Potomac Appalachian Trail Club - Charlottesville Chapter

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The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club - Charlottesville Chapter is the local chapter, founded in 1986, of the Vienna, Virginia-based Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC).[1]

The Charlottesville Chapter hosts Saturday hikes in Shenandoah National Park, George Washington National Forest, along the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway, and in other regional areas. The club devotes time regularly to trail maintenance: clipping brush, removing fallen trees, clearing waterbars, painting blazes, etc.[2]

About the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club

In 1927, six men met in the nation’s capital and agreed to form the PATC, dedicated to support two objectives: The Appalachian Trail and Shenandoah National Park. In 1927, neither the trail nor the park existed.

At the beginning of the 21st century, the PATC manages 1,250 miles of public hiking trails in four states and the District of Columbia. PATC supports Shenandoah National Park today and also works with the Appalachian Trail Park Office of the National Park Service, the Jefferson & George Washington National Forests, and state and local park authorities.

All of this is due to the extraordinary efforts of some very extraordinary people - 6,700 of such people, to date. If you hike or go backpacking in this region, the chances are good that the tread upon which you trod was prepared and is maintained by PATC. PATC members volunteer thousands of hours of their own time each year to clear brush and blown-down trees from the trails, paint the blazes and set the signs you use to follow the trails. PATC acquires land for parking areas near trailhead junctions, builds and maintains the shelters thousands use each year to rest overnight while on their journeys.

PATC is a founding member of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy -- one of 30 trail clubs that work along the length and breadth of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail under a unique agreement with the National Park Service to maintain and manage the entire 2,100 mile Trail.[3]

For more information, visit PATC Charlottesville for the hike schedule.

The Charlottesville chapter hosts hikes, often on Saturdays, all year long in Shenandoah National Park, George Washington National Forest, along Skyline Drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway, or in other regional areas. We also perform trail maintenance on a section of the Appalachian Trail in the South District of Shenandoah National Park and individual chapter members perform maintenance on "Blue Blazed" side trails in the park.

To sign up for any hikes, please use Charlottesville PATC Hiking and Trail Love on MEETUP.

Meeting places for hikes vary. Typical meeting spots for carpools will be Albemarle High School (AHS) in Charlottesville, Route 33 at Swift Run Gap, King's Popcorn stand at Rockfish Gap, and the Tastee Freeze on Route 250 at Churchville, BUT it is the decision of the hike leader as to when and where the group will meet. If the hike leader is not meeting the group, please form carpools with other hikers, and meet the leader at the listed time and place.  If you would like to meet the group at the trailhead, please email or call the hike leader.

Hike start times vary; please check the schedule carefully. Based on travel time to trailhead, time of year, length of hike, etc. the hike leader will determine the optimal meeting time for carpooling to the trailhead. Hikes may be cancelled or changed because of weather or other factors. The hike leader can decide that a person will not go on a hike for factors such as inadequate equipment or supplies, physical condition inadequate for hike, behavior inconsistent with the smooth conduct of the hike.

Dogs may be allowed on hikes at the discretion of the Hike Leader, although there are a few trails in Shenandoah National Park, such as Old Rag and Dark Hollow Falls, where dogs are never allowed. Dogs must be restrained by a leash at all times in Shenandoah National Park.

Hikers carpool. Riders should consider a donation to drivers; however, the hike leader can determine an appropriate contribution, which may increase with fuel prices and distance driven. Carpooling is a part of our attempt to minimize environmental impact when we hike.  You can choose to drive or to ride with others. As a courtesy to others carpooling with you, please bring a dry shirt and towel for the trip home. A plastic bag for muddy boots if the weather indicates such items may be required.  You must bring sufficient food and water to sustain yourself for the day.

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References

  1. http://patc.avenue.org/about.htm
  2. http://patc.avenue.org/
  3. Brochure: Does the Trail Beckon?, Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, Vienna, VA, 2006

External Links