Mitchell Bridge River Access is Complete!

Never again will you have to lug your canoe or kayak up through the briars, praying that you don't get run over by a car at the top! Those days are over thanks to Henry County Parks & Recreation's new addition of a river access on the Smith River at Mitchell Road Bridge in Axton.

The new access is located river left upstream of the bridge and has ample parking for vehicles and trailers. A wider ramp at the river's edge will allow multiple canoes/kayaks to pull up or launch at the same time. The access is already getting rave reviews from paddlers who have tried it out.

Henry County Public Service Authority has worked for several weeks to install the ramp and parking lot. Recently inmates from Patrick Henry Correctional Unit #28 came out to help clear the area of debris and brush to make way for new plantings of dogwoods, sycamores, and low bushes that will protect the river from runoff. Today, C.D. Prillaman with Prillaman Landscape Dimensions, Inc. of Ridgeway, will be planting those trees and shrubs to enhance the area.

Many of you also helped to make this happen. Everyone who came out to support the Dan River Basin Association at our first ever Smith River Film Festival in September and the replay of the films at Philpott Lake in November helped to fund this project. More than $1,000 was raised by river supporters like YOU!

Thank you for your support and be sure to come out and visit the access soon. From Hwy 220 N. in Ridgeway, turn right onto Old Sand Road, take a left onto Eggleston Falls road and follow it until it ends at Mitchell Road. Turn left onto Mitchell Road, the access is approximately 2 miles away on your left.

Photos by Brian Williams

Youth Help Maintain Area Trails

Each month a group of helpful youth visits the Uptown Spur Trail in Martinsville to do their part and give back to the community. This group of young volunteers is part of the Smith River Trail System's Adopt-A-Trail Program representing the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Blue Ridge. At each visit the youth help to clear debris from the trail, pick up litter and monitor trail usage. They also partner with Gateway Streetscapes to remove weeds from flowerbeds along the trail. This group of youth is doing an amazing job by helping Martinsville Parks & Recreation keep the trail green and beautiful. If you haven't checked the trail out yet, be sure to visit soon. It is located at the corner of Depot and Franklin Streets behind the Historic Courthouse in Uptown Martinsville. The paved trail is 0.6 miles long and will connect to the 4.5 mile long Dick & Willie Passage in 2010.

For more information on becoming and Adopt-a-Trail Volunteer, please contact the Dan River Basin Association at 276-634-2545 or drba.va@danriver.org.

Photos contributed by Laurie Wardle

Bassett Christmas Parade

Contributed by: Jeannie Frisco

Holiday Gift Idea

Looking for that perfect Holiday gift?
Why not give a river of knowledge?
The new Insiders Guide to the Smith River
                   and
The Insiders Guide to the Dan River
are both hot gift ideas that are suitable for anyone.
Maybe they love rivers, live to paddle, feast on history or
just want to learn more about the Dan River Basin and its waterways,
then these guides should be on your gift giving list

Even if you have lived in Henry County or Southern Virginia your entire life, we bet you will find something new about the Smith River Valley in the recently published “Insiders Guide to the Smith River.” Filled with maps and information, this full color, water-proof guide showcases Martinsville and Henry County as a true recreation destination.

The new guide highlights the Smith River and Henry County with information and photos from local paddlers, fisherman, hikers, and historians. For more than 80 miles, the Smith winds through four rural counties in two states, creating Philpott Reservoir and bisecting Henry County before reaching the confluence with the Dan River in North Carolina. Travel along with the author from the Blue Ridge to the piedmont and learn history, river tips and recreational opportunities in the Smith River Valley. Made possible with funding from the Harvest Foundation and published by the Dan River Basin Association, the “Insider’s Guide to the Smith River” will help visitors and locals experience the timeless beauty of the river from wildflowers to wildlife or be transported to century-old mill towns, railroads, prehistoric stone fish weirs and historic river navigation structures.

Focusing on the 45-mile section from Philpott Dam to the confluence with the Dan River in North Carolina, the 18 maps detail river features and key points through photos, symbols and text.  The upper Smith River, above Philpott Dam, is represented for 30 miles by an additional map. But this comprehensive guide isn’t just maps. Narrative pages contain a wealth of information about Martinsville, Henry County, fishing, trails, parks, camping, wildlife, and links to additional information about the Smith River Valley and the piedmont region of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Are you a history buff? Then the Guide is for you too. Did you know the Smith River was originally named the “Irvine River” by William Byrd II in honor of Alexander Irvine, one of the surveyors of the Virginia-North Carolina dividing line in 1728.  Did you know that Philpott Dam was originally built for flood control and the resulting “tail-race” river provided the incredible trout fishery and paddling opportunities that can be enjoyed on the river today?  Evidence of Native Americans river use can even be observed in the fish weirs like the Martinsville Fish Dam, one of the oldest man-made structures in Henry County.

Whether you are interested in the best places to paddle, exciting fishing, historical and cultural sites—or  just plain relaxing in a beautiful place, the “Insider’s Guide to the Smith River” is for you.  
So grab a guide and plan your Adventure in the Smith River Valley today. Just go to http://www.danriver.org/ and click on the link to order your copy and begin your adventure.  River guides are $25.00 for online sales, or you can save on shipping and handling and visit a local outfitter or the Dan River Basin Association offices in Virginia and North Carolina to purchase a copy.  Proceeds from the sale of river guides support work to preserve and promote the natural and cultural resources of the Dan River basin.

Calling all Biker's & Walker's

You're invited to join the Activate staff as they bring out the bikes for the Uptown Christmas Parade.

If you prefer walking, that would be great too! The Parade will begin a 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 5th. If you would like to join in on the fun, please email jfrisco@activatemhc.org no later than Thursday, December 3rd.

If you don't have a bike but would like to participate, Activate will supply bikes on a first come, first serve basis. Please arrive at 5 p.m. in the West Piedmont Business Development Center parking lot. The parking lot faces Broad Sreet and the big chair uptown.

At 5 Activate will get everyone who needs bikes on them and those walking signs that are being prepared. Santa and reindeer hats will be available, but feel free to wear your own festive Christmas attire (especially if you have something that lights up or Activate t-shirts over plenty of warm clothing).

For those of you bringing your own bikes, if you have flashing bike reflector lights please put those on your bikes.

Activate is # 21 in the parade, and estimate about an hour of walking or biking depending on how quickly the parade moves, so hopefully you'll be finished by 7 or 7:30 Saturday night.

Kayak Class Offered

Here's your chance to learn to paddle from the comfort of a heated pool! Join Smith River Adventure Outfitters at the Martinsville YMCA on December 18th from 6-8 p.m. Practice your skills now so you'll be ready to hit the river in spring!

Contact http://www.smithriveradventureoutfitters.com/ for more information and to register.

"Friends of the Fieldale Trail" Repair Trail Post Hurricane Ida

(L-R) Front: Mollie & Nancy Kennett. Back: Glenda Scott,
Benny Setliff, Tracy Kennett, Tommy Wyatt, Beth Wyatt,
Ronnie Tranthum, and Paula Wyatt (team captain).

After all the recent rain and flooding along the banks of the Smith River, the Adopt-a-Trail team, "Friends of the Fieldale Trail" came out this past Saturday to clean mud off of benches, rake debris off of the trail and fill in low spots with gravel. Their hard work paid off and the trail looks amazing. The Fieldale Trail is even dressed up for the holidays as the group decorated the trail's kiosk! While out working, we spotted more than a dozen walkers enjoying the trail. If you haven't visited the Fieldale Trail lately, be sure to join us this Saturday at 10 a.m. as the volunteer group leads a guided six mile walk along the trail. Shorter hike options are also available for those that prefer to do so.