beverage of choice' for the evening's
happy hour (liberal extensions of the hour
are encouraged). Eileen Lambert, wife of
Darwin Lambert, who lived here for over
forty years will be our special guest along
with former SNP Superintendent and wife
Bob and Phel Jacobson. INFO: Bob Pickett
240/457-0352 ([email protected])
23 (Sunday)
HIKE—Wanderbirds: Austin and Furnace
Mountains, SNP, VA, 8 a.m.
Don’t miss this hike in the beautiful
but seldom-visited southern section
of the park. All hikers walk for a short
distance on the Madison Run Road before
beginning the ascent of Austin Mountain
and Rockytop Trails. Moderate hikers then
descend on the Madison Run Spur Trail
and Road back to the bus. Long hikers
continue on the Big Run Loop Trail to the
AT, which is followed through Browns
Gap to the summit of Blackrock with its
panoramic views. The Blackrock and
Spoor and Trayfoot Mountain Trails lead
to our descent on the Furnace Mountain
Trail to the bus. Est. 12.5 mi. (strenuous)
and 9 mi. (strenuous). PATC Map 11. Fare
$20/$25 (no park fee; free entrance day).
Departs from 17th & K Sts. and the Vienna
Metro INFO: Kathryn Good 571/218-9225
([email protected]) or Vicky Hsu 240/3707011 ([email protected])
23 (Sunday)
TRAIL WORK—West Chapter: Sugarloaf
Mountain, Dickerson, MD, 10:30 a.m.
This is our inaugural trail work trip of
2017 on the northern peaks (blue-blazed)
trail of Sugarloaf Mountain; starting off
where we left off last Fall. Installation of
new and maintenance of existing erosion
control structures. Meet at 10 a.m. on
Mount Ephraim Rd. on the west side of
the mountain. Refer to trail map; meet
near half-mile marker B-8. Carpooling
is strongly encouraged due to limited
parking. Bring work gloves, eye protection,
water, lunch, or trail snacks. Dress in
clothes that you don't mind getting
dirty and appropriate for the weather
conditions. Shorts are NOT recommended.
We generally work until around 3:30 p.m.,
however leave when you need to. Tools
and training provided. Please RSVP so
that I know how many tools to bring. INFO:
Dave Jordahl ([email protected])
APRIL 2017 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
25 (Tuesday)
Sts. and the Grosvenor Metro.
HIKE—Vigorous Hikers: AT North from
Linden, 8 a.m.
INFO: Rennie Peddie 786/457-3793
([email protected]) or Michael Roehm
301/223-7385 ([email protected])
A fast paced hike on the AT from Linden
to Sky Meadows SP; annual Trillium Hike.
Distance will be 18 mi. with around 3,000 ft
of elevation gain. (PATC Map 8) INFO: Joan
DAlonzo 302/530-4202 (joandalonzo@
gmail.com)
26 (Wednesday)
HIKE—Easy Hikers: Rock Creek Park
Trail, Chevy Chase, MD, 10:15 a.m.
Meet at Meadowbrook Local Park, 7901
Meadowbrook Lane Chevy Chase MD.
A port-a-potty may be available on the
parking lot. Bring sturdy hiking shoes,
water and lunch. We shall walk on the
Rock Creek Park Trail, climb a rather steep
path up to Forest Glen’s Seminary and see
several impressive historical buildings.
We’ll return via the steep path, make a
detour to Audubon’s Woodend Sanctuary
for restrooms and lunch. We’ll walk about
5 mi. Directions: From Beltway, take exit
33, MD-185 / Connecticut Ave. south
(toward Chevy Chase) 1 mi. Turn left at
traffic light (country club will be on right)
onto MD-410 / East-West Hwy. Proceed
1.2 mi. and turn right onto Meadowbrook
Lane (street just past Beach Drive). Bear
right past stables and follow to parking lot
(near tennis courts INFO: Ayana Touval
Cell on the day of the hike: 301/233-7867
([email protected])
30 (Sunday)
HIKE—Wanderbirds: AT Pine Grove to
Boiling Springs, PA, 8 a.m.
Long hikers start where the AT crosses
Pine Grove Rd. near Tag Run Campground.
Moderate hikers start where the AT
crosses Rte. 94. All hikers follow the AT to
historic Boiling Springs, PA, and to the bus
at Children’s Lake. Est. 11.5 mi. (strenuous)
and 8.5 mi. (intermediate). PATC Map 1 and
2-3. Fare: $20/$25. Departs from 17th & K
APRIL 2017 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
MAY
1, 6-7, & 20-21 (Monday, Saturday-Sunday,
Saturday-Sunday)
TRAINING—Backpacking 101, 7:30 p.m.
An introductory Backpacking course
offered by PATC's Trail Patrol. Expand
your enjoyment of the outdoors through
the practice of backpacking. Provides
basic instruction in equipment selection
and use, information and techniques to
enhance safety and comfort, and Leave
No Trace methods to protect our fragile
backcountry environment. Includes an
overnight backpacking trip accompanied
by experienced backpacking instructors.
Designed for persons 18 years and
older who have no prior backpacking
experience, as well as former backpackers
seeking to update their skills. Introduction
night: Monday, May 1, 7–9 p.m., PATC
HQ. Instruction Weekend: May 6-7 at
Bear’s Den Hostel Campground, Bluemont,
VA (Sat. overnight car camping in
campground encouraged but not required.)
Overnight Backpacking Trip: May 20-21,
Trip destination and times TBD. Fee:
$100.00 for PATC members, $125.00 for
Non-members. Pre-registration required
at least 10 days prior to class. Class size
limited to 25. For more information or to
download a registration form, go to: www.
patc.net/bp101 John below. INFO: John
Bridges 703/726-0188 (TPBackpack@patc.
net)
3 (Wednesday)
HIKE— Easy Hikers: Linden, VA, 10:15 a.m.
It's trillium time (we hope), and an
opportunity to hike a section of the
AT! Hike five mi. with some elevation
gain and loss, in the Thompson Wildlife
Management Area (TWMA), one of the
largest stands of trilliums in the country.
Bring lunch and water. Note that this hike
is further out than we customarily travel,
so plan your travel time accordingly. Meet
at TWMA parking lot #6 (Coordinates for
your GPS: 38° 57' 13.3" N, 78° 01' 38.1" W).
Directions: From the Beltway take I-66 W
45 miles to exit 18 toward Markham. At
the bottom of the ramp turn left on VA 688,
pass under I-66 and turn right on to VA 55.
Continue 4.2 mi. and turn right on VA 638,
Freezeland Rd. Drive 5.1 mi., being careful,
after 1.1 mi. to take the sharp right turn to
remain on 638 when a road leading into
the Skyland Estates continues straight
ahead. Watch for the parking area on the
right, just past the first of a series of radio
towers. No restrooms at the trailhead.
The VA agency which operates TMWA
requires a permit to hike on their land,
which the leader will obtain. A contribution
of $2 per hiker will be solicited to help
defray the cost. INFO: Gary Abrecht
202/546-6089 Cell on day of hike 202/3652921 ([email protected] )
3 (Wednesday)
HIKE—Easy Hikers: Seneca Creek State
Park, Gaithersburg, MD, 10:15 a.m.
A five-mile hike around Clopper Lake.
Carry lunch and water. Restroom stops
will be available. Directions: From I-270
northbound, take Exit #10 Clopper Rd./
Diamond Ave./MD 117, using right-hand
access and exit lanes. Turn right at the end
of the exit ramp and follow Clopper Rd.
west just past St. Rose of Lima Church.
(The church will appear on your righthand side.) Turn left off Clopper Rd. at the
Seneca Creek State Park entrance sign
(11950 Clopper Rd., Gaithersburg). Take
the very next right-hand turn and park as
soon as you see the spaces that are in
view of the park administrative building. If
you pass the park kiosk, you have gone too
far. Hike is cancelled if heavy rain or local
school closings. INFO: Frank Bryn 408/9721212 ([email protected])
15
FORECAST
4 (Thursday)
7 (Sunday)
CLASS—Biking; Pittsburgh to DC, REI,
Tysons, VA, 7 p.m.
HIKE—Wanderbirds: Trillium Hike/Jack
Meiners Memorial Hike, TMMA, VA, 8 am.
Bicycling the former rail line known as the
Great Allegheny Passage and continuing
along the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal
towpath is a great way to tour some fine
country between Pittsburgh and the
nation's capital. Frank Wodarczyk has
done this trek annually. His slides show
what to expect and how to plan your
journey. Whether you prefer an inn-to-inn
experience, camping out, the support of an
organization, or a solo run, this session will
pique your interest and help you prepare.
This one-hour presentation is free, but
space is limited and advance registration
as required at www.rei.com/tysons. INFO:
Larry Broadwell ([email protected])
Long hikers start at Manassas Gap, and
follow the AT north past Manassas Gap
Shelter and the junction with Verlin Smith
Trail to continue on the AT to a point just
south of Dicks Dome Shelter. Here they
turn right and follow Verlin Smith Trail
around Lake Thompson and to parking
area #4 and the waiting bus. Moderate
hikers begin at parking area #4 and
complete a circuit by joining the path of
the long hikers. Est. 12 mi. (strenuous)
and 9 mi. (intermediate). This hike was
a favorite of Jack Meiners, and for this
reason we are using it to commemorate
him. Members will be encouraged after
the hike to share their memories of him
with others. PATC Map 8. Fare: $20/$25.
Departs from 17th & K Sts. and the Vienna
Metro.
6 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—Yankee Clippers: AT, PA,
8:45 a.m.
No experience needed! Dress for being
out until late afternoon and bring lunch
and water. Meet at Caledonia State Park
but be sure to contact Pete for more
information and to be notified in the
event plans change. The work trip will
be followed by the North Chapter spring
meeting, to be held at Gypsy Spring Cabin
at 3 p.m. Dinner after the meeting! INFO:
Pete Brown ([email protected]) or
Jim Peterson ([email protected])
6 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK— AT, Frederick County, MD,
9 a.m.
This is the perfect time of year to volunteer
on our crews. Please bring lunch, water,
gloves and boots. You can expect to hike
2-4 mi.
INFO: Leonard Keifer ([email protected])
16
INFO: Annetta DePompa 410/535-5171
([email protected]) or Chris Bublitz
240/687-3390 ([email protected])
7 (Sunday)
TRAIL WORK—West Chapter: Sugarloaf
Mountain, Dickerson, MD, 10:30 a.m.
This is our inaugural trail work trip of
2017 on the northern peaks (blue-blazed)
trail of Sugarloaf Mountain; starting off
where we left off last Fall. Installation of
new and maintenance of existing erosion
control structures. Meet at 10 a.m. on
Mount Ephraim Rd. on the west side of
the mountain. Refer to trail map; meet
near half-mile marker B-8. Carpooling
is strongly encouraged due to limited
parking. Bring work gloves, eye protection,
water, lunch, or trail snacks. Dress in
clothes that you don't mind getting
dirty and appropriate for the weather
conditions. Shorts are NOT recommended.
We generally work until around 3:30 p.m.,
however leave when you need to. Tools
and training provided. Please RSVP so
that I know how many tools to bring.INFO:
Dave Jordahl ([email protected])
9 (Tuesday)
CLASS—Best Hikes in and around SNP,
REI, Columbia, MD, 7 p.m.
SNP holds hundreds of miles of trail. The
Appalachian Trail is the jewel in a crown of
paths that offer historical sites, wondrous
vistas, and magnificent terrain. PATC's
founders conceived the AT, its volunteers
built it and many trails around it in the
park, and more volunteers maintain the
network to this day. Learn about the best
circuits and secret spots from William
Needham, who has hiked most all of them
and worked on several. This one-hour
presentation is free, but space is limited
and advance registration is required at
www.rei.com/columbia. INFO: Larry
Broadwell ([email protected])
9 (Tuesday)
MEETING—PATC Council Meeting,
Vienna, VA, 7 p.m.
The PATC Council meets every month
except for January, July and November
to conduct the business of the club. All
members are welcome. Come see how we
make decisions about your club. Meetings
start promptly at 7 p.m. and generally end
around 9 p.m. To participate by phone, dial
1-877/746-4263 and when prompted, enter
participant code 024 7170#INFO: Brewster
Thackeray 703/242-0315 x105 (brewster@
patc.net)
10 (Wednesday)
HIKE—Easy Hikers: Sugarloaf Mtn.,
Dickerson, MD, 10:15 a.m.
We will hike five miles on Sugarloaf
Mountain with good views over
surrounding valleys. This hike is
challenging by Easy Hikers standards.
Bring water and lunch. Restroom
available. Directions: From the Beltway
APRIL 2017 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
take I-270 NW for 22 mi. to exit 22. Turn
right onto Rte. 109 for 2.8 mi. Turn right
onto MD 95 (Comus Rd.) for 2.3 mi. to
entrance of Sugarloaf Mtn. Rd. (7901
Comus Rd., Dickerson, MD). Turn right
for 1.7 mi. to West View parking area
where we'll meet near the building shed.
It is about 70 min. from I-495. INFO: Ruth
Healey 301/530-0939 Cell on day of hike
301/875-4780
10 (Wednesday)
HIKE—Easy Hikers: Blockhouse Point,
Darnestown, MD, 10:15 a.m.
The Easy Hikers will hike in Blockhouse
Point Conservation Park and Civil War
Historic Site. A five mi. round trip walk on
trails through rolling woodland to great
views of the Potomac River and C&O Canal
at Civil War lookouts. Directions: From Exit
9 on Beltway (I-495) go west on River Rd.
9.5 mi. (through Potomac, MD) to parking
area on left, where gas pipeline crosses
River Rd. (Parking area GPS coordinates:
N 39° 3'57.5" , W 77° 18' 16") INFO: Ed Reis
301/229-0438 ([email protected])
13 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—DC Crew: Rock Creek
Park, 8:15 a.m.
Join the DC Crew on a lovely spring
Saturday, working on the Melvin Hazen
Trail near Cleveland Park as we continue
our efforts to improve access within the
park. Meet first at the Nature Center
at 8:20 a.m. at 5200 Glover Road, NW;
Washington DC 20015. We will carpool
to the worksite and expect to finish by
noon. No experience necessary; all are
welcome. Please bring gloves and wear
appropriate footwear and clothing for a
few hours of manual labor. Rain or shine.
INFO: Alex Sanders (wdctrails@yahoo.
com)
13 (Saturday)
17 (Wednesday)
TRAIL WORK—Stonewall Brigade: Great
North Mountain, GWNF, 9 a.m.
HIKE—Easy Hikers: Wakefield Park,
Annandale, VA, 10:15 a.m.
Looking for an excuse to get outdoors?
Join the Stonewall Brigade as we spend
the day maintaining trails. Your reward
will be the healthful benefits of linear
landscaping, and the heartfelt thanks of
passing trail users. We meet at 9am at
the Wolf Gap Recreation Area. Bring a
lunch, plenty of water, and sturdy gloves.
Tools, instruction, and camaraderie will be
provided. Join us for the day, or stay over
and camp at Wolf Gap. INFO: Mike Allen
([email protected])
Meet at Wakefield Park (8100 Braddock
Rd, Annandale, VA 22003) parking lot
near playground/bathrooms. Easy hike
of 5.5 mi. (distance is subject to weather/
trail conditions), from Wakefield Park
to loop around Lake Accotink on mostly
gravel, partly paved trail with some
slight elevations. Bring lunch and water.
Directions: From I 495S, take Exit 54-A
Braddock Rd. West (620) and stay right.
Immediately at first light, turn right onto
Wakefield Park Rd. Soon after, turn left
into far end of large parking area. INFO:
Carol Costello Cell on day of hike 571/4998037 ([email protected])
14/2017 (Sunday)
HIKE—Wanderbirds: Brown’s Hollow,
Massanutten Mountain, VA, 8 a.m.
This hike is a great late-winter hike with
continuous views. Moderate hikers do a
“lariat” hike: starting at the Massanutten
Visitor Center, they hike south on the
Massanutten Trail (with ridgeline views)
for two mi. They then hike the Bird Knob
Loop by taking a right fork onto the
white-blazed Bird Knob trail, which loops
back to the Massanutten Trail. Hikers
then hike north on the Massanutten Trail,
completing the four mi. loop and following
the scenic ridge back to the Visitor Center.
Long hikers do a clockwise loop: starting
at Rte. 211, they do a demanding climb up
Brown’s Hollow. Near Bird Knob, hikers
take the Massanutten Trail north and join
the last half of the moderate loop. PATC
Map H. Est. 11 mi. (strenuous) and 8 mi.
(moderate). Fare: $20/$25. Easy option.
PATC Map H. Fare: $20/$25. Departs from
17th & K Sts. and the Vienna Metro. INFO:
Mike Ollinger 301/933-2196 (edward_
[email protected]) or Anna Oldak
301/933-2196 ([email protected])
20/2017 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK— Yankee Clippers:
Tuscarora Trail, PA, 8:30 a.m.
No experience needed! Dress for being
out until late afternoon and bring lunch
and water. Contact Pete for more
information and to be notified in the event
the trip is cancelled. INFO: Pete Brown
([email protected])
20 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—Old Line Crew: Antietam
Battlefield, Sharpsburg, MD, 9 a.m.
Please join the Old Line Crew for trail
work at Antietam National Battlefield
Park. No experience is necessary. We
will be working on tread improvements to
one or more trails at the battlefield. New
volunteers are welcome INFO: Jim Tomlin
([email protected])
20 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—ND Hoodlums: SNP, 9 a.m.
Slip on down the bayou and join the
Hoodlums in their annual Cajun work trip.
The Hoodlums Trail Crew works on the
APRIL 2017 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
17
FORECAST
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 a Cajun theme
meal at Elkwallow Picnic Area. Come
for the day, stay for dinner, and camp
overnight if you wish. Or just come out
and work with us for the day. Newcomers
are always welcome! We will meet at
Piney River Ranger Station, MP 22 on
Skyline Drive just across from Matthews
Arm Campground. INFO: Janice Cessna
([email protected])
21 (Sunday)
HIKE—Wanderbirds: AT Harpers Ferry to
Weverton, WV, MD, 8 a.m.
This hike is a variation on the more usual
Keys Gap to Weverton Rte. that will
enable moderate hikers to see the view
at Maryland Heights. It starts at Harpers
Ferry where the AT crosses Shenandoah
St. just after the Rte. 340 bridge. All hikers
will then take the AT through Harpers
Ferry and take the 1200’ ascent to the
historic Maryland Heights. Long hikers will
extend the hike by taking the Stone Fort
loop. Est. : 7.5 mi. (intermediate) and 10 mi.
(intermediate). PATC Map 7. Fare: $20/$25.
Departs from 17th & K Sts. and the
Grosvenor Metro. INFO: Claire MacDonald
301/233-2571 ([email protected]) or
Larry Miller 240/353-3143 (purpletoupee@
sprintmail.com)
21 (Sunday)
TRAIL WORK—West Chapter: Sugarloaf
Mountain, Dickerson, MD, 10:30 a.m.
This is our inaugural trail work trip of
2017 on the northern peaks (blue-blazed)
trail of Sugarloaf Mountain; starting off
where we left off last Fall. Installation of
new and maintenance of existing erosion
control structures. Meet at 10 a.m. on
Mount Ephraim Rd. on the west side of
the mountain. Refer to trail map; meet
18
near half-mile marker B-8. Carpooling
is strongly encouraged due to limited
parking. Bring work gloves, eye protection,
water, lunch, or trail snacks. Dress in
clothes that you don't mind getting
dirty and appropriate for the weather
conditions. Shorts are NOT recommended.
We generally work until around 3:30 p.m.,
however leave when you need to. Tools
and training provided. Please RSVP so
that I know how many tools to bring. INFO:
Dave Jordahl ([email protected])
Gambrill Park sign on right (8602 Gambrill
Park Road, Frederick, MD 21701). Turn
right on Gambrill Park Road for 1.2 mi.
to parking lot on right. Continue beyond
parking lot for restrooms. INFO: Alice
Johnson 301/693-5175 (alskihike@hotmail.
com)
28 (Sunday)
HIKE—Wanderbirds: AT Compton Gap to
Hogback Overlook, SNP, VA, 8 a.m.
Enjoy the views from the AT in the
Northern section of SNP. Long hikers will
start at Compton Gap, stop at Compton
Peak for the magnificent view and
continue south to the AT to Hogback
Overlook, where the bus will be waiting.
Moderate hikers will shorten the hike
by starting at Jenkins Gap, and they
will have their chance to admire the
westward views at North Marshall and
South Marshall Mountains. Est. 10.4 mi.
(strenuous) and 8.4 mi. (intermediate).
PATC Map 9. Fare $20/$25 plus park fee.
Departs from 17th & K Sts. and the Vienna
Metro. INFO: Jim Fitzsimmons 703/4659022 ([email protected]) or George
Saxton 703/855-0876 (george@saxfam.
net)
31 (Wednesday)
HIKE—Easy Hikers: Gambrill State Park,
Frederick, MD, 10:15 a.m.
We will hike about four miles with some
steep and rocky sections. Meet at the
trailhead parking lot, as below. Bring
lunch and water. We'll eat at picnic area
where there are restrooms. Directions:
I-270 north and follow signs for 40 West/15
North Gettysburg, Take Exit 13B to US 40
West/W Patrick St. and continue on 40
West. Pass all the stores then watch for
APRIL 2017 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
TRAILHEAD
have a crack running through the middle.
Patrick briefly explained how to deal
with the situation, and within seconds
one double-sized stone became two
perfectly proportioned steps with clean
unweathered risers.
On the second day the team quickly
installed the waiting stones, as well as
one more sourced from 150 feet down the
trail. That stone was transported by two
students using a griphoist for the first time.
A good deal of extracted rock was placed
uphill from the steps, both to stabilize the
slope and to provide a resource for further
projects. The crew finished by grooming
the tread at the top of the steps and
porting all tools back to the parking lot.
The Fridley Gap work site before the crew
got started. Photo by Paul Boisen
After the crew completed its task.
Photo by Paul Boisen
Terrapin Trail Club Installs Nine
Steps on Fridley Gap Trail
crew was able to get to work quickly and
efficiently. Early on Saturday morning, the
students ported tools from the parking lot
to the work site.
Thanks to the University of Maryland
Terrapin Trail Club, a disintegrating and
rocky stretch of trail has been transformed
into a pleasing set of stone steps that will
serve the hiking/biking public for years to
come.
Phantom Blazer
On the weekend of Feb. 18, a ten-person
group from the University of Maryland
Terrapin Trail Club camped at Fridley Gap
in the Massanutten Mountains and spent
150+ work-hours installing steps at a
junction in the trail.
The lead for the trip, Paul Boisen,
circulated a work proposal, liaised with
the Lee Ranger District and the Terrapin
Trail Club, and gathered tools beforehand.
Patrick Wilson attended and filled the role
of lead architect and crew boss. The tenperson contingent from the Terrapin Trail
Club arrived on the evening of Feb. 17 and
set up camp at the junction of Mountain
Run and Fridley Run, about a half mile from
the trail head, and a quarter mile past the
work site.
Roughly half the Terrapin crew had
previously worked with Patrick, and the
APRIL 2017 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
Upon arrival, a team starting preparing a
space for the first massive bottom stepstone, which was conveniently located
adjacent to its final destination! A second
team stabilized the disintegrating crib
wall, and a third team scouted for suitable
rocks on the slope above the trail. As the
first two projects drew down, manpower
became available to transport the scouting
team's rocks via rope puller and griphoist.
By the end of the first day the crib wall
was finished, three steps were installed,
and five 300+ pound step-stones were
jostling at the top of the slope trying to
occupy the excavations prepared by the
crew.
A highlight of that first day happened when
the scouts sent a double-sized stone down
onto the trail, and it was discovered to
A phantom blazer has been overblazing
Section A of the Billy Goat Trail at Great
Falls in the C&O Canal NHP. Some of these
blazes have been positioned so as to lead
people deliberately off-trail, while other
blazes simply produce confusion through
too much clutter.
The only people authorized to blaze BGT-A
are Kevin Murphy (BGTS and PATC),
Laurel Heile (PATC) and District Manager
Martha Becton (PATC). If you see anyone
else blazing, do not confront them, but
if you can, get a picture or write down
a description of the person, including
anything that might identify if they are with
an organization. Please report what you
see to CHOH Central Dispatch at 301/7142235.
Submit your “on-the-trail” tales to the
Trailhead editors at patc.trailhead@gmail.
com. Trailhead submissions sent directly to
the PA editor will not be considered.
19
Trail to Duke Hollow (1.3mi)
NEW BOOTS
SNP Central District Blue
blazed [north] ~ Map 10
Volunteers Appointed in February
Melvin Ellis ~ H 703/860-1253 or 540/9879797, [email protected]
Corridor
•Leading Ridge Trail ~ Skyline Drive
to West Park Boundary (1.3mi)
Fran McLennand
Whiskey Hollow ~ Map 8
•Buck Ridge Trail ~ Buck Hollow Trail
to Hazel Mountain Trail (2.6mi)
Shelters
SNP Central District Blue
blazed [south] ~ Map 10
James Fye
Boone Run Shelter ~ Map H
Sean Dunn ~ 540/478-7953,
[email protected]
Trails
DM ~ MD C&O Canal Palisades ~ Map D
Allen Dieterich-Ward
Tuscarora Trail ~ Mountain Rd. to Jct. PA 641
Chad Crumrine
Tuscarora Trail ~ Mountain Rd. to Jct. PA 641
Joseph J. Klocek Buck Ridge Trail
Ron Heath
Crescent Rock Trail
Lisa Hyatt & Mark Witham Lewis Mountain Trail
Trip Ransone
Trayfoot Mountain Trail
•Appalachian Trail ~ co-overseer ~
Simmons Gap to Pinefield Gap (1.9 mi)
James Fye
Massanutten South Trail
Robert Fina Olmstead Island Bridges
•Appalachian Trail ~ co-overseer ~
McCormick Gap to Beagle Gap (1.8 mi)
Salvatore Fulginiti
Union Advance & Sherrick Farm Trail
Steve Bair ~ [email protected]
Dale Townsend
Mumma-Roulette Trail
Melanie Perl ~ 540/717-2821,
[email protected]
•PA Tuscarora Trail [J] ~ Cranes
Gap to Longs Gap (2.5 mi)
•PA Tuscarora Trail [J] ~ Longs
Gap to PA Rte.74 (3.3 mi)
•PA Tuscarora Trail [J] ~ McClure’s
Gap to Warner Trail (3.7 mi)
•PA Tuscarora Trail [J] ~ Hemlock
Road to Mountain Road (4.9mi)
•PA Tuscarora [K] ~ co-overseer ~ Alice
Trail to Yellow Blazed Trail (4.2 mi)
Trails
Pennsylvania AT, Blue blazed &
Tuscarora ~ Maps [2-3, 4, J, & K]
Pete Brown ~ 410/343-1140,
[email protected]
•PA Tuscarora Trail [J] ~ Sterretts
Gap to Cranes Gap (3.6 mi)
20
•Cedar Run (upper) [W1/2] ~ 2nd
stream crossing from the bottom
to Hawksbill Gap (2.5mi)
Martha Becton
•PA Tuscarora [K] ~ co-overseer
~ Yellow Trail to PA 456
•Hunter Trail ~ Tuscarora
Trail to PA 16 (.8 mi)
Harpers Ferry / Ashby Gap AT
& Blue blazed ~ Map 7 & 8
Chris Brunton ~ 703/967-2226,
[email protected]
•Appalachian Trail ~ Trans Mountain
•Johns Rest Trail ~ Johns Rest Cabin
to Lower Entry Run Trail (1.75 mi)
SNP South District
Appalachian Trail ~ Map 11
Don White ~ 804/728-3976,
[email protected]
SNP South District Blue blazed ~ Map 11
•Onemile Run Trail ~ Twomile Run
Overlook to 1st stream crossing (1.9 mi)
Tuscarora Central ~ Map L
John Spies ~ [email protected]
•Rock Cave & Overlook Trail ~ Pinnacle
Overlook to Pinnacle Campground (.1 mi)
•Devils Nose Connector ~ Devils Nose
Parking Area to Tuscarora Trail (.5 mi)
Tuscarora South ~ Map F, G, 9
John Stacy ~ 339/223-0416,
[email protected]
•Tuscarora Trail ~ Cedar Creek
to Ridge Crest (2.8 mi)
•Tuscarora Trail ~ Ridge Crest
to Fetzer Gap (3.1 mi)
•Tuscarora Trail ~ Rte. 340 to
SNP boundary (1.1 mi)
Massanutten North ~ Map G
Anstruther Davidson ~
703/534-8171, [email protected]
APRIL 2017 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
•Massanutten Mt. Trail ~ Gap Creek
Trail to Scothorn Gap Trail (2.4 mi)
Massanutten South ~ Map H
Keith Tondrick ~ H 540/4784022, [email protected]
•Fridley Gap Trail (west) ~ VA 868
to Martin Bottom (1.6 mi)
•Bull Run Occoquan Trail
•Robert Fina ~ 703/718-0804,
[email protected]
•Bull Run Occoquan Trail ~ Ordway
to Route 28 Parking Lot (1. mi)
Prince William Forest Park
Mark Ellis ~ 703/376-4150,
[email protected]
•North Valley/South Valley Trail ~
co-overseer ~ Cabin Branch Mine
Trail to South Orenda Road (1.5 mi)
•Algonquin Trail ~ Parking Lot
to Quantico Creek (.2 mi)
•Carters Pond Trail ~ Parking
Lot to Dam (.14 mi)
District of Columbia ~ Map N
Alex Sanders ~ H 703/4658140, [email protected]
•Normanstone Trail ~ Wisconsin
Ave to Rock Creek (1.0 mi)
(CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE)
SPRING BEAUTY
The corm provides nutrient storage and
vegetative growth that sustains and
multiplies spring beauty even during
stressful climate cycles. Its survival
is further enhanced by copious seed
production; each of the 10 to 15 blossoms
on each spring beauty plant produces
three seeds – that would be about
40 seeds per plant. And, like many
other spring ephemerals, it has evolved
according to its adaptive habitat to enter
into a mutualistic relationship with ants.
It has been estimated that there are ten
thousand trillion (1016) ants in the
world, a ubiquity that suggests a high
level of nutritional adaptation. Spring
beauty’s seeds produce protruding
appendages called elaiosomes (from the
Greek words for “oil” and “body”) whose
lipids and proteins are sought out by ants
for larval nutrition.
The dispersal of seeds to ant mound
burial sites for germination serves the
needs of the spring beauty, and the
nutrients sustain their willing porters.
Lots of ants beget lots of flowers.
Spring beauty corms are edible, and, due
to their diminutive size of ½ to 2 inches
in diameter, they are called “fairy spuds,”
an epithet which no doubt contributes to
the erroneous notion that they are tubers.
Several Native American tribes gathered
and ate them, a testimonial to the degree
to which gathering provided a backup
to the exigencies of the hunt – periodic
failure did not result in famine. A
reasonably sized portion can be excavated
in a relatively short time with a pointed
stick as the plants grow in clusters.
Fairy spuds are among the quarry
of modern foragers following in the
footsteps of Euell Gibbons of “Eating
the Wild Asparagus” fame who likened
them in flavor to boiled chestnuts.
Gathering spring beauty corms for
food, however, is not sustainable; spring
beauty is currently listed by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture as endangered
in Massachusetts.
Even Gibbons offered the cautionary
and philosophical note “Let’s not our
greediness for this food destroy or
diminish this attractive plant. The tubers
(sic) are good food for the body, but, after
a long winter, the pale-rose flowers in
early spring are food for the soul ‘Man
does not live by bread alone’.”
The assignment of the generic name
Claytonia to the spring beauty by
Linnaeus places both the wildflower and
the botanist John Clayton at the source
and origin of taxonomy.
As the clerk of Gloucester County, Va.,
from 1720 until his death in 1773,
Clayton had time to pursue his passion
for collecting and describing the flora
of the Virginia colony. In keeping with
the practices of the nascent emergence
of the life sciences, he sent dried plant
specimens with attendant descriptions to
Frederick Gronovius, a noted botanist in
Leiden, Netherlands, who shared them
with Linnaeus.
The complexity of global biological
diversity that resulted from the discovery
of the Americas overwhelmed the Greek
system of classification established by
Theophrastus of Eresus in the seminal
ten-volume “Historia Plantarum,” written
in the third century BCE. Linnaeus
recognized that the common practice of
naming the new American plants with a
string of descriptive nouns and adjectives
in Latin was unwieldy and devised the
current binomial system of genus and
species in the early 1730s.
Using the new taxonomy, Clayton
systematically collected plants in Virginia
and sent them to Gronovius, who
published the first modern botanical
treatise, “Flora Virginica,” in 1739
(apparently without knowledge or
consent of Clayton).
In naming the spring beauty’s genus
Claytonia in 1737, Linnaeus provided
at least a modicum of recognition to
the life work of Clayton. The Linnaean
taxonomic system is a sexual system,
dividing flowering plants into 23
classes according to the number and
configuration of the male reproductive
stamens. It worked for over two hundred
years. It has been overtaken in turn by
DNA, the ultimate roadmap of evolution.
-Wm Needham
APRIL 2017 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
21
Well that was easy! Winter is over, though it is not
clear that winter ever came to the Mid-Atlantic. Spring
is in full swing and many of you are getting ready for
spring break. Wherever you spend your break, take a
few nights to look up at the night sky. If you’re in a rural
area, seeing the stars is easy during a clear night sky.
Typically, city lights conceal light in our solar system,
making stars, planets and moons difficult to see with
the naked eye. But this April, our hemisphere has
opportunities to view stars, planets, moons and meteor
showers. Perhaps it is no coincidence that April is host
to International Astronomy Day.
Stars are not solid like earth. They are made of very
hot exploding gases, mainly helium and hydrogen.
Perhaps the most famous star in our sky is Polaris, or
the North Star. The North Star is unique because it is
always present in the northern sky. Next time you are
out at night try to find Polaris. Here is a tip on how to do
so. First, search the sky for Ursa Minor, or the “Little
Dipper.” After you find the Little Dipper, follow its handle
to the end. The last star on the handle is the North Star.
The North Star is the only bright star whose position in
relation to earth does not change, it is always present in
the northern sky.
Here is a rundown of the April 2017’s astrological events:
April 1 - Mercury appears in the eastern sky. On this day
Mercury will reach its greatest eastern elongation at
19 degrees from the Sun. The best time to look for the
planet is just after sunset in the low western sky. The
planet Mercury is visible two other times in 2017, July 29
and November 23.
April 7 - Jupiter! Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar
system -- more than twice as big as all other known
planets combined. On April 7, Jupiter can be found next
to our moon. Because of its position next to the moon,
Jupiter will be visible to the naked eye, brighter than
other times of the year and visible all night. With just
a pair of binoculars, you’ll be able to see at least three
of Jupiter’s 63 moons. The largest of Jupiter’s moons,
Ganymede, is larger than Mercury.
April 16-25 - Lyrids meteor shower. The Lyrids shower is
produced by dust particles left over by another comet,
and radiates from the constellation Lyra. At its peak, the
Lyrids is known to produce up to 20 meteors per hour.
The sporadic meteors can leave bright dust trails that
may last for several seconds. This year’s shower occurs
between moons, so the sky should be dark enough to
see the meteors anywhere in the night sky. Peak night to
see the shower is April 22 into the morning of April 23.
April 29- International Astronomy Day. Check with your
local observatory or astronomical society for meetings
and star parties near you.
Don’t forget, Earth Day is Saturday, April 22. This Earth
Day, do something special to celebrate the planet. You
can help clean up a local park or roadway, talk to your
friends about conservation, or make a rain barrel to
catch April showers. You can learn more at
www.earthday.org
LOOKING FOR
PATC MEMBERS’
SUMMER HIKES
•Have a favorite summer
hike you want to share with
fellow PATC members? Send
a description of your favorite
summer hike for possible
future inclusion in the Potomac
Appalachian. Hike descriptions
should be 250 words or less
and submitted in Microsoft
Word form. Pictures may also
be submitted along with the
article, as high-resolution
HELP IMPROVE FOREST HEALTH IN
SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK
We have opportunities available for Potomac Appalachian Trail Club
members to work directly with the ecology staff in Shenandoah National
Park (SNP). We will be building a strong program there in the coming years;
the first project is great for those who like to walk the trails but do not find
trail work enjoyable. You can do this solo or with companions.
The SNP staff would like to inventory invasive plants along the trails within
the park. There is no off-trail hiking involved. Observations will be recorded
using a specially configured phone app that facilitates identification of the
plants of concern, collecting geolocation data (GPS) and uploading the
information. You will be trained by SNP staff and assigned trail(s) that need
to be inventoried and monitored.
This is ideal for Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists, those with botanical
education (formal or informal) or motivated volunteers who want to learn.
This is a great way to enjoy Shenandoah National Park while helping improve
the health of the forest.
If this sounds like something you would enjoy, email the PATC Club
Naturalist, Dewey Clark, at [email protected].
PERIODICAL
118 Park Street, S.E.
Vienna, VA 22180‑4609
US POSTAGE PAID
AT VIENNA VA
Telephone: 703/242‑0315
Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
FIRST OF
THE MONTH
DEADLINE FOR POTOMAC APPALACHIAN ARTICLES AND FORECAST
Articles to be considered for publication in PA should be submitted to [email protected]. Digital photos
are welcome if they meet the requirements for a print publication, good contrast and at least 5x7
inches assuming a print resolution of 300 dots per inch. Please supply information for photo caption
and name of photographer. Photographs need not be connected with a story.
Forecast items to be included should be posted to the PATC calendar at patc.net by the deadline.
HOW TO CONTACT US Headquarters, Sales, Cabin Reservations, and Membership Information
Address: 118 Park Street, S.E., Vienna, Va. 22180
Phone #: 703/242‑0315
Fax #: 703/242‑0968
Club E‑mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.patc.net
Club President (leave a message),
Don White: 703/242‑0315
Hours: Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Club Officers and Chairs Contact Info
Contact list is online at www.patc.net/contacts
Change of Address? Log on to www.patc.net
and update your address online, or contact
[email protected]
Staff, During regular business hours
Position
Staff
Staff Director Brewster Thackeray Trails Management Coord. Heidi Forrest Sales Coordinator Diane Yang
Finance Coordinator
Tom Driggers
Cabin Coordinator
Anne Corwith
Membership/IT Coordinator Kit Sheffield Potomac Appalachian
Editor Co‑Editor Forecast Editor
Co-Forecast Editor
Layout Designer
Potomac Appalachian
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Rachel F. Levin Dan Pulskamp
Jack Bowie
Dan Varela
Dom Webster
[email protected]
PA‑[email protected]
(UPS‑440‑280) ©2017, 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 Vienna, Va. Postmaster:
send address changes to: PATC, 118 Park Street, S.E., Vienna, Va. 22180
Subscription: (Free with membership) $9.00 annually; $.75 single copies.