Wild weekend

Shenandoah National Park will honor America’s wilderness heritage during this Saturday and Sunday’s 17th annual Wilderness Weekend. Among some of the unique events:

At the Byrd Visitor Center (mile 51 of Skyline Drive), there will be a hands-on traditional tool display and demonstration from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Shenandoah National Park’s Trail Crew will share their expertise regarding the use of traditional tools in maintaining trails in wilderness areas. Yes, visitors can try their hands with the tools.

The film “American Values: American Wilderness,” narrated by Christopher Reeve, explores wilderness across the United States. The movie will be shown at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the Byrd Visitor Center auditorium each day.

There will be a four-mile ranger-led hike to Rose River, exploring the unique beauty and the benefits of one of Shenandoah’s Wilderness trails. The Rose River hike is on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meet the ranger at Fisher’s Gap Overlook, mile 49.3, at 9 a.m. Please bring water, a snack and wear appropriate footwear.

There will be a one hour Search and Rescue Dog Seminar provided by Dogs East on Saturday from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. The presentation will be held at the Big Meadows Amphitheater in the picnic grounds (mile 51). Learn and observe how these dogs play a critical role in search and rescue operations.

At Dickey Ridge Visitor Center (mile 4.6), join rangers for activities on the terrace from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.

Shenandoah’s Wilderness was designated by Congress in 1976. Forty percent of the park, almost 80,000 acres, is wilderness and represents one of the largest wilderness areas in the eastern United States.