Taking the long view

2023 has been a year of milestones at Sky Meadows State Park. The park celebrated its 40th anniversary this year, and we are proud to announce completion of a capstone trail improvement project on Lost Mountain Trail. This trail work was the result of a long-term fundraising effort in partnership with the Friends of Sky Meadows (FOSK) and has resulted in a better experience for users of one of the park’s most beloved trails.

Sky Meadows staff and Friends of Sky Meadows president proudly announce their goal was reached.

Enjoyed by many equestrians, hikers and trail runners, Lost Mountain Trail is one of the park’s most remote trails at the very edge of its eastern boundary. The 2.2-mile trail is one of six trails located in the park’s 248-acre Lost Mountain area, which opened to the public in the early 1990s. According to the Sky Meadows State Park Timeline booklet (for sale in the gift shop for $2.11), “donations from Paul Mellon in 1987 and 1991 expanded the boundaries, including acreage on Lost Mountain, land once owned by George Washington.”

In 1991, Paul Mellon donated an additional 248 acres to Sky Meadows State Park. Designated the Lost Mountain Bridle Trail Area, it included land once owned by a young surveyor named George Washington.

Sky Meadows State Park Trails Coordinator Kathryn Roddy said, “The original trail, which was likely created from logging or farm use, had extensive erosion issues and was not sustainable for equestrian/hiking use.”

The trail was greatly in need of upgrades to address those issues and was identified as the priority of a concerted $28,000 fundraising campaign started in 2019. 

A well-traveled trail with obvious erosion, was much in need of an upgrade.

The Friends of Sky Meadows Trail Legacy Campaign “raised the dough.”

Sky Meadows State Park has long benefited from the close partnership of its friends group. The Friends of Sky Meadows (FOSK) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and member of the Virginia Association for Parks. Their mission is “to act as a citizens support organization in assisting to identify and promote activities to conserve, enhance and interpret the natural, scenic, historic and cultural resources of Sky Meadows State Park, and to promote recreational and educational opportunities consistent with good stewardship of these lands, water and facilities that leaves them unimpaired for future generations.”

This sign outside of the park’s visitor center was one of several signs with rack cards distributed in brochure holders throughout the park, inviting visitors to contribute to the fundraiser.

The Trail Legacy Campaign was envisioned as a way for park visitors to become involved in FOSK through individual donations, thus becoming a part of trail improvement and maintenance, supporting the very trail system they recreate on. Park Manager Patrick McNamara put it this way: “The Trail Legacy Fund is a crucial way for visitors to support our trails. This project allows donors to give back and contribute to the lasting impact of our trails. The Legacy Campaign ensures the trails remain resilient for future generations of equestrians, cyclists and hikers, creating a lasting legacy for decades to come.” 

The trailhead of Lost Mountain Trail.

Breaking ground on Lost Mountain

What took years to solicit donations for, took only about three weeks of construction. The park hired Ironwood Outdoors, a local full-service trail building company, to complete the project. While visitors are sure to have a pleasanter trail experience now, they might not be able to tell all that went into making it so. Improvements include five reroutes to avoid hazard areas, seven de-berm areas to improve the out slope of the trail, 49 rolling grade dips to prevent washout and 18 knicks to prevent pooling water.

The Bridle Overlook is one of the park’s scenic vistas, and begins or ends your journey on the Lost Mountain Trail.

Trails Coordinator Kathryn Roddy described the finished product this way:

The reroutes, which follow the natural contours of the land, were designed with an eye for both user enjoyment and efficient drainage. Several points of interest are now accessible by new sections of trail (I'm not giving them away; you'll have to hike the trail yourself!) Most importantly, the improvements will help to protect and preserve the magnificent woodland ecosystem the trail passes through, which is what keeps visitors coming back to Sky Meadows.

The future of our trails can be your legacy too.

If you’ve ever spent any time on the trails at Sky Meadows State Park, you have benefited from the generosity of donors. We owe a debt of gratitude to the Friends of Sky Meadows, our generous visitors, and friends of the park, who have donated to the Trail Legacy Campaign over the years. FOSK President Tracy Reitnauer said "the success of the Trail Legacy Campaign would not have been possible without donations from the park’s many visitors, including those who have been coming to the park since childhood, first-time visitors and those who donated in honor of a loved one who cherished Sky Meadows."

Equestrians enjoying a new and improved trail experience on Lost Mountain Trail.

Visitors today can continue the legacy of natural resource stewardship at Sky Meadows. Having met the original goals of the campaign, fundraising and identifying new areas of improvement for the trails will continue as an “evergreen” investment in the future of the park and park visitors. FOSK accepts donations online, and in the park Visitor Center. FOSK is also currently seeking new members, which is another way for visitors to participate in park programs and protecting park resources.

Volunteer with the park trailblazers for once-monthly workdays, or do trail work independently in your spare time like this guy, who rode his bike to perform routine maintenance on Lost Mountain Trail.

If you are interested in hands-on trail maintenance work, consider becoming a volunteer trailblazer or joining one of the trail service projects held at the park throughout the year. Our dedicated Trails Coordinator, Kathryn, usually provides “payment” in the form of delicious baked goods for her volunteers. Email skvolunteer@dcr.virginia.gov for more information or fill out an online Virginia State Parks volunteer application.