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As I sit here entering this post I am getting over the flu/cold/whatever that is going around. I have a slight sore throat, I am coughing, sneezing and my nose is running like a leaky faucet. Yuk! I hope that I get over this soon.
Last year I didn’t accomplish all that I wanted to accomplish outdoorwise. There were a number of factors. So, for this year, I’m going to make hiking, camping, backpacking and getting my WV VIPP program done a priority. Here is what I have planned:
First off I will be leading 3 day hikes for the
Friday, March 13, 2026 @ 10:00 AM EST, Blue Ridge Tunnel, Afton/Waynesboro, VA. This is an easy to moderate 2.5 mile hike. We’ll meet and start at the eastern approach trailhead, hike .8 miles, grade is 2%. Then hike the tunnel itself from east to west. It is .7 miles and the grade is only 1%. The final stretch is the western approach trail. This is the most difficult part. It is only a mile but the grades average between 6 and 19% and there are a number of small hills to climb. There are benches and picnic tables to take a break along this stretch. We should be done by 11:30 to 11:45. I plan to place at least one vehicle at the western trailhead the morning of this hike so we can shuttle hikers back to the eastern trailhead parking afterwards. Be sure to bring two flashlights (preferably a headlamp and a strong handheld), a light jacket (the temps in the tunnel range from 55-65 degrees), water and a snack. Optional dutch lunch at one of the three closest restaurants between the tunnel and Waynesboro afterwards. This hike is cancelled if precipitation is predicted or if the predicted high temperature will be less than 32 degrees or higher than 90 degrees. If you are interested in this hike, please let me know by using the
Tuesday, May 26, 2026 @ 9:00 AM EDT, Short Mountain between New Market and Edinburg, VA. This will be a strenous 7.1 mile hike along the Massenutten Trail. I helped build a section of this trail in July, 1996. I would like to see that section again. You can read all about that work trip
Here.
Now, someone else is leading a hike up the north side of this mountain to a scenic overlook called Capernicus Ridge in February, 2026. If the majority want to, we will shuttle one or more vehicles to the south end of this hike where the Massenutten Trail crosses FR84, then hike about 7.1 miles back to the Edinburg Gap parking lot. If the majority have already done the hike up to Capernicus Ridge, we can just hike from the south end, do about 3 miles up, then hike back to the southern end of the mountain. Whatever the majority want to do. This is not an easy hike. Bring a lunch, plenty of water and energy products to give you a boost. This hike is cancelled if precipitation is predicted or if the predicted high temperature will be less than 32 degrees or higher than 90 degrees. If you are interested in this hike, please let me know by using the
Tuesday, July 28, 2026 @ 9:00 AM EDT, Hike to where the Tuscarora Trail and the Great Eastern Trail separate, near Wardensville, WV. This one will be between 8 and 11 miles. It will be strenous because we will be traipsing up and down Great North Mountain along the VA-WV border.There are four ways to get to where the Tuscarora Trail turns eastward as it starts it’s route to Shenandoah National Park and the Mill Mountain Trail, which the Great Eastern Trail shares, continues southward. I will recon all four of them between now and this hike. The easiest way looks to be to park at the end of Waite’s Run RD and pick up the Tuscarora Trail southbound for 3.9 miles to the split between these two trails, then retrace one’s steps. Unless I find an easier way, this will probably be it. I hope to lead a series of hikes in the future from various parking areas along the GET and do some short loops or up & backs along it. Bring a lunch, plenty of water and energy products to give you a boost. This hike is cancelled if precipitation is predicted or if the predicted high temperature will be less that 32 degrees or higher than 90 degrees. If you are interested in this hike, please let me know by using the
The next hike that I plan to do is a multi day event that will take place in either late May or early June in West Virginia. I plan to take 3 or 4 days to do the following: 1. Drive to
Carnifex Battlefield State Park
and
to get the last two
West Virginia Very Important Parks Person
parks that I have to visit checked off on my list. I will then be done with my level two program. That will be it for me. I’ve seen some really neat places in The Mountain State but it has been a lot of driving, wear and tear on my vehicle and costly as far as where to stay. I’ll probably camp somewhere the first night. 2. Explore some of
New River Gorge National Park.
I’ll spend the night somewhere (maybe a cheap motel) and for the final day, I will park along one of the road crossings of
The Greenbrier River Trail State Park,
hike in a few miles, camp at one of the shelters, then hike back out. That will satisfy my having to backpack camp at least one night this year. On the 4th day I will drive home. If anyone wants to join me for any of this multi-day excursion, please use the
I have the feeling that a number of changes are coming to my life later this year. What are they? You will have to keep watching this blog to find out.
Mike C
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