Work to repair trails and bridges in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests at the Pandapas Pond Day Use Area in Montgomery County will result in a temporary closing of the pond and surrounding trails beginning Monday, June 14.
According to Forest Service district ranger Beth Christensen, the work could take up to four weeks, and the area will reopen when the project is completed.
The lower parking lot closest to the pond will be closed. Visitors wishing to access the Poverty Creek Trail system can still park at the upper parking lot off US Highway 460 or at other access points off the Poverty Creek Road (Forest Service Road #708).
“The trails around Pandapas Pond provide opportunities to recreate and connect with nature close to the town of Blacksburg,” said Christensen. “Trails at and adjacent to this popular recreation area have seen a large amount of use, which has contributed to the trails’ degradation over time.”
The Pandapas Pond project will repair deteriorated approaches to the walking bridges, level out the existing trail, improve drainage adjacent to the trail, reduce future trail erosion, and repair the trail tread on the Pandapas Pond Loop Trail (Forest Trail #74) and the Pandapas Wetland Loop Trail (Forest Trail # 74a).
The forest service may also make improvements to the Poverty Creek Connector Trail (Forest Trail #74c) and the Woods and Field Trail (Forest Trail #74d). The trails will be closed while they are undergoing repairs.
