June 17 Cranberry Glades

Cranberry Glades is a mountain bog. It is a very unusual place to see in the West Virginia mountains. The plants above are pitcher plants, a plant I'd expect to see in coastal swamps. The bloom is on the left and the insect trapping parts are in the photo on the right, next to the ground. They contain a pool of digestive enzymes for our friends the insects.

This is an orchid found along the boardwalk in the glades. Grass Pink??

Mountain Laurel above and below.

June 16 Greenbrier River Trail - Cass to Marlinton

This morning we were shuttled to Cass for the 24 mile downriver ride back to Marlinton. As we left the parking area and eventually rode by the river, the first thing I noticed was what appeared to be a Native American fish weir across the main part of the river where the river flows back into itself after an island.

We some cottages but basically this was wilderness, the Seneca State Forest. In the tiny community of Clover Lick, there is this beautifully restored RR Station. Again today, we saw many deer. Also, saw a snapping turtle along the trail. We were careful not to get too close.

The river winds its way trying to bust through a mountain range here. The river boast more rapids than we saw yesterday. Finally, the river makes one big bend to cut through the mountain. It is at this point, the trail enters the 511' Sharps Bend Tunnel. As yesterday, this one too has a slight curve in it. Right as you emerge, you are on a curved bridge (see above) crossing the river. From here to Marlinton the river is fairly straight.

In Marlinton, the station has burned but this water tank has been restored. You can see how the steam trains were able to refill with water using this odd funnel device. Railroad water sources are marked on the trail with markers sporting a "W". They gave the train engineer enough time to check his water level and stop the train if needed.

See a Slideshow of this Ride 

June 15 Greenbrier River Trail

This was my 3rd ride on this wonderful, wild, West Virginia rail trail. At 77 miles from Cass to Lewisburg, along the Greenbrier River, this is a two day ride for us. Fortunately, we located a bed & breakfast in Marlinton (milepost 56) which has a biking package - three nights, one dinner and two shuttles. For our first day of riding we chose to ride upriver beginning at milepost 25 in the Renick community. 

Here we began our 31 mile ride for the day. As was the case on previous rides, we saw plenty of deer. Deer in the river, in the trail and beside the trail. The first highlight of the day came about an hour after starting, the Droop Mountain Tunnel. It is only 402 feet but has a slight curve and thus some darkness in the middle. Unable to see we had to walk through the tunnel.

The only community of any size was Seebert. It had a one business, a grocery/outfitter/pizza pub store. We passed many riverside cottages in this vicinity. A few were year round homes and a couple were small farms. Next highlight was the Watoga Bridge, a truss bridge originally built around 1900 but replaced in the late twenties after a spectacular wreck destroyed it. We also looked for signs of the ghost town, Watoga. On a previous visit I located the old bank complete with walk-in safe. Things were overgrown this visit and we rode right by it.

As we approached Marlinton, paved trail runs the final 3 miles into town. What a difference pavement makes - 50% faster.

June 12 Grayson Highlands Hike

This Piedmont Hiking and Outing Club hike was led by David Memory on the club's traditional 11 mile loop to an area known as Scales. Oddly enough we hike north on the AT, loop pack on another trail and then end the hike going north on the AT. The day began with a beautiful sky but soon turned overcast. We'd get wet before the hike was over.

Lunch was in a meadow overlooking Scales. A gentle breeze blew warning of weather to come. Pretty patches of Orange Hawkweed or "Devil's Paintbrush" added some color to the meadow.

Following lunch we hiked a fast pace on the trail leading us into Rhododendron Gap. Dark clouds and thunder quickened our pace. Up to this point, rhododendron blooms had disappointed. Even blooms our arrival at the gap underwhelmed. That all changed as we gained a bit of elevation. The rhododendron finally came through with a very nice display to awe us. However, there was no gawking time permitted as the storm approached.

Puzzling to me were the number of folks we saw heading away from the trailhead with the approaching storm. Finally I gave in and quickly donned my rain coat, covered up my pack and changed to my rain hat. The rain came and we heard thunder in several directions. I wasn't happy crossing open meadow in such conditions. So hiking with a 6'6" lightning rod hike leader was my plan. We got a little wet but made it back to the car without any incidents. 

June 8 Grandfather Mountain

It was a hot day in the Piedmont but a nice cool one in the high mountains just outside Boone, North Carolina.  We headed up Boone Scout Trail on Grandfather Mountain. The picture above is at the trail junction with Cragway Trail. There is a nice flat rock to climb up for great views. 

Further on up the trail is wreckage from a Cessna plane that went down in September 1979. Just beyond here, are the 3 ladders needed to ascend some rocky areas. Shortly you are at the top with great views. As we were sitting here just finishing lunch, a clap of thunder sounded. A moment later the decision to head down was made. We hurried on down the mountain making it to the car just before the rain started.

June 4 Tanawha Trail

Eight of us began our 13.5 mile Tanawha Hike about 10am at the Beacon Heights Parking Area on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We'd be within sight or earshot of the road all day. The first 1.5 miles of this hike is loaded with mountain laurel, rhododendron, galax and various ferns. Approaching the Linn Cove Viaduct Visitors Center, we pass over a steep rocky ravine via steel walking bridges. It is in this vicinity, the environmentally sensitive seep and extremely rocky terrain, prevented the BRP from being a complete 469 mile entity until completion of the viaduct in 1987. Today we stopped at the solar powered visitors center for a brief rest room and water break. 

Leaving the parking area, the trail immediately passes under the viaduct. You can view the unique construction in which the roadway appears to be connected to the bridge supports with ball and joints. You continue to catch glimpses of the viaduct as you walk parallel to it, hidden among huge boulders and the dense understory.

By the time we reached Rough Ridge, our group was only 3.6 miles into our hike with almost 10 to go. Several of us we hot and tired at this point. Lunch on the top outcrop revived us. The view of Grandfather Mountain, the viaduct, parkway and distant mountains was a wonderful sight. Someone commented you could see only 2 homes. There was a cell tower too.

Hiking down from the top you are funneled onto a wood staircase with multiple lounge decks. The primary purpose of this is to keep people from trampling the fragile alpine vegetation. We saw many Turkey Beards in this area (see bottom photo of the white topped spire flower). Stop and smell one, they have a unique odor.

As we hiked on, the terrain settled down, temperature appeared to cool and we all got our second wind. We ran into crowds at the major trail head parking areas. Once beyond the Cold Prong area, we didn't see many folks until near the end. 

In the last couple miles, the trail crosses several large pastures which appear to be active although we did not encounter livestock. I eat one very sweet wild strawberry in the last pasture. From here we had a short walk through the woods and across the parkway at Price Lake, our ending spot.