Virginia Outdoor Adventurers | backpack, hike, paddle & more

 
 
 

An amazing route for the true beginner! Enjoy all that Shenandoah has to offer in one fab package!! Skyline Drive overlooks, waterfalls, 360-degree summit views and a boulder field rock scramble. All with minimal mileage and elevation gain (relatively speaking lol).

Total mileage for the ENTIRE trip across two days is only 7-1/2 miles. And because we are looking out for our newbies – 70% of total mileage & elevation gain is with a day pack only!! This leaves a very doable 30% for carrying your overnight pack to our campsite. Excellent option overall to give backpacking a try.

Pace & Speed - no expectation for the entire group to hike together. Hike at your own comfortable pace whether faster or slower, event hosts will ensure nobody is left behind. Just remind yourself to take notice, be present and express gratitude for the beauty of the trail.

Hiking ROUTE
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-march-4-2023-27584e8?u=i&sh=xmmxy1

DAY 1
▪ Stage vehicles between Doyles River parking & Blackrock parking.
(Our route is “point-to-point” which means different start/finish locations – NOT a loop.)

▪ Hike with day packs only / 5.13 mi, 1414 ft gain.
Beautiful waterfall views along the Doyles River Trail (upper and lower falls) + Jones Run Falls.

▪ (Return to cars) – Hike with overnight packs / 1.25 mi, 138 ft gain.
Hike to a gorgeous boulder field at Blackrock Summit. Set your overnight pack down and do a little rock scrambling to enjoy 360-degree views! Then grab your pack again and continue to our overnight campsite at Blackrock Hut.

▪ Blackrock Hut is an official Appalachian Trail shelter. A small 3-sided wooden structure has double-decker wood platforms with space for about 10 people inside the shelter. Tent space also available behind the shelter and plenty of trees for hammocks. Water source = piped spring. Additional amenities include a large fire pit, picnic table, bear box, bear poles and a privy. And just to be clear – this is PRIMITIVE camping at its finest! We are just having a good time together hanging out in the woods…no utilities!

▪ Sunset/Sunrise add-on option
Once we set up camp at Blackrock Hut, it is a quick walk back to Blackrock Summit to enjoy sunset and/or sunrise. Just an idea – no pressure!!

DAY 2
Pack up and return to cars with overnight packs / 1.25 mi, 436 ft gain.
Easy morning and home by lunchtime!

GEAR
Please reach out to your event hosts with gear questions, and we may also be able to lend a few items for the newbies 😊 Note we are camping on the ridgeline along Skyline Drive – early April can still get cold at night...ridgeline temps are 5 to 10 degrees cooler than the valley and may carry some extra wind.

SHENANDOAH ACCESS & PERMITS

Shenandoah National Park Pass – YES
Our parking area/start point is INSIDE Shenandoah National Park – park pass required (one per vehicle). Participants responsible to secure their own pass or carpool with a pass holder.
Fees & Passes - Shenandoah National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Shenandoah Backcountry Permit – YES
Trip leaders will take care of permits for the entire group. No action required from participants. No cost to participants for overnight campsite.

 
 
 

Ice Queen’s Redemption is back!!! SO MUCH FUN in 2022!! Fabulous weekend! Perfect weather, tons of yummy food and refreshing drinks, sunsets/sunrises, trail magic for the thru-hikers…just the most amazing group of people (some with serious campfire dance moves). 28 people in attendance for some or all of the 2022 weekend!! Thank you to everyone for the “glam” – just a truly enjoyable reminder that carrying EVERYTHING on your back can sometimes be totally over-rated…”Boujee” is so NOT a bad thing every once in a while…and 10-yr cheddar really does make everything better. And yes…we did actually do some hiking last year…lmao with joy 😊

“Ice Queen's Redemption" - Origin and back history…
2022 attempt #1: Mid April + too much snow…yes SNOW on both nights…really Virginia?? You call this “Spring”?? NOT…
2022 attempt #2: Early June + perfect weather = REDEMPTION. Yes please, I’ll take a reservation for next year!

2023 is going to be a choose your own adventure weekend!! Lots of options to make the weekend all about YOUR happiness and enjoyment. No obligation to join us for the ENTIRE weekend – choose what fits your schedule. Warning…major FOMO potential here…

FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHT CAMPING

▪ Arrive and set up camp ANYTIME.

▪ Creature comforts are welcome…because life is short & sometimes you are just tired of using a spreadsheet to track the ounces in your pack. No shame, no judgement. Pam's trail name is "Boujee", so she has high standards and expectations to uphold!!!

▪ FOOD = POTLUCK Style if you choose - we love to share!!!
“Glam” it up on food & drinks for evening hang out time around the campfire – because wilderness charcuterie boards with a fine wine are completely normal right? Think car camping, all-out potluck picnic food. We LOVE to share!!!

▪ PARTY zone…OR…QUIET zone options relative to setting up your tent/hammock 😊 ▪ Primitive camping = NO amenities whatsoever. Other than being close to our cars, we are camping like crazy people in the woods, in the middle of nowhere. No fees or reservations required.

▪ Dance contest hosted by Michael "Alley Cat" and Katie "Vogue". LMAO

SATURDAY - DAY HIKE OPTIONS

Tar Jacket Ridge out/back
▪ SATURDAY SUNRISE – led by Michael M. "Alley Cat" before breakfast…totally worth it to get out of bed for this one!!
1.7 miles, 367 ft. elevation gain
Trail rating = EASY
▪ MAP: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/tar-jacket-ridge-from-hog-camp-gap-9103820?u=i

Cole Mountain loop
▪ SATURDAY – led by DebDeb “Mama Mayhem”
Start time TBD – maybe 9 ish?
5.9 miles, 1286 ft. elevation gain
Trail rating = MODERATE
▪ MAP: https://www.hikingupward.com/gwnf/coldmountain/

AT Section point-to-point
▪ SATURDAY – led by Pam G. “Boujee” & Chris P. “Pyro”
Pre-dawn start time!! Hike will begin with sunrise @ Cole Mountain!!
17.2 miles, 3300 ft gain
Trail rating = HARD
Start @ Hog Camp Gap = mile 815.4
Finish @ Punchbowl Mtn overlook at BRP = mile 798.2
** Car staging required for this one. Must coordinate with Pam G. “Boujee”.
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/at-section-sobo-hog-camp-gap-to-punchbowl-mtn-overlook-17-2-miles-9c22c0b?u=i

Mt. Pleasant loop
▪ SATURDAY - Led by ???
Trip leader applications and/or nominations being accepted LOL
6.3 miles, 1322 ft. elevation gain
Trail rating = MODERATE
▪ MAP: https://www.hikingupward.com/gwnf/MountPleasant/

SUNDAY - TRAIL MAGIC @ Hog Camp Gap campsite
Acts of generosity in this wild and primitive setting of the Appalachian Trail – where basic amenities of civilization are intentionally absent – are often received in a heightened sense of wonder and gratitude by hikers. These acts of generosity are referred to as “trail magic”.

We kindly ask that ALL attendees contribute goodies to the Trail Magic effort, but you are more than welcome to hike on Sunday instead of hanging out at the campsite to assist with our Trail Magic festivities. 😊

What to bring??? Think…

▪ Fresh and/or cold food – fruit, vegetables, cheese, salad of any kind, protein that doesn’t exist in pouch or dehydrated form, anything homemade…whatever does NOT travel well in a backpack for days on end…
▪ Cold beverages, flavored beverages, water that is already filtered…
▪ Camp Chairs, Trash Fairies and a kick-ass fire built and tended to by someone else…
▪ Good company and good conversation…
▪ Toiletries / First-Aid?? Must be massively mini and ultralight travel size…

SUNDAY – HIKES
YES hiking is an option!! No official ‘leaders’ or schedule, but you are more than welcome to enjoy Tar Jacket Ridge, Cole Mountain, Mt. Pleasant or whatever else strikes your fancy.

 
 
 

Registration links are posted!!! Continue reading...

James River @ Buchanan, VA
2-day paddle + 1-night paddle-in primitive camping (NOT car camping)

All RSVPs will start on the wait list – you will be moved to ‘Going’ once your PAID Outfitter reservation is communicated to Pam "Boujee". The trip is "FULL" @ 24 people on the 'Going' list.

TRIP DESCRIPTION
Two-Day Paddle on the Upper James River near Buchanan, VA @ 13.5 miles day one + 8.5 miles day two ▪ Includes one night riverside tent camping in between ▪ Suitable for ALL SKILL LEVELS & beginner friendly - choose your own pace, no pressure! New people welcome!!

Route includes a great mix of scenery with over 25 easy class I rapids and a few easy class II rapids. This trip is the entire length of the upper James Virginia Scenic River. Trip support provided by Twin River Outfitters (TRO) in Buchanan, VA.

SATURDAY LAUNCH SCHEDULE
Meet at Twin Rivers Outfitters in Buchanan, VA on Saturday morning @ 9:00 am for safety briefing and liability waivers. Then we are shuttled to our starting point in Outfitter vehicles. ** Must arrive ON TIME. Late arrivals will be left behind.

TRIP RESERVATIONS w/Outfitter
▪ Participants are responsible for securing their own reservations via an external registration link, paying directly to Twin River Outfitters.

All-inclusive Outfitter pricing includes safety orientation, route map, kayak rental, paddle, life jacket, use of dry bags for gear, use of 5-gallon water jugs, shuttle to start point, and overnight camping.
OVERNIGHT CAMPSITE @ Horseshoe Bend

Campground has a group river access area & port-a-potties. No drinking water or utilities available, customers pack out all trash. Participants carry personal gear in their kayaks – to include clothes, sleeping gear, water, food, cooking gear and any other personal items.

Option 1 – standard primitive campsite @ $92 per person
Picnic table, fire ring and level gravel tent area. Firewood for sale.
(This is the ‘bring your own tent’ option.)

Option 1 register at this link:
https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/canoevirginia/items/37842/availability/1029001263/book/?full-items=yes

Option 2 – primitive “glamping” site @ $124 per person
Option 1 amenities PLUS: Preset deluxe tent, cots, fire ring with camp chairs, outdoor kitchen prep area, and complimentary firewood. Think “BOUJEE”. Limited number of glamping sites available - book early.

Photos here: Twin Rivers Glamping

Option 2 register at this link:
https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/canoevirginia/items/135843/availability/1029267250/book/?full-items=yes

All RSVPs will start on the wait list – you will be moved to ‘Going’ once your PAID Outfitter reservation is communicated to Pam "Boujee". The trip is "FULL" @ 24 people on the 'Going' list.

PASS THE PIGS game – Saturday night!!!
Pass the Pigs is the classic party game where players try their luck using pigs as dice! Roll the two comical pigs as many times as you dare on your turn to rack up points. But if you press your luck and roll a “Pig Out” or an “oinker!” you’ll lose them all. First player to score 100 points wins!

The rules are simple…or so we thought…DebDeb has trouble coloring inside the lines. Don’t set your expectations too high for this activity…😊

BRING YOUR OWN BOAT…AND CANOES
▪ BYOB saves $20 off the prices listed above. Unless you are massively attached to your personal watercraft, seems easier to just sit back and let the Outfitters handle things. But whatever ‘floats your boat’ have at it (pun intended).
▪ Inflatables are not suitable for this trip due to rocks and lower water levels at this time of year.
▪ Canoes are available for rental or you can bring your own, but not recommended at this time of year, also due to rocks and lower water levels.

 
 
 

Shenandoah River @ Luray, VA
1-day paddle + 2 nights CAR camping

All RSVPs will start on the wait list – you will be moved to ‘Going’ once your campsite payment is received by DebDeb. The trip is "FULL" @ 30 people on the 'Going' list.

TRIP DESCRIPTION
One-Day Paddle (Saturday) on the Shenandoah River near Luray, VA - experience nature close up as you float through breathtaking scenery filled with abundant wildlife. Suitable for ALL SKILL LEVELS & beginner friendly - choose your own pace, no pressure! New people welcome!!

Bealer’s Ferry to Burners Bottom @ 11 miles. This section of River combines all the best the Shenandoah has to offer. It is characterized by gentle riffles, ledge drops, calm deep stretches for swimming, limestone cliffs and the so popular Compton’s Rapid. Secluded GW National Forest beaches provide the perfect lunch spots.

SATURDAY LAUNCH SCHEDULE
Meet at Shenandoah River OutfitterStore near Luray, VA on Saturday morning @ 9:00 am for safety briefing and liability waivers. Then we are shuttled to our starting point in Outfitter vehicles. ** Must arrive ON TIME. Late arrivals will be left behind.

TRIP RESERVATIONS w/Outfitter
▪ Participants are responsible for securing their own kayak reservations via an external registration link, paying directly to Shenandoah River Outfitters. There is no special group link or code. Do NOT book any specific and/or guided trip. Choose Saturday, August 12th, 2023 as your reservation date.

Just navigate to this web link: https://www.shenandoahriveroutfitters.com/Guest/quicktrip.aspx
You can also place reservations by phone @[masked].

▪ Option 1: Choose the “Kayaking” category, and then choose “Day Kayak Trip” @ $45 + tax. This reservation is for ONE person.
▪ Option 2: Choose the “Canoeing” category, and then choose “Day Canoe Trip” @ $65 + tax. This reservation is for TWO people.

All-inclusive Outfitter pricing includes safety orientation, route map, kayak/canoe rental, paddle, life jacket and shuttle to start point.

OVERNIGHT CAMPSITE @ CAMP OUTBACK – on site @ Shenandoah River Outfitters
FRIDAY & SATURDAY nights
▪ Camping fees are separate from the kayak fee and paid directly to Meetup Organizer DebDeb. We have pre-paid for three group campsites @ 10 campers per site = 30 spots total for this trip.
▪ Each site includes a picnic table, fire ring, charcoal grill and access to bath house with toilets, sinks and hot showers. The Shenandoah River Outfitter store sells firewood, ice and other camp supplies.

Campsite cost @ $21.45 per person. Payable via app of your choice. No refunds if you are unable to attend (find someone to take your spot.) All RSVPs will start on the wait list – you will be moved to ‘Going’ once your campsite payment is received by DebDeb.

▪ PayPal:[masked] or [masked]
▪ Zelle:[masked] or [masked]
▪ Cash App: $Debora MahanVA07

Our group campsite reservations guarantee “A” space, but NOT a specific campsite among the 10 group sites available. It is ‘first come, first serve’ on selecting a specific campsite. Your Meetup organizers will be arriving early on Friday to secure our specific sites. ** At least ONE of the group sites will be “PARTY” zone…and ONE of the group sites will be “QUIET” zone. The 3rd site in between – that will be a mixed bag 😊 You are free to choose the best fit for your social and sleep preferences!!

CAMPSITE CRAZINESS
FRIDAY Night = POTLUCK & SOCIAL
Potlucks have been extremely successful in the past - let’s have another!!
▪ If you are open to sharing, please bring a dish and/or beverage to share with the group. We will hang out by a cozy fire, socialize, eat, drink and be merry.
▪ Gear setup @ 5:00 pm. Potluck @ 6:30pm. – but arrive at whatever time works for you!!

SATURDAY Night = GAME NIGHT
▪ Pass the Pigs is likely to make an appearance. DebDeb has her own set of rules for this game.
▪ Backpacking Cornhole – it’s like miniature cornhole…surprisingly hard.
▪ Uno, Jenga, Rummy, Cards against Humanity – ALL “fair game” for the evening (pun intended)!!

OTHER STUFF
Please feel free to reach out with any gear needs! We have extras of everything that we can pull together for you…

Cell service NOT expected at campsite, but you can try.
▪ DebDeb Mama Mayhem @[masked]
▪ Pam Boujee @[masked]

BRING YOUR OWN BOAT…AND CANOES…AND TANDEMS
▪ BYOB cost – call Outfitters directly for rates. Unless you are massively attached to your personal watercraft, seems easier to just sit back and let the Outfitters handle things. But whatever ‘floats your boat’ have at it (pun intended).
▪ Inflatables are not suitable for this trip due to rocks and lower water levels at this time of year.
▪ You will see “tandem” kayaks available for rental – these are only suitable for ONE adult and ONE SMALL CHILD.