Locher Tract

Area Status: Open

The Locher Tract is a 378 acre area that was once the Locher family farm, where they mined shale to sell to the brick-making plant across the river in Glasgow. Birdwatchers will enjoy a variety of common and unusual species including Pileated Woodpecker, American Goldfinch, Prothonotary and Prairie Warbler. Deer, turkey, rabbits, and other small game thrive in the woods and grassy areas, while the pond is home to waterfowl and beaver.

At a Glance

Fees:	No Fee
Permit Info:	None
Open Season:	Open year round
Usage:	Medium
Restrictions:	No camping or campfires allowed. No water craft or floatation devises allowed in the impoundment or beaver ponds.
Closest Towns:	Natural Bridge Station, VA. - Rockbridge County
Water:	No drinking water available
Restroom:	Vault Toilets open mid-March through the end of November
Operated By:	Glenwood & Pedlar Ranger Districts: 540-291-2188
Information Center:	Trail Usage: Trail is available for foot traffic only Connecting Trails: FT #7 - Balcony Falls Trail Blazes: None

General Information

Directions:

From US Highway 130: Turn onto State Route 759 at Natural Bridge Station. After crossing the James River at the Greenlee bridge, turn left onto State Route 782 and continue past the end of state maintenance, onto Forest Road #3093. This gravel road will end at the parking lot for the Locher Tract.

Activities

Day Hiking

General Info:

Overview/Background

Interesting points:

At the bulletin board and along the split rail fence, visitors will notice a brick type path. This path is laid with bricks made at the Glasgow brick plant from material mined on the Locher Tract.
At few hundred feet past the farm gate near the top of the parking lot and down the woods road, a spring bubbles up on the right. According to legend, there was an Indian warrior who loved a maiden from a hostile tribe. As a sign of his devotion, he gave her a brilliant transparent gem which his people had brought from beyond the Father of Waters. The girl wore the gem entwined in her necklace of beads. One evening as she waited for her love by the spring, a jealous brave from her own tribe found her there and snatched away the jewel. She caught his hand, recovered the crystal, and threw it behind her into the water. The beautiful gem sank to the bottom where it dissolved, giving the spring its purity and sparkle. This spring is locally known as “Crystal Springs”.

General Notes