York River State Park is known for its rare and delicate estuarine environment, where freshwater and saltwater meet to create a rich habitat for marine and plant life. It is on the York River and is designated as a Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. The pristine environment offers clues to a rich natural and cultural history and hosts fossil beds and Colonial and Native American artifacts. More than 30 miles of hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails allow visitors to explore the marsh, river shoreline and forests. A boat ramp, fresh and salt water fishing spots, a fishing pier, playgrounds, picnic shelters, and seasonal boat and recreational equipment rentals are available.
Trip Facts
Parking Location: Main parking near the Visitors Center
Parking Availability : 100+ spaces
Fee: $4 per vehicle
Hours: 8 AM to Dusk
Verizon INTERNET Coverage: 1 bar (download trips and maps)
Month Recorded: December
Known in its early history as Taskinas Plantation, this was the site of a 17th and 18th century public tobacco warehouse where local planters stored their crops to be shipped to England. Remnants of wooden "corduroy" roads dating from this period can still be seen along Taskinas Creek at low tide. Occurring on an unusually warm day in December, this hike combined portions of multiple trails, including the Backbone, Spur, Majestic Oak, and Powhatan Forks Trails. Most of these trails are spurs off of the Backbone Trail. For a trail map, go here:
http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/documents/yorkriver.pdf
The trail briefly parallels the park access road, then heads into the woods. Highlights include archaeological sites for the former plantation, large oaks, views of the York River, a boardwalk, and steep creek ravines. Along the way, a variety of the usual winter woodland birds were seen, including golden-crowned kinglets and a pileated woodpecker. These trails are highly recommended.
WEB LINKS - INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED and DATA RATES APPLY
Press Highlighted Link - If link not active in your app, copy link to Web browser
**************************************
This hike is described in the 60 Hikes book - here is an Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Hikes-Within-Miles-Williamsburg-Fredericksburg/dp/089732708X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428101620&sr=8-1&keywords=60HikesRichmond
To learn more about this site, click the link below:
https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/york-river
Parking Location: Main parking near the Visitors Center
Parking Availability : 100+ spaces
Fee: $4 per vehicle
Hours: 8 AM to Dusk
Verizon INTERNET Coverage: 1 bar (download trips and maps)
Month Recorded: December
Known in its early history as Taskinas Plantation, this was the site of a 17th and 18th century public tobacco warehouse where local planters stored their crops to be shipped to England. Remnants of wooden "corduroy" roads dating from this period can still be seen along Taskinas Creek at low tide. Occurring on an unusually warm day in December, this hike combined portions of multiple trails, including the Backbone, Spur, Majestic Oak, and Powhatan Forks Trails. Most of these trails are spurs off of the Backbone Trail. For a trail map, go here:
http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/documents/yorkriver.pdf
The trail briefly parallels the park access road, then heads into the woods. Highlights include archaeological sites for the former plantation, large oaks, views of the York River, a boardwalk, and steep creek ravines. Along the way, a variety of the usual winter woodland birds were seen, including golden-crowned kinglets and a pileated woodpecker. These trails are highly recommended.
WEB LINKS - INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED and DATA RATES APPLY
Press Highlighted Link - If link not active in your app, copy link to Web browser
**************************************
This hike is described in the 60 Hikes book - here is an Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Hikes-Within-Miles-Williamsburg-Fredericksburg/dp/089732708X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428101620&sr=8-1&keywords=60HikesRichmond
To learn more about this site, click the link below:
https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/york-river
Trailhead
From the end of the parking lot, follow the paved path beside the road. This is the Backbone Trail.
Turn Left
Stay on the Backbone Trail
Slave Quarters
Here are the remains of the slave quarters for the Taskinas Plantation from the 1700's, as well as other structures. Read the signs and explore the area, then continue on the Backbone Trail.
Mountain Laurel
Common Name: Mountain Laurel
Scientific Name: Kalmia latifolia
Blooming Time: Apr-Jun
This plant, also known as calico-bush or spoonwood, is a species of flowering plant in the Heather family, Ericaceae, that is native to the eastern United States. It is an evergreen shrub growing to 3–9 m tall. Its flowers are round, ranging from light pink to white, and occur in clusters. The plant is naturally found on rocky slopes and mountainous forest areas. It thrives in acidic soil, preferring a soil pH in the 4.5 to 5.5 range. The plant often grows in large thickets, covering great areas of forest floor. Black bears are known to den in "ground nests" in mountain-laurel thickets. The wood of mountain-laurel has a long history of uses by native and Euro-Americans. It has been used in the manufacturing of pipes, wreaths, roping, furniture, bowls, utensils, and various other household goods and novelties.
WEB LINKS - INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED and DATA RATES APPLY
Press Highlighted Link - If link not active in your app, copy link to Web browser
**************************************
To find out more about this plant, go here:
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=KALA
***************************************
COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text - Encyclopedia of Life, Encyclopedia of Life,Source: Wikipedia ,Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Photo - Image of Kalmia latifolia© Jessica, Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0), Unmodified
Scientific Name: Kalmia latifolia
Blooming Time: Apr-Jun
This plant, also known as calico-bush or spoonwood, is a species of flowering plant in the Heather family, Ericaceae, that is native to the eastern United States. It is an evergreen shrub growing to 3–9 m tall. Its flowers are round, ranging from light pink to white, and occur in clusters. The plant is naturally found on rocky slopes and mountainous forest areas. It thrives in acidic soil, preferring a soil pH in the 4.5 to 5.5 range. The plant often grows in large thickets, covering great areas of forest floor. Black bears are known to den in "ground nests" in mountain-laurel thickets. The wood of mountain-laurel has a long history of uses by native and Euro-Americans. It has been used in the manufacturing of pipes, wreaths, roping, furniture, bowls, utensils, and various other household goods and novelties.
WEB LINKS - INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED and DATA RATES APPLY
Press Highlighted Link - If link not active in your app, copy link to Web browser
**************************************
To find out more about this plant, go here:
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=KALA
***************************************
COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text - Encyclopedia of Life, Encyclopedia of Life,Source: Wikipedia ,Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Photo - Image of Kalmia latifolia© Jessica, Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0), Unmodified
Majestic Oak
Here, the trail passes an oak tree estimated to be between 200 and 400 years old. The tree is believed to be the oldest oak in the park. Update: This tree may have toppled - pay your respects to a fallen giant.
Views of the York River
Boardwalk Across the Marsh
Look for Ospreys and Baid Eagles.
Resting Spot
Here, you can rest your feet in a quiet spot.
Taskinas Plantation
Observe the ruins of the former plantation.
Click http://rblr.co/hVFf to see more details.