Archive for the ‘Western Virginia’ Category
Virginia State Park Locations
Posted by Chris | Filed under Western Virginia
If you’re looking for a listing of all the state parks in Virginia, then look no further. Below is a list of all the Virginia State Parks and links to their individual pages within the Virginia State Parks website.
Bear Creek Lake (BC)
Belle Isle (BI)
Breaks Interstate (BR)
Caledon Natural Area (CA)
Chippokes Plantation (CP)
Claytor Lake (CL)
Douthat (DO)
False Cape (FC)
Fairy Stone (FS)
First Landing (FL)
Grayson Highlands (GH)
High Bridge Trail (HB)
Holliday Lake (HL)
Hungry Mother (HM)
James River (JR)
Kiptopeke (KP)
Lake Anna (LA)
Leesylvania (LE)
Mason Neck (MN)
Natural Tunnel (NT)
New River Trail (NR)
Occoneechee (OC)
Pocahontas (PO)
Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historic (SC)
Shenandoah River Raymond R. “Andy” Guest Jr. (SH)
Shot Tower (ST)
Sky Meadows (SK)
Smith Mountain Lake (SM)
Southwest Virginia Museum Historical (SW)
Staunton River (SR)
Staunton River Battlefield (SB)
Tabb Monument
Twin Lakes (TL)
Westmoreland (WE)
Wilderness Road (WR)
York River (YR)
Enjoy all the beautiful areas that Virginia has to offer!
Tuscarora Overlook – Douthat State Park
Posted by Chris | Filed under Western Virginia
Total Distance (circuit):
9.6 miles
Hiking Time:
6 hours
Vertical rise: 2180 feet
This excursion into the western and southern regions of Douthat State Park is probably best done in the early spring. Not only will the trees still be leafless so that the views will be more extensive, but the two waterfalls you encounter will be running at their highest and most impressive volume.
Leave your car at the entrance parking area of White Oak Campground (C) and walk across Wilson Creek on the low-water bridge into the campground and past Beards Gap Hollow Trail (on which you will be returning). Across from the bathhouse and next to campsite 33, make a left into a woods of pine and oak on yellow blazed Tobacco House Ridge Trail. Some of the trees and shrubs you pass may have galls on them. Galls form on almost every plant in the world and are not a cancer or some other disease but the plant’s reaction to an attach by a parasite (which could be bacteria, fungus, eelworm, mite, or insect). Rarely will a plant be affected by the formation of gall. Rather, this abnormal increase in the number or size of cells isolates the parasite and helps to localize any poisons it may produce.
A break in the vegetation at 0.5 mile provides a pleasant spot, especially early in the morning when songbirds are most active, to overlook Douthat Lake. The Tobacco House Ridge Trail comes to an end upon meeting blue-blazed Blue Suck Falls Trail at 0.9 miles. This trail descends right to VA 629, but it also ascends to the left and that is the direction in which you need to turn. Early settlers noticed that wildlife was attracted to the salt from high sulfur content springs in the area of Douthat State Park and that the animals would stand above the springs to inhale the vapors – thus the name “suck”.
At 1 mile, gold blazed Huff’s Trail bears right toward the northern portion of the park; keep left on Blue Suck Falls Trail. Keep left again when white-blazed Laurel View Trail comes in from the right at 1.2 miles.
Conversely, bear right upon reaching the junction with yellow-blaxed Locust Gap Trail at 1.5 miles.
Continuing to ascend on Blue Suck Falls Trail, which is now steep and rocky, come to the falls, which drop about 50 feet down a rock facing lined with mountain laurel and rhododendron. Your route crosses the stream just below the falls and swings around the side of the mountain on a pathway still supported by rock cribbing constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Keep left at 2 miles when yellow-blaxed Pine Tree Trail comes in from the right; pass by two excellent views of Wilson Creek valley bordered by Beards Mountain. The stone bench at 2.5 miles provides a place to rest and enjoy the view, but take the short side trail to the right to Lookout Rock at 2.7 miles for an even better vantage point on this vista of wave after wave of undulating Virginia ridgelines.
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Oliver Mountain Trail
Posted by Chris | Filed under Western Virginia
Description:
The Oliver Mountain Trail, in northwestern Alleghany County, connects the southern end of Lake Moomaw at the Fortney Branch Boat Launch with the northeastern end of Oliver Mountain. The western half of this trail has been removed from the official trail system, as it traversed through private land with no legal right-of-way.
Total Distance:
4 miles
Location/Directions:
From Route 220 heading north from Covington, turn left onto Route 687. Then turn left onto Route 641/666. At the Lake Moomaw Recreation Area entrance, keep left onto Route 666. At the “T” intersection, turn right and go about 0.2 mile. The trailhead will be on the left, behind a guardrail, about 50 yards before reaching the Fortney Branch parking lot. Park in this parking lot (there is a fee). You can park at either the Fortney Branch Boat Launch parking lot, or on FDR 192 where the Jackson Trail takes off.
Difficulty:
More Difficult
Elevation Gain:
N/A
Maps:
N/A
Finding the Trailhead: The trailhead will be on the left, behind a guardrail, about 50 yards before reaching the Fortney Branch parking lot.
The Hike: From Fortney Branch, the trail briefly winds along the side of the Fortney Branch drainage before sharply ascending up a loose shale ridge to reach an old logging road. The trail is moderately steep, gaining 1000 feet to the intersection with the end of FDR 192. Another 400 feet are gained as the trail skirts the highest peaks of the northeast end of Oliver Mountain. On winter days the view is impressive. The surrounding mountains and valleys are a beautiful backdrop with views north and south. Lake Moomaw is visible from points along the upper portion of the trail.
If you start at Fortney, hike up the Oliver Mountain Trail (4.0 miles), turn left on the Jackson Trail (1.0 mile), turn left on FDR 192 and return to the Oliver Mountain Trail (1.5 miles), and walk back down to Fortney (2.1 miles), you have an 8.6-mile hike.
Another alternative parking spot is at the end of FDR 192.
Fortney Loop Trail and Cove Trail
Posted by Chris | Filed under Western Virginia
Description:
Fortney Loop Trail is adjacent to the Morris Hill Campground, north of Covington.
Total Distance:
2 ½ miles
Location/Directions:
From I-64 take Route 220 north, turn left onto Route 687. Turn left onto Route 641, Indian Draft Road, and continues as Route 641 becomes Route 666. At the Lake Moomaw Recreation Area entrance, turn right onto Route 605 to the Morris Hill Campground, on your left. Fortney Loop Trail is accessible from two points in the campground – the dump station, and the south end of the main campground loop road at campsite 33.
The Cove Trail branches off the north of the Fortney Loop Trail. This trail descends gradually 100 feet over approximately ¼ mile to a scenic cove on the lakeside opposite Coles Point. The Cove Trail is signposted. Parking is available both the dump station and next to site 33.
Difficulty: More Difficult
Elevation Gain:
N/A
Maps: N/A
Finding the Trailhead: The south end of the Fortney Loop Trail is at its intersection with Morris Hill Campground about 100 yards in from site 33.
The Hike:
The Fortney Loop Trail descends about 200 feet to Lake Moomaw across from the Fortney Branch Boat Launch, about one mile from trail’s beginning at the south end. The trail is well marked with a graded open tread in good condition. At first the descends gently along the ridge line through open forest before dropping more steeply downhill along several switchbacks to the abandoned asphalt surface of old Route 600, which was inundated under Lake Moomaw when the Gathright Dam was constructed in the 1980. It is interesting to see the efforts of the forest to reclaim the road. Turn right along the abandoned road to reach the lake with a view of the Fortney Branch boat launch. At the lake, stone steps, constructed by a Student Conservation Association work crew, lead to the return trail that winds pleasantly along the lakeside before gradually ascending through open forest to the intersection with the Cove Trail. The Cove Trail is a short branch trail with a gradual descent to Lake Moomaw across from Coles Point.
Bicyclists should use care navigating the abrupt switchbacks and the stone steps.
Fishing access to the bank of Lake Moomaw is possible from a number of points, especially when coupled with the Cove Trail.
Fore Mountain Trail
Posted by Chris | Filed under Western Virginia
Description:
Fore Mountain trail is a scenic 13 mile hike in northern Alleghany County. Leaving Covington it rises to the top of Fore Mountain in a series of switchbacks. The hike to the ridge top is steep but during leaf off it offers some great views of the Covington Area.
Total Distance:
1.3 miles
Location/Directions:
Fore Mountain Trial is located on Fore Mountain northeast of Covington in Alleghany County. From I-64 take exit 16 and turn east on route 1104. Turn left just before the Western Sizzlin onto Smokey Bear Lane. Follow this road 0.1 miles to the trailhead.
Difficulty:
Most Difficult
Finding the Trailhead:
Parking is available at the end of the trail head on Smokey Bear Lane in Covington, and on SR 606 North of Clifton Forge about 1/10 mile west of FDR 587 (the access road for the Clifton Forge Reservoir). Additional parking along FDR 587. The trail begins near the end of Smokey Bear Lane and ends at the Alleghany/Bath County Line. However, a trail continues from there into Douthat State Park on the Warm Springs Ranger District.
The Hike:
Once at the top, the trail runs the length of Fore Mountain. It switches from one side of the ridge to the other several times on the journey east. There are many clearings and ponds along the trail that offer good views and peaceful resting spots. Each of the clearings offers something different for the hiker to enjoy. Some are open and sunny with views of the north and south, while others are shady and cool with limited views during leaf off. Most of these clearings would make good campsites as long as they were kept away from the ponds and a leave no trace ethic was practiced. This section also intersects the Dry Run trail at mile 6. Dry Run Trail is also known as Skyline Trail and there may still be old signs at the intersection with Skyline written on them.
After leaving the last wildlife clearing on the northeast end of Fore Mountain the trail turns right and winds down the side of the mountain in a series of long and fairly steep switchbacks. The trail intersects FDR 337, about a mile or so, the hungry hiker will find red raspberries and blackberries ready to be picked and eaten seasonally.
From FDR 337 the trail again follows a series of switchbacks to an intermittent stream and eventually to State Route 606. You have now hiked ten miles. The last three miles to the top of the Pine Spur Ridge is a pleasant hike. Cross Smith Creek and hike up the long switchbacks with some beautiful views of McGraw Hollow, Big Luck Hollow, and Clifton Forge area. The Alleghany/Bath County line is only a few hundred yards past the ridge top. This is the end of the Fore Mountain Trail, but the path continues on as Middle Mountain Trail to Douthat Lake in Douthat State Park. After about one mile turn right into the park on the trail that will lead you to the lake and campground. From the county line to Douthat is approximately five miles.
Overall this trail is in pretty good condition. There are a couple trouble spots where tread is partially washed out and trees block the trail, but the hike offers great views and some good wildlife viewing opportunities. Since this is a thirteen mile hike that can be extended to eighteen by hiking to Douthat State Park, it is recommended to be a two day hike. If you plan to hike it in one day it will take ten to twelve hours to complete.
Dry Run Trail
Posted by Chris | Filed under Western Virginia
Total Distance: 9 miles
Location/Directions:
Dry Run Trail may be accessed in two places. The first access is at the end of FDR 339. From route 220 North turn right onto Cypress street from Covington. At the end of Cypress Street the road becomes dirt. This is the beginning of FDR 339. The trail begins at the end of the road. The second access is on FDR 125 (Dolly Ann). From Route 220 north turn right onto Doll Ann Drive. Turn right at the yield sign and follow this road to where the travel road begins. This is FDR 125. There is a wildlife clearing on the left about four miles north up FDR 125 at the intersection of FDR 148 and FDR 125. Parking is available in this area.
Difficulty:
Most Difficult
Elevation Gain:
N/A
Maps:
N/A
Finding the Trailhead:
Parking is available at the end of FDR 339 (gate closed seasonally) and at the intersection of FDR 125 and FDR 448. The trail beings at the end of FDR 448 and ends at the intersection of FDR 448 (Fore Mountain Trail) on top of Fore Mountain. The trail is marked with orange plastic diamonds.
The Hike:
Dry Run Trail begins at the end of FDR 339 and winds down to Dry Run where it crosses the creek for the first time. The trail follows Dry Run up the drain to the boundary of the Dolly Ann Special Management Area. It crosses Dry Run twice and both are shallow easy crossings. Pieces of this section are well maintained while in some stretches water flows down the trail.
An old road begins at the boundary of Dolly Ann Special Management Area and continues to a gate on FDR 125D.
This section of the trail is a relatively easy hike with great views of Big Knob and Bald Knob, two of the highest points in the Allegheny Mountains. The trail runs along the side of the mountains and through a couple wildlife clearings before reaching a Forest Service gate on FDR 125D. The orange plastic diamonds that have marked the trail stop at this gate. From the gate the trail is easy to follow as it follows FDR 125D and FDR 125 (Dolly Ann). This is a steep section of the trail that is used primarily by four wheel drive vehicles and is muddy after rain.
At the intersection of FDR 125, the trail crosses the road and continues up to the top of Fore Mountain on FDR 448. This is also a four wheel drive road that is only opened for disabled hunters during hunting season. The hike to the ridge top is a steady easy climb where inclines are never above ten percent. The trail ends at the intersection with Fore Mountain Trail at the top of Fore Mountain.
There are a couple short stretches of the trail that are in need of improvement, but overall the trail is in excellent shape. This hike should take approximately four to five hours to complete and can be hiked in either direction.
Cocks Comb Trail
Posted by Chris | Filed under Western Virginia
Total Distance: 0.25 miles
Location/Directions:
The trail can be accessed in two ways. One access is to exit I-64 at the Goshen exit and proceed south on FDR 447 about two and one half miles to the trailhead. It is easy to miss the trailhead from the directions. Another access is available from Longdale Furnace by taking the Longdale Furnace exit off of I-64 and turning onto west U.S. 60. Then turn left onto State Route 770. Continue up 770 and turn left onto FDR 447. The trailhead is about four miles north on the left hand side of the road. The trailhead is easy to miss. There is no sign or marking on FDR 447.
Difficulty:
More difficult
Elevation Gain:N/A
Maps: N/A
Finding the Trailhead:
Parking is available on FDR 447 at the trailhead. The trail begins on FDR 447 and ends on a beautiful rock outcropping with a spectacular view.
The Hike:
This trail has the most spectacular viewing opportunity on the district. The quarter mile up hill hike to a rock outcropping is well worth the effort. The view from the rocks stretches from southeast to north and on clear days it seems as if you can see all the way to the West Virginia state line.
The trail starts at the pull off from FDR 447. It climbs eight or more stone steps to the trailhead. From here the trail becomes pretty steep. It is in good condition through to the end and varies in width from eighteen inches to three feet. Glimpses of the awaiting view can be seen between the trees along the way.
Once at the top you can see the rich hold wilderness area to the north, Lake Robertson and Little House Mountain to the south and southeast, and I-64 stretching west into the Alleghenies. Be sure to bring your camera for pictures of the view as well as wildflowers along the trail.
Children’s Forest Trail
Posted by Chris | Filed under Western Virginia
Description:
This short and easy trail takes you through the National Children’s Forest which was created in April of 1972.
Total Distance: 0.3 miles
Location/Directions:
Children’s Forest trail is located in the National Children’s Forest off FDR 351. From Covington take State Route 18 South eight miles. Turn left on to Route 613. Follow 613 to end and turn right on FDR 3511. The trailhead is on the left behind the Children’s Forest Monument Area.
Difficulty: Easiest
Elevation Gain:
N/A
Maps:
N/A
Finding the Trailhead:
A parking lot is located across the road from the monument area. The trail begins behind the monument and is a loop trail that ends at the same place.
The Hike: The Children’s Forest Trail is an all weather surface loop trail that begins and ends in the monument area of the National Children’s Forest. This is a universally accessible trail with grades of less than 3%. On April 27, 1971 an arson fire blackened the 1176 acres now known as the National Children’s Forest. The area was planted on the 150th anniversary of Arbor Day in April of 1972 by children from all over the eastern United States. The names of the children who participated in the tree planting are stored in a time capsule scheduled to be opened in 2072. There is also a monument dedicated to the children at the trailhead near the time capsule.
The trail begins behind the monument and loops through a small portion of the forest. Many different plants such as grapevine, blackgum, various oaks and greenbrier exist in the understory. The trail overstory is mainly shortleaf pine planted by the children and a few scattered oaks.
This easy walk should take ten to fifteen minutes to complete.
Blue Suck Run Trail
Posted by Chris | Filed under Western Virginia
Total Distance:
1.7 miles
Location/Directions:
Blue Suck Run Trail is located south of Longdale Recreation Area. From I-64 take the Longdale Furnace exit #35 and head west on U.S. Route 60. Turn left into the Longdale Recreation Area. Parking is available in the last parking area as you enter the recreation area during the summer.
Difficulty:
Moderately Difficult
Finding the Trailhead: The trail begins at the southern most gate in the recreation area.
The Hike:
Blue Suck Run Trail is a moderately difficult hike with many easy stream crossings. The trail begins at the back gate in the recreation area and follows Blue Suck Branch upstream to FDR 271A. The trail is an old roadbed that gains altitude as it approaches FDR 271A and has a grassy tread. At 0.25 mile it intersects Yaccr’s Run Trail which is a loop trail from the recreation area.
At 0.50 mile is the largest stream crossing on the trail. During the spring when the water is up, it may be difficult to cross without getting wet.
The first 0.5 mile is pretty flat and open. Once past the first stream crossing, there are steep ridges on either side of the trail. Hiking in this drain, there are no views of the landscape. However, there are sign of turkey and deer as well as a wide variety of wildflowers along the trail. The Rhododendron is thick in places along the steam sides and with the wildflowers should provide for a spectacular springtime show. This would be a good hike for the family visiting Longdale Recreation Area especially on hot summer days.
If a longer hike is desired, on the return trip to the recreation area, you can turn left or right onto Yaccr’s Run trail. This trail is well marked with gray plastic diamonds and loops around to return to the recreation area. It is a well maintained trail and is also moderately difficult.
Londale Recreation Area is open Memorial Day through Labor Day. There is a $2.00 parking fee for vehicles in the recreation area. If the area is closed, parking is also available at the intersection of FDR 271 and FDR 271A. The trail can then be accessed by following FDR 271A to the intersections with Blue Suck Run Trail.
Rich Hole Trail
Posted by Chris | Filed under Western Virginia
Total Distance:
5.5 miles
Location/Directions: Rich Hole Trail is located in the Rich Hole Wilderness Area in eastern Alleghany County. Take the Longdale Furnace exit and go east on U.S. Route 60.
Turn left onto FDR 108 and continue to the parking area or continue east on U.S. Route 60 to Rich Hole parking area on the left.
Difficulty:
More Difficult
Finding the Trailhead: Parking is available on U.S. Route 60 just south of the Alleghany Rockbridge County line or on FDR 108 on southern edge of the wilderness area. The trail begins at the parking area on U.S. Route 60 just south of the county line.
The Hike:
The trail begins at the parking area on U.S. Route 60 and heads west into the Rich Hole Wilderness Area. The trail leads to the top of Brushy Mountain and is steep and rocky in places. Within one mile of the trailhead there is an overlook on the left that offers a great view of North Mountain and the valley below. A little further up the trail there is a view of a deep gully with Brushy Mountain in the background.
There are many rock outcroppings and jagged boulders on this route to the top of Brushy Mountain. This is the place for some great pictures, so bring your camera.
On the ridge top, the trail turns southwest and heads towards a spur ridge saddle. Large craggy boulders line the Southside of the trail for a short distance, then the normal deciduous cover type resumes.
There are many game trail criss-crossings Rich Hole Trail on the ridge and grouse, deer, and squirrel are abundant. Bear aren’t seen often, but they have been reported. After reaching the saddle, the trail drops down into a drain that follows North Branch to FDR 108. The trail crosses North Branch 16 times on its way south and the first crossings are shallow and easy to negotiate. By the fifth crossing North Branch is deep and difficult to cross without getting wet. At this crossing a tributary spills down a rock face to join the now swift North Branch. The path is rocky and sometimes steep along the creek. Stone steps are in place in the steeper sections. At the eleventh creek crossing, the trail opens to a two track road that follows FDR 108 through the remaining creek crossings.
Rich Hole Trail offers a great opportunity to the hiker in search of solitude, wildlife, and spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. In order to provide this opportunity motorized vehicles are not allowed in the wilderness area, as well as mechanized equipment like bikes, carts, and wagons. A No Trace ethic is also required and includes such things as “pack it in-pack it out” and hiking only on system trail.
