Even though I have been on tour for the past few months for my day job, there are certain events I am taking time off for. This is one of them. The annual Bald Mountain Jeep Trail cleanup project with the Virginia Four-Wheel-Drive Association has been one of my favorite events of the year. Going back to the first one I attended back in 2017 with John from New Horizons Overland, each year I’ve attended has been a great weekend spent with great people in a great area doing great things. Past write-ups can be found here:
This year I set my sights south toward northern Virginia to rendezvous with my friend Jonathan Blackmon (the guy with the goofy grin in last year’s main photo). We met up at a local bakery in Marshall, Virginia that has become a favorite of Jonathan’s and a “must stop” for him anytime he passes through the area. I decided this was the year I wanted to check the place out for myself.
It’s a locally sourced butcher shop and cafe.
A great way to start a weekend camping trip!
After a quick bite to eat at a local butcher just down the road we set our course due southeast toward one of my favorite “must stop” locations, Virginia Distillery Company. This has been a regular stop of mine for a number of years now and I’m not embarrassed to say they recognize me now as “that guy with the van.” Even though it’s my girlfriend’s van I guess credit goes to the driver, not the passenger princess (sorry babe). Having been there a few times I didn’t need to sample anything — lest I never leave — rather I knew what I wanted. I still ended up tasting two different whiskies and then grabbed a few bottles, then a few more, of Virginia’s finest American Single Malt whisky. Jonathan has now bought into the hype and I suspect he’ll will be back again in the future. Maybe when we all head back to the area for the Virginia Rooftop Tent Rally at James River State Park or head down for Overland Expo East at Oak Ridge Estate… I lie, no maybe about it, we will be stopping those weekends for sure.
After leaving VADisCo we headed west across central Virginia toward Sherando Lake Campground. Luckily our path took us across the Nelson 151 and right past Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company. If you’ve never been to Devil’s Backbone you need to make the stop. Even if you’re not a drinker their food is amazing. They also have an on-site campground with showers that is just off both the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Appalachian Trail. For you hikers out there they do run a shuttle up and down the mountain from the AT crossing. For you “overlanders” out there, Devil’s Backbone is a great stopping point before or after Overland Expo East and/or the VA Rooftop Tent Rally as both locations are within a short drive of the brewery’s campground.
After a quick pint and stocking a few 6-packs in Jonathan’s fridge it was time to finally head over the mountain to Sherando Lake. It’s a quaint little recreation area with a campground and lake front area nestled in the mountains just off the Blue Ridge Parkway and not far from the southern tip of Shenandoah National Park near Afton, Virginia. It’s a former Civilian Conservation Corps camp from the construction of the Blue Ridge Parkway. As such there are gorgeous buildings, pavilions, and other features around the campground. In fact, where we camp with VA4wdA is one of the CCC pavilions complete with massively heavy half-log picnic tables.
Friday Project Details:
Our group was getting there a day early on Thursday because we were being tasked by the USFS to do an additional cleanup while we were in the area. If you remember last year when we managed three Tread Lightly! projects in two different states over the course of four days… well, we are victims of our own success. Especially since this is the same USFS Ranger District we worked with on the Tank Hollow projects.
Semi-truck tires are by no means light — or small.
Teamwork makes the dream work, as they say.
Still plenty more along that road we need to get… next time.
Saturday Project Details:
My involvement for this weekend’s cleanup has always been light-handed due to the annual nature of the project and direct management by the VA4wdA. I more-or-less show up to fly the Tread Lightly! flag, say a few words, help motivate people to “Do their part” — which is easy since they are already there for the project. On the Tread Lightly! side Walt from M4Expeditions had been working behind the scenes, as always, lining things up with the USFS for our “special projects” just as he did for Tank Hollow the previous two times we were there.
someone dumped off the side of the road.
One of my favorite things about the VA4wdA cleanup weekend on Bald Mountain Jeep Trail is that they host a cookout for all the volunteers. They also host a door-prize giveaway for all the volunteers that helped out. As previously mentioned I am trying to pivot ECOA into a non-profit and provides support for projects like this as well as contributes to the volunteer door-prize pool. This year I contributed four items. First, was the Viking Bags backpack I reviewed a few months ago. It was very hard to leave that bag sitting on the shelf and not making use of it myself. Second, was a set of the Shenandoah National Park maps from longtime ECOA partner Purple Lizard Maps. They donated two sets of maps for the door-prize giveaway and a bunch of stickers for me to give out to the other volunteers. Third, I secured a new partnership this year with Quad Lock. I had previously purchased a mount from them for my Jeep. I did an unsolicited review just because I liked their product that much. Well, not only did they see that review, but they liked it enough to offer me a second one for my girlfriend’s van (install writeup coming soon). Again, not wanting to be greedy or selfish, I said I’d love to work with the if they would support stewardship project volunteers with the occasional give-away. So for this year they offered up a full mount system with a case (up to a $200 value) for one of the volunteers. Just another way I am trying to leverage my network of industry contacts and partners for the benefit of others. Lastly, I made my own contributions to the pile of prizes with some extra Purple Lizard Maps I have on hand as well as some stickers.
In typical “work-hard; play-hard” fashion, evening shenanigans were had each night while at Sherando Lake Campground. Big fires were surrounded by people telling big stories all night. Laughs were had. Tears were shed. Whiskey was drank. Cigars were smoked. Memories were made. Most importantly friendships were made. That’s what brings me to events like this. It’s the people. Good honest people doing their part to make sure our public lands are taken care of. I have found the people stepping up for projects like this are often the best people to be around. It’s obvious they think about and care about more than just themselves. That makes for friendships that outlast both time and distance.
Relaxing in the creek cooling off after a long day in the sun.
Set your alarms for April 2027 when we head back to Sherando Lake Campground. I hope you’ll join us next year. In the meantime, if you’re local to Virginia consider joining the Virginia Four-Wheel-Drive Association. They host multiple events throughout the year including projects like this and general trail rides and other social events. Additionally, considering joining Tread Lightly!. Funds from memberships go toward supporting projects like this which go a long way in helping maintain access to our public lands. They now have a $10 a month membership option, so for less than $120 a year — a lot less than a single tire on our vehicles — you can help support their mission as well as ours so we can continue being good stewards of our public lands.
More tires would be added from the other VA4wdA groups brining the weekend total to over 50.
If you are not already a member of Tread Lightly! please consider joining and supporting the organization. Money raised through memberships goes right back into projects just like these. As our public lands continue to be underfunded and overused it falls on us to step up and do our part to ensure that these beautiful lands remain intact for future generations. Additionally, consider joining a local Tread Lightly! project in your area and help leave your own positive mark for others to see so they too can be motivated to do their part in taking care of our precious planet.
BECOME A TREAD LIGHTLY! MEMBER HERE
If you are a off-road business owner or an off-road enthusiast in Virginia please consider joining the Virginia Four-Wheel-Drive Association
