Join our 8th annual Appalachian Trail Art Show celebrating the Trail and the surrounding Great Outdoors. The A.T. is a designated National Scenic Trail that stretches 2,200 miles from Maine to Georgia. It’s right in our backyard, less than 5 miles away, with local hotspots like Bear’s Den and Raven Rocks. Help us to connect our community with the A.T. by sharing your art!
Register to guarantee display of up to three pieces, and drop off the physical piece ready to hang at the Round Hill Arts Center March 14-16, 2025. Registration for adults is $5 per piece for up to 3 pieces, and students are free.
We will hold an Artists’ Reception on Sunday, April 6th, and the artwork will be available for in-person viewing from April 1st through the 0th.
Drop off information will be emailed out approximately a week before the drop off dates.
Leave No Trace, a term that resonates through the world of outdoor adventurers, is a conservation ethic that encourages all of us to minimize our impacts on the natural world when participating in outdoor activities. The Leave No Trace principles serve as a guide to promote responsible outdoor recreation, intending to safeguard our natural spaces for future generations.
Understanding and embracing the principles of Leave No Trace is not only about conservation, but it’s also about respect — respect for nature, wildlife, and fellow outdoor enthusiasts. To help you explore with integrity, we’ll delve into the seven principles of Leave No Trace.
1: Plan Ahead and Prepare
Planning ahead is vital to limit your impact on nature. Learn about the area you’re visiting before setting off. Understand its regulations. Be ready for extreme weather and emergencies. Effective planning ensures a safe journey. It also protects natural resources.
2: Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Always stick to established trails and campsites. Camp 200 feet away from lakes and rivers to protect them. Off-trail? Choose durable surfaces like rocks or gravel. Avoid vegetation or muddy terrain.
3: Dispose of Waste Properly
“Pack it in, pack it out” is a simple, powerful concept. All trash and litter should leave with you. Use designated areas for human waste. If none exist, dig a small hole 200 feet away from water sources.
4: Leave What You Find
Preserve the joy of discovery for others. Don’t pick flowers or move rocks. Don’t disturb historical or cultural artifacts. Leave the environment as you found it.
5: Minimize Campfire Impact
Campfires can cause lasting impacts. If you need a fire, use established fire rings. Keep fires small. Only burn sticks that can be broken by hand. Always make sure the fire is completely out before you leave.
6: Respect Wildlife
Wildlife watching can be thrilling. But remember, we’re guests in their home. Observe from a distance. Never feed them. Feeding wildlife hurts their health and alters their behaviors.
7: Be Considerate of Other Visitors
We share the outdoors with others. Respect this by keeping noise levels down. Yield to other hikers on the trail. Treat others with courtesy and respect.
By embracing these principles, we protect our natural environments. We ensure that future explorers can enjoy vibrant, living landscapes. So venture with care and consideration. Through our actions, we preserve the integrity of our wild spaces. We also inspire others to do the same.
It’s all about outdoor adventures that leave no mark.
A simple walk in the woods along the Appalachian Trail starting from the Keyes Gap parking lot turning around point at the David Lesser shelter – an excellent example of an Appalachian Trail shelter used by thru-hikers walking from Georgia to Maine. It’s the perfect midway point to relax and eat your lunch, complete with a picnic table and swing. Just downhill from the shelter is a stream where you can collect water (filtration recommended).
A little local history on Keyes Gap from Wikipedia:
Keyes Gap or Keyes’ Gap is a wind gap in the Blue Ridge Mountain on the border of Loudoun County, Virginia and Jefferson County, West Virginia. The gap is traversed by Virginia State Route 9/West Virginia Route 9. The Appalachian Trail also crosses the gap.
Originally known as Vestal’s Gap, the 906 feet (276 m) gap is one of the lowest crossings of the Blue Ridge in Virginia. During the colonial period the main road between Alexandria and Winchester ran through the gap. As such, part of General Edward Braddock’s army under George Washington crossed through the gap on their way to Fort Duquesne during the French and Indian War.
By 1820, the main route west became the newly completed Snickers Gap Turnpike which crossed the Blue Ridge to the south at Snickers Gap, and Keyes Gap lost its prominence. Despite this, Keyes Gap was still of strategic importance during the American Civil War, as it provided an alternate “back route” from Virginia to the key point of Harpers Ferry.
Map
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This topographic map shows the highlighted route, elevation profile, and key landmarks like start, end, and turnaround points.
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Parking
Coming from Round Hill, on the right side (north) of Route 9 right at the WV / VA border. Parking spaces are limited, so carpool when possible.
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