Enjoy a Fall paddle on Philpott Lake with the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) on Saturday, October 1.
DRBA’s First Saturday Outing will be a four-mile paddle on the lake in Franklin County from Ryan’s Branch Recreation Area to Calico Rock. Philpott Lake is a blue gem, nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and surrounded by forested shores.
Participants will meet at the Ryan’s Branch launch on Fairy Stone Park Road (GPS 36.850780, -80.100160). Three Rivers Outfitters of Eden, 336-627-6215 or www.3-R-O.com, will offer boat rentals and shuttle for the outing.
Coordinator for the paddle is Wayne Kirkpatrick, DRBA board member and avid kayaker. According to Kirkpatrick, “The lake is always beautiful with deep, clear water. After launching at Ryan’s Branch, we will turn north under Union Bridge and follow the shoreline on the right.
“After paddling the first mile, leaving the main channel of the lake,” Kirkpatrick said, “the right shoreline gets steeper and paddlers are rewarded with an enormous rock wall rising some 200 feet from the lake.
“Called Calico Rock, this unique outcropping is made up of a mixture of minerals ranging from light to dark in color. The resulting spotted or mottled appearance resembles calico cloth, hence its name.”
The Dan River Basin Association has a unique, award-winning partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Philpott Lake. DRBA works to increase trails and recreational opportunities at the lake, which straddles Patrick, Henry, and Franklin counties.
Rocky Rockwell, operations project manager at Philpott Lake, said, “The burdens of managing Philpott Lake under future budget concerns are lightened knowing that we have partners like DRBA.”
Participants in the outing are asked to dress in layers of quick-drying fabric, to provide boat, paddles, life jacket for each boater, lunch and water, and to sign a waiver.
To reach the Ryan’s Branch Recreational Area launch from U.S. 220, exit onto VA 57A West toward Fieldale/Bassett. Continue on VA 57 (Fairystone Park Hwy) for 13 miles. Turn right onto VA 346 (Fairystone Lake Drive) for 0.5 mile. Turn left onto Fairystone Farm Lane for 0.1 mile. Continue onto Union Bridge Road (Route 623) for five miles. After Route 623 crosses Union Bridge, it becomes Fairy Stone Park Road. The destination is on the right.
From Stuart, drive north on U.S. 58. Turn right onto VA 8 for 3.9 miles. Turn right onto VA 57 (Fairystone Park Hwy.) for 7.9 miles. Turn left onto VA 346 (Fairystone Lake Drive) and follow the above directions.
Outings and meetings of the Dan River Basin Association are open to the public without charge.
For more information about the outing, contact Wayne Kirkpatrick at (540) 570-3511 or wynbtyk@embarqmail.com.
For information about the Dan River Basin Association, visit www.danriver.org.
