Most of these outings are sponsored by the Howard County, MD Chapter of the Sierra Club and/or the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy. There are no individual fees. Waiver forms must be signed prior to participating. If interested in any of these drop me a line.   

 

2010 Day Hike Schedule

 

 

Saturday, February 27, 2010, Piney Ridge-Piney Branch Loop, SNP, VA. Moderate 9.0 mile circuit with 1700 feet elevation gain and some stream crossings. Bring lunch, water and good boots.  Leave from the Broken Land Parkway/Route 32 Park and Ride (West side) at 8:00. Contact Mike Juskelis at 410-439-4964 or mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.

 

March 06, 2010, Pond Run-White Rocks Circuit, Great North Mountain, GWNF, WV. 11.6 mile strenuous circuit with two great views. 2300 feet elevation gain. Bring lunch, water and good boots.  Leave from the Broken Land Parkway/Route 32 Park and Ride (West side) at 8:00. Contact Mike Juskelis at 410-439-4964 or mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.

 

Saturday, March 13, 2010, Introduction to Three Season Backpacking at Oregon Ridge, MD: Date tentative. Time: 10:00 to 1:00. Bring snacks and drinks. Presentation includes tips on preparation and gear selection, hazards of the trail, do’s and don’ts and “Leave No Trace”.  Co-leaders Mike Juskelis and Betty Steil.  Pre-registration requested but not required. Contact Mike Juskelis at 410-439-4964 or mjuskelis@cablespeed.com or Betty Steil, 443-745-3041, blsteil@verizon.net.

 

Saturday, March 20, 2010, Jones Mountain-Staunton River Loop, SNP, VA. Strenuous 13 mile circuit with 2400 feet elevation gain and some stream crossings. Some nice views, rock gardens and cascades. Bring lunch, water and good boots.  Leave from the Broken Land Parkway/Route 32 Park and Ride (West side) at 8:00. Contact Mike Juskelis at 410-439-4964 or mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.

 

Saturday, March 27, 2010, Bucktail Trail-Halfmoon Lookout, Great North Mountain, GWNF, VA. 10 mile moderate loop with some steep rocky sections and stream crossings. 2000 feet elevation gain. Bring lunch, water and good boots.  Leave from the Broken Land Parkway/Route 32 Park and Ride (West side) at 8:00. Contact Mike Juskelis at 410-439-4964 or mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.

 

Backpacking and car camping

 

Saturday-Monday, April 10 to 12, 2010. Tracy Ridge Backpack, ANF, PA. 24 mile moderate backpack with views of the Allegheny Reservoir and 4500 feet of elevation gain. Approximate daily mileage:7/13/4. Pre-registration required. Contact Mike Juskelis at 410-439-4964 or mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.

 

Saturday-Monday, April 24 to 26, 2010. Triple Crown of VA (modified). 24 mile strenuous shuttle backpack on the AT with great views from McAfee Knob, Tinker Cliffs and Hay Rock Overlook. Average daily mileage approximately 8.0 miles. contact Mike Juskelis at 410-439-4964 or mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.

 

Saturday-Sunday, May 08-09, 2010. Ramsey’s Draft, GWNF, VA. 17 mile circuit with several stream crossings and 3100 feet of elevation gain. Beautiful stream and still some magnificent old Hemlocks left to see. Suitable for experienced hikers who want to try backpacking. Pre-registration required. Contact Mike Juskelis at 410-439-4964 or mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.

 

Saturday-Tuesday, May 15 to 18, 2010. Rickett’s Glenn Car Camping and Day Hiking. First hike will be an 8 mile circuit through State Game Lands 13 to explore seldom seen waterfalls. Some “waterwhacking” involved. The second hike will be a 9 mile loop inside the park visiting many of the falls in the glen. Pre-registration and campsite reservation required. Contact Mike Juskelis at 410-439-4964 or mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.

 

Saturday-Monday, May 29 to 31, 2010 (Memorial Day Weekend). Cranberry Backcountry Backpack, MNF, WV. 26 mile moderate circuit in this under-utilized hiking venue featuring a circumnavigation of Cranberry Glades. Daily mileage: 8/12/6. Pre-registration required. Contact Mike Juskelis at 410-439-4964 or mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.

 

Saturday-Wednesday, June 26 to 30, 2010. Mount Rogers N.R.A., VA. Car Camping and Day Hiking. Camp at Grindstone Campground. Hike the Iron Mountains. The first hike will be The Iron Mountain Loop. It is a strenuous 14 mile circuit with 3400 feet of elevation gain starting at Beartree Lake and features vistas, streams and Rhododendron tunnels.  The second hike will be the 12 mile Rowlands Creek Loop with 2430 feet elevation gain featuring several waterfalls, a couple over 100 feet in height, and some views. The third hike is another waterfall hike, 9.0 mile Comers Creek Loop, with 1850 feet of elevation gain. (The leader reserves the right to substitute any of the above with a shorter, easier hike starting from camp.) Sign up for all or part of the trip.  Pre-registration and campsite reservation required. Contact Mike Juskelis at 410-439-4964 or mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.

 

Saturday-Monday, July 10 to 12, 2010. Cranberry Wilderness Backpack, MNF, WV. 18 miles total. Hike in 5 miles and set up camp at Big Beechy Falls. On the second day we’ll climb steeply up to the plateau, hiking about 10 miles. Extra water will be required for that day. The final day will be an easy 3 miles back to the cars. Pre-registration required. Contact Mike Juskelis at 410-439-4964 or mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.

 

Saturday-Tuesday, July 24 to 27, 2010. Blue Knob State Park, PA Car Camping and Day Hiking. The first hike will be a moderate 10 mile circuit inside the park. The second hike will be a 12 mile easy to moderate loop on the John B. Saylor Trail. Pre-registration and campsite reservation required. Contact Mike Juskelis at 410-439-4964 or mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.

 

Saturday-Monday, August 07 to 09, 2010. Mid-State Trail, PA (State College Area). Base Camp Backpacking and Day Hike. Pack in 6 miles through designated wild and natural areas and set up a Base Camp. On the second day we’ll hike a moderate 12 mile circuit as we visit the Bear Meadow Natural Area (a highland bog), Shingletown Gap, the Tom Thwaites Memorial (trail builder extraordinaire and author of PA hiking guides) and views from Little Flats and Thick Mountain. Our return route might be different than the initial hike in. Pre-registration required. Contact Mike Juskelis at 410-439-4964 or mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.

 

Saturday-Monday. August 28 to 30, 2010. Mid-State Trail, PA (Raymond B. Winter SP/Hook Natural Area Loop) 21 mile Strenuous Backpack. Daily mileage approximately 5/11/5. The Hook is the only complete watershed preserved as such in the Natural Areas program. Hike along Buffalo Run under a canopy of 100-year-old black, red, white, scarlet and chestnut oaks; yellow, white and black birch; white pine; and red maple. Some very steep climbs on the first and third days. Pre-registration required. Contact Mike Juskelis at 410-439-4964 or mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.

 

Saturday-Monday, September 04 to 06, 2010 (Labor Day Weekend). Roaring Plains Base Camp Backpack and Day Hike, MNF, WV. Backpack in 2.5 miles an set up a base camp at the Hidden Passage. Day 2, strenuous 12-14 mile day hike along the canyon rim. Lots of boulder fields and fantastic views. Day 3, Backpack back out the way we came in. Pre-registration required. Contact Mike Juskelis at 410-439-4964 or mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.

 

Saturday-Tuesday, September 18 to 21, 2010. Lake Sherwood, MNF, WV. Car Camping and Day Hiking. The first hike (11 miles/moderate) will start at the campground and will follow the eastern shore of the lake and the western ridge of the valley. A short drive will be required to set up an 11 mile, moderate shuttle hike through the newly proclaimed Big Draft Wilderness Area featuring the beautiful Anthony Creek. Pre-registration required. Campsites are first come, first served. Contact Mike Juskelis at 410-439-4964 or mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.

 

Saturday-Monday, October 02 to 04. Blackwell to Little Piney SP Mid-State Trail Backpack. This is considered a classic backpack along this trail. 25 mile strenuous shuttle (extra cars needed) with 5000 feet of elevation gain. Approximate daily mileage: 8/9/8. Pre-registration required. Contact Mike Juskelis at 410-439-4964 or mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.

 

Saturday-Monday (or Tuesday), October 09 to 11 (or 12), 2010. Cooper’s Rock State Forest, WV. Car Camping and Day Hiking. As of now this is a three day trip with an 8 mile circuit hike within the park to visit the Cheat River and a  vista. It is possible this will be extended an extra day if more good hiking is close by. Pre-registration and campsite reservation is required. Contact Mike Juskelis at 410-439-4964 or mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.

 

Saturday-Monday, October 23 to 25, 2010. Mid-State Trail, PA (Iron Stone Loop). 20 mile strenuous backpack. Daily mileage: 5/10/5. Rugged hike beginning at the Stone Valley Recreation Area with lots of views from Tussey Mountain on the second day. Pre-registration required. Contact Mike Juskelis at 410-439-4964 or mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.

 

Printable/Downloadable Hiking/Backpacking Schedule