April 15, 2005

Directions to Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve

Mabry Mill is probably the most recognizable place on the Blue Ridge Parkway, so the directions will start there. Follow the parkway north for 2 miles until you see milepost 174. Most of the roads that intersect the parkway are not labeled, and this one is no exception. Fortunately the turn is just beyond the milepost.

This left turn is 799 (Conner Grove Road). Follow 799 for 2.2 miles to Cassady’s General Store. This is a good place to stop for drinks and snacks.

Continue on 799 for another 1.8 miles. You will see a small bridge with a sudden left turn. This is 727 (Moles Road). The road sign is difficult to see because it is concealed by trees.

Follow 727 for 1.1 miles. The next turn to the right is also 727 (Moles Road). If you continue going straight at this intersection the road changes to 604 (Halls Store Road).

Continue on 727 for 0.9 miles until you reach the "End of State Maintenance" sign. Continue up the hill on what appears to be a driveway. At the top of the hill there are two driveways marked with "No Trespassing" signs, one to the left and one straight. Turn right onto the Buffalo Mountain access road.

Follow the access road for 1.1 miles until it ends at the parking area. The trail that leads to the summit starts at the far end of the parking area. The hike to the summit is steep, and approximately 0.75 miles. The center section of the trail has some severe erosion damage, so watch your step. Be prepared with good shoes, water, some snacks and hopefully a camera. Please note that there are no trash receptacles on the mountain or the parking area. Please take everything you brought with you. Enjoy the view!

Posted by at 09:52 PM | Comments (2)

April 12, 2005

Subscribe to Listserv

If you are interested in joining the Buffalo Mountain VCS listserv, or if you just want to keep up with the latest news, click on Join Listserv . Fill in the entries similar to the example below. The other entries are specific to West Point only, and do not require responses.

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Once you are on the list, any reply messages will go to the author only. To send a message to the entire list use the email address buffalo@west-point.org .

Posted by at 09:29 PM | Comments (234)

April 11, 2005

Online Maps

Below are some web links to different maps of Buffalo Mountain. Thanks Jack!

Topographical Map

Geocaching Benchmark Details

Terra Server Map

Posted by at 10:47 PM | Comments (213)

April 10, 2005

Spring - On Top of the World

What a beautiful weekend we had in Floyd County, VA. I spent Saturday morning hiking the summit trail, and looking for photo opportunities. Unfortunately I couldn’t pull the camera out of my backpack fast enough to capture the two mature doe grazing along the trail. They caught my scent shortly after I saw them, and when they heard the zipper of my backpack opening they bolted. I had to settle for a couple of shots of the surrounding landscape. It’s hard to see the early blooms at that altitude, but you can certainly see the change in weather.


I will be the first to admit that I am not a professional photographer. I just hope these whet your appetite to take your own camera for a walk. Send me some pictures when you do, and I’ll gladly post them. Also, take a look at Fragments from Floyd and Blue Ridge Muse. Both sites have some wonderful shots from around Floyd County. I don’t remember seeing any pictures of Buffalo Mountain, but perhaps a couple of emails can entice them.

Take care,
Michael

Posted by at 10:20 PM | Comments (1)

Cassady's General Store

Greetings from the mountain! If you haven't been out hiking Buffalo Mountain recently, Cassady's General Store is the place to go before you start. Kathy has been so kind to all of us involved in the stewardship program. The clipboard with our trail log, maps, volunteer agreements, and contact information is kept at the store. The store is located a few miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway on route 799 (Conner Grove Road), and very near the access road to the Buffalo. It's a great place to get information, snacks, drinks and some of the best hamburgers you've ever eaten.

I know this may sound like a shameless plug, and it is. Kathy, you’ve been great, and I hope this brings one more car load off the parkway to your parking lot. Thanks for everything!

Michael

Posted by at 09:42 PM | Comments (234)

April 07, 2005

Categories

Thank you for the comments on the first post! In response to Shannon's suggestion I have added the following categories to the site:

Wildlife
Conversations
Seasonal Sightings
Volunteer Schedule
Maps & Forms
Suggestion Box

When I have some more time this weekend, I plan to add some pictures. Please send any Buffalo related photos you have via email, and keep the ideas coming!

Take care,
Michael

Posted by at 10:06 PM | Comments (223)

April 06, 2005

First Post

Greetings to all interested in Buffalo Mountain in Floyd, VA. As Jack mentioned, I will be working on this Blog site to give us all a place to share our thoughts, ideas and photos. I have a bit to learn before this becomes everything I envision, so please be patient. And please send an email (pryderi@swva.net) or link of other sites you like. I will do my best to pull together a composite of desirable features.

We are still looking for volunteers to fill weekend slots at the mountain. Contact Jack or me, and we will send a copy of the roster. I look forward to meeting you.

Take care,
Michael Mallabone

Posted by at 09:29 PM | Comments (460)