Lone Star Lakes 3/22/22

30 Tuesday groupers met at Lone Star Lakes in Suffolk on March 22^nd, for a 5.5 mile hike on an absolutely perfect Spring Day. Temperatures started our in the high 50’s and were in the low 70’s by lunch. Lone Star Lakes was a former Marl Mine from 1920 – 1971. The marl, a key raw material for cement, was barged via the Nansemond, James and Elizabeth rivers to the Portland Cement works in South Norfolk.

Hikers were also advised to be on the lookout for the elusive Lone Start Lakes Alligator – a picture of it, taken the prior Saturday just 100 feet off the trail, was shown around.

The group left the playground at 9:30 sharp and headed south on the newly paved road which bisects the park North to South. This was a railroad during the mining days, transporting the marl from the mines to a barge at the south end. After 0.6 miles, we reached the Field Trail and hiked the perimeter of the Wildlife Habitat area before crossing over Lake Wahoo (Go UVA!), entering the woods trail – which is also the site of a 3D Archery Range. Unfortunately, we noted the Lone Start Lakes Gator had returned to the locked container, also holding all the other 3D archery targets…better luck next time? Some hikers did find a few mis-directed arrows – maybe Mr. Gator got away??

After traversing thru a newer pine tree forest, we cut across the top of the Radio Control Model Airplane Flying Field, Bruce had a minor confrontation with a rather defiant Black Snake. Fortunately Mr. Snake realized he had encountered some serious Tuesday groupers and he eventually slithered away! We then swung around the south side of Southern Lakes to the Double decker trail. This put us over the highpoint of the park – which was the result of a mine tailing pile – very narrow trail, steep drop off on each side but one that provided some nice views. After a short stretch thru the ‘Grand Canyon of Suffolk’ – flat section with mine tailing piles on either side, we crossed a bridge on the north portion of Southern Lakes, successfully navigating the ‘tricky part’ of the hike and arrived at the Long Leaf Pine Trail. At the junction – there was a perfect example of a young 8’ tall Long Leaf Pine, easily distinguished from the surrounding Lob Lollies.

Picnic tables at the Archery Range were the site of our lunch break – the group completed the hike back north on the road to the parking area, but not before many of us watched a beautiful Bald Eagle circling overhead.

Bill & Diane

Click on the link to see Sherri's pictures: https://photos.app.goo.gl/DqLRFk8SDN2W9u9A8