Hidden Valley Lake
Access to Hidden Valley Lake is
the gravel road that splits to the left at Low Gap proceeding downhill. The lake is
a 61 acre high elevation impoundment managed by DGIF. At approximately
3,600 feet above sea level, it is nestled in a valley just 400 feet or
so below the surrounding ridges of Brumley and Clinch Mountains.
Discharge from Hidden Valley Lake below the dam forms the headwaters of
Brumley Creek which flows east. The deepest point of the lake is about
24 feet at the eastern end near the dam, and shallowest is a few inches
at the western end. Fishing opportunities presently include Largemouth
Bass, Northern Pike, Channel Catfish, Sunfish, and Crappie.
In addition to fishing,
boating and camping can be enjoyed at Hidden Valley Lake. As you drive
down the road from Low Gap, you will see a brown sign for a public boat
ramp and turn-off to your right. There is a large parking area with a
cement boat ramp and a porta-potty. Only electric motors may be used on
the lake. About a half mile beyond the turn-off for the boat ramp is a
second turn-off on the right to an area designated for primitive
camping. Here you will find another porta-potty and a water pump.
Camping elsewhere at Hidden Valley is permitted but must be 100 yards
from the lake. If, instead of turning-off to the boat ramp or camping
area, you continue down the road, it terminates in a small parking area
at the dam. There is a trail around the south side of Hidden Valley
Lake that can either be accessed by walking across the dam, or at the
small pull-off on the right with gate and boulders as you descend the
road from Low Gap.
style="font-style: italic; font-family: Nimbus Sans L;">Richard Kretz
is a photographer and naturalist who chronicles his adventures in
southwest Virginia at http://www.pbase.com/diggitydogs/clinch_mountain. Stay
tuned to read more of his writeup on Hidden Valley Wildlife Management
Area, or click on the tag for "hidden_valley"
to read previous posts in this series.
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