Afternoon Hike at Pocahontas State Park

Trip Report

Pocahontas State Park Beaver Lake Trail Hike

Sunday 03/13/2016

I had three attendees and we had a great day to hike.  We met at the parking lot near Ledo Pizza and then drove to the Park and then back to the parking lot near the Civilian Conservation Corp Museum.  We took the trail clockwise beginning at CCC Museum and walked down to the dam and stopped for a quick picture and the direction post (see picture).

Then we crossed a concrete footbridge, over the stream and up the hill slowly climbing to the first crest, across a few wooden bridges and then down along the banks of the lake.

The conditions were great and the trails were in great shape.

We climbed back up a few hills and then stopped at the overlook for a short rest then proceeded on slowly coming back down to the lake and then the stream feeding the lake right at the location of the remains of an old grist mill.  We crossed a concrete foot bridge and back up a ridge overlooking the stream, eventually coming back down on a long wooden bridge through the swampy bottomlands.

We continued on until the first floating dock to observe some wildlife—Canada Geese, coots, Blue Herons, and a water snake (see picture).  Then along the shores of the lake for another mile or so and then near the end we walked out onto a larger floating dock to take in a few last views and observed a small beaver (kit) or perhaps some sort of weasel.  Total trip was 2.4 miles and it took about 50 minutes.

What:  Hike the Beaver Lake Trail, Pocahontas State Park, Virginia’s largest state park.  This is a very nice, 2.47 mile trail with enough elevation change to challenge, but not overwhelm this first of many hikes I have planned for Pocahontas and the surrounding Richmond area this year.  It should take us 45-55 minutes.  Bring some water and a snack if you choose as we’ll stop at a nice overlook and bench.

Additonal information:

http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/poc.shtml

http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/document/data/trail-guide-pocahontas.pdf