Hit the Trail and Celebrate National Trails Day – Saturday, June 3
June 3 is the 25th annual celebration of National Trails Day, time to get outside for hikes, walks, and paddling public lands and waters. For a complete listing of NTD events near you, check out American Hiking Society’s NTD WV page. Here are a few offered by WVPL partners and friends.
Meet the Cheat, Preston County, June 3
Come “Meet the Cheat” at the 2nd annual community paddle in Rowlesburg, WV. Join Friends of the Cheat, the Upper Cheat River Water Trail, and Blackwater Outdoor Adventures for a lazy day on the water. Meet at 9am at the Rowlesburg Park — put on the river at 10am. A limited number of kayaks and canoes are available for rent; $30 per kayak, $45 per canoe. Free to those with their own gear. Shuttle will be provided.
Stick around for food and a donation-based raffle afterwards. The first 25 participants who are renting kayaks or canoes will get their gear for free! To register, email Beth Warnick at bwarnick@cheat.org with questions, comments.
Celebrate Trails Day in Scenic Tucker County, June 3
Join Friends of Blackwater for a walking tour along the scenic Blackwater River. The group will gather at 1pm at the Buxton and Landstreet Building, just outside of the historic town of Thomas. Tour the old company store and Henry Gassaway Davis’ corporate headquarters. Then follow the Francis Grade along the Blackwater River to the site of the Thomas Depot, and walk the main line to the old coke ovens at Douglas. The hike ends at 4pm — it’s about 1.5 miles total of easy walking. Bikes and kids are welcome — even horses! Lots of great places to eat and visit in the area, too. For information contact Friends of Blackwater at 304-345-7663 ext. 1, or email info@saveblackwater.org.
RiverPalooza Kick Off, June 3
National Trails Day is Potomac Riverkeeper Network’s RiverPalooza kickoff of summer events. The day starts at noon with paddle trips planned in Harpers Ferry followed by a BBQ & Bluegrass Party. Music will be provided by Barefoot Movement, called the future of Tennessee bluegrass by Rollling Stone. If you can’t make it that day, PRKN will have over a dozen other adventures from June through September for all ages and skill levels. Most involve a canoe, kayak, raft, tube or stand up paddle board, but there is also a bike trip and snorkeling in the Shenandoah.
Meet at Harpers Ferry Adventure Center, 37410 Adventure Center Lane, Purcellville. Learn more.
Also in June . . . Greenbrier River of Fun Weekend, June 10
It’s Second Saturday in Hinton, which can only mean “Color the River” — with colorful water craft, of course. Join the armada June 10 and color the river with paddle boards, canoes, kayaks, duckies and inner tubes. Put in at Summers County 4-H Camp and float the Greenbrier River to Willowwood.
Later that day, The Kind Thieves take the stage on the Courthouse lawn for an evening outdoor concert in downtown Hinton. Learn more.
