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PETE'S PICKS
Ever heard of Fenwick Mines? Most people haven't, but it's one of those hidden little places that's worth the visit. My recommendation this weekend is to pack a picnic lunch and go explore Fenwick Mines. Once an iron ore mine, Fenwick Mines is now a recreational area complete with old mining structures, a one-mile nature trail, a trail that parallels a creek, and a wetland trail boardwalk that allows you to observe wetlands created by beavers. If you're lucky you may actually see a beaver. Perfect for picnics, wildlife viewing, fishing, hiking, and creek stomping. Directions:- Route 311 North from Roanoke to New Castle
- Turn right onto Route 615 for 5 miles
- Turn left onto Route 611
- Immediately turn right onto Route 685
- Follow for 1 mile to parking area on right
Get Outside!
Pete Eshelman
Director of Outdoor Branding
Roanoke Regional Partnership
  
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RSVP FOR RADICAL REELS
AND ENTER TO WIN BIKE JERSEY
 What are you waiting for? RSVP for the free Radical Reels and Get Outside Expo today.
As extra incentive, everyone who registers by Saturday is in the running for a Roanoke Outside bike jersey (your choice of road or long sleeve mountain style).
Faster, steeper, higher, deeper! That's the motto of this year's film festival, which will showcase 11 short films featuring biking, kayaking, climbing, boarding, and more on the big screen at the Jefferson Center on Sept. 12. The festival begins at 6:45 p.m. Come early and check out the Outdoor Expo beginning at 5 p.m.
Radical Reels and Get Outside Expo
- When: Sept. 12 -- 5-6:30 p.m. Outdoor Expo, 6:45 p.m. Radical Reels showing
- Where: Jefferson Center
- Cost: Free with canned food donation, thanks to sponsors Blue Ridge Bicycle Club, East Coasters, GO Fest, Just The Right Gear, Mountain Junkies, Ride Solutions, Roanoke Parks & Recreation, Walkabout Outfitter, Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing.
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GROUP HIKES HIT 7 SUMMITS
 Learn more about some of the top hikes in the region while climbing each with a group in the Roanoke Seven Summits program.
Hikes start Sept. 6 and challenge you to reach the summits of seven Roanoke mountains over the course of seven weeks.
The program, offered by Roanoke Parks and Recreation, is modeled after the international mountaineering challenge of climbing the highest mountain on each of the seven continents.
Hikes are offered on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays and registration is just $55 for all seven weeks. (The fee includes instruction, transportation from Roanoke, and entry into a weekly giveaway.) If you can't work those days into your schedule, you can hike on your own for $9 registration and still earn other program perks.
Roanoke Seven Summits
- Mill Mountain: 2.4 miles, easy to moderate
- Poor Mountain: 3.8 miles, moderate
- Read Mountain: 3.8 miles, moderate
- Brushy Mountain: 5.2 miles, difficult
- Dragon's Tooth: 4.6 miles, moderate to difficult
- Tinker Cliffs: 6.6 miles, difficult
- McAfee Knob: 7 miles, moderate to difficult
You can find out more about each of these hikes and many others across the Roanoke Region in our hiking guide.
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CELEBRATE LAND RESOURCES
 Come out and celebrate the Roanoke Region's natural beauty at the Western Virginia Land Trust Conservation Celebration.
The Conservation Celebration is part of the group's mission to our region's unique scenic, historic, agricultural, recreational and natural features. The Western Virginia Land Trust is one of just 135 such accredited groups in the United States and works with seven counties (Roanoke, Botetourt, Bedford, Craig, Floyd, Franklin and Montgomery).
The trust protects more than 15,000 acres of land and 33 miles of waterways in 40 conservation easements. The group also helps to educate landowners, businesses and elected officials about the importance of protecting land and natural landscapes.
Membership in the Western Virginia Land Trust saves land in this region and is open to anyone. The nonprofit relies on its membership and the work to volunteers to maintain conservation and education programs.
The Sept. 16 Conservation Celebration is open to members and nonmembers. Nonmembers will receive a one-year membership as part of the ticket price. The celebration, which includes a dinner, music, and a silent auction, is from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Braeloch in Vinton.
Two annual conservation awards will also be presented. Barbara Lemon will receive the A. Victor Thomas Environmental Stewardship Award for her "significant contributions to the preservation of the natural heritage of western Virginia." Ned and Janet Yost will receive the Land Saver Award for their commitment to open space preservation.
Buy tickets online and check out all of the items available for bidding in the silent auction.
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CAST YOUR VOTE FOR ROANOKE -- AGAIN
 Time is running out to vote for Roanoke as Best Mountain Town from Blue Ridge Outdoors.
Our region is showing strong and is neck and neck with Asheville, N.C. Make sure to cast your vote now, so we can bring home the honor. (No worries if you voted once before; you can vote daily.)
Voting is simple and only takes a few seconds. (And we really can't let another place earn bragging rights.)
Vote for Roanoke!
You can find Roanoke in the Best Mid-Sized Mountain Town category.
The winner will be featured in the November issue of Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine.
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UPCOMING EVENTS TO KEEP YOUR EYE ON
Visit The RoanokeOutside.com Calendar of Events for details on these upcoming events!
- Odyssey Trail Running Rampage - 9/8
- Partnership for the Arts 5K - 9/8
- Radical Reels Film Festival and Get Outside Expo - 9/12
- Montvale Mayhem Mountain Bike Race - 9/15
- New River Trail Challenge - 9/15
- Electronics Clean Out Day - 9/15
- How to Start an Outdoor Business workshop - 9/20
- Claytor Lake Sprint Triathlon - 9/22
- Fired Up for a Cure 5/10K - 9/22
- Harvest Moon Century/Fun Ride - 9/22
- How to Start an Outdoor Business Workshop - 9/20
- GO Outside Festival - 10/19-21
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Roanoke Regional Partnership · 111 Franklin Plaza, Suite 333 · Roanoke, VA 24011540.343.1550 X 104 · www.roanoke.org
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