Appalachian Trail-Long Mountain Wayside to Lynchburg Reservoir-8 Miles-Mod Str
Details
• What we'll do
Starting from the Long Mountain Wayside on Route 60, we will hike along the Appalachian Trail heading South. During the first part of our hike, we will descend about 500 feet until we reach Browns Creek. This area is interesting from a historical/archaeological standpoint. Much of the land along the creek was part of a large plantation predating the Civil War. After the war, the land was primarily a settlement for freed African-Americans. Houses, farms, orchards and even a gristmill could be found along the creek. You can still see stone walls/stairs, pieces of metal, and other artifacts along the creek. Brown Mountain Creek Shelter is located in this area too and the AT passes right by it. Utilizing a beautifully constructed wooden bridge, we will cross over Brown Creek and then continue to parallel it for about a mile. We will then come upon another wooden footbridge that crosses Brown Creek at a point where there is a pretty waterfall that plunges into a pool. In warmer weather, you may want to remember this idyllic spot as a nice location to cool off and take a dip.
At this juncture in our hike we will be departing from Brown Mountain Creek and begin to move through a serene, quiet forest for about 1.5 miles until we reach the Lynchburg Reservoir - which serves nearby Lynchburg, VA. On a clear, sunny day the reflections in the water will make for some nice photo opportunities. Either on the shore of the reservoir or along the banks of a nearby creek is where we will break for lunch.
After our lunch break we will retrace our path back to our parked vehicles at Long Mountain Wayside.
After our walk in the woods, for those that are interested, we can stop at the Blue Mountain Barrel House in Arrington, VA for a post-hike beverage and a bite to eat.
What to bring:
Supplies: please bring plenty of water and wear broken-in hiking boots/shoes. We will be taking a nice, well deserved break for lunch at the mid-way point of our hike - so bring lunch and snacks!!
Important to know:
Drive time from Charlottesville to the trailhead is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Fees & Such:
Of course for the carpool to work, some have to offer to drive so others can ride. Riders, please give your driver $5.00 to cover their expenses.