The Dan River Basin Association’s First Saturday Outing on August 2 will explore a portion of Philpott Lake accessible only to small boat paddlers. Meeting at 10:00 a. m. at the rustic Jamison Mill Park, about six miles northwest of Henry, Virginia, the group will begin its four-mile round-trip float by paddling down Nicholas Creek less than a quarter mile to a point of land where a picnic area offers shade trees, tables, a restroom, and a great view of the lake.
Trip coordinator is the Association’s Outings Chair, Paul Johnson, former director of the Halifax County Library, who is among the founding members of the Association. According to Johnson, “The shallow water along the creek to the lake is impassible to large craft but easily navigable by kayak or canoe. Once we reach the main body of Philpott Lake we will follow along the shoreline to the next tributary on the northern side, Beard Creek. “We will paddle a mile upstream through a wooded area where wildlife abounds,” Johnson continued. “Philpott Reservoir's upper reaches are a great escape to clear waters amid forested foothills, with occasional glimpses of the Blue Ridge in the distance.”
After returning to the picnic area the paddlers will enjoy facilities maintained by a newly formed local group that has devoted many hours to Jamison Mill. The Friends of Philpott formed in response to an announcement by the Army Corps of Engineers that budget constraints would cause some recreational facilities at Philpott Lake to be closed, including picnic areas at Jamison Mill. Just over a year old, the group has 100 members who have put in many volunteer hours building and maintaining trails at Jamison Mill and other areas. The mission of Friends of Philpott is "to provide environmentally responsible use, development and protection of the natural and recreational resource at Philpott Lake through community involvement and education." The Dan River Basin Association invites Friends of Philpott members to join them on the paddling trip or the picnic following.
Another newly created group invited to join in this outing is The Creek Freak Paddlers of Franklin County. Their website explains that they are a Virginia Paddling Club, co-sponsored by the Franklin County Parks & Recreation Department. The group “is family oriented, and about exposing kids and families to the local rivers in Franklin County,” which is showing a huge increase in paddle sports activities.
As a regional organization DRBA welcomes the creation of local recreation and conservation groups throughout the Dan River Basin. After the picnic, an optional third phase of the outing is a hike on the nature trails at Jamison Mill, which are continually expanding, thanks to the work of Friends of Philpott.
Paddlers are asked to meet at 10:00 a.m. in the parking lot at the end of Jamison Mill Road adjacent to Nicholas Creek. Bring boat, paddles, life jacket, lunch and water, and dress in layers of artificial, quick-drying fabric or wool. All participants in the outing will be asked to sign a waiver.
Directions from US 220: drive west on Henry Road, State Route 605, to a left turn at Nicholas Creek Road, State Route 778, which is marked by a sign to Jamison Mill. At the end of Nicholas Creek Road, turn left on Jamison Mill Road and follow it to the end. The park is six miles beyond the community of Henry.
Outings and meetings of the Dan River Basin Association are open to the public without charge.
For more information, contact Paul Johnson, kpauljohnson@yahoo.com or 434-579-7599.
For membership information, visit http://www.danriver.org/.
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