The Elk River Trail could have just as easily been named, the trail of ferns
It's been a four weeks since
we were on ERTS. Here's come a brief update on the main
trail, about 32 miles of adventure, plus the BC&G RR
spur line now under reconstruction from Dundon to nearly
Widen.
During the
first week of June '22, we got in about 20 miles of biking
from Dundon North. Happily we can report, the hiking, biking,
horseback riding trail is in great shape with many repair
projects in place and lookin good.
Repairs include several new culvert replacements, some new top coat where clogged ditches spilled rain water onto the trail causing ripple bumps. There is evidence of a couple humongous fallen trees having been cleared away. As for the brush along the edges, for now, it's under control and not a problem.
As has been said by out timers for decades, Clayberry could screw up an anvil. Then there's the biggy for the mainline.
Word has been circulating for three months that State leadership has been duped into believing there some kind of problem with four wheelers and full size vehicles driving on ERTS and plans are underway to erect gates and barriers . That could not be any further from the truth.
Reality is ERTS is in great shape and minus ANY evidence of destruction. None. We just reported that State leadership has been duped. We think that is 100% accurate. Locals think that barriers should be erected because they don't know any better.
As users of other state owned trails like the Greenbrier and the one over in Richwood, proper policing removes any issues with four wheelers without destroying the flow for tourists.
Such gates would be a total blunder for the future of tourism in County Clay.
Documenting what we're saying about dumb bunnies screwing up ERTS under false reasons, we received this email from a distance runner on June 5th: ... We have been running a lot of ERTS and it is in excellent condition. Trees are removed promptly, rough spots made smooth and very few drifters to speak of. Only bikers, hikers and runners, no 4-wheelers or side-by-sides that I have seen on the trail.
Those "drifters" referenced above are the homeless people often seen between Dundon and Pisgah bridge. We too have seen a change and for the better.
With the new Park Superintendent (Heath Cliver) driving ERTS fairly regular and once in a while, DNR Badges patrolling in side by sides, the homeless population have just about disappeared. Great!
The SpurRepairs include several new culvert replacements, some new top coat where clogged ditches spilled rain water onto the trail causing ripple bumps. There is evidence of a couple humongous fallen trees having been cleared away. As for the brush along the edges, for now, it's under control and not a problem.
As has been said by out timers for decades, Clayberry could screw up an anvil. Then there's the biggy for the mainline.
Word has been circulating for three months that State leadership has been duped into believing there some kind of problem with four wheelers and full size vehicles driving on ERTS and plans are underway to erect gates and barriers . That could not be any further from the truth.
Reality is ERTS is in great shape and minus ANY evidence of destruction. None. We just reported that State leadership has been duped. We think that is 100% accurate. Locals think that barriers should be erected because they don't know any better.
As users of other state owned trails like the Greenbrier and the one over in Richwood, proper policing removes any issues with four wheelers without destroying the flow for tourists.
Such gates would be a total blunder for the future of tourism in County Clay.
Documenting what we're saying about dumb bunnies screwing up ERTS under false reasons, we received this email from a distance runner on June 5th: ... We have been running a lot of ERTS and it is in excellent condition. Trees are removed promptly, rough spots made smooth and very few drifters to speak of. Only bikers, hikers and runners, no 4-wheelers or side-by-sides that I have seen on the trail.
Those "drifters" referenced above are the homeless people often seen between Dundon and Pisgah bridge. We too have seen a change and for the better.
With the new Park Superintendent (Heath Cliver) driving ERTS fairly regular and once in a while, DNR Badges patrolling in side by sides, the homeless population have just about disappeared. Great!
There is a new section of fun set
to open sometime later this Summer or early Fall. That 19
miles will stretch from Dundon ,milepost 62, reaching almost
to Widen, the Town Long Forgotten.
Called a spur line, this section will include updated rails beside the hiking path. The $7+ million FEMA contract will repair damage caused by the 2016 Great Wash Out. When done, bridges will be replaced, 13,000+ cross-ties have been replaced, and a new bed of ballast (gravel) will keep everyone out of mud and yuck.
The picture just above shows one of the crews riding down the rails at the end of a work day.
This spur, the old BC&RR line, offers absolute seclusion, a great tree canopy, and excellent trout fishing. When complete, W Va trout stocking trucks should be able to drop loads of the fishy's all along the line.
Called a spur line, this section will include updated rails beside the hiking path. The $7+ million FEMA contract will repair damage caused by the 2016 Great Wash Out. When done, bridges will be replaced, 13,000+ cross-ties have been replaced, and a new bed of ballast (gravel) will keep everyone out of mud and yuck.
The picture just above shows one of the crews riding down the rails at the end of a work day.
This spur, the old BC&RR line, offers absolute seclusion, a great tree canopy, and excellent trout fishing. When complete, W Va trout stocking trucks should be able to drop loads of the fishy's all along the line.
Here's a few shots taken from
Cressmont South. The cross-ties have all been replaced and it
looks like the contractors are ready to start loading the new
ballast between the rails shortly.
The picture below shows how nice Buffalo Creek is. Also, even with all the trees there, the viewing of the creek, it's gorgeous!
Fall hikes and Winter cross country sking should be spectacular.
The picture below shows how nice Buffalo Creek is. Also, even with all the trees there, the viewing of the creek, it's gorgeous!
Fall hikes and Winter cross country sking should be spectacular.
Along the way, you can see evidence of man made improvements from 100 years ago like stone walls holding back the hillsides.
Here's Buffalo Creek lookin good
and ready for your next adventure. See you on the trail in
2022.
AW
AW