Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, May 13, 1990 TAG: 9005090211
SECTION: DISCOVER THE NEW RIVER VALLEY PAGE: 41 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: NEAL THOMPSON NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
In fact, the New River is hardly the New River Valley's only source for water activities like fishing, boating and swimming.
There's virtually a sea of the wet stuff in all its forms throughout the valley: flowing down the side of a mountain, resting silently and smooth as ice in a lake or pond, or squiggling through a rock- and tree-tangled stream and emptying into a plush green valley.
And whether you want to dive, splash, swim and paddle, or just get away from it all with a worm-anchored string dipped in the drink, there's plenty of options.
Here are a few of the more popular and accessible spots:
\ Mountain Lake
Believe it or not, Mountain Lake has more to offer than just being the site of the filming of the "Dirty Dancing" movie a few years ago.
Located atop Salt Pond Mountain in Giles County, the privately-owned lake and resort lodge can be reached by snaking nearly seven miles up Virginia 700 off U.S. 460 in Pembroke - the drive itself is an exciting one.
The summit is like a large plateau with the lake at its center. Hiking trails circle the lake and boats are available to guests at the lodge. However, management is considering buying more boats this year to rent to non-guests for fishing and tooling around.
\ Claytor Lake
Pulaski County's Claytor Lake is the New River Valley's largest.
Its 5,000 acres are surrounded by Claytor Lake State Park and it offers boating, canoeing, swimming, fishing and hiking. There are loading ramps to bring your own boats and a few beaches for picnics or swimming.
The lake was created when Appalachian Power Co. built Claytor Dam on the New River to generate electricity. The park office and visitor center are in the century-old Howe House, which is located off Interstate 81 between Radford and Pulaski.
\ Cascades
If all you're looking for is a beautiful roaring waterfall framed by a sea of rhododendrons and other multi-colored wildflowers, this is the place.
A four-mile loop trail runs along wild and winding Little Stony Creek leading to the falls and back. Restroom facilities and drinking water await hikers returning from the hike at the parking lot end of the trail.
The Cascades Recreation Area can be found four miles off U.S. 460 on Virginia 623 in Giles County.
\ New River Junction
This is one of the more popular water-related joints in the valley, especially for those who want to get wet.
Mainly, it's a campground with sites for recreational vehicles or tents. But for the adventuresome, its a place to rent inner tubes and canoes for floating trips down the river.
Participating floaters begin at the junction and head downstream in their vessels, weaving in and out of rocks and soaking up the sun. At a point less than a mile downstream, a shuttle bus picks people up and takes them back to the junction where it starts all over again.
New River Junction is near McCoy at McCoy Falls about eight miles off Prices Fork Road. Turn at the Prices Fork community onto Virginia 652 for seven miles till it turns into Virginia 625. Follow that three-quarters of a mile and the junction is on the river on the other side of the railroad tracks.
\ Pandapas Pond
Nestled in the crux of some pine-covered hills in Jefferson National Forest, the 8-acre pond is placid and soothing.
Swimming, fishing and canoeing are permitted. And, except for the occasional tractor trailer rumbling down a nearby highway, it's a pretty quiet place.
There are miles of well-kept trails and bridges around the pond and throughout the surrounding hills. Modern facilities can't be found there, but a few clean picnic tables and barbecue pits hide in the woods near the water.
The pond is off U.S. 460, 6.4 miles north of Blacksburg.
In addition to the places already mentioned, there are many other places worth notice: the North and South Forks of the Roanoke River in Montgomery County; the Little River between Floyd and Montgomery County; Sinking Creek in Giles County (which goes underground at one point and bubbles up again miles away); the Gatewood Reservoir off Virginia 202 outside the town of Pulaski; and the Virginia Tech Duck Pond, located on the Virginia Tech campus. The Duck Pond recently underwent renovation and dredging, and is looking better than ever.
by CNB