James River Hikers

"Stay at least six feet away from others unless you're from the same household." We will do a brisk pace on over 6.6 miles around the varying parts of Churchill. This hike contains 13 staircases, but you do not have to do them all. This is Version 2.0 of my Church Hill hike. Get ready to check out the best views in Richmond! I've been isolating, so I hope you have been, too.

We are starting and ending at the Reedy Creek Trail Parking Lot off Riverside Drive just east of 42nd Street. This hike will be approximately 8 miles, and will be about 2 1/2 to 3 hours depending on those hiking with us and the weather. Come hike the sometimes challenging Buttermilk and North Bank Trails around the river. As an added bonus we will cross behind the Pump House to Texas Beach and follow Texas Beach from there to the pedestrian bridge by the Texas Beach parking lot. We cannot take Texas Beach if a train is parked on the tracks. In this case we will take the Northbank Trail from the Pump House Parking lot and go by Maymont, losing a bit of mileage on the hike. This hike may be considered strenuous and is not recommended for beginning hikers. We will try to maintain a 3 mile per hour pace for approximately7 1/2 to 8 miles from/to the Reedy Creek Trail Parking Lot. Hopefully, this being early, we won't run into too many others on the trails. BRING WATER! Dogs will not be allowed on this hike due to the sometimes difficult areas on the trails. We will start at the designated time so if you aren't familiar with the Reedy Creek Trail Parking lot, please leave early to find us. Porta Pottys have been returned to the parks. This hike is not recommended for people with balance issues and trekking poles may be helpful for some spots. Footwear that has some traction is also recommended. I feel the most difficult part to navigate is the western portion of the Buttermilk between Reedy Creek and the Boulevard Hills Bridge. There are many spots that have narrow trails. This Meetup will be limited to no more than ten people, staying at least six feet away from others unless you're from the same household. Please be courteous to other hikers who may be uneasy getting up close and personal. We will follow the Buttermilk Trail starting at the Reedy Creek Trail Parking lot. Heading west we will traverse hills and sometimes rocks to the Westover Hills (Nickel) Bridge. After crossing the bridge we will head up to the Pump House and cross the canal and railroad tracks behind it to Texas Beach. (If there is a train parked on the tracks we will not be able to do Texas Beach and instead will take the trail from the Pump House parking lot and go past Maymont.) East of Maymont and Texas Beach neighborhood we will pick up the North Bank Trail and head east past the Mount Calvary, Riverview and Hollywood Cemeteries. Past Oregon Hill we will return to Belle Isle to cross the river and return to the Buttermilk Trail until we reach the Reedy Creek Trail Parking Lot. If you register and cannot make it, please be sure to remove your attendance online as soon as possible so others may choose to attend.

Hello Parkers, it's Halloween Day - so let's hike. This hike will begin at 9:00- so let's meet around 8:45 by the bathrooms in the big parking lot next to the swimming pool. Follow signs for the Swimming Pool and Boat Launch - look for hikers gathering in a circle. We will be hiking the Co-Op Trail trail along the Swift Creek Lake. As today is Halloween - be sure to bring your favorite mask (Halloween or COVID) and we will put to a vote (extra candy to the winner). As we all know - masks (COVID) are required to use bathroom facilities. Parking Fee: $10 or - Annual State Pass (available at the Park Office, discount Senior Pass), or - Purchase Receipt from REI (no expiration date). Make any purchase from REI and use the bottom of your receipt for free parking in any Virginia State Park. Provide your receipt to the contact station ranger or insert it in a self-pay envelope, or - Visit a business listed on the link below and pick up a coupon for one day free admission to the park of your choice. No purchase is required. https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/get-gear or Gear: Hiking boots, poles, water (lots of this) and BUG SPRAY. Terrain: Moderate. Varied trail with some hills. Pet Friendly Hike: on leash Want more information about Pocahontas Sate park visit -- https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/pocahontas

Join us for a hike through Hollywood Cemetery that is arguably the best place in Virginia to observe the fall foliage, and it will be near peak. This is a 5 mile hike beginning at Stuart Circle in the Fan to Hollywood Cemetery and return. And this time it's just a hike; not much history as our regular Hollywood Cemetery hikes. Parking for One Monument Avenue Meetups The parking structure is behind and south of First English Lutheran Church. The address of the church is 1603 Monument Ave, Richmond, VA 23220. 11 spaces with signs “OMA visitor” on the right back side of the street level of the parking structure. This is the section closest to Lombardy Street. These 11 visitor spaces on the first level are first-come, first-served. Do not park in any of the spaces with signs reserved for Laurel Hill in that section. Additional parking in the structure is available for a fee with instructions posted. Parking in open spaces on the surrounding streets like Monument Avenue, Franklin Street and Lombardy Street is available. We will assemble at the front of One Monument Avenue.