Mountain Odyssey Outings
2008 Mountain Odyssey Outings |
To join us for any of these outings, please sign up with the trip leader, who can give you more information. Please contact your trip leader and reserve your spot at least two weeks in advance. In doing so, you may learn critical details about the outing. For instance, all available spots may be taken or the trip leader may cancel an outing if an insufficient number of people have signed up. Our outings vary greatly in difficulty, scenery and type. Groups average between five and ten people, though we have as many as twenty people on some outings. Lower group numbers tend to provide a better experience for everyone. Trip leaders exercise a great amount of flexibility as far as leadership style, foul weather rescheduling, daily route, etc. Please be considerate of your trip leader and follow his/her instructions. Open Dates: Visit Kayford Mountain south of Charleston to see mountain top removal (MTR) up close and hear Larry Gibson's story about how he saved his mountain, now almost totally surrounded by MTR. Bring lunch for a picnic on Larry's mountain. Call in advance to schedule. Julian Martin (304) 342-8989; martinjul@aol.com or Larry Gibson (304) 542-1134; (304) 549-3287. Saturday, 04/05/08 – Bucktail Tr/Halfmoon Lookout Loop, GWNF, WV: 9.7 mile strenuous hike to one of the best views in GWNF. Bring lunch and water. Contact Mike Juskelis at mjuskelis@cablespeed.com or 410-439-4964. Saturday to Monday, 04/19 – 21/08 – AT Shuttle Backpacking Trip, JNF/GWNF, VA: Strenuous 26 mile Backpacking trip starting at Sunset Field, passing through the Thunder Ridge and James River Face Wilderness areas and ending at the Punch Bowl. Cross the James River on a $1,000,000.00 footbridge. Pre-registration required. Contact Mike Juskelis at mjuskelis@cablespeed.com or 410-439-4964. Saturday-Sunday, 05/03 – 04/08 – Beginner’s Backpacking trip/White Oak National Recreation Trail/North River Gorge Loop, GWNF, VA: 10 mile moderate hike for experienced hikers that want to move up to backpacking. Hike 6 miles the first day with an elevation gain of 1000 feet over 3 miles and 0.5 miles of open woods bushwhacking. Camp in a beautiful Pine grove next to the river. Day 2 is a mostly flat hike back to the cars along the river. There will be 7 substantial stream crossings that might require a change of footwear. Pre-registration required. Contact Mike Juskelis at mjuskelis@cablespeed.com or 410-439-4964. Saturday-Monday, 05/24-26 – Memorial Day backpack, Canaan Mountain, Monongahela National Forest, WV: 29 mile hike of moderate difficulty with mature forest, giant Spruce and Hemlock trees, streams, highland bogs and vistas.. Pre-registration required. Contact Mike Juskelis at mjuskelis@cablespeed.com or 410-439-4964. Weekend of 7/12&13 - Cabins at Babcock State Park: The West Virginia Wilderness coalition has reserved a couple cabins at Babcock State Park and invite folks to join us and learn more about the Wilderness opportunities within the New River Gorge National River. The National Park Service is undergoing Park Planning and is considering areas to recommend for Wilderness designation. We'll have a cook-out Saturday evening, join us for that, or spend the weekend and explore areas of the Gorge with us. Contact Mike Costello at michael.costello@wvwild.org PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGES: The dates for the Dowdy Creek and Glade Creek outings have been switched! The Dowdy Creek hike will now be on Sunday and the Glade Creek hike will be on Saturday. Sorry for the confusion. Saturday, 07/12 - Glade Creek area of New River Gorge National River: As a large tributary of the New River, Glade Creek cuts a small side canyon into the earth as it tumbles into the River. One of the largest contiguous areas of Federal ownership within the National River, this area is a prime Wilderness candidate area. It is one of 3 areas being considered by the National Park Service for Wilderness recommendation. Beginning on the New River, we will hike the Glade Creek Trail along this beautiful trout stream up to Kate's Falls and back. Moderate difficulty. This hike will be led in conjunction with the Sierra Club's outing lead by Mike and Tina Price. Contact Mike Costello at michael.costello@wvwild.org Sunday, 7/13 - Dowdy Creek area of New River Gorge National River: This stunningly beautiful area is being considered by the National Park Service as a potential Wilderness Area in their ongoing planning process. Because there are no "official" trails in the area, this hike will involve extensive cross country travel and explorations. Map and compass skills or GPS saavy recommended. The area cosisits of a very steep tributary watershed of the New River and some of the plateau areas which it drains. Lush forests and understory contain a diverse mix of species. The hike will be long and strenuous. We'll meet at the Park Headquarters in Glen Jean. Contact Dave Saville at dave.saville@wvwild.org Saturday to Monday, 07/12 – 14/08 – Dolly Sods North and Wilderness Area Backpack, Monongahela National Forest: 26+ mile moderate backpacking trip through this wild area that looks more like the Canadian Shield than a typical North American forest. We will explore some seldom visited trails on the first day. Several technically challenging stream crossings possible that might require a change of footwear. Pre-registration required. Contact Mike Juskelis at mjuskelis@cablespeed.com or 410-439-4964. Friday to Sunday, 08/08 – 10/08 – Otter Creek Backpack/Base Camp w/day hike, Monongahela National Forest, WV: Day one hike approximately 9 miles along Otter Creek and up and over McGowan Mountain visiting the highland bogs of Yellow Creek and Moore Run. Day 2 10 mile day hike visiting several swimming holes on the return leg. Day 3 is a nearly flat 5 mile hike out along otter Creek. Several technically challenging stream crossings that might require a change of footwear. Pre-registration required. Contact Mike Juskelis at mjuskelis@cablespeed.com or 410-439-4964. Saturday, 08/23/08 - WV Sierra Club Hike - Blackwater Falls to Canaan Valley day hike, August 23. A classic WV hike, 9.7 miles with 869 feet vertical rise,. Hiking time 5-6 hours plus lunch. Moderate difficulty due to terrain, stream crossings, wet conditions, distance and summer hot season. Sounds like fun! Recent hiking experience recommended with tolerance for heat and all-day hike. Day pack, lunch, snack, water (1 1/2 - 2 liters), hat, worn-in hiking boots a must. For more info contact Ann Devine-King at 304-594-2636 or ATDK@aol.com Saturday to Monday – 08/30 – 09/01/-08 – Seneca Creek Backcountry, Monongahela National Forest, WV: Day one features a moderate 10 mile hike exploring trails on the western slope of Allegheny Mt before descending to our base camp below beautiful Seneca Falls. On day 2 we’ll explore the High Meadows above the creek without packs. On day 3 hike back to cars using the Seneca Creek Tr, Tom Lick Tr and Allegheny Tr (approximately 7 miles). Several technically challenging stream crossings that might require a change of footwear. Contact Mike Juskelis at mjuskelis@cablespeed.com or 410-439-4964. Saturday to Tuesday, 09/13 – 16/08 - Car Camping and 2 day hikes, Loft Mountain Campground, Shenandoah National Park, VA: Four day trip. Possible short hike on the first day for early arrivals. Featured hikes are the Rip-Rap Hollow Loop (9.5 miles) and the Turk Branch/Moorman’s River Circuit (9.7 miles). Both hikes are rated strenuous. Join us for one or both. Pre-registration required. Contact Mike Juskelis at mjuskelis@cablespeed.com or 410-439-4964. Saturday to Monday, 09/20 – 22/08 – Roaring Plains Backpack and Base Camp with Day Hike: Day 1 hike in 2.5 miles and set up camp at the entrance to the Hidden Passage. Day 2 features a 12 mile day hike along the Canyon Rim with possible side trips. Day 3 backpack out the way we came in. Pre-registration required. Contact Mike Juskelis at mjuskelis@cablespeed.com or 410-439-4964. Saturday to Monday – 10/25 – 27/08 – Cold Mountain/Mount Pleasant Backpack Base Camp w/Day Hike, George Washington National Forest, VA: Easy 3 mile backpack into and out of camp with a sensational moderate 12 mile day hike in between with some of the most breathtaking views in central VA. Suitable for experienced hikers who wish to move up to backpacking. Pre-registration required. Contact Mike Juskelis at mjuskelis@cablespeed.com or 410-439-4964. Saturday to Monday – 11/01-03/08 – Hog Camp Gap to Spy Rock Backpack/Base Camp: Strenuous rating but with low daily mileage. We will hike 7 miles over scenic Tar Jacket Ridge and set up a base camp at the Seeley-Woodworth shelter. The next day we will hike packless to Spy Rock. The round trip will only be about 6 miles. If the weather is good we will linger a bit at Spy Rock, enjoying its 360 degree view for as long as we can. On the hike out we will add Lovington Spring Tr to add some variety to the third day. Pre-registration required. Contact Mike Juskelis at mjuskelis@cablespeed.com or 410-439-4964. It’s never too early to start planning those spring time hikes —— Last Update-
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