Old Dominion Appalachian Trail Club upcoming events

Pole Green Park (08 Apr 2026)

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:50:00 GMT

We will hike at Pole Green Park on Wednesday, April 8. Jim Hunt (hikerjimhunt@hotmail.com - 730-3264. Spring is a good time to hike the 3.5 miles in this nice park in Hanover. We will meet at 9:50 am. Exit I-295 at the Pole Green exit 38A and go along Pole Green Road. Go 3.8 miles and turn left in the Park. Go .2 miles and turn right. The parking lot is by the pickleball courts. See you there.

Introduction to Trail Maintenance Course (11 Apr 2026)

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Introduction to Trail Maintenance Course – April 11, 2026 – 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Come and join the Tidewater Appalachian Trail Club (TATC) for a free Introduction to Trail Maintenance Course

This course is being held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM on the Appalachian Trail (Maupin Field Area)

Camp Free at Devils Backbone Base Camp, 30 Three Ridges Lane, Roseland, VA 22967 - April 10-12, 2026

The course is restricted to 40 participants. A wait-list will be added if more than 40 people sign up. This course will also be held in the fall, date tbd. There will be four separate training sessions with groups of 10 participants rotated through each training session

Online Sign-Up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F45A5AE29A1F5C61-61203071-spring

This training is free – Participants DO NOT need to be TATC members to attend. Bring a friend! All participants must be at least 18 years old or accompanied by a Parent or Guardian

This course is intended for individuals or new members who want to get acclimated with trail work. You’ll learn basic trail maintenance skills. Workshop stations will be set up along the trail to demonstrate the following trail maintenance topics.

· Introduction: First Aid and Safety, Protections for Appalachian Trail Volunteers, Trail Maintenance Schedules and Sign-up, Trail Maintenance Reporting, Tool Maintenance

· Trail Corridor: Width, Height, Treadway, Grade, Slope, Soil, Berming, Side-Hill Work, Herd Paths, Blazing

· Clearing: Brushing, Cutting Weeds, Clearing Blowdowns and Sawing, Spring Poles, Sawyer Certifications, Axe Work

· Erosion Control: Grade Dips, Log Water Bars, Rock Water Bars, Check Dams, Steps, Cribbing

· Campsites: Fire Rings, Trash, Camping Pads, Iceberging, Outhouses, Shelters, Bear Poles, Leave No Trace

Logistics:

Tent out for free at the Devils Backbone Camp on Friday and Saturday Nights. Devils Backbone Website: www.dbbrewingcompany.com/camp-at-basecamp

Bring camping gear if you plan to camp. Also bring clothes appropriate for the weather, long-sleeved pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and hiking boots. TATC will provide safety equipment, though you should bring your own work gloves. Need the loan of a tent or sleeping pad, then please let us know.

Bring water, snacks, and lunch. You should bring at least two liters of water. We’ll stop somewhere on the trail midday for a quick lunch.

We will be ferrying participants from the Devil's Backbone Campsite to the training area.

Contact: John Sima; trailsupervisor@tidewateratc.com or Kaci Midgette; assistantts@tidewateratc.com for more information.

Doyles River Falls (C3) (13 Apr 2026)

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Doyles River Falls (C3)

Randy Wendell (randy.wendell@verizon.net) This 8.4-mile-long hike in the Southern Section of Shenandoah National Park has 1,800’ of elevation gain, which qualifies it as moderately strenuous. The reason this hike is so popular is because it offers several beautiful waterfalls, which we’ll be visiting up close. Please contact Randy for more details.

Spring Fling backpacking adventure (C3) (19 Apr 2026)

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Spring Fling backpacking adventure April 19-20, 2026. (Sunday-Saturday). We will hike 5 miles from Rockfish Gap to the Paul Wolfe shelter on Sunday and return to Rockfish Gap on Monday. Folks can contact Beth for details and to sign up.

Beth Kirwin

804.212.6437

elkirwin@gmail.com

Rip Rap Hollow (B2) (20 Apr 2026)

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Rip Rap Hollow, B2

Randy Wendell (randy.wendell@verizon.net) I rate this hike in the Southern Section of Shenandoah National Parkas strenuous because it’s 9.7-miles long and has 2,300’ of elevation gain. However, it’s worth the effort because it has several nice views and some pretty cascading water. Plus, if you are up for it, there is one of the sweetest swimming holes in the park partway through this great hike. Please contact Randy for more details.

Reids Gap to Humpback Rocks Parking (B2) (27 Apr 2026)

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Reids Gap to Humpback Rocks Parking (B2)

Randy Wendell (randy.wendell@verizon.net) This is one of the pieces of the Appalachian Trail that our Club maintains, which makes it must-see. This is an 11.5-mile hike with about 2,000’ feet of gain, and some rocky sections along the way. We’ll take breaks at two scenic overlooks. Please contact Randy for more details.

May Membership Meeting (12 May 2026)

Tue, 12 May 2026 22:30:00 GMT

Please join us on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at:

Trinity Lutheran Church, 2315 N. Parham Road, Henrico, VA 23229

Program to be determined.

**** TBD ***
The meeting starts at 6:30 with social time, followed by our business meeting at 7 o’clock. Please bring finger food to share if you like. Hope to see you there!

Please park behind the church and come in on the lower level.

Presquile National Wildlife Refuge (13 May 2026)

Wed, 13 May 2026 14:30:00 GMT

The Presquile National Wildlife Refuge is on an island in the James River. There is limited parking at the boat landing, so we'll meet at R. Garland Dodd Park at Point of Rocks, 201 Enon Church Road, Chester VA 23836, and carpool to the landing. Let's meet at the parking lot by the tennis courts at 10:30. For carpool drivers, the boat landing is at 4700 Bermuda Hundred Road, Chester VA. It's about a 15-minute drive from the park to the landing. There are restroom facilities at the park, boat landing, and at the refuge. We are scheduled for 3 hours at the refuge.

There is a limit of 25 people on the boat, so if you are interested, please sign up by e-mailing Frank Willing at frwilling5@gmail.com. Any questions, call Frank at 804-238-4300.

Recommend bringing insect repellant in case the black flies are active.

PRS Trail Map.pdf

September Membership Meeting (08 Sep 2026)

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 22:30:00 GMT

Please join us on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at:

Trinity Lutheran Church, 2315 N. Parham Road, Henrico, VA 23229

Program to be determined.

November Membership Meeting (10 Nov 2026)

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 23:30:00 GMT

Please join us on Tuesday, November 10, 2026 at:

Trinity Lutheran Church, 2315 N. Parham Road, Henrico, VA 23229

Program to be determined.