The Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) will hold a two-mile hike on the Lakeshore Trail in Virginia’s Fairy Stone State Park on Saturday, January 1.
Participants in DRBA’s First Saturday Outing will meet in the park by 10 a.m. at Picnic Shelter #2. Parking fees are waived by the park for a First Day hike.
Fairy Stone State Park, the largest of Virginia’s first six state parks (opened on June 15, 1936), is named for the cross-shaped staurolite, a rare mineral found in the region. Legend says this area was once home to fairies and other woodland creatures.
Word of Jesus’ crucifixion so saddened these fairies that they wept tears which crystallized staurolite (silica, iron and aluminum) in the form of Maltese, Roman, and St. Andrews crosses.
Outing coordinator Wayne Kirkpatrick said, “The lake covers the past mining town of Fayerdale, once a bustling industrial community, and a railroad spur that carried iron ore extracted from the surrounding area. Our guide for the hike, Ranger Ben Salsar, will share the history of Fayerdale.”
Amenities offered at the 4,741- acre state park, still one of Virginia’s largest, include 15 plus miles of hiking or multi-use trails, a variety of camping facilities, fishing, summertime swimming, events, and programs. For more, see https://stateparks.com/fairy_stone.html.
Participants are asked to bring water; dress for the weather, hiking sticks are a plus. All participants will be asked to sign a waiver form.
Directions: From US 220 at Bassett Forks, VA, turn west onto Hwy 57 (Fairystone Park Highway). Drive 12 .5 miles. Turn right onto Fairystone Lake Drive (Route 346 North), drive into the park to Picnic Shelter #2. Watch for the “DRBA FSO” signs.
From U.S. 58 at Stuart, VA, turn north on Hwy 8. Drive 4 miles, then turn east onto Hwy 57 (Fairystone Park Highway), then follow the directions above
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, Outing Coordinator, at (540) 570-3511 or wynbtyk@embarqmail.com
To learn more about how to stay safe outdoors, visit DRBA’s website: https://www.danriver.org/our-watershed/trails-and-river-info/trails-river-safety
To learn more about DRBA’s impact and programs that protect and conserve our natural resources, visit danriver.org.
