Here are some links that I have found useful so far:
EPA Watershed profile: http://cfpub.epa.gov/surf/huc.cfm?huc_code=02070008
USGS resource links: http://water.usgs.gov/lookup/getwatershed?02070008
EPA 2010 Waterbody Report for Upper Goose Creek/Gap Run: http://ofmpub.epa.gov/waters10/attains_waterbody.control?p_au_id=VAN-A04R_ZZZ01A00&p_cycle=2010
The Upper Goose Creek/Gap Run waterbody includes the sections of Gap Run that are in Sky Meadows.
I'm particularly interested in the sections that are east of Rt. 17 on the Lost Mountain side of the park.
Lost Mountain is one of the least-visited portions of the park and is primarily used for horseback riding in the fields towards the mountain. There is a trail, Shearman's Mill Trail, that follows Gap Run for a portion of the way and is my favorite trail. Turner Pond, as seen at the top of the above photo, is a stream-fed pond in the park that is fished regularly and has a variety of fish, reptiles, waterfowl, and other wildlife. Along with the pond, Sky Meadows hosts woodlands, wetlands, and pastures, so there is a wide variety of wildlife within the park, including cattle. The more I get involved with the park, the more interested I become with its ecosystems and how they effect one another.
I knew of the parking lot, building and trailhead on the east side of Rt. 17 but I've never explored it. I noticed some maps don't reflect the east side as park land (but Google Maps does) I've also never explored the Wildlife Management area to the South.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure why some maps don't show the Lost Mountain side of the park as park land. I haven't gotten up on the mountain on that side, only down in the pasture trails and the trail that follows Gap Run. The building - previously actually used as a horse barn - is pretty neat. We use it for storage now, though most of the stalls are empty. Lots of large snake skins in the rafters.
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