Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, May 31, 1993 TAG: 9306020294
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B8 EDITION: HOLIDAY
SOURCE: Bill Cochran
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
5 Any day in June is great for taking a hike, but this one will be special. It is National Trails Day, a time to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the act that established the Appalachian Trail as a national scenic trail. The act also garnered support for other trails across the country. Hundreds of hiking groups will be celebrating the event.
In our region, a newly completed trailhead for the 300-plus mile Allegheny Trail will be dedicated in the George Washington National Forest west of Covington. The forest also will dedicate its new South Pedlar ATV Trails Complex, a 27-mile loop 15 miles south of Buena Vista.
Along the Appalachian Trail, the Natural Bridge AT Club will lead a series of hikes, including a moonlight trip on Tarjacket Ridge. The Outing Club of Virginia Tech will sponsor an open house at Blue Ridge Outdoors in Blacksburg. The Mount Rogers AT Club will dedicate a relocation of the trail on Wilburn Ridge.
A day for disabled anglers
6 Officials on the New Castle Ranger District of the Jefferson National Forest will be getting a jump on the celebration of the June 7-13 National Fishing Week. On the 6th, the forest will host a day of free trout fishing for persons with disabilities. No license is necessary.
The fishing will take place at Fenwick Mines Pond, near New Castle. The hours are noon to 3 p.m., but participants might want to arrive early. Fenwick Mines is an excellent development for handicapped outdoorsmen, featuring a wheelchair trail and picnic area. Information is available from Paul Paradzinski, 982-6273.
Great time for boating course
6 National Safe Boating Week begins today, and what better way is there to celebrate than by taking one of the state's "Know Before You Go" boating courses.
A two-part course is scheduled at the Safety Council of Southwest Virginia in Roanoke, 7 p.m. June 7-8. It is sponsored by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries at no charge. You can pre-register by calling 344-4676.
Another course, sponsored by the Smith Mountain Eagle, is scheduled at Smith Mountain Lake on June 22-23. Call for additional information, (703)-297-1222.
Fat tire fun in West Virginia
7 Mountain bikers from across the country will gather for the West Virginia Fat Tire Festival, composed of five days of tours, races and other activities June 5-13. Elk River Touring Center, near Snowshoe, will host this 8th annual event.
A highlight is the Cass Scenic Railroad Tour, when once a year cyclists are allowed to load their bikes on a steam-powered train, go to the top of Bald Mountain, then bike back down.
Additional information is available from the touring center, (304)-572-3771, or from the Pocahontas County Tourism Commission, (800)-336-7009. ESPN and Bicycling Magazine say they will be there.
Conference on forestry-wildlife
10 Jim Phipps is a Roanoke sportsmen who believes outdoorsmen need to take a more active role in forestry and wildlife management practices on federal and state land.
With that in mind, Phipps has organized a mini-conference, sponsored by Virginia Tech, the U.S. Forest Service, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and the Virginia Mountain Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society. It is set for June 10, 6:45 to 10 p.m. at Virginia Western Community College (Whitman Auditorium). The public is welcome. Phipps can be reached at 389-1125.
A banquet to celebrate grouse
12 The Virginia Mountain Chapter of the National Ruffed Grouse Society has scheduled its fifth annual sportsmen's banquet June 12, 6 p.m. at the Tanglewood Holiday Inn. The event is designed to raise funds for grouse research and management projects, including the chapter's project in the Tubb Run area of Jefferson National Forest.
Banquet tickets sell for $45; $70 for a couple, and include a membership in the organization. Contact Jack Wakeland, 989-4600 or 342-4708.
by CNB