MOORE’S CREEK.....new Southside Trails

Since the summer we have opened a great two and a half mile stretch along the south side of Moore’s Creek to the Woolen Mills and the Rivanna River. We are ever amazed at the history and wildlife that live hidden in the woods on the borders of Charlottesville.

From Avon Street the newly-cleared trail is crossed by deer paths and beaver runs before steeply rising through a serene hardwood forest. The crest commands over top of the old stone quarry and a mysterious cache of explosives. The trail descends and crosses under Route 20 near to where -- along a now lost perpendicular and ford -- Jefferson rode to town.

After crossing Cow Creek on Fran Lawrence’s Japanese bridge (perfectly proportioned, tranquilly angled and almost level) the trail becomes a Sherpa path through an 800 yard rock garden created by VDOT when they laid I-64 a generation ago. Many, many hands and backs are responsible for the stonework but Rick Seaman had the vision that it could be built one rock at a time without machines or cement.

Beyond lurk the stares, moos and oinks of the Old McDonald’s perfect barnyard animals behind the livestock market (watch out for feral goats); and the magnificent works of the Rivanna Solid Waste Authority to which we are all very grateful. The trail is open but not yet signed, so just follow the water downstream and cross at the RR trestle.

NEW TRAIL GUIDES......and a phone number

Attached you should find a copy of the new trail guide which shows the encircling of Charlottesville. We would appreciate your comments and suggestions in our constant effort towards the impeccable. We have signed on for a permanent message number, 923-9022. It isn’t quite a hotline, but it is perfect for giving anonymous advice.

SECOND SATURDAYS.....an opportunity to play

The monthly workdays are a continuing success. In November we had a record thirty heads and sixty hands turn out including helpful parts from the Albemarle HS Sierra Club.

We meet the second Saturday (see Schedule) of each month from 9:00-11:30am. We have tools, but bring shears or clippers if you have them. We muster at the trailhead on Melbourne Road just east of the CHS football field and caravan to the work site. It you want to go directly to the project or plan on being late, call the workday leader or John Conover at 293-5622.

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Send mail to rseaman@virginia.edu with questions or comments about this web site.