ABOUT THE PARK:
Bear Creek Lake State Park - Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
DIRECTIONS:
This hike starts and ends at Cabin 5. If not staying in a cabin, there is parking at the beach where the Channel Cat Trail crosses over and this hike can be started from that point also.
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| Parking where the Channel Cat Trail crosses. (37.52829, -78.270407) |
Car passes issued at the time of registration for cabins or camping are
valid for parking at all Virginia State Parks, otherwise there is a
$4 parking fee.
TRAIL MAP:
Bear Creek Lake State Park Trail Guide - Virginia DCR
HIKE DISTANCE: 3.35 miles
THE HIKE:
It's not often I get to hike at sunset so I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity on our last night in Virginia. Shawnee had enough hiking for this trip so she was napping soundly when I left around 5 PM as the sun was starting to go down. It's all different lighting, different sounds, a completely different experience. This hike is all left turns circling the lake and although it does not look like you can make a loop on the map, a short road walk at the dam takes care of that connection.
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| I started out making a right off of the Otter Trail on to the Lost Barr Trail, then it was all left turns after that. |
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| One of the left turns goes to that picnic area overlooking the lake. |
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| At the dam, I believe this was a Louisiana Water Thrush clinging to the vertical surface doing something in the water rushing down the dam. |
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| To make the road connection, cross the little bridge at the dam... |
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| ... continue across the field to the road ... |
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| ... turn left on the road and cross the bridge to the boat launch. |
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| Bear Creek Lake from the road bridge. |
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| At the end of the guardrail, turn left... |
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| ... entering a grassy woods road. |
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| This runs right into the Lost Barr Trail. |
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| Completing the loop at the Otter Trail which leads back to the cabin. |
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| Busted. Again. |
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| All was forgiven when I stopped at Burger King and got her a Whopper, hold the bun and fixings, on the way home the following day. |
