Swim at the CSX A-Line Bridge

Starting at Pumphouse Park, cross the bridge over the first canal. From here, you can either turn right immediately or cross the second canal by accessing the stairs or ramp closer to the building, crossing the second bridge and then take a right. If you turn right immediately, follow the trail until you get to the waterfall then cross the bridge over the second canal and go right until you get to the end of the fencing. If you already crossed the second canal at the beginning, just follow the trail all the way to the end of the fencing. Here you will have to duck under two wires and go around the fence and down on to the train tracks. They are active so you have to be extremely careful when crossing. Walk along them for about 25 yards to the right and then go down the slope on the other side of the tracks. You should see a sort of pipeline to the left and there should look like a path at the bottom. Once down on the other side, follow the path to the right. It will take you through some brush so I'd recommend using a stick to push plants out of the way. Follow the path until you get to the base of the bridge. Here there are two trees you can hang an ENO between or you can take a dip in the James River. It is also a really fun spot to wade out into the river and fish. If you're feeling adventurous, there are structures left over from an old bridge at the base of the new bridge. You can swim out to almost the middle of the river to the third structure where a ladder has been tied to the side of it and you can climb to the top and jump off on the side facing the bank from which you came. Always check before you jump to make sure the water is deep enough, but it's usually 8-12 feet directly under the platform. I usually touch the bottom, but the water slows you down enough to where you barely land on the bottom rather than hit the bottom. I'm also 6'5 so if you're shorter, it shouldn't be a problem. The swim out isn't very bad. Most of the time you can walk on submerged rocks or the bottom in some parts. The only hard part is when you have to swim, it usually falls right behind one of the arches in the bridge so you have to swim out and against the current, but, like I said, isn't too bad unless it has just rained. There is a make-shift trash can but I don't think it's ever emptied so please pick up your trash and take it with you when you leave. Parking for Pumphouse Park is located on Pumphouse Drive. Happy Exploring!