Carvins Cove Trail Plan - Roanoke

Carvins Cove Natural Reserve
2010 Trail Management Plan
Happy Valley and Brushy Mountain Trails provide connectivity at the Cove and
provide the longest, easiest trails. A smoother, aggregate surface on these
trails would better serve less experienced users, those with “cruiser” bikes,
and those wanting to travel in groups or with children.
The Cove trail network is not currently connected to other trails. Connections
to the valley greenways, the Jefferson National Forest and Havens Wildlife
Management Area trails would improve connectivity.
Recommendations for the official trails have addressed many of these issues for
connectivity, accessibility, and suitable trail surface. The new trails shown in Table 10
are suggested to more fully develop the Cove trail network, providing a range of
opportunities for a variety of skill levels and users. Development of these trails would
help fulfill the goals and objectives of the trail plan. Section 4.5 of this plan describes
the process that would be followed to develop specific trail construction proposals and
outlines conditions, such as funding and support for maintenance, that the Parks and
Recreation Department would want fulfilled prior to trail development.
Table 9. Recommendations for Other Existing Trails
Name
Appalachian Trail
Trail Paralleling
the AT
Blue-Line Trail
Dam Trail
Powerline Trail
Timberview
Connector
USGS Track
Recommendations for Maintenance and Improvements
1) Ask ATC and RATC to install regulatory signs at points where illegal use may
be entering the AT, such as the gas-line, Brickey’s Gap, and other trails.
2) Work with ATC and RATC to protect the AT experience.
3) Mark the AT on all Cove maps as “hiking only”.
4) Work with ATC to evaluate a connecting trail to the boat landing.
1) Close and revegetate.
2) Post Park boundaries and regulations.
3) Work with ATC and DGIF to curtail illegal, motorized access.
1) Post Park boundaries and regulations.
2) Coordinate with ATC to contact AT neighbors and remind them that ATVs are
not allowed on City lands.
3) Ask RATC members to photograph and report violations.
4) Coordinate with RATC to manage use of the Blue-Line Trail and protect the
AT experience.
1) Coordinate with WVWA on whether the trail will be open, on creation of a
viewing platform at the dam, and on repair of hazardous sections.
2) If open, improve drainage crossings, reroute and repair eroding sections, and
blaze.
3) If closed, naturalize, revegetate, and block the trail .
1) Post Park boundaries and regulations.
2) Contact the church to assess its willingness to negotiate an easement for the
trail.
1) Extend this trail to connect to Brushy Mountain (#2) near #30 and provide a
connection from the Cove trails to the valley greenway network.
2) Post Park boundaries and regulations.
1) Close/obliterate the trail, particularly the upper section connecting to Brushy
Mountain Trail.
2) Post Park boundaries and regulations.
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