James River Hikes

Saturday, we took Amaroq and Harper up to Virginia for some early fall foliage.  Our first stop was at Natural Bridge State Park.  Descending the stairs to the contact station, we passed along Cascade Falls, but there wasn't much water today.

After paying admission, we hiked under Natural Bridge.

Cedar Creek Trail went under the bridge and followed the creek upstream.

A short spur went out to the creek at Hemlock Island.

Just past this was a low water bridge with a nice view of the early fall color reflecting off the creek.

We then crossed the bridge over to the Saltpeter Cave, but there were quite a few people here.

The Lost River was next along the trail.

Cedar Creek Trail ended in about a mile at an overlook for Lace Falls.

We took a break here and then headed back.

Next, we drove to the James River Visitor Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

First, we got on Canal Lock Trail that crossed the river under the parkway on a pedestrian bridge.

On the other side was an open area with Battery Creek Lock exhibit.

The 19th century lock raised and lowered boats navigating the canal.

On the way back, we took the Trail of Trees.

This short loop trail passed an overlook with great views of James River Water Gap.  Then we got on Otter Creek Trail.

In about a mile, we came to Otter Lake.

Going around the lake, we got back on Otter Creek Trail and continued upstream.  Lower Otter Creek Overlook was another half-mile up the trail.

In about another mile or so, the trail crossed under the parkway and another road and a side path led to View Terrapin Hill.

It was about another mile to Otter Creek Campground and then we turned around.  We went the other way around the lake on the way back.

We finished our hike back at the car.

From here, we continued driving the parkway southbound.  We first made a stop at View Arnold Valley that had great views from a boulder pile.

There was another View Arnold Valley just another 0.1 miles up the road.

We made another stop at Onion Mountain Overlook.

Then we continued to Peaks of Otter and drove to Bedford and had barbecue and drinks at Beales.