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Marshall Run Hike - Please Continue to Contact the
Forest Service!
We have finished our June 28 hike to Marshall Run, where a 3 mile
road project and 185 acre timber sale threatens the beautiful
Root Run watershed. See http://www.virginiaforestwatch.org/northriver.shtml
for updates on the Marshall Run timber sale, and what you can do
to stop it. You can also write the Forest Service (see
information at http://www.virginiaforestwatch.org/alerts/MarshallRun.html)
and urge them not to log or build roads in this unique area. One
official comment period ended on October 5, 2007, but it is
extremely important that the Forest Service continues to hear
from the public before a final decision is made.
North Mountain Trail Hike: Saturday, September 6
Hike Description:
We'll hike a superb ridgetop trail surrounded by spectacular
views of the northern Shenandoah Valley. Enjoy high grassy
ridges, rock formations of a a variety of colors and sizes, and
wooded groves atop North Mountain in Shenandoah County. The
trails overlooks the site of the future Laurel Run/Road timber
sale, the the Forest Service plans to cut 484 acres of the forest
in 22 separate even-aged cutting units. In addition, a 15 mile
long industrial wind turbine development is proposed on the very
ridge where we will hike, and other remote areas just to the
south of us.
Difficulty: Easy with one short moderate section with
elevation gain of approx. 300 ft. over 1/4 mile. Total length,
approximately 5 miles. Note: There will be a shuttle as part
of this trip, wait time, approx. 1 hour. Cars in the shuttle will
need to go up a gravel road that is steep, with narrow turns, but
suitable for passenger cars.
Meeting time and location: We will meet and depart at
9:30AM, Sept. 6 at the parking lot of the Shenandoah Public
Library. At Interstate Exit 279, go east (towards Edinburg). The
library is on the left side of this road a short dstance for the
exit. We plan to return to the original meeting location by
4:30PM.
What is the Tour de Cut?: The Tour de Cut is a hiking
event sponsored by the Virginia Chapter of Sierra Club, Virginia
Forest Watch, and often other groups. Unlike other outings, it is
designed to be an educational, yet fun, event for people of all
walks of life who have not seen the negative impacts of logging,
roadbuilding, mineral development, off-highway vehicle routes or
other development on public lands. It is also designed to show
people the positive aspects of natural forest ecosystems.
Participants are encouraged to get to know particular places on
the national forest that have personal significance to them. In
past years, we have led hikes to an old growth site that was
subsequently logged at Hoover Creek (Alleghany Co.), Little River
Roadless Area (Augusta Co.), Great North Mountain Virginia
mountain treasure area (Shenandoah Co.), Signal Corps Knob
(Augusta Co.), Warm Springs Mountain Nature Conservancy preserve
(Bath Co.), and several Forest Service timber sales.
What to Bring: Bring water, packable lunch, rain gear, and
sturdy hiking boots.
For Your Safety: While these hikes are designed for
persons of most hiking abilities, as part of these hikes we may
walk a short distance off-trail. Also, as with all other hikes,
dependent on local weather conditions and other factors, hikes
may include hot, cold, or muggy weather, rain, lightning, stream
crossings, occasional travel through steep or rocky terrain,
poison ivy, animal hazards, and other hazards. Itineraries may
change due to factors beyond our control. Hike leaders will do
their best to ensure that hikes are safe and meet everyone's
needs.
Contact Information: To sign up for the hike or for more
information on the hike, contact:
Sherman Bamford
Forests Committee Chair, Sierra Club-Virginia Chapter, &
Public Lands Coordinator, Virginia Forest Watch
PO Box 3102
Roanoke, Va. 24015-1102
(540) 343-6359
bamford2@verizon.net
Chestnut Oak Knob Hike - Sat. October 4, '08
On Oct. 4, we'll round out the season, by hiking part of the
Dowells Draft Trail in Augusta County, near Crawford Mountain and
Ramseys Draft Wilderness. The Forest Service approved a
clearcutting operation in this part of the national forest,
outside of the wilderness. We'll see some of the scenic beauty of
the area, and we see the impacts of the Forest Service logging
program "up close". See our brochure at http://www.virginiaforestwatch.org/docs/TourdeCut2008brochure.pdf
for details
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