Story House Real Estate; Clean Up The Monticello Trail June 26, 2010
Clean-Up The Trail Day
The drive up Route 53 to Monticello is beautiful, but for something different hike the Saunders-Monticello Trail up Carter’s Mountain. The trail is a scenic two-mile trek up Carter’s Mountain, and is need of some volunteers June 26 for a clean-up day!
Thomas Jefferson Foundation is hosting the Trail Day from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Volunteers will remove invasive growth that crowds native plants. Volunteers of any age are welcome, but children under 18 need to be with a parent or guardian. The schedule is:
Meet at 9 a.m. at Kemper Park
9 -9:15 a.m. discuss invasive growth with James Covert, parkway assistant
9:15 a.m. to noon: clear invasive growth in the Pine Room
12-1 p.m. break for lunch
1 p.m. meet in Kemper Park
1-1:15 p.m. review invasive growth for newcomers
1:15-4 p.m. continue clearning growth in Pine Room
Volunteers should bring a small pair of clippers or shears if they have them. This is relaxed family friend event and volunteers may work at their own pace. Volunteers may attend the morning or afternoon sessions or both.
For more information about the event, contact Emily Tenhundfeld at (434) 984-9869, volunteer@monticello.org or visit www.monticello.org/parkway/cleanupday.html.
But what is this?
Even if you cannot participate in the trail day, become part of the 85,000 walkers annually. Here’s some of what you’ll find along the Thomas Jefferson Parkway.
Kemper Park
You start at the base of the mountain—where Routes 53 and 20 meet. It includes additional trails through Secluded Farm. Kemper Park is 89 acres and includes:
The trailhead for the Saunders-Monticello Trail
A two-acre pond
The Carter Overlook with views of Charlottesville and the Blue Ridge Mountains
An arboretum of native trees
The Palmer Woodland Theater (amphitheater)
There is a pedestrian underpass below Route 53 from the park to additional parking. Pets are allowed in Kemper Park (on a leash) but not on the trail.
Saunders-Monticello Trail
The trail is made of finely crushed stone and partly raised boardwalks. Walkers, cyclists and those in wheelchairs are allowed to use it. You take a less than 5 % grade up to the stone-arch Saunders Bridge to the entrance of Monticello. The trail and park are open all year sunrise to sunset.
The boardwalk portions of the trails take you behind Michie Tavern on the way up Carter Mountain.
Both the trail and bridge were a give from Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Saunders III. The Parkway was designed by the Charlottesville landscape architecture firm Rieley and Associates and built by Abrahamse & Company in Charlottesville.
Want to do more?
If you want to do more, become a Monticello Trailblazer. You can donate online at www.monticello.org/trailblazer or contact trailblazers@monticello.org.
Click here for a downloadable map of the trails!
