Our Events

Chimney Hollow & Crawford Mountain
26 Sep 2010
A 6.5 mile one way trip of moderate difficulty starts at 2000 ft with a gradual ascent through Chimney Hollow ravine, an area once rich in hemlocks and now dominated by white pine and laurel. The trail ascends toward Coalpit Knob, affording several opportunities for good views. The trail ends when it joins Crawford Mountain trail at just over 3500 ft elevation. We’ll continue south on Crawford Mountain Trail to reach our shuttle vehicles on State Road 688.

Meet at the trail head 9:30am. We’ll then shuttle some of our vehicles to the trail end. Bad weather will cancel this trip so please check in with leader Eric Gilchrist, ericgrv@gmail.com or 434-882-3179.

Trailhead: Travel 18.4 miles on Rt 250 West of Staunton. The trail head is on the left (south) side of Rt 250. Park alongside the road. If you pass the brown forest sign for Braley Pond you have missed the trail head. For carpool rides from the Charlottesville area, meet at 8:30am at Shenandoah Joe’s Coffee on Rt. 250 just west of UVA campus.

Groom's Ridge Trail
17 Oct 2010
Fall colors will be at or close to their peak at higher elevations for this outing. Enjoy the forest on a 9 mile hike of moderate difficulty. We will start on the Wild Oak Trail and walk 4.6 miles along Chestnut Ridge. Starting at about 1700 ft, this trail steadily ascends to 3250 ft and offers good views to the south and west. We will head north then east on Groom’s Ridge Trail. This trail has a series of ups and downs as we make our way along the ridge and a final descent to Tillman Road. To complete the loop back to the parking area, there is 0.5 mile (included in the 9 mile estimate) walk back on Tillman Road. Bring lunch, water and warm clothes.

Meet at 9:45 at the Wild Oak Trail Parking area near the North River Gap (Stokesville) entrance to the GWNF. From 250 west of Staunton, turn right and travel north on Rt 42 to Rt 760, about 5.5miles. Turn left (west) on 760 to Rt 747. Turn left on 747 then bear right onto Rt 730 to Stokesville. Turn left on Rt 718 to enter the GWNF, and stay on the paved road. The trail parking area will be on your right.

Please notify trip leader Chris Bowlen if you plan to come, at 540-289-6801 or bowlenchris@comcast.net.
Carpooling from Charlottesville is available. Meet promptly at 8:00am at Shenandoah Joe's Coffee on Rt 250 just west of the UVA campus.