Women Build Hike for Habitat

Women Build of Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Charlottesville area is holding its 4th Annual Women Build Hike for Habitat on the morning of May 1. This event raises funds to support Women Build’s construction of houses for low-income members of the community. The Charlottesville area Women Build was founded in the fall 2001 and since then volunteers have raise funds for, and are now helping in the construction of its seventh area home. Hike for Habitat will raise funds to construction an eighth house.

Participants, who are asked to raise at least $50 each, can choose from 10 guided hikes of all levels. Some of the offerings including kayaking, bird watching, wildflowers, and dogs! (descriptions below) Please register by Friday, April 16, by calling (434) 293-9066, emailing , or downloading a registration form at http://cvillehabitat.org/womenBuild.shtml. Breakfast will be served before the hike, and lunch and water will be given to you before you embark.

All donations to Women Build are tax-deductible. You can bring your donations (checks made out to Women Build; or pay via credit card) on the morning of the hike. However, if you’re doing the canoe trip, registration and payment must be completed by April 16.

Women Build works to recruit, empower, and train women to build a simple, decent, affordable home. Along with learning construction skills, the work site provides a unique opportunity to build leadership skills as well as team building. Our mission is to provide a setting in which women are comfortable learning and applying building skills. For more information, call (434) 293-9066.

The details:
Date: Saturday, May 1, 7:30 a.m. (Rain Date Sunday, May 2). Meet at Blue Ridge Mountain Sports (Barracks Road Shopping Center). Light refreshments will be provided

Who: Everyone is welcome to participate, whether female or male, old or young, athletic or couch potato-ish.

Location: On the morning of the hike, Saturday, May 1, meet at Blue Ridge Mountain Sports in the Barracks Road Shopping Center promptly at 7:30 a.m.

Safety:  Your guide will be carrying a cellular phone and first aid kit, is familiar with his/her portion of the Trail, and is aware of all possible access points in the case of an emergency.

Perks: Breakfast and lunch provided. Prizes awarded to the participants raising the most money!

Hike Descriptions

John Holden, Blue Ridge Mountain Sports (BRMS) designed and arranged leaders for a great selection of hikes.  This year he has extended the participation limit on the kayaking/canoeing trip, added a ‘Dog’s Day in the Mountains’ hike, and added an exciting hike into the Shenandoah National Park. These hikes are described in detail below. 

What to bring: Hikers are expected to wear adequate footwear for their particular hike (no flip flops). It will be 10–15 degrees colder in the mountains in early May so please bring a jacket and rain gear. Special equipment is listed for each hike. Some hikes will cross streams so you may want to have an extra pair of shoes to change into after your hike. Women Build will provide breakfast, lunch and water.

Dogs on a leash are welcome on all hikes except for the ‘Birds of the Rivanna Trail’ and ‘Kayak or Canoe’ Trip.
Women Build reserves the right to change, modify or cancel any particular hike.

1. St. Mary’s Wilderness——Easy
Drive time: 1 hour
Hike: 4 Miles Round Trip (RT)
Hike time: 2 hours
Special Equipment:  Extra shoes and daypack
Appropriate for families with children 9 and up.  This is a kid-friendly, easy and adventurous guided hike. There will be several stream crossings so wet footwear for adults and kids will be part of the experience. Three waterfalls will be visited and kids will receive a free copy of “Hikes for Kids in Shenandoah National Park,” a whistle, and a small light. Donation of $50 (or more) includes parent and child.

2. Hiking on Wheels——-Riverview Park——Easy
Check in at Park:  10 a.m.
Hike:  2 – 3 miles RT
Hike time:  1 – 1½ hours
Special Equipment:  None
This hike is designed for those in strollers and wheel chairs, as well as hikers. It will be on a paved path that is easily accessible. Easy for small children to walk and babies to ride. For this hike, we will meet at Riverview Park at 10 a.m., so families with small children do not need to check in at BRMS. Donation of $50 (or more) includes parent and child. If we have a large turnout, we will split into age groups (strollers/toddlers and “big” kids). 

3.  Wildflowers of the Blue Ridge——Blue Ridge Mountains——Moderate
Drive time:  1¼ hours
Hike:  2 – 4 miles RT
Hike time:  2 – 3 hours
Special Equipment:  Hiking footwear and daypack
Hike with a wildflower expert on trails within the Blue Ridge Mountains, location will be determined based on seasonality factors. Hike provides opportunity to learn native Virginia Wildflowers first hand. All participants will be given a wildflower book.  Sorry, no dogs on this hike.

4.  Birds of the Rivanna Trail——Rivanna River North Trail——Easy
Drive time: 20 minutes
Hike:  4 miles RT
Hike time: 3 hours
Special equipment:  Binoculars, bird book, daypack, and sturdy footwear
Visit a new area of the Rivanna Trail. This is a wild place and a superb habitat for a variety of birds. Hikers will get early start, 7 a.m. from BRMS. Sorry, no dogs on this hike.

5.  Ramsey’s Draft Hike——Moderate/Difficult
Drive time: 1.5 hours
Hike:  4-6 miles RT
Hike time: 4 hours
Special equipment:  Extra shoes, walking stick, daypack
Amazing hike; considered one of the best day hikes close to Charlottesville, this is a level hike that uses three trails and passes through a wilderness area of tall trees and open forest. This hike has 14 stream crossings but is still suitable for beginners. John Holden will lead this hike.

6.  Appalachian Trail – Humpback Rocks——-Moderate
Drive time:  1 hour
Hike:  4 miles RT
Hike time: 2 – 3 hours
Special Equipment:  Daypack
This is a beautiful hike along the Appalachian Trail with additional points of interest after Humpback Rocks. Moderate with several steep sections. 

7.  Ragged Mountain Natural Area——Easy
Drive time:  20 minutes
Hike:  3½ miles RT
Hike Time:  2 hours
Special Equipment:  Daypack
This hike is a local favorite, close to town and with a very mountain-like feel. Easy with a few short climbs.  This group will travel through tall hardwood forests around scenic ponds. Suitable for kids able to sustain several moderate uphill climbs of 10 minutes each. The area has nice views and offers a water and mountain experience.

8.  Shenandoah National Park – Hawks Bill Summit——-Moderate
Drive time:  90 minutes
Hike:  2.8 miles RT
Hike Time:  3 hours
Special Equipment: Daypack
Hike to the highest summit and the best views in the Park where Peregrine falcons are often seen. The hike will use a combination of three trails in an almost circuit. We will spend an hour viewing this magnificent summit with its stone shelter, open ledges and spectacular views. Expect to be away for ¾ of the day. 

9.  Dog’s Day in the Mountains——Easy
Drive time:  30 minutes
Hike:  4 miles RT
Hike Time:  3 hours
Special Equipment: Daypack, extra shoes
Hike designed for dogs and their best friends. Free doggie snacks from Sammy Snacks. Hike 2 miles to Big Branch Falls in the Shenandoah National Park with 3 stream crossings each way allowing water dogs a chance to swim and drink along the way. The trail follows water its entire route. This hike is open to all dogs, and their friends, that love other dogs, on leashes.

10.  Kayak ‘or’ Canoe Trip——-Paddle the Rivanna River from Crofton to Palmyra
Drive time:  45 minutes
Paddle Time:  2 – 4 hours (depends on the current) 
Limit:  12-14 participants
This is a hands-on guided trip with some instruction for beginners. This is a great trip in beautiful, clear, mostly flat water. The banks are very wide and wildflowers, cliffs, and relative wilderness makes this a fantastic day.  Sorry, no children or dogs.
BRMS will provide kayaks, canoes, paddles, and lifejackets.  Participants must be good swimmers.
Special Equipment:  Quick-dry clothes and water-friendly footwear, sun/rain protection
Space is limited so please register for this trip by April 16.  We are asking for a minimum donation of $80 per person.