October FSO: Fairy Stone Lake

October 6, 2018
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

October FSO:  Fairy Stone Lake


Dan River Basin Association Plans October 6 
Paddle on Fairy Stone Lake   
 
The Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) invites you to a two-mile paddle exploration of the lake in Virginia’s Fairy Stone State Park on Saturday, October 6. Participants in DRBA’s First Saturday Outing will meet at 10:00 a.m. at the lake boat access, Union Bridge Rd., Stuart, VA (GPS 36.7970, -80.1173). For boat rentals and shuttle, contact Three Rivers Outfitters, 336-627-6215, www.3-r-o.com. The outing is suitable for novice paddlers.  

Fairy Stone State Park, the largest of Virginia’s first six state parks, is named for the cross-shaped staurolite, a rare mineral found in the region. Legend says this area was once home to fairies and other woodland creatures.  Word of Jesus’ crucifixion so saddened these fairies that they wept tears which crystallized staurolite (silica, iron and aluminum) in the form of Maltese, Roman, and St. Andrews crosses.  

At the conclusion of the paddle, participants will eat their picnic lunches near the shore of the168-acre Fairy Stone Lake. The waters of the Smith River, delayed by the dam that forms the lake, eventually slip over the Fairy Stone spillway into Philpott Lake. Outing coordinator Wayne Kirkpatrick adds, “The lake covers the past mining town of Fayerdale, once a bustling industrial community, and a railroad spur that carried iron ore extracted from the surrounding area. The lake is a key feature of the largest of the original six state parks that opened on June 15, 1936.”   
Amenities offered at the 4,741- acre state park, still one of Virginia’s largest, include 14 miles of hiking or multi-use trails, a variety of camping facilities, fishing, summertime swimming, events, and programs. For more, see https://stateparks.com/fairy_stone.html.  

Participants are asked to bring boat or SUP, paddles, life jacket for each participant, lunch, and water; dress in layers of water-shedding artificial fabric or wool; and be prepared for rain or wind. All participants will be asked to sign a waiver form.   
Directions:

From US 220 at Bassett Forks, VA, turn west onto Hwy 57 (Fairystone Park Highway).  Drive 12 .5 miles. Turn right onto Fairystone Lake Drive (Route 346 North), then bear left onto Union Bridge Rd. Go approximately 0.5 mile to the lake boat access on the right. Watch for the “DRBA FSO” sign. 

From US 58 at Stuart, VA, turn north on Hwy 8. Drive 4 miles, then turn east onto Hwy 57 (Fairystone Park Highway). Drive 8 miles. Turn left onto Fairystone Lake Drive (Route 346 North), then bear left onto Union Bridge Rd. Go approximately 0.5 mile to the lake boat access on the right. Watch for the “DRBA FSO” sign. 

Outings and meetings of the Dan River Basin Association are open to the public without charge.  
For more information, contact Trip Coordinator Wayne Kirkpatrick Wayne Kirkpatrick,  540- 570-3511,
wynbtyk@embarqmail.com 
More information: www.danriver.org