Sierra Club - Eastern Panhandle

Conservation meetings focus on various topics but also allow for time to socialize and strategize with Sierra Club members and others. This meeting will include business related to the group as well as discussion of current area issues that concern us. Light refreshments will be served, and the public is welcome free of charge.

6.5-mile Moderate Hike. Our series of hikes on the famed AT continues into Northern Virginia. This one is in conjunction with the Harpers Ferry Flip Flop Festival, and we will end at the festival, where you can enjoy the food, music, workshops and fun activities as long as you wish. The hike from Keys Gap is relatively easy and sure-footed until the fairly steep descent from Loudoun Heights to the Shenandoah River. There, we will cross the US340 bridge on the sidewalk before ascending into town. Along the way, there’s the chance to see Civil War fortifications and remains of hearths from the pre-war charcoal industry. We will shuttle* by cars from Bolivar to begin the hike, so drivers should allow extra time at the end to be returned to their cars. Wear sturdy shoes (Despite the festival’s name, no flip flops allowed!), and hiking poles or sticks may be helpful. Bring plenty of water and a substantial snack. The hike is open to any adult (or child accompanied by an adult) fit for the distance and substantial elevation changes, but NPS regulations restrict our group size to 25. Please reserve your space. The hike is free, though donations are welcome. We will carry on in light rain but cancel in a downpour. Learn more about the Flip Flop Festival at www.flipflopfestival.org. *Please be advised that Sierra Club assumes no responsibility for shuttle/carpooling. Carpooling is at the sole risk of the participants.

Curious about the Appalachian Trail? We will carpool* to our trailhead on Reno Monument Road for an easy hike. Our route will take us through a hardwood forest to Dahlgren Backpackers’ Campsite. After a short break, we will continue to our cars. This hike is suitable for anyone who is able to walk three miles on an unpaved trail. The trail may be muddy or contain minimal obstacles like tree roots and rocks. There are a few gentle to moderate hills. Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. Bring water, snack, light jacket appropriate for the weather, and perhaps a walking stick. Because we will need to carpool, we are requesting that you leave your dog at home. Hikers will need to sign a liability waiver. There is no charge for this hike. *Please be advised that Sierra Club assumes no responsibility for shuttle/carpooling. Carpooling is at the sole risk of the participants.

Double Hike with drive between (5 miles + 3.2 miles, moderate). Spruce Knob is the highest point in West Virginia at 4863 feet. Seneca Rocks is one of the most famous scenic landmarks in the state, popular with rock climbers and rich in history. This excursion will give us a chance to explore both sights on Memorial Day weekend, with moderate and scenic hikes at each. We will meet at the Spruce Knob Summit parking lot, walking the short distance to the observation tower before hiking out and back on the Huckleberry Trail. The hike will take us through canopies of spruce and open meadows, with some promising picnic spots on the return to the top. Bring along plenty of water, lunch, and a snack. Once back to the parking area, we will drive* to Seneca Rocks Visitor Center and hike 1 ½ miles up (800 feet) to the observation platform and back. This moderate hike includes interpretive signs about the area geology and the significance of the formation. The hikes are open to any adult and minor accompanied by an adult fit for rugged trails and significant elevation changes. (However, there is a limit of 15 attendees for this event. Please reserve and notify if you must cancel.) They are free, but donations to Sierra Club are welcome. *Participants are responsible for securing their transportation to and between the hikes, and Sierra Club bears no liability for motorized transport. It being Memorial Day weekend, participants may wish to stay overnight in the area on Saturday and/or Sunday, but may need to reserve early. Primitive camping is available on the Huckleberry Trail. For information on other camping in the National Forest, go to forestcamping.com/dow/eastern/moncmp.htm. For information on area lodging, go to pendletoncountywv.com/lodging/.