Virginia

Morning at Bear Creek Lake State Park (Wordless Wednesdays)

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Shoeless

Categories: By Me, Hikes, Photos, Trail Quest (Virginia State Parks), Virginia | Tags: bear creek lake state park, hiking, lake, morning, photos, shoeless wanderings, trail quest | 4 Comments

Bottom Creek Gorge Nature Preserve

Posted on June 28, 2011 by Shoeless

Bottom Creek Gorge Nature Preserve is one of my newest favorite hikes. Normally I say my favorite hike is the one I just did, but in the case, this one really will remain in my favorites file. LOVED it! Relatively easy hiking, not crowded by people, wildlife, huge 200-foot waterfall (2nd largest in Virginia, actually), cemetery and old homestead ruins…what more could a girl ask for? (oh and a great drive out there…tons of old cemteries to pass)

The spot for parking is pretty small, so if you are going to go as a large group you may want to carpool. Fortunately on this day I was the only one there, so Teddy (my escape) had a nice quiet afternoon to himself. You have to walk up an old forest road to actually get to the real trailhead start. At the kiosk, make sure you make note of the map on the back side. I didn’t, assuming it was the same as what I’d printed out off the website…it’s not and I missed a few good points of interest because of it…just a good excuse to go back

The trails are very well marked and easy to follow. The lack of dogs on the trail adds to the serene feeling, and it’s great not worrying about where you’re headed. LOVE easy to follow trails! A lot of day hikes are not marked well, so I was pleasantly surprised by this one. The whole loop I took was about five miles. It was drizzling off and on, but I love to hike in the rain so no biggie. Throw on a rain jacket and just keep trucking. Hiking in the rain can be a great experience as the wildlife have a tendency to come out more. It also muffles the human sound and scent and makes it a little easier to “sneak up” on them. Saw several day on this trip, along with a turkey and 2 quail. Sadly, all the wildlife is a lot quicker than me so no good pictures of them, but…I did get some good shots of lizards and some flowers. They are all posted below. Hope you enjoy.

: A smart person would have looked at the back as well…I’m not a smart person.

: What’s kinda hard to see in the picture is the 4 blue blazes…definatly well marked!

: Graveyard!

Categories: Hikes, Virginia | Tags: bottom creek gorge, cemetary, cemetery, hiking, historical structures, history, nature conservancy, nature preserve, shoeless wanderer, shoeless wanderings, waterfalls | Leave a comment

Styles (or Stiles) Falls

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Shoeless

Welcome to Waterfall Wednesday! I had the advantage to go hike a waterfall today that I’ve never done, which is kinda hard to believe considering I grew about 30 minutes away from it. It’s called Styles or Stiles falls. Spelling depends on which guides or websites you happen to look at. It’s located on the property of Camp Alta Mons which means there are certain times of year that you can’t go because camp is in session. However, their website is really good at keeping that up to date (normally is is closed to the public from 6 pm Sunday through 4:30pm Friday during the summer). Camp Alta Mons is a Methodist ran and owned camp but very pretty & well maintained…well at least the camp is.

The first 3/4 mile or so is from the parking lot to the actual trailhead. You can’t drive right up to the trailhead you have to park at the Camp Post and you’re suppose to sign in to the clipboard that hangs on the post wall. I didn’t see it until after I was driving away so I didn’t…whoops. Anyway…you start at the gravel parking lot you parked in and then you “hike” to the trailhead. It’s on gravel and as long as you follow the signs you’ll be fine. If you want to be extra safe download the camp “map” from their website. The only hard part to navigate is actually getting to the trailhead. Once there the path is super clear.

The day I was there the butterflies were out in full force…as was the sun. Fortunately the path is pretty well shaded after you get to the trailhead. It really is an amazingly quick hike especially to such a gorgeous waterfall. There are about 3 water crossings so if you’re going be ready to get your feet wet. On one part of the trail is a “guard rail”…if you can call it that. PLEASE do not put weight on it…your butt will be flying down into the creek below and it will not be a fun trip. It consist of plastic piping and is held together by garden hoses, electric wiring and…of course…duct tape. I’m really seriously considering putting a fund together to help build a new banister there. It’s definatly needed. It’s a slipperly little slop that I’m sure many people (mainly non-hikers) have trouble with.

Below are the photos from the hike (including the much needed to be repaired banister). I’d tell you more, but…well, really it’s a very short hike so not a lot to tell. Oh it’s a 45 foot waterfall and your trip should be right about 3.5 miles from the car…oh and please people…stop littering!!