New Trail at Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest

The other week I got to witness the biggest thing in the forest, a Tigercat mulcher! I had contracted this machine and it's operator to clear a five mile stretch of trail on the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest. This trail, tentatively called the Underground Line Trail, stretches from Rt. 618 all the way across the forest to the new Carter Taylor Parking area near the intersection of Andersonville Road and Francisco Road. The Tigercat performed this task in just a few short hours. Although the trail had some existing cleared areas from when it was maintained as a phone line right of way, it had become vastly overgrown. The machine used it's powerful mulching head to grind grass, trees, and woody debris to make a 10+ foot wide trail.

It was spellbinding to watch this large machine work. I apologize that I could not get a better action shot but this machine required a lot of caution while in operation. Even standing several hundred feet behind the machine, it was not unusual to hear the occasional rock go zinging through the trees nearby.

The trail still needs a bit of work to give proper height clearance for users and to clear around some stream areas where the machine could not cross. Otherwise it is currently passable and open for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. There are no signs or blazing for this trail as of yet but if you stay in a straight line you can hardly go wrong. This is currently a straight line trail but I am working on getting some old logging roads bushhogged so that loops can be made.

I will of course let everyone know when this trail is "officially" open but in the meantime if you are out there, take a chance and check it out, and let me know what you think.

New Trail at Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest

The other week I got to witness the biggest thing in the forest, a Tigercat mulcher! I had contracted this machine and it's operator to clear a five mile stretch of trail on the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest. This trail, tentatively called the Underground Line Trail, stretches from Rt. 618 all the way across the forest to the new Carter Taylor Parking area near the intersection of Andersonville Road and Francisco Road. The Tigercat performed this task in just a few short hours. Although the trail had some existing cleared areas from when it was maintained as a phone line right of way, it had become vastly overgrown. The machine used it's powerful mulching head to grind grass, trees, and woody debris to make a 10+ foot wide trail.

It was spellbinding to watch this large machine work. I apologize that I could not get a better action shot but this machine required a lot of caution while in operation. Even standing several hundred feet behind the machine, it was not unusual to hear the occasional rock go zinging through the trees nearby.

The trail still needs a bit of work to give proper height clearance for users and to clear around some stream areas where the machine could not cross. Otherwise it is currently passable and open for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. There are no signs or blazing for this trail as of yet but if you stay in a straight line you can hardly go wrong. This is currently a straight line trail but I am working on getting some old logging roads bushhogged so that loops can be made.

I will of course let everyone know when this trail is "officially" open but in the meantime if you are out there, take a chance and check it out, and let me know what you think.

Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest

The new parking area at Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest is slowly moving ahead. The gravelled parking area is complete and a kiosk framed has been erected. I am still working on the signage for the parking area as well as for the trail and along the road to direct people to this area instead of parking near our shop complex. The picnic shelter for the parking area has been awarded and construction should begin in late July/early August. I am currently working on plans for a horse corral and non-potable water source. There will also be an equestrian mounting block and several hitching posts for use.

I am also continuing work to contract out the trail clearing for the new trail that will stretch from the new parking area out to Rt. 618 near the intersection with Rt. 24. This trail will be multiple use and will give users a good tour of the various ecosystems found on the forest. My hope is to have the parking area ready for full use by Fall of 2010 and then new trail ready by Spring 2011.

Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest

The new parking area at Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest is slowly moving ahead. The gravelled parking area is complete and a kiosk framed has been erected. I am still working on the signage for the parking area as well as for the trail and along the road to direct people to this area instead of parking near our shop complex. The picnic shelter for the parking area has been awarded and construction should begin in late July/early August. I am currently working on plans for a horse corral and non-potable water source. There will also be an equestrian mounting block and several hitching posts for use.

I am also continuing work to contract out the trail clearing for the new trail that will stretch from the new parking area out to Rt. 618 near the intersection with Rt. 24. This trail will be multiple use and will give users a good tour of the various ecosystems found on the forest. My hope is to have the parking area ready for full use by Fall of 2010 and then new trail ready by Spring 2011.

Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest

Azalea in bloom
Sphinx moth flying
Swallow nest?

Last week I completed the flagging of the new trail. All together it's about 5 miles long, on rolling terrain, with 17 stream crossings. We are already looking to contract a skidder or bobcat with a mulching head to clear the trail. With any luck this trail should be completed within a year. Here are some pictures of what you might expect to find while out on the trail.

Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest

Azalea in bloom
Sphinx moth flying
Swallow nest?

Last week I completed the flagging of the new trail. All together it's about 5 miles long, on rolling terrain, with 17 stream crossings. We are already looking to contract a skidder or bobcat with a mulching head to clear the trail. With any luck this trail should be completed within a year. Here are some pictures of what you might expect to find while out on the trail.

Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest

The trail saga at Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest continues. I finally finished flagging the last of the potential new trail and have begun to look at looping options. The trail is roughly 4.75 linear miles (however the terrain is rolling which should add more actual mileage) and has 17 stream crossings. While implementing this trail will be difficult, it is my hope to have it completed and ready to open by Spring 2011 (maybe April).

This trail passes through a variety of scenery from hardwoods, various life stages of pine, soggy bottomland, clearcuts, and wildlife meadows. While on the trail today I saw at least 5 turkeys, a large black snake, and lots and lots of bear scat. I will hopefully have some pictures downloaded soon as I also saw a bird's nest nestled in the tall grass, dogwoods in bloom, rhododendron in bloom, and a sphinx moth. I also ran into some VDOF hoodlum's preparing to put in fire lines around a clearcut area adjacent to the trail. They will then burn this area in preparation for a new generation of Loblolly pine seedlings. It's amazing what you might see when you are out enjoying Virginia's forests!

Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest

The trail saga at Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest continues. I finally finished flagging the last of the potential new trail and have begun to look at looping options. The trail is roughly 4.75 linear miles (however the terrain is rolling which should add more actual mileage) and has 17 stream crossings. While implementing this trail will be difficult, it is my hope to have it completed and ready to open by Spring 2011 (maybe April).

This trail passes through a variety of scenery from hardwoods, various life stages of pine, soggy bottomland, clearcuts, and wildlife meadows. While on the trail today I saw at least 5 turkeys, a large black snake, and lots and lots of bear scat. I will hopefully have some pictures downloaded soon as I also saw a bird's nest nestled in the tall grass, dogwoods in bloom, rhododendron in bloom, and a sphinx moth. I also ran into some VDOF hoodlum's preparing to put in fire lines around a clearcut area adjacent to the trail. They will then burn this area in preparation for a new generation of Loblolly pine seedlings. It's amazing what you might see when you are out enjoying Virginia's forests!

Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest

So today I ventured out to complete flagging a stretch of potential new trail on the forest. This trail stretches from Rt. 24 across the forest to the Walker multiuse trail. The new section would add on about 5 miles without any loops (I am looking at loops for the future). The trail follows an old AT&T line which means it's straight as an arrow, however, there are plenty of rolling hills to go around. There are plenty of streams as well, 15 to be exact. The tread is in pretty good shape overall but a lot of brushing and cutting needs to be done before this trail can be open for business. When open this trail would take users through a mixture of pine plantations, upland hardwoods, swamps, and wildlife meadows. I saw a nice flock of turkey on the trail as well as a variety of birds. This proposed trail should add an attractive ride for those willing to take the time!

Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest

At just under 19,808 acres, Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest is the largest forest in the state forest system. It offers a variety of recreational opportunities including hiking, biking, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, and geocaching. Soon even more users will be able to enjoy this gem of a forest.

A large multiuse parking lot is under construction just west of the intersection of Andersonville Road and Francisco Road. This parking area is approximately 2.5 acres in size and will eventually allow for parking by hikers, bikers, and horse trailers. The gravel base for the parking lot is nearly complete. Eventually the parking lot will include an informational kiosk, picnic shelter, horse corral, a mounting block, hitching posts, and a non-potable water source. The parking lot will be situated conveniently to allow access to the Orchard Trail, Walker Trail, and Carter-Taylor multiple use trail.

This project will hopefully be completed during the summer of 2010. Please come out and enjoy the new facility and check out the trails while you are in the area. Within the forest you will also find Holliday Lake State Park and the Holliday Lake 4-H Center. It is just a short jaunt down Route 24 to the historic Appomattox National Battlefield where General's Lee and Grant met to sign the surrender agreement for the civil war.