Tidewater ATC Meetup

Sherando Lake Recreational Area Cleanup
March 27-29, 2026, Friday - Saturday
Sherando Lake Recreation Area, 96 Sherando Lake Rd., Lyndhurst, VA 22952
GIVING BACK TO SHERANDO
SignUp: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F45A5AE29A1F5C61-60722049-sherando
Jonathan Zimmermann, the administrator of the Sherando Lake Area District, and a great friend of TATC, is asking for a little help. He wants to get Sherando ready for spring and asked whether TATC members would be willing to do some spring cleaning of the campground and day-use area, along with a few minor repairs. He characterized the work as the kind where many hands make light work.
Jonathan has assisted TATC many times by letting us use William’s Branch Picnic Area, the CCC Kitchen, and the Admin Building, and giving us access to water and indoor toilets in the off-season, as well as the all-important showers. He has made our work easier and more comfortable. Perhaps, we can do the same for him.
Jonathan's priorities include…
* General grounds maintenance
* Winter Storm clean up.
* Campsite Preparations
* Island cleanup
* Installation of a few new signs
* Painting
TATC members can camp anywhere, use the CC Kitchen, or stay in the Staff House. Participants can camp in Sherando both Friday and Saturday nights. Saturday is the workday.
Signup if you are willing to help

Location: Washington Ditch Road, Suffolk, VA 23434 (Park in gravel lot at end of road near trail gate)
Online Sign-up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F45A5AE29A1F5C61-62622304-backpacking

You may attend this 201 Prep hike whether you are attending the Backpacking 201 event or not. Just tell the hike leader your intentions at the 201 Prep hike.

Google Map link:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gXVdN7FK1J9FUhuu7

This is a chance to prepare for the April 17-19 Backpacking 201 hike on the AT from Long Mountain Wayside/Route 60to Route 812 near the James River. The Washington Ditch Trail is a 9 mile out-and-back trail (4.5 miles each way). Much of the hike is along a dirt road with a ditch that leads to Lake Drummond in the heart of the Dismal Swamp. We will walk at a 2.5 mph pace loaded wearing backpacks. This will add some difficulty to the hike, which is on a really flat trail. On the AT hike, I will only be expecting us to hike at 1.75 mph, but itis up and down rugged mountains. Bring bug repellent.
There are two options for loading your pack:

1. Load your pack with random stuff to make it weigh 20-25 lb. total (including the backpack itself).
2. Load your pack with your actual gear, plus food and water.

After the hike, if you want help with your gear, I will stay with those who request help. Other people may leave. Help may include things such as:
1. Practice setting up your tent
2. Questions about gear, clothing, or other things to pack
3. Food for the April 17-19 trip
4. Fitness questions
5. Other related questions

Backpacking and Spring Walk-thru - April 10 – 12, 2026
TATC AT Trail Section (Reid's Gap to Tye River)
This is our opportunity to document issues on our section of the AT (and maybe some in St. Mary's Wilderness) that we will address during the upcoming Spring Maintenance weekend.
Online Sign-Up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F45A5AE29A1F5C61-62287053-backpacking
Location: Sherando Lake Recreation Area, 96 Sherando Lake Rd, Lyndhurst, VA 22952
The TATC section of the AT runs from Reid's Gap to the Tye River and includes the Marhar connector trail.
The spring walk-through will be a backpacking weekend with a maximum of 10 participants. It will run from April 10th to April 12th.

Hasty Hiking - Saturday, April 18, 2026
First Landing State Park, 2500 Shore Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Online Sign-Up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F45A5AE29A1F5C61-63145185-hasty
Activity: Hike several trails at FLSP totaling ~5.5 miles, without taking breaks. This is designed to be a workout hike averaging 20 minutes a mile or less. Be ready to keep moving!
Meeting time and place: Arrive by 8:45 AM to sign the participation waiver; the hike starts at 9:00 AM from the parking lot. From Shore Drive turn south on Cypress Swamp Dr. towards the Trail Center. Once you pass the Contact Station (pay station), take the first right into the parking lot. Restrooms are at the far end of the lot.
There is a $10.00 fee per car to enter the park unless you have a park pass. You can also use a REI receipt to enter the park or park outside the park and walk in or carpool.
POC: Bill Bunch, bbunch@att.net