Bad news for Va trail rides. Rapidan is closed.
http://rivercitytrailrunners.org/ipw-web/bulletin/bb/viewtopic.php?t=1115
http://rivercitytrailrunners.org/ipw-web/bulletin/bb/viewtopic.php?t=1115
Devils Ditch,VA
- Thread starter Nomar
- Start date
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A sad day indeed. 
Keep us posted on the specifics.
Keep us posted on the specifics.
Wtf....
Is there any confirmation of this?
I was out there today and it seems like Virginia is really cracking down on off road vehicles in the area. On the Virginia side we only found 1 trail without a "No Motor Vehicles" sign. You can still get to Devil's Ditch if you enter from the National park side, but I don't know how legal it is since the other side is marked.
Ryan.
Ryan.
DAMN!!! This is not good.
Just in time! I'll have my rig done this summer... 
This sucks..........
I lived in Madison for 6 years before moving about 40 minutes to the North to make my commute a little more bearable. The Ditch was what I considered to be my local or hometown trail and was truly alot of fun. Does anyone have more info as to why this was done? Was the trail being abused, had it become to well known?
This is truly a bummer as the Ditch was alot more fun than GWNF IMHO. Its a shame when irresponsible people mess things up for the rest of us who truly enjoy this great sport.
Just 02. (rant off)
I lived in Madison for 6 years before moving about 40 minutes to the North to make my commute a little more bearable. The Ditch was what I considered to be my local or hometown trail and was truly alot of fun. Does anyone have more info as to why this was done? Was the trail being abused, had it become to well known?
This is truly a bummer as the Ditch was alot more fun than GWNF IMHO. Its a shame when irresponsible people mess things up for the rest of us who truly enjoy this great sport.
Just 02. (rant off)
It sounds like it is property infringement issue. We can speculate all day long for why it had happened but I have a feeling that won't do any good. I would rather like to know what has to be done to open up the trail and possibly if there's any thing we can do.
One issue that would be hard to get around is the fact that the trail crosses into Shenandoah National Park in places.
- Thread starter
- #14
Bad news...sounds like it's a done deal.
From Va4x4 land use coordinator:
After meeting with the Land managers on Tues. It is pretty much a done deal. I talked with them about forming a relationship with them to help open some trails that we may use. But unles you are there for the intended purpose of the land, it is not to be used as a off road park. They also requeast that no groups over 12 people are aloud unless it is taken up with the department.
Devils ditch has had alot of damage done to it by the traffic. This trail was never designed as a 4x4 trail. It was a hiking trail. CLOSED
Conway river trail: This trail was washed out in a storm some years ago. The trail that is there is not the original trail. This is where others have decided to just take it upon them selfs to make a new road. Not the right thing to do. CLOSED
The Wilderness management area's in the state are for the use of hunters, fisherman, and animal whatchers.
Here is a listing of there rules.
http://rapidanwma.org/wma_rules.pdf
I will continue to be intouch with the land managers to hopefully build a relationship and possibly open some more "Hunter Access" roads
So, if you want to use a WMA, buy a licence and go hunting or fishing. But use the land responsibly, And leave it better than you found it.
Thanks
Gregg Jackson
From Va4x4 land use coordinator:
After meeting with the Land managers on Tues. It is pretty much a done deal. I talked with them about forming a relationship with them to help open some trails that we may use. But unles you are there for the intended purpose of the land, it is not to be used as a off road park. They also requeast that no groups over 12 people are aloud unless it is taken up with the department.
Devils ditch has had alot of damage done to it by the traffic. This trail was never designed as a 4x4 trail. It was a hiking trail. CLOSED
Conway river trail: This trail was washed out in a storm some years ago. The trail that is there is not the original trail. This is where others have decided to just take it upon them selfs to make a new road. Not the right thing to do. CLOSED
The Wilderness management area's in the state are for the use of hunters, fisherman, and animal whatchers.
Here is a listing of there rules.
http://rapidanwma.org/wma_rules.pdf
I will continue to be intouch with the land managers to hopefully build a relationship and possibly open some more "Hunter Access" roads
So, if you want to use a WMA, buy a licence and go hunting or fishing. But use the land responsibly, And leave it better than you found it.
Thanks
Gregg Jackson
so if we buy a hunting license and carry a few guns with us, we can go wheeling....that makes a lot of sense...
Also, George Washington National Forest has just joined the roadless campaign - get ready for more closures...
bk
Also, George Washington National Forest has just joined the roadless campaign - get ready for more closures...
bk
FAWK!... Guess I outta find a new hobby...
Virginia sucks! I'm so glad I just moved to Colorado...where the land is really your land.
