Bear Creek Lake State Park, VA - Bear Creek Lake Loop

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.

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

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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.

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.

One of the left turns goes to that picnic area overlooking the lake.

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.

To make the road connection, cross the little bridge at the dam...

... continue across the field to the road ...

... turn left on the road and cross the bridge to the boat launch.

Bear Creek Lake from the road bridge.

At the end of the guardrail, turn left...

... entering a grassy woods road.

This runs right into the Lost Barr Trail.

Completing the loop at the Otter Trail which leads back to the cabin.

Busted.  Again.

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.

Twin Lakes State Park, VA - Prince Edward Lake Loop

ABOUT THE PARK:
Twin Lakes State Park - Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 37.17294, -78.27889

Parking on the grass just off of Goodwin Lake Road along the beach access road.

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:
Twin Lakes State Park Trail Guide - Virginia DCR

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HIKE DISTANCE:  4.1 miles

THE HIKE:

From parking walk back to Goodwin Lake Road, turn right, walk a short distance on Goodwin Lake Road, then turn left on Between The Lakes Trail.

We'll be heading left on the Otter's Path Trail but first we continued straight on Between the Lakes Trail since it was a short trail.

It ends at an overlook on the lake.

Prince Edward Lake

Heading back then right on the Otter's Path Trail.

Another hiker passed us by which was nice since I am always the one having to knock down spider webs this early in the morning.

It is a very pretty and peaceful trail and perfect for Shawnee in her wheelchair.

The Otter's Path Trail crosses over one road, Cedar Crest Road, and continues through the field back into the woods.

We left the Otter's Path Trail turning right on Beaver Point Trail.

At the overlook, out of the wheelchair for a little break.

Wow, that's a lot of turtles.  I count 38.

Back on the Otter's Path Trail.

Last night's rain.  Fortunately it stormed in the middle of the night but was all clear in the morning.

A left on Between the Lakes Trail...

... and right on Goodwin Lake Road to the first left up ahead ...

... back to our car.