This is a list of "everyone invited" public outings in the Monongahela National Forest, sponsored by the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy and cooperating groups. Please contact the listed outing leader directly for more information on participating in an outing. Outings can be canceled due to weather, etc., so be sure to do a last-minute check! This list is updated every few weeks. This version of the list is as of August 26, 2000. You can visit www.wvhighlands.org for the current list. See the end of this list for more information on Mon-Athon 2000, including how you can win fabulous outdoor recreation prizes when you recreate in the Mon!
Saturday, September 30, 2000 -- "The Great Greenbrier Trail Connection," starting at Hosterman in Pocahontas County. Join Frank Proud and others from the Greenbrier River Trail Association to explore a beautiful, moderate exertion trail, for 5-7miles. This hike will draw attention to ongoing work to connect Durbin to Cass by trail – that is, to connect the Greenbrier River Trail with the West Fork Trail. A box lunch will be available for a modest charge. Some of this trail overlooks the radio astronomy site. There is also a beaver dam and a huge beaver pond on this trail. This is a beauty. Leader: Frank Proud, PO Box 76, Durbin WV 26264; 304-456-5469; fproud@meer.net ; or see www.durbinoutfitters.com.
Saturday and Sunday, October 7-8, 2000 – Roaring Plains Overnighter, Red Creek Plains, overnight backpack trip. This trip will be a moderate level trip to some spectacular scenery, including a spot where you look DOWN on Seneca Rocks! Contact leader Jack Slocomb to arrange to borrow a pack, sleeping bag, or tent -- if you don’t have one. Campfire under the stars! Leader: Jack Slocomb, 301-777-8810; e-mail: JSLOCOMB@prodigy.net
Saturday, October 15, 2000 -- Several cool outings at the Conservancy’s Fall Review, based at the Elk River Touring Center. Want to try an easy canoe trip? If there’s enough water, we’ll do the Elk or the Greenbrier. Rental and loaner boats available. For boating, contact Tom Rodd, 304-265-0018; or e-mail thomasrodd@hotmail.com. Of course, plenty of mountain biking, the Touring Center’s specialty, and hiking, too. To reserve a place to stay or for a non-boating outing, contact Dave Saville, 304-284-9548; PO Box 569, Morgantown WV 26507; daves@labs.net .
November 3-4, 2000 -- Fall Backpack in the Dolly Sods. Enjoy a quiet, reflective weekend, leafless, sunny woods, the early whisperings of winter along Red Creek. A special time of year. Leader: Jack Slocomb. 301-777-8810 or email at JSLOCOMB@prodigy.net .
Mon-Athon 2000 is a West Virginia Highlands Conservancy project (cooperating with others) to celebrate and enjoy our wonder-full Monongahela National Forest. Mon-Athon 2000 includes all types of outdoor recreational activity -- hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, birding, hunting, boating, skiing, etc. -- in or adjoining the Monongahela National Forest Proclamation Area (green on state road maps.) Join a Mon-Athon 2000 -- everyone invited -- public outing in the Mon, like the ones listed above -- and/or report on your own private outing in the Mon. (It’s easy to make an outing report at www.wvhighlands.org). All outing participants, public and private, will be entered in drawings for fabulous outdoor recreation prizes. We send a free MON-ATHON 2000 T-SHIRT to everyone who submits a report! (They are cool shirts!) If you’re looking for a good excuse -- heck, any excuse – to get out and enjoy an excursion in the Mon this year, we’d love to have YOU lead an outing. It’s easy -- call, write, or e-mail for more information. Looking for ideas about recreational activities in your Monongahela National Forest? We can connect you with an experienced volunteer to talk about trip planning, destinations, gear, accommodations, etc. For more info, contact: Tom Rodd, c/o WVHC, PO Box 306, Charleston, WV, 25321. E-mail: thomasrodd@hotmail.com. Phone: 304-345-7663 (WVHC Charleston Office); 304-265-0018 (Rodd home). Or go to www.wvhighlands.org.