To join us for any of these outings, please sign up with the trip leader, who can give you more information. Please contact your trip leader and reserve your spot at least two weeks in advance. In doing so, you may learn critical details about the outing. For instance, all available spots may be taken or the trip leader may cancel an outing if an insufficient number of people have signed up.
Our outings vary greatly in difficulty, scenery and type. Groups average between five and ten people, though we have as many as twenty people on some outings. Lower group numbers tend to provide a better experience for everyone. Trip leaders exercise a great amount of flexibility as far as leadership style, foul weather rescheduling, daily route, etc. Please be considerate of your trip leader and follow his/her instructions.
Open Dates: Visit Kayford Mountain south of Charleston to see mountain top removal (MTR) up close and hear Larry Gibson's story about how he saved his mountain, now almost totally surrounded by MTR. Bring lunch for a picnic on Larry's mountain. Call in advance to schedule. Julian Martin (304) 342-8989; martinjul@aol.com or Larry Gibson (304) 542-1134; (304) 549-3287.
Winter on the Refuge
Naturalist led outings series at White Grass Ski Touring Center
by Dave Saville, Outings Committee Chair
As I write this, on January 1, 2010, there are 15" of snow at the 4,000 ft stake at the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge and White Grass Ski Touring Center. They have had 59 inches of snow so far this winter and have been skiing for 25 days. That sweet sweet powder is coming down heavily right now!
White Grass partners with the National Wildlife Refuge to provide recreational access and educational opportunities for the public during the winter months. White Grass maintains over 50 km of ski trails that allow people to see and learn about the unique wildlife habitats that are being managed and protected on the Refuge. Ski trails are groomed and there is a variety of terrain to more than satisfy beginner to advanced skiers.
The Refuge has developed a series of interpretive signs that are placed at various places around the ski trail system. A Gateway Kiosk displays a map and other information about the Refuge. The Highlands Conservancy has helped organize the Winter on the Refuge outings series this winter with the help of WVU Recreation Student Maddy Hodden.
The outings take place during the winter months and are led by knowledgeable professionals and Master Naturalists. There are numerous opportunities to learn about a diverse array of natural and cultural features of Canaan Valley. The outings begin at White Grass unless otherwise noted.
Saturday, January 9: Winter Trails Day at White Grass, meet at White grass Lodge. Free lessons/clinics and rentals to all first time interested skiers or snowshoers. Cross country ski lessons every hour. A 10 am and 2 pm clinic on types of snowshoes, clothing, basic techniques, and outdoor winter snow travel, followed by a natural history tour on snowshoes into our neighboring National Wildlife Refuge. Contact White Grass at (304) 866-4114 for more information.
Sunday January 10: Gateway To The Refuge - GPS mapping skills, 10 am at White Grass. Trek led by Dr. Rick Landenberger, Executive Director of a non-profit geospatial research and education network, and West Virginia University faculty member in Geology & Geography. Dr. Landenberger will provide an introduction to GPS technology including principles for mapping points and routes, with particular emphasis on central Appalachian forest ecology and wildlife applications. Bring your own GPS if you'd like, but Rick will have loaner units for first timers. Contact White Grass at (304) 866-4114 for more information.
Saturday, January 16: Valley Vibes: Changing Light and Weather: Dolly Sods and Canaan Valley, 7 pm at the Canaan Valley Resort State Park lodge. Presented by Photographer and local resident Joe Henry. See some of Joe's work at http://www.canaanvalleyphotography.com. Contact the Refuge at (304) 866-3858 for more information.
Sunday January 17: Carefree Snowshoe Tour, 1pm at White Grass. Learn about local history and ecology with Master Naturalists Andy and Bruce Dalton. Long-time residents of Canaan Valley, Andy and Bruce are volunteers for the Wildlife Refuge with the Friends of the 500th., the Refuge’s volunteer citizen’s support organization. Contact White Grass at (304) 866-4114 for more information.
Saturday, January 23: Winter Bird Walk, 8 am, meet at the Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. Led by Volunteer Casey Rucker. Contact the Refuge at (304) 866-3858 for more information
Sunday, January 24: Gateway to the Refuge - Brook Trout, West Virginia’s Native Trout, 10am at White Grass. This outing will explore the native habitat of this important bio-indicator of our headwater stream’s health. Outing leader, Gary Berti, is the Program Manager of Trout Unlimited’s Potomac River Headwaters Home River Program. Learn why this species is important and what Trout Unlimited is doing to protect and restore its habitat. Contact White Grass at (304) 866-4114 for more information.
Sunday, January 31: Gateway to the Refuge - Living Legends, the History and Ecology of Red Spruce Forests, 10 am at White Grass. Before the logging era the red spruce ecosystem in these mountains was vast. Why didn’t it all come back after the logging? What animals are dependants on the red spruce ecosystem, and why have some become endangered? What is being done and what can we do to help? Presented by Environmental Educator Corey Bonasso, 2008 Forestry graduate from West Virginia University, and Nathan Beane, Doctoral student in Forestry at WVU. Contact White Grass at (304) 866-4114 for more information.
Sunday, February 7: Gateway to the Refuge –Animal Tracking, 10 am at White Grass. This very popular event, led by Refuge Wildlife Biologist Ken Sturm, will give you information needed to figure out what critters make all those impressions in the snow. Contact White Grass at (304) 866-4114 for more information.
Saturday, February 13: Winter Bird Walk, 8 am at the Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, led by Volunteer Casey Rucker. This walk will take place during the Great Backyard Bird Count, a national volunteer effort to compile a snapshot of bird observations in one weekend. Our walk will include an introduction to the GBBC and encourage participants to take part in the effort. Contact the Refuge at (304) 866-3858 for more information.
Sunday, February 14: Carefree Snowshoe Tour, 1pm at White Grass. Your chance to appreciate the simple beauty of snowshoeing. Natural history and local lore are featured. Led by naturalist Dave Saville. Contact White Grass at (304) 866-4114 for more information.
Saturday, February 20: Valley Vibes - South Africa through the Eyes of a Wildlife Biologist, 7 pm at the Canaan Valley Resort State Park lodge. Presented by Refuge Biologist Ken Sturm. Contact the Refuge at (304) 866-3858 for more information.
Sunday February 21: Gateway To The Refuge - Geology of Canaan Valley and the West Virginia Highlands, 10 am at White Grass. Ski or Snowshoe trek led by Geologist Barnes Nugent of the West Virginia Geologic Survey. Barnes will discuss the unique geology of the area and how it affects the plants and animals that live there. Contact White Grass at (304) 866-4114 for more information.
Saturday, March 13: Winter Bird Walk, 8 am at the Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. Led by Volunteer Casey Rucker. Contact the Refuge at (304) 866-3858 for more information.
Saturday, March 20: Valley Vibes - Woodcock and Constellations, 7 pm at the Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. At dusk, check out the mating ritual of this inland shorebird with no neck. Then when darkness falls, learn the legends of, and find some of, our spring time constellations. Led by Refuge Naturalist Jackie Burns. Contact the Refuge at (304) 866-3858 for more information.
Saturday & Sunday April 10 & 11: Red Spruce Ecosystem Restoration Volunteer opportunity, 10 am at Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center both days. Help us plant red spruce and balsam fir trees on the Wildlife Refuge, Blackwater Falls State Park and Monongahela National Forest. Contact Dave Saville at (304) 284-9548 or daves@labyrinth.net for more information.
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-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-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 September 25: Red Spruce Restoration volunteer opportunity, 10 am at Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Join us and help plant 5,000 red spruce seedlings. Contact Dave Saville at (304) 284-9548 for more information.
Saturday-Monday (or Tuesday), October 09 to 11 (or 13), 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.
It’s never too early to start planning those spring time hikes ——
and never too late to plan a winter trek through your favorite snowy
path……Please consider leading an outing and sharing one of your
favorite places on the MON with others.
Contact Jim Solley
jamessolley@comcast.net
or 610-779-1020
Last Update-
Saturday, July 3, 2010 11:29 AM
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