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Hungry Mother State Park, VA – Volunteer Vacations 2023

October 1, 2023 @ 3:00 pm - October 7, 2023 @ 10:00 am

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Join Hungry Mother State Park to help convert Raider’s Run Trail from a historic horseback riding trail into a new hiking/biking trail! Many sections of the trail have been re-routed to make it more user friendly and sustainable. The trails have been bench cut on moderately steep slopes but will be improved for sustainably with water diversion features including sheet flow on the tread and out-slope and grade reversals. We will continue to improve these trails previously constructed by maintaining, improving, shaping, and defining existing hiking and mountain bike features including berms, rollers, and trail tread formations on these trails along with other necessary features. Most of the work will be spent bending, shoveling, raking, chopping, and tamping.

The project worksite is about 1 mile from the bunkhouse. Volunteers can hike or drive to the project worksite each day.

There is no experience needed to join a Volunteer Vacation! Your expert hosts will provide detailed instruction, tool demonstrations, and project oversight throughout the week. All you need is a willing attitude and to be in good physical condition to participate in moderate physical activity for approximately 6-8 hours a day with plenty of breaks, at your own pace. Find out more about what it’s like to join a Volunteer Vacation and other frequently asked questions here.

AHS acknowledges with gratitude that this project takes place on the traditional lands of the Cherokee East and S’atsoyaha (Yuchi) peoples past and present. We honor the land itself, the Indigenous communities who have stewarded this land for generations, their deep and sacred connection to these lands, and those who continue to steward these lands today. We offer this land acknowledgement as the first of many steps to stand as an ally and amplify Indigenous voices. We invite the American Hiking Society community to join us through continued efforts to support Indigenous communities and learn more about the history of the lands on which we live, work and recreate.

Register

Host

Virginia State Parks

Accommodations

Cabin/Lodge

Hiking/Access

Day hiking up to 1 mile each work day.

Project Rating

Moderate

Minimum Volunteer Age

18

Maximum Group Size

14

Area and Attractions

Hungry Mother State Park encompasses roughly 3,000 acres with 250 acres developed. The park is nestled in the Appalachian mountains of southwest Virginia and has a 108-acre lake stocked with Muskie, walleye, and catfish, but plenty of other native species are available. Canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boarding are all available. Hungry Mother also has 18 miles of some of the finest mountain trails to hike and bike. One trail will take you to the highest knob in the Park, Molly's Knob with a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains and countryside. Find out who Molly is and how she is ingrained in our legend of how she helped to give the park its name. The park is located in the same county as the highest peak in Virginia, Mt. Rogers, and is surrounded by National forest and many natural areas. The Channels, the Pinnacles, the Cascades, and Grayson Highlands State Park to name a few are all extraordinary natural finds and are all within an hour's drive of the park. This area is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise. Basic shopping needs and nice eateries are located in Marion, VA, only four miles away.

Accommodations Description

Volunteers will stay in a historical bunkhouse with five bedrooms that have twin-sized beds. Linens are not provided. All towels, bed clothing, blankets and pillows will need to be brought to the site. There are two bathrooms with a total of three showers and three toilets. There is a fully furnished kitchen with the basic supplies needed to cook meals. Stove, refrigerator, microwave, and coffee pot are included. A large living room area is available. There is also a deck out back and a porch out front with a picnic table for outdoor gatherings. Volunteers should bring their own sheets / bedding or sleeping bag, pillow, towels, and personal gear. Laundry facilities are located in the bunkhouse. Wifi is spotty throughout the park. Verizon works the best, most others can be used around the beach area.

Travel

Tri-City Airport in Blountville, TN is the closest airport. Airport pick up and drop off is available for volunteers and will be arranged upon confirmation of the trip.

Location

Hungry Mother State Park
2854 Park Boulevard, Marion, VA 24354 United States + Google Map