Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, August 23, 1994 TAG: 9408270011
SECTION: WELCOME STUDENTS PAGE: 54 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ROBERT FREIS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Biking: Hard-surface routes that attract visitors from far away are nearby, including the Trans-America Bike Centennial Trail, which winds through Montgomery and Pulaski counties as part of its coast-to-coast route.
Also, the Blue Ridge Parkway - a great place for biking and scenery - is less than an hour's drive to the east. Call (703) 982-6458 for more information.
You can also follow the road taken by the Tour DuPont bicyclers, who have passed through the New River Valley during the past two years.
It's your option to bike by yourself or in a group, such as the New River Valley Bicycle Club. It meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Virginia Tech's War Memorial Gym for a 10- to 15-mile social ride.
Although it won't be ready for use until next year, a new biking and walking trail, called the Huckleberry Trail, is being built between Blacksburg and the New River Valley Mall. It will follow an abandoned rail line for about six miles through some surprisingly isolated rural areas of Montgomery County.
For the ever-increasing number of mountain bikers, the New River Trail State Park is a prime spot. It's a 57-mile abandoned railway right-of-way winding along the New River between the towns of Pulaski and Galax.
This cinder-surfaced trail is easy and relatively flat, with tunnels, bridges and beautiful rural views. It's designed for multiple uses including biking, hiking or horseback riding.
Bike rentals are available. Call park headquarters at (703) 699-6778 for more information.
For off-road dirt or trail biking enthusiasts, the Jefferson National Forest covers much of the western New River Valley and contains a network of forest roads.
The best way to learn of these is to visit the U.S. Forest Service's Blacksburg Ranger District office on South Main Street in Blacksburg, or call 552-4641. They have plenty of maps.
Veteran bikers hereabouts definitely recommend wearing helmets, whether biking on or off-road. And be careful, too, because most motorists aren't used to sharing the road.
Water: The New River Valley is named for a wonderful river that provides floating, fishing, rafting and swimming.
Tubing the New River is an unofficial prerequisite for graduation from Tech or Radford. The seasonal headquarters for laid-back floating is New River Junction at McCoy, which rents tubes and provides shuttle service. Call 639-6633 for more information.
Seasonally, there are whitewater opportunities nearby on the New River and or feeder streams such as the Little River in Floyd County, Wolf Creek, Big Walker Creek and Stony Creek in Giles County and Johns Creek in Craig County.
Claytor Lake near Dublin is a fine place to paddle and fish. The New River's great for fishing, too, as are smaller streams. Any store that sells fishing tackle can give you good advice on where to cast your bait.
Both Virginia Tech and Radford University offer rentals of canoes and other outdoor gear. They also have clubs offering organized trips.
Hiking: The 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail passes through the New River Valley as it winds from Georgia to Maine.
Popular locations for day-trips include Angel's Rest Mountain near Pearisburg, Wind Rock near Mountain Lake and Dragon's Tooth near Catawba.
The A.T. is for small-group foot travel. There are lots of camping spots and trailside shelters and lesser-known viewpoints nearby, so don't limit yourself to the popular places.
There are many side trails to the Appalachian Trail and other loop hikes within the Jefferson National Forest, particularly near Mountain Lake. Maps and all kinds of information can be obtained from the U.S. Forest Service's Blacksburg Ranger District office, or at local outdoor equipment stores.
There also are many places to go car camping in the New River Valley. The Jefferson National Forest maintains several. There's a state campground at Claytor Lake and many private campgrounds.
Climbing and crawling: Blacksburg and Radford have clubs for people who want to get above and below Mother Earth.
Outdoor stores can hook you up with either cavers or rock climbers. There are several impressive caves to squirm through, and the best and most responsible way to experience them is with an experienced group of spelunkers.
Rock climbers also like to get high on the bluffs above the New River or at Fool's Face near Mountain Lake. Once again, try to go with an experienced group - particularly if you don't have much experience yourself.
by CNB