Life Outside Fall 2017 - 10

QuickStrides

New River Trail
Adds Colorful
Canyon Paths

NEW TRAIL, NEW HUES
These colorful walls flank the coming new
side trail off the New River Trail.

NEW HUES WILL be joining green foliage

GET OUT!

along New River Trail in a few months. A
side trail showcasing rich yellows, sienna,
oranges and blue pigments in the walls of an
iron-rich canyon is enhancing the wow factor
for hikers and mountain bikers veering off
the main state park trail. Thanks goes to a
company that's long been producing crayon
colors from local pigments.
Hoover Color partnered with the state to
transform a 241-acre site where iron oxide
was mined into a recreation area accessed by
a 4-mile hiking/biking trail. The new trail
joins the New River Trail near Hiwassee and
has become part of New River Trail State
Park. Park Superintendent Sam Sweeney
says he expects to launch an official opening
in spring 2018.
Interpretive signs will soon relate the
mine's history from its iron ore producing
days in the 1800s to the more modern
pigment excavation. A canyon leads to a
pond, where the colorful walls are especially
prominent. The new trail forms three
interconnected loops within the former
Hoover property. Some sections are level,
while others offer jumps, steep inclines, and
some technical riding for seasoned cyclists.
In short, the added trail brings more
color and adventure to the New River Trail.
-Su Clauson-Wicker

GET PEDALING

GET FISHIN' WITH THE KIDS

GET PEACEFUL

The Alpine Loop Gran Fondo in Harrisonburg
is October 1 this year, with distances of 107,
100, 78, 62.4 and 36 miles-all on paved or
mostly paved surfaces. The event will be
hosted by pro cyclist Jeremy Bishop, and
benefits the Prostate Cancer Awareness
Project, Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition,
Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance, Build
Our Park, and other area organizations and
initiatives. As of presstime, slots for all races
appeared to be filling fast.

Gather up the kids and the poles on October

The Run for Peace 2017 5K will be held

14 to fish the stocked Pigg River in Franklin

on Veterans Day, November 11, in Rural

County. The Virginia Department of Game

Retreat. The 9 a.m. event, sponsored by and

and Inland Fisheries will put 1,000 trout into

with funds going to the Edith Bolling Wilson

the waters for the event.

Museum in Wytheville, commemorates not

For more: alpineloopgranfondo.com

540-483-9293.

Food and drinks are included at the event,
and trophies will be awarded for the heaviest
fish. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.; fishing is
from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
For more: playfranklincounty.com or call

only Veterans Day, but also the 100th anniversary of U. S. involvement in World War I.
President and Mrs. Wilson, portrayed by Jim
Gearhart and Betsy Ely, will greet runners as
they cross the finish line.
For more: edithbollingwilson.org/
runforpeace.html

Sign up for the LO Spring 2018 Issue at LifeOutsideMag.com
10

2016 \\ LifeOutside Magazine
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Life Outside Fall 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Life Outside Fall 2017
