James River Hikers - Hiking With History

Location subject to change based on river level and wind conditions. Current weather forecast is good. We should be able to finalize Sunday night.

Please bring your own kayak, PFD, water, bug spray, snacks. There is a grungy port-a-potty. You will need to walk into what might be some grungy water in order to launch.

The location is 1200 Brander Street. Anyone new to the location, let me know, as it's kind of confusing as you drive over but trust your GPS if you use this address. You will be passing a waste treatment plan and crossing tracks turning left into the parking lot.

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.

Note: Please update your RSVP (going or waitlist) as soon as you know you cannot make this event. This is an easy to moderately paced walk of approximately 3 miles. There are paved roads and maintained trails with very little elevation.

Bring your leashed and well behaved dog to walk along with us.

HOW TO FIND US: We will meet at the parking lot across the street from Shelter #1. How to get there? Go on the main road into the park, cross a short stone bridge, then veer RIGHT at each intersection until you get to a parking lot on your right. Meet in that parking lot.

BRING: water and any gear for layering due to weather.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Joseph Bryan Park was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.