COMMONHEALTH
NEW RIVER TRAIL CHALLENGE June1 - July 10, 2020
Week 5 Progress Lone Ash to Buck Dam 16 miles
Bertha Cave is home to a colony of bats as well as salamanders, cave scuds, crickets and spiders.
A "bat gate" is in place to help conseve the cave and protect the inhabitants.
In addition to its waterfalls and serene views, Foster Falls is the site of the Foster Falls furnace, pictured as it looks today. Built in the late 1800's, the furnace was originally operated by waterpower from the New River.
Austinville Leaving Foster Falls, our path once again comes upon the shot tower and makes its way toward Austinville, a small community created by the mining of lead and zinc. Named after the Austin family who created a mining legacy stretching from Virginia to Missouri to Texas, it was the birthplace of Stephen F. Austin, the "Father of Texas."
His tor i abo c Aus t ut 3 1 invill fro /2 m e is mS hot iles Tow er.
For the next 6 miles, the trail winds past Ivanhoe to Buck Dam.
Congratulations, on completing week 5 and 87 miles!
Only 17 miles to go!
OH YES We're gonna make it to the end of the challenge!!!
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