This one is a must do trip! So much going on!
Hungry Mother State Park , The Great Channels Hike, Devil's Bathtub AND the Virginia Creeper Trail!
Who? High Scout (including rising 9th graders) Scouts
When? July 25 - July 30, 2021 Where? Hungry Mother State Park and The Great Channels of Virginia Cost? $375 Minimum: 12 Max: 20 Included in price is transportation, camping, food, bike rental, zip line, kayak rental and fun! Tucked away in the verdant depths of the 4,836-acre Channels State Forest is one of Virginia's best kept secrets and most singular natural wonders. Located in the heart of the vast state forest, in the designated 721-acre Channels Natural Area Preserve, the Great Channels are a 20-acre labyrinth of sandstone formed during the last ice age, stashed away along the 4,208-foot crest of Middle Knob, the high point of Clinch Mountain. Formed 400 million years ago during the last ice age, the geological formations are likely due to permafrost and ice wedging, which split large seams in the soft sandstone. The Great Channels are an otherworldly experience, like no other place else in the state and reminiscent of the slot canyons and gorges of the American Southwest. The soaring Hayters Knob Fire Tower, perched atop Middle Knob, may be out of commission for now, but the looming structure has a rich history. The lookout was built by Franklin Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps in 1939, one of many fire towers constructed throughout the country in that decade at the behest of the Division of Forestry, the forerunner of the Forest Service. The fire tower was operational for just over three decades, finally retired in 1970. The Channels State Forest and Channels Natural Area Preserve are just two patches on a vast quilt of contiguous wilderness, which includes the adjacent 6,400-acre Hidden Valley Wildlife Management Area and the 25,477-acre Clinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area. We will spend the week at Hungry Mother State Park and enjoy the hiking and the lake in the park. AND then: we'll hike Devil's bathtub! Devil’s Fork Loop Trail is perfect for the true back country enthusiasts who are willing to get their feet wet. All hikers should be prepared to scramble over boulders, and should plan their visit during relatively low water conditions. The highlight of the trail is the spectacular Devil’s Bathtub, a naturally smooth swimming hole. No one questions the beauty of the Devil’s Bathtub. It is a crystal-clear, aquamarine color that is created by the algae on the bottom. OH - but we aren't done yet! Next we will bike the Virginia Creeper Trail! From it's beginning as a Native American foot trail to its current use as a multiple use recreational trail, the Virginia Creeper Trail has seen many changes in 100+ years of existence. In the early 1900s, the trail was used as a rail line to haul lumber and passengers from Abingdon, VA to Elkland, NC (Now Todd, NC). A one-way trip of over 34 miles (54.72 km) that will find you passing over 100 trestles and bridges. The rail line was known as "The Virginia Creeper." The Virginia Creeper Trail provides a 34-mile passage through southwest Virginia's mountains well suited for hiking, horseback riding and bicycling, as well as a convenient path to many great fishing locations. The Creeper Trail received its name for the methodical way the train moved up the gradual incline to the top of the mountain. The Virginia Creeper Trail is a downhill biking trail suitable for almost any age. The elevation at Whitetop Station is 3500 feet (1.07 km), descending to about 1900 feet (0.58 km) in Damascus. The ride from White Top Station to Damascus is about 17 miles (27.36 km). The trail continues an additional 17 miles (27.36 km) to Abingdon on a generally flat trail. The Bike Station offers rental bikes and shuttle service to the top where you can begin your pleasant downhill ride. Who's ready for an AMAZING week in the mountains? Seeing things that people only dream of! |
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Hungry Mother State Park2854 Park Blvd.
Marion, VA 24354 |