Oct 12, 10 AM ~ Slave Trail to the Slave Auction Ground Hike

We will rendezvous at the Ancarrow Landing parking lot on the historic South Side of the river and East of Interstate 95 to trace the approximately two mile route that newly arrived Africans followed from the point of disembarkation at the Manchester Docks to the Slave Auction Grounds. Our route will take us west to the Mayo Bridge and up Fifteenth Street to the Main Street Station area.

Part of the hike will take us along the Richmond Flood Wall from which there are great vistas of the Richmond skyline and sightings of many varieties of waterfowl, an eagle'snest and maybe recently arrived river otters near the Floodwall. After visiting the former site of the infamous Lumpkin's Jail, the slave auction and the African Burial Grounds , we will continue to Eighteenth Street and observe the North Portal of the C & O Railroad Tunnel, aka The Church Hill Tunnel, which collapsed on a work train on October 2, 1925.

Over and back this will be a 4.7 mile hike mostly over paved walkways, bridges and riverside paths , however, hikers should be able to negotiate uneven surfaces, rocks, roots, low hanging vines, cobble stones, fallen trees, wet grass and poison ivy (in season). This hike will begin at the posted time, not five or ten minutes later. If you are unfamiliar with the meet up location, add a few minutes to your travel schedule so you can find us. Before the hike be sure to place anything that might invite theft in your trunk before you leave your car parked while you are hiking.

How do I get to Ancarrow's landing you ask? From the intersection of Commerce Road and Maury Street, follow Maury North to where it meets Brander Street (where the road passes under I-95). Pass through the flood wall gate and proceed East on Brander Street for 0.7 mile keeping the Richmond Wastewater plant on your right. The road turns left as it ends and passes over two railroad tracks into the clearly marked Ancarrow's Landing parking lot (watch out for pot holes!).

Or you can make it easy on yourself if you need help on directions by clicking on the inset map found under "How to Find Us" (maybe under Location if you're using your phone) to display a larger interactive map. When you select "Directions" (upper left) the best route from your location to the Meet Up rendezvous spot will be calculated for you.

• Important to know
Restroom and water facilities are available at Main Street Station.
Anticipted weather conditions on hike day.