Carleton’s Riverside Safari This 7-mile round loop hike will take about 3 hours, or a bit longer if a lunch-break is included. Details about Richmond’s 550-acre James River Parks System can be found at: http://www.ci.richmond.va.us/departments/parks/james.aspx http://www.jamesriverpark.org/ http://www.maymont.org/ Outfitting: Clothing appropriate to expected weather, sturdy shoes, bug repellant, sun hat, small pack for water and snacks, bathing suit optional - good swimming at Belle Isle. Route Overview: Trekkers will be dropped off at the 42nd Street entrance to Forest Hill Park before walking down to Reedy Creek and heading west, upstream along the Buttermilk and Riverside trails. Return transport should be parked at Reedy Creek. Hikers on upper and lower trails should meet at the south end of the Boulevard Bridge (a.k.a. “Nickel Bridge”) to cross the bridge together along the pedestrian walkway. At the north end of the bridge, the trail veers left and heads back down to the river. The route continues behind Maymont Park before climbing up to Kansas Avenue. The trail follows Kansas for a few blocks before turning right into Northbank Park. The trail continues at the end of the parking lot, on the left. Northbank Trail follows behind Mt. Calvary, Riverview and Hollywood Cemeteries before dropping down to the footbridge to Belle Isle. The trail crosses (loops or climbs) the isle and crosses to the south side of the river via a maintenance bridge. From here trekkers can follow the Riverside trail or climb the stairs to take the Buttermilk Trail, both of which can lead to Reedy Creek parking lot. Flora & Fauna: Richmond has one of the most ecologically healthy city park systems in the country. The Falls of Richmond are an influential geology that has attracted wildlife and settlers for millennia. During our safari you are likely to see hawks hunting along the river, as well as ducks, geese, cormorants, herons and perhaps even a bald eagle. Box turtles, painted turtles and snapping turtles accompany black snakes, copperheads, salamanders, squirrels, beaver, groundhog, fox and even deer, all populate the banks of the James River. The cool green leaves of red oak, sweet gum, white oak, maple, hickory, tulip poplar, white pine, beech and elm will shade us for most of our hike. Plants such as pokeweed, wild rose, green briar, spicebush, sassafras, and kudzu will line our path. Trekkers will also want to keep an eye out for poison ivy. Sites & Sights: Forest Hill Park, Maymont, Netherwood Quarry, James River, Byrd Park Carillon, Railroad, City Skyline, Federal Reserve Bank, VA War Memorial, Ethyl Corporation, Tredegar Iron Works, Lee Bridge, Belle Isle & Hollywood Rapids, Buttermilk Spring, Park Headquarters. 103 home | course goals | faculty policies | sample assignments | texts reviews | teacher's quick links