Belle Isle

Fall Reflections at The Quarry

Traces of autumn are reflected in the waters of the Belle Isle Quarry, on Belle Isle in the James River Park System in Richmond, Virginia The Belle Isle Quarry is also part of the James River Park System. During the Civil War workers mistakenly opened a crack in stone that lead to the James River, and the quarry was filled with water. The rock quarry is now 19-feet deep with stone cliffs behind it. On a calm day the reflection of the trees and rocks is strikingly beautiful. One can reach the Belle Isle Quarry via the pedestrian suspension bridge under the Lee Bridge, or via the wooden walk bridge near W. 22nd St. The first time I saw the quarry it was dry with a swampy effect. After a bit of research I learned how the level of the nearby James River affects the level of water in the Belle Isle Quarry. Last fall we crossed the river via the pedestrian bridge and hiked around Belle Isle only to find the quarry calm and filled with water offering mirrored reflections

River City Reflections

Fall is approaching as indicated by leaves on the trees that line the James River with a reflection of the City of Richmond skyline in the James River. The James River is the largest river in Virginia, and the "Fall of the James" is the 7-mile stretch of the river where it drops more than 100 feet in altitude as it runs through Richmond, Virginia. This 7-mile stretch of the James River is near Bosher Dam and the waters around the 14th Street Bridge in downtown Richmond

City View

Views of the Lee Bridge, the suspension bridge under the Lee Bridge, and the Richmond, Virginia skyline from Belle Isle in the James River Park System

Pedestrian Bridge to Belle Isle

The pedestrian suspension bridge under the Lee Bridge is the main access to Belle Isle in the James River Park System in Richmond. People can walk, or bike the one-third of a mile to cross the James River to get to Belle Isle

Over The River

The pedestrian suspension bridge located under the Lee Bridege is one access to Belle Isle in the James River Park Sytem in Richmond, Virginia.

The Long Hike Back

The Suspension bridge under the Lee Bridge is access from the north of Richmond, Virginia to Belle Isle.

Easy

A kayaker navigates through the rocks on the lower James River at the Hollywood Rapids, which is a challenge for experienced kayakers. The Hollywood Rapids on the lower James River is in Richmond, Virginia

Navigating the Rocks of The River

A kayaker navigates through the rocks on the lower James River at the Hollywood Rapids, which is a dangerous challenge for experienced kayakers. The Hollywood Rapids on the lower James River is in Richmond, Virginia

Kayaking Around Belle Isle

Navigating the Hollywood Rapids

A kayaker navigating through the rocks in the James River, through the Hollywood Rapids in the James River Park System, in Richmond, Virginia

Kayaking The Rapids

Only the experience will accept the challenge of kayaking the Hollywood Rapids in the James River. One can view this water sport from a great vantage point on Belle Isle in the James River Park System in Richmond, Virginia

Paddling The Hollywood Rapids

Two Kayakers navaigate the Holly Rapids on the James River in the James River Park System in Richmond, Virginia

The Dry Rocks

The Dry Rocks in the James River along the Buttermilk Trail is a favorite location where people sunbath or have cookouts when the river is low. The Dry Rocks lead to the only access bridge from south of the river to Belle Isle in Richmond, Virginia

Higher Views

The pedestrian bridge under the Lee Bridge sets high above the James River and is the main access to Belle Isle.

Morning Run

On any day people are out running on the suspension pedestrian bridge that is under the Lee Bridge. The suspension pedestrian bridge is the main access from Tredegar Street to Belle Isle in the James River Park System in Richmond, Virginia

Running Path on Belle Isle

The Belle Isle trail is a 1.7 mile loop around Belle Isle with views of the James River. Belle Isle is one of the several locations in the James River Park System in Richmond, Virginia

Jogging On Belle Isle

On The Rocks

There are large boulders and walks along some of the paths on Belle Isle. On this autumn afternoon, a couple is out for a walk on the rocks at Belle Isle in the James River Park System in Richmond, Virginia

Fly Fishing On The James

This area of the James River near Belle Isle is a part of the 7 mile stretch knows as the Fall of The James, where the river is low and somewhat calm. On this autumn afternoon a man is fly fishing in the James River in Richmond, Virginia

Hollywood Rapids on The James