On the trail

Sage Merritt / News Virginian
Published: August 22, 2007

"It's absolutely a great activity," said C. Dwayne Jones, superintendent of Parks and Horticulture for the city of Waynesboro. "All you really need is a good pair of hiking shoes. It's a great chance to get outdoors."

Tree cover and higher altitudes can provide a relief from the summer heat and boredom. With some hiking trails as close as the local park, Jones said, adventure-seekers have no excuse not to get off the couch.

"Ridgeview Park has a number of trails that go along the South River and in and amoungst the woods," Jones said. "It's a nice shady place to walk. You can put together a mile if you follow the river and go through the woods and back through the park. Lots of people make their own trail, so to speak. And of course Coiner Springs Park has quite a number of trails in the grassy fields in the front."

For those prepared to do a bit of travelling to find a great place to hike, Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway offer up first-rate trails for enthusiasts of every level and for every possible hike length, from short one-hour hikes to overnight trips, said Rich Gibson of Rockfish Gap Outfitters in Waynesboro.

"It's a tough call to recommend just a few, because there are hundreds of miles of trails," Gibson said. "When people are picking out hikes, we ask questions - how long do you want to be out- How fit are you-"

One versatile hike that Gibson recommends is Riprap Trail in the Shenandoah National Park, starting around milepost 90. The trail can be tackled as an out-and-back affair of any length - just walk as far as you're inclined, then turn around and go back the way you came - or as a big loop. Adventurous hikers can make a day of the trail, Gibson noted.

"It's a really diverse trail," Gibson said. "There are views of the Valley, water, trees. It's very pretty, real nice."

Shorter hikes include the trail to Humpback Rocks on the Blue Ridge Parkway, which can also be done as an out-or-back hike or in a larger loop. Another option for a short hike is St. Mary's Wilderness Area in Shenandoah National Park, which features a relatively flat trail system and less strenous hikes.

Gibson recommends that all hikers, whether making a short trek a few miles long or an all-day excursion, make sure they are prepared for the journey. Being prepared, in this case, means proper footwear and a day pack with a few essential items.

"We always say the most important thing is what is on your feet," Gibson said. "For a short hike, you can do with a sneaker, but for longer hikes you need a hiking boot or shoe.

"Pack some food, water, a compass, extra clothes, something to make fire with in case you have too - a good all-around day pack," Gibson added. "And make sure you tell people where you're going. There have been some famous incidents of people getting lost recently because they didn't tell people where they were going."

For those who want to make their hike into a social occasion, Wilderness Adventure in Staunton sponsors a hiking club that makes treks on area trails around once a month or so.

"It's a community service to get people outside," said Robert Burnes, owner of Wilderness Adventure.

Upcoming hikes include a Sept. 8 hike on the Big Run loop and a Sept. 22 overnight trip to Maupin Fields. Call 885-3200 for more information.

The Parks department is also offering hiking trips, coming up on Sept. 1, 15 and 29, said Jones. Call 942-6735 for more information.

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