1st Sunday Breakfast and Hike

We met up at Patsy’s in Providence at 9:30 a.m. and had a nice breakfast on a chilly, windy, but sunny morning.  We left Patsy’s a little after 10 a.m. and drove to York River Park.  We arrived at the park around 10:40 a.m. and walked around the interesting Visitor’s center reading the rich history of Indians, Colonial Settlers as well as geology of the area over the last 120,000 years.

We began the high just after 11 and started down the Taskinas Creek Trail, winding through the many hills and turns through the understory of Mountain Laurel and Holly in and around large Beech and Oak.  We stopped at 5 or 6 observation decks to take in the Taskinas estuary and river which were great places to stop and take a rest in the warm sun (when the wind wasn’t blowing).  We took a ¼ mile spur out to the longest and largest observation deck and noticed the river was flowing backwards due to high tide.  We took the spur back to the main trail and then back to the trail head finishing the first hike in 1 hour and 20 minutes noticing the posted trail mileage of 2.16 differed greatly with our mileage tracker of 3.3 miles.

We then headed towards Woodstock Pond, diverting for a quick view of the Labyrinth and meditation area overlooking the pond.  We walked around the pond, over the small spillway and up the hill.  We transferred from the Woodstock pond trail to the Beaver trail to take in a trail that circumnavigates the pond and brings you back to the main parking lot.  We finished the trail and got back to the car around 1:45 p.m. for a total of 4.8 miles.

Join us for our Sunday Hike at 11 a.m., York River State Park.  Meet at the parking lot near the Visitor’s Center on your left (see map)

We’ll hit the Taskinas Creek Trail (2 miles), Beaver Trail, Woodstock Pond Trail and the Mattaponi Trail for about 4 miles or 2-1/2 hours of moderate hiking.

Breakfast at 9:30am at Patsy’s Restaurant 9311 Pocahontas Trail, Providence Forge, VA 23140.

Bring a jacket, gloves, hat or ear-band.  Also bring water and a snack.

Info: http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/york-river#general_information

The park is known for its rare and delicate estuarine environment, where freshwater and saltwater meet to create a rich habitat for marine and plant life. It is on the York River and is designated as a Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. The pristine environment offers clues to a rich natural and cultural history and hosts fossil beds and Colonial and Native American artifacts. Programs, activities and visitor center displays focus on the history, use, wildlife and preservation of the York River and its marshes. More than 30 miles of hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails allow visitors to explore the marsh, river shoreline and forests. A boat ramp, fresh and salt water fishing spots, a fishing pier, playgrounds, picnic shelters, and seasonal boat and recreational equipment rentals are available.