James River Hikers

Important: Please read all of this event's description.
Fun day outside with socializing and book discussion.
We are hiking the Greensprings Interpretive Trails at Jamestown Festival Park
The book is: Heartwood by Amity Gaige available at
https://www.amazon.com/Audible-Studios-on-Brilliance-Heartwood/dp/B0DJWJ12PP/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3A6V96HMJAY9T&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.HM9MndpQ68nPGoS9LmZB0GyiuPJCgVv2A0NWfW9e4m1SZbMmaYWQLFfNzo_mVnZdk7BfSpTAw1pmYgHpWTNLKPfpm8_EhG-Mt5AP9pe2Xe9ZctJz5Zn-v1zY92Hz1Yf3sx-l2yoxwzxeyCmTkqSfFn5xX8Tr4wmS4gsi6aGTcVqzVJddwlFh94Ks5O5JYTO9.46Ru4I_xo9W3wQJcQ-ip5P6igD6Vsqc97BD-hrTsiKA&dib_tag=se&keywords=heartwood+amity+gaige&qid=1767896293&sprefix=%2Caps%2C139&sr=8-1. It is also a popular book which can be found at the library.
You are free to discuss the book at any time during the event, but we will formally discuss at the brewery.
HIKING DISTANCE: 5.4 miles
HIKING TIME/PACE/DIFFICULTY: Easy
ELEVATION GAIN: 127 ft
TRAIL TERRAIN: Easy
WHAT TO BRING: Wear walking shoes and dress for the weather. Bring water. NOTE rain date is March 21.
ORGANIZER WILL PROVIDE: Limited first aid supplies
DOGS ALLOWED: no
NOTE on the book selection. This is our fourteenth book club hike. We selected the book because like all other books previously selected it relates to the outdoors. This one is fiction, but so well written with shades of a previous book we read called When You Find My Body.
*****************CARPOOL LOCATION: There will not be an organized carpool. You'll need to either drive yourself to the trailhead or make your own arrangements to share a ride which is usually done the morning of at the meeting place. If you do share a ride suggested donation is $10 to the driver. If you want to caravan to the trailhead the meeting place is 3134 Floyd Ave Richmond, VA 23221. There is plenty of on street parking. You need to let us know if you are going to carpool.
TRAILHEAD: If you are driving straight to the trailhead the arrival time is about 10:30 am. Please let us know if you plan to go directly to the trailhead so we don't wait for you.
Plan is to arrive back at Carytown by 3:30PM.
We will be going to Billsburg Brewery, 2054 Jamestown Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23185 8 minutes by car) after the hike. There is food, but you can also bring your own lunch. No outside alcohol.
Please be aware that our organizers are not tour guides or park rangers. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions you would take if you were hiking alone. You are solely responsible for your own safety and well-being. By signing up for and/or attending this event, you acknowledge, understand, accept, and agree that hiking and other outdoor activities can be dangerous and can cause serious bodily injury and possibly death. The organizers of this group and current and former members can not be held responsible or liable in any way for the actions of any participant - including you - at any event. All attendees participate at an event at their own risk and are solely responsible for any damage to their property, and/or any injury to themselves or their guests. By signing up for this event, you affirm that you understand this disclaimer, and that you knowingly and voluntarily agree not to bring any type of claim arising out of or related to this event against the organizers of this group.

Brisk 6 mile (approximately an 18 minute mile) walk around beautiful Swift Creek Reservoir and neighborhoods on flat, paved path. For those interested in walking 3 miles, you will have an opportunity to return to your car before we repeat the 3 mile loop. Bring bottled water. We leave promptly at 7am. Hope to see you there!

You need to be in relatively good shape to do this hike. It is not a beginner or no drop hike.

We leave exactly at 06:15 pm. If you are late, you may be able to catch up by walking East on Dock Street to the Flood Wall pedestrian walk-through at the end of the Canal Walk or on the paved Capitol Trail. ***This is a moderate paced hike with a few short rest stops depending on what group wants at the time. This hike is short (5.1 miles, 3.5 mph, 17 min miles), but can be very *challenging due to all the flights of stairs we climb during this hike (thus is the reason it is called the "Mountain Training Hike"). Even though this is a group hike, each participant is welcome to choose whether he or she wants to do some stairs that are considered "optional" and opt out of doing any of the stairs at any time since there is no pressure from the organizer or other members. There will be several overlooks of the Richmond Skyline, Church Hill, and/or Shockoe Bottom. Hydrate before & during hike. Bring a headlamp, flashlight, or use your mobile phone flashlight app. when it is not Daylight Savings Time.

*You will take over 10,000 steps (not stairs) which is well over the daily recommended amount in two hours. There are several sets of stairs to tackle which equals 1,149 stair steps but once again each participant decides which ones he or she wants to climb during the hike. The terrain is mostly paved and brick sidewalks. Some sidewalks are uneven. There is also a short dirt decline which has the usual stumps and small rocks. We will have brief breaks to take in the beautiful views of our city.

PARKING: Park for free on the street. OR Park at the Capitol Parking Lot on Main Street directly across from the Amtrak Train Depot - costs $2 for 3 hours, $3 for 4 hours, or $4 for 5 hours.

DOGS: Dogs are welcome. Please bring plastic bags to pick up your dog's droppings.