National Parks Conservation Association Offers Guided Hikes in Shenandoah National Park
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PRESS RELEASE
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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | |
| Date: | July 20, 2007 |
| Contact: | Erin St. John, NPCA, 304-250-7833 |
What: Join the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) for a series of free hikes in Shenandoah National Park. Experience Shenandoah’s most beautiful trails, waterfalls, and vistas while also learning about plant life, the impact of global warming, and other important issues affecting our national parks. Please RSVP for your hike today, contact Erin St. John at estjohn@npca.org or 540.886.6722. Who: National Parks Conservation Association When: August 4 - October 27, 2007 Where: Shenandoah National Park August 4 at 11 a.m.—Wilderness Buck Ridge Trail Loop August 18 at 2 p.m.—Mercury at South River Falls September 2 at 2 p.m.—Tree Identification on the Sugarloaf-Keyser Run Fire Road-Hogback Mountain Trail September 16 at 9 a.m.—“Leave No Trace” in White Oak Canyon September 29 at 9 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.—Help Our Parks on National Public Lands Day! October 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.—Journaling on Corbin Hollow Trail October 27 at 2 p.m.—Climate Change on Hawksbill Summit Since 1919, NPCA has been the leading voice of the American people in protecting and enhancing our National Park System. NPCA, its members, and partners work together to protect the park system and preserve our nation’s natural, historical, and cultural heritage for generations to come. NPCA has more than 300,000 members, including more than 10,000 members in Virginia. For more information, visit: www.npca.org/mid_atlantic. ###
*Please see specific hikes for location, date, and time
This moderately strenuous 5.6-mile hike will provide the perfect setting to discuss wilderness and backcountry issues that relate to national parks. Meet at the south end of Meadow Springs parking area, Mile Marker 35.5.
Spend the afternoon on this 4.4-mile moderate trail to South River Falls, the park’s third largest waterfall. Hikers can learn more about how mercury is polluting our parks and how NPCA is working to reduce this toxic pollutant. Meet at the South River Picnic Area, Mile Marker 62.8.
Bring your tree guidebooks and explore Shenandoah’s forests on this 5.9-mile easy loop. Meet south of the Hogback Overlook (park in lot on west side of the drive), Mile Marker 21.
This strenuous but rewarding 8.2-mile hike will take hikers into the deepest ravines and views of waterfalls and high cliffs. Guides will discuss the “Leave No Trace” principles on how to enjoy the parks with the least amount of impact. Meet at Hawksbill Parking Area, just south of Mile Marker 45.
Volunteers will be removing invasive species from the meadow that threaten the rare plant community. Dress in field clothes, including full-length pants and shoes. Meet in the Massanutten Room, Big Meadows Lodge at 9 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.
Bob Trope from Nature’s Best Photography magazine and Amy Marquis from National Parks magazine will lead writing and sketching exercises during this moderate 4.3-mile hike. This hike is most appropriate for participants 16 and over; space is limited to the first 12 participants. Meet in the parking area on west side of the road at Mile Marker 37.9.
Join NPCA’s Director of Clean Air Program Mark Wenzler for a 2.8-mile moderate hike to the summit of the parks highest mountain. Learn about how climate change is affecting our national parks and how you can help. Meet at Hawksbill Gap parking area, Mile Marker 45.6.
