Life Outside Spring 2019 - 42

ON THE ROAD

EAGLE ROCK
TO CLIFTON FORGE

U.S. 220

H

Great hikes, a James River paddle and the
bounteous offerings of Douthat State
Park highlight the stretch.

HEADING NORTH ON Virginia Scenic Byway

U.S. 220, you'll pass through rural Botetourt
County and encounter a string of small
communities on the James and Jackson
rivers-like Eagle Rock, Gala, Glen Wilton
and Iron Gate. Rich with history, the towns
served as antebellum-era shipping hubs for
goods traveling from the Alleghany Highlands
to Lynchburg and Richmond by water. The
biggest of these, Clifton Forge, makes a great
basecamp for outdoor adventure.

HIKE
Roaring Run Loop Trail, 1.5 miles -
Beginning at the Roaring Run Day Use Area
parking lot, this breezy 1.5-mile trail pursues
a trout stream through dense National Forest
to a small waterfall. Take the Streamside Trail
to the falls. Return via the Woodland Trail,
passing the ruins of a nearly 200-year-old
iron furnace. Expect natural waterslides,
swimming holes and wooden bridges. To get
there, turn left on Craig Creek Road just past
Eagle Rock. Continue for 5.5 miles, then turn
right on Roaring Run Road. The entrance will
be on your left in 1.1 miles. www.fs.usda.gov/
recarea/gwj/recarea/?recid=73925
Iron Ore Trail to Upper Hoop Hole
Loop, about 10 miles - This lollipop-shaped
out-and-back begins at the same lot as the
above. Look for the Iron Ore trailhead on
your left, toward the beginning of Streamside
Trail. Follow the yellow blazes for 2.4 miles
past Iron Ore Knob, then turn right onto
the upper Hoop Hole Trail. Hike over the
nearly 3,700-foot peaks of Pine and Rich
Patch Mountains, where southwest views

42

Spring 2019 \\ LifeOutside Magazine

abound. Follow the approximately 5-mile
upper-loop until it reconnects with Iron Ore.
North Mountain to Pete's Cave, 6.8
miles - An excellent out-and-back offering
numerous eastward vistas-including 3,200foot glimpses of Lexington and the Buena
Vista-area Blue Ridge. Expect extraordinary
stone outcroppings, the last of which brings
westward views of the I-64 corridor and Rich
Hole Wilderness. Known as Pete's Cave, the
feature marks your turnaround. From Clifton
Forge: Follow I-64 East for 8 miles. Exit at
Longdale Furnace onto Va. 269 west, then
quickly turn left onto Va. 770. Continue for
4.1 miles. The parking area will be on your
right, just south of the radio-tower. www.
fs.usda.gov/recarea/gwj/recreation/hiking/
recarea/?recid=78574&actid=50

PADDLE
Upper James River, Iron Gate to Glen
Wilton. 3 miles - Start a mile below where
the Jackson and Cowpasture rivers meet to
form the James. Expect thinnish, isolated
river lined by forests and farms, with plenty
of riffles and an explorable island toward
the beginning of the run. Fishermen will
have good muskie and smallmouth bass
opportunities. Begin 2 miles south of Iron
Gate at the boat launch on the southside of
the U.S. 220 bridge. For shuttle, follow Va.
633 south for 2.6 miles and turn right onto
Bridge Street. Cross the James and look for
the Glen Wilton Boat Ramp on your left. Twin
River Outfitters services the area, offering
rentals and shuttles. Boats from $30. Shuttles
from $20. canoevirginia.net

DOUTHAT CABIN
The view of the mountains
is along the park's Tuscarora
Trail.

EAT/DRINK
Jack Masons Tavern & Brewery, Clifton
Forge - The area's lone craft spirits
establishment keeps six handcrafted
brews on tap, including seasonal offerings.
Situated in a revitalized building downtown,
it's a local abode. Features a game-room and
solid pub fare like burgers and Germanstyle sausage dishes. Plates from $7.99.
jackmasonstavern.com
Café Michel, Clifton Forge - This casual
fine-dining gem sits less than a block from
Jack Masons. French-born chef Michel Galand
and his wife, Carmen, overhauled the 40-seat
dining room in 2014, when they 'retired' from
Lexington to Clifton Forge. The seasonal menu
is updated weekly. Expect traditional French
and Italian staples, such as pork Ossobuco.
Open for dinner Tuesday-Saturday. Entrees
from $17. michelcafe.com

STAY/CAMP
Douthat State Park, Millboro - Eight
miles from Clifton Forge lies 4,584 acres
of outdoor heaven. In addition to a 50-acre
lake and beachy swimming area, Douthat
offers 4 miles of stocked trout streams
and 43 miles of hiking and biking trails.
Overnight accommodations include 87
campsites, 32 cabins and three lodges (for
large groups). Camping from $26. Cabins
from $74. To get there, follow U.S. 60
business east to I-64 and continue straight
onto Douthat State Park Road. Drive 6
miles. The park office will be on your left.
dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/douthat

-ERIC J.WALLACE
http://www.jackmasonstavern.com http://fs.usda.gov/recarea/gwj/recreation/hiking/ http://www.michelcafe.com http://www.fs.usda.gov/ http://dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/douthat http://www.canoevirginia.net
Life Outside Spring 2019

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