Life Outside Summer 2018 - 26

RIFFLES 'N
TUNNELS
Immediate right:
Anglers gather on
the New River to
hook smallmouth
bass and the elusive muskie.
Far right: New
River Trail State
Park's two tunnels
give cyclists a cool
break on hot summer days.

WATER FUN
Hungry Mother State Park rents canoes, kayaks,
Jon boats, and paddleboats through October.

SMYTH RAMBLES AND RIDES
Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, 15 minutes
from the Smyth county seat of Marion, lays claim
to being one of the largest public recreation areas in
the Eastern United States, encompassing 150,000
acres. It's also one of the continent's most biodiverse regions, so keep an eye out for interesting
birds and salamanders. The area takes its name
from Mount Rogers, the highest peak in Virginia
at 5,729 feet, and harbors more than 400 miles of
trails, including 78 miles of the Appalachian Trail.
Many of these trails, though not the AT, are open
to mountain biking. The Seng Mountain Scenic
Area section of Mount Rogers NRA is crossed by
two major singletrack trails, Jerry's Creek Trail and
Rowland Creek Trail, which can be hiked or biked
(by skilled mountain cyclists) singly or combined
in a 12-mile loop. Rowland Creek Trail climbs to old
Route 84 for a glimpse of a 100-foot cascading falls.
The descent on Jerry's Creek Trail is rowdy, with
great views if you can take your eyes off the trail.
The trailhead is located on the right-hand side of
Rowland Creek Lane beyond a cluster of houses.
Head up the road to a small sign for Rowland Creek

Summer 2018 \\ LifeOutside Magazine

Life Outside Summer 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Life Outside Summer 2018