Alleghany Access Nature Walk with Bill Dunson
Please join us at Alleghany County Access of the New River State Park, for a special nature walk (Birds, Blooms and Bees) along the lower New River in Alleghany County on Saturday, August 28th, meeting at 9 AM at the locked road gate. This is a very unusual opportunity to drive down to the river.
The gate is accessed from Roundhouse Road, crossing the NC/VA state line near Mouth of Wilson, VA. GPS coordinates are 36.562654, -81.325123.
Directions from Boone:
- Take US 421 S about 7 miles to Deep Gap, then US 221 N to Jefferson, then NC 16N to US58 near Mouth of Wilson.
- Turn right go 1/2 mile and take another right on Old Mill Rd, go over a bridge and then immediate left on Roundhouse Road.
- Go about 2 miles on this winding gravel road to the back gate.
- Set your GPS for Mouth of Wilson, VA- the park entry is about 10 minutes further down a back road. It should be about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours from Boone.
The lower New River Valley is rich with wildlife including orioles, warblers, ducks, and even hosted ravens and a Peregrine Falcon attempting to nest on the rock cliffs. Golden winged warblers have nested there in the past as have warbling vireos.
The riparian plant communities are also quite rich and interesting and somewhat different from our local parks.
By special permission HCAS has access to open the gate and drive down to the river, where the trails are level and easy, so this is a great walk for anyone who is mobility challenged.
As in many local areas this place has ticks and we do not recommend walking in vegetation without protection. We will remain on trails. No dogs please and no smoking. Wear a Covid mask or not your choice.
Bill will bring a 4WD truck if necessary to ferry people to the bottom. The road may be slick after recent rains. If you have a 4WD or AWD please bring it.
If interested we will eat lunch afterwards at the famous Shatley Springs Restaurant.
Cell phone reception is not good at the park so if you anticipate being late arriving at the locked gate please call/text Bill earlier at 276-233-6364. Sometimes texts will get through when a call will not. If you arrive after we enter and close the gate, just park and walk down the hill- I will drive you back up.
