Lake Moomaw – George Washington National Forest, Virginia

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IMG_7303Nestled deep in the George Washington National Forest, Lake Moomaw is a gem very few paddlers know about. The lake is formed by the Gathright Dam on the Jackson River. With many areas of the lake reaching depths of over 100ft, it provides a cooler habitat for trout to thrive….an angler’s paradise. On a rainy friday, we made our way to the VCU Outdoor Adventure Program on the Monroe Park Campus. Canoes can be rented on Friday and kept over the weekend for only $20. We picked up two of them and set out on a Saturday morning in April of 2014 to paddle the turquoise waters.  It was a particularly windy day and we battled the current. The scenery was not one we expected in Virginia, it was actually more similar to the northern states and Canada. Simply a beautiful place. We will definitely be returning.

 

Graves Mill Trail – Shenandoah National Park, VA

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Rapidan River
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In late October of 2013, Sarah and I set out with our friend Ronan to the woods of Shenandoah. We found this hike through Hiking Upward, probably the best resource for hikers in Virginia. It’s a website that features detailed descriptions of almost every hike in Virginia. From the Jefferson National Forest to Pisgah National Forest, it covers dozens of trails and reviews them in many different aspects. Each trail is reviewed in several different aspects such as difficulty, isolation, scenery, and degree of camp friendliness.  Anyways, we decided upon the Graves Mill Trail which eventually meets up with the Bear Church Rock trail. The beautiful Rapidan River flows alongside for the majority of the trail. Native brook trout can also be seen in the clear, and cold mountain waters. We took a short break next to the river to brew some tea on this awesome fall day.

 

Eagle Rock – Buchanan, Virginia

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In June of 2013, my brothers and I set out to canoe camp along the James River. We launched from the beginning of the river near Buchanan, Virginia and camped for just one night. There was plenty of wildlife to be seen including herons, turtles and deer. This section of the river is known for its excellent bass fishing. In typical Le brother fashion, we arrived at noon and without our DSLRs. Nevertheless, an awesome time.

See a video of our trip here.

Angel’s Landing – Zion National Park, Utah

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VIrgin River
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Scout’s Overlook
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Angel’s Landing

On January 13, 2012, we stopped by Zion National Park on a road trip through the American Southwest at the recommendation of one of my friends. I am definitely glad we listened, because the ascent up to Angel’s Landing is one I’ll never forget. The beginning of the 5 mile trail, follows the Virgin River along a dirt path. As we climbed higher, the trail transforms into a paved stone pathway up the mountain. There are a series of 21 steep switchbacks before reaching Scout Lookout (the last point of return). From here on, the ascent to the top of Angel’s Landing would be a treacherous path consisting of steep drop offs on both sides while navigating tiny stone walkways. Most areas had chain-link hand rails to cling on to while scaling the side of the mountain. The national park recognizes five fatalities along Angel’s Landing, but more have been reported. With cold winds and ice in January, it was a test of nerve for sure, but ultimately a rewarding view. Incredible place.