July 12 2021
Before our trail
report on ERTS State Park, how about snippets.
You might want to be over at the Dundon Campground July 20th around 2pm. Based on conversations during public meetings, on the 20th, Gov Jimmy along with other elected / appointed officials will be on hand to officially open the park. Applying all the suction available, everyone will be smiles and glad handshakes. We are hopeful organizers of the event will be a little more thoughtful and provide some shade and drinks for Suits.
When the Gov was here in May 2019 for the original ERTS announcement, he drove the road heading to the Dundon ball park. That road, then and now, was 100% potholes and tank tracks. Back then the rotund one said he would see that the road got new asphalt. That hasn't happened. July 20th would be a great time to remind the guy about his promise. That road to prosperity is pretty disgraceful in Clayberry.
We don't know what the Park will be officially named. Maybe Jim Justice State Park? We've been calling it ERTS State Park for a long time but that was just something that seemed to fit the first letters of Elk River Trail System which was on official announcements back then. Just saying "ERTS" sounds more like a belch than anything else.
The RR rights of way and improvements were handed over to the W Va Rail Authority in June. From there the holdings were leased over to the W Va Park system. With the new ownership, DNR Badges can patrol the Park and keep four wheelers off the fragile gravel coverings.
We have got our first Park Superintendent, Sam Parker. He's an acting Super until the hiring process is completed later this Summer for full time management and maintenance crews.
Last Fall we received info that a family was going to install three cabins in the Pisgah area to be used as AirB&B rental units. Great idea and something ERTS really needs but to date, we see no evidence of cabins being built. Also, the guy that said he was putting in a bike repair business, that hasn't happened either.
Downtown Clay is in desperate need of a sit down diner, restaurant or some other kind of munchy stand. We do see construction going on in the old NAPA building on Main Street. We're hoping, when open, that rolled ice cream stand will include some tasty vittles.
Finally, the contractor (CTW) for the FEMA paid for rebuild project of the BC&G spur line, will be on the job beginning July 12th. 300 days later, the BC&G section of ERTS will be completed and ready to use as a hiking biking horseback riding trail right beside the upgraded rails. Next year, the State should contract out the tourism train contract and get the wheels literally , rolling. We hope that contract includes use of a historic rail bus operation in addition to the current pedal car rides.
The upgrades run about 19 miles, from Dundon to about one mile above Swandale or about three miles short of the Town long Forgotten, Widen.
You might want to be over at the Dundon Campground July 20th around 2pm. Based on conversations during public meetings, on the 20th, Gov Jimmy along with other elected / appointed officials will be on hand to officially open the park. Applying all the suction available, everyone will be smiles and glad handshakes. We are hopeful organizers of the event will be a little more thoughtful and provide some shade and drinks for Suits.
When the Gov was here in May 2019 for the original ERTS announcement, he drove the road heading to the Dundon ball park. That road, then and now, was 100% potholes and tank tracks. Back then the rotund one said he would see that the road got new asphalt. That hasn't happened. July 20th would be a great time to remind the guy about his promise. That road to prosperity is pretty disgraceful in Clayberry.
We don't know what the Park will be officially named. Maybe Jim Justice State Park? We've been calling it ERTS State Park for a long time but that was just something that seemed to fit the first letters of Elk River Trail System which was on official announcements back then. Just saying "ERTS" sounds more like a belch than anything else.
The RR rights of way and improvements were handed over to the W Va Rail Authority in June. From there the holdings were leased over to the W Va Park system. With the new ownership, DNR Badges can patrol the Park and keep four wheelers off the fragile gravel coverings.
We have got our first Park Superintendent, Sam Parker. He's an acting Super until the hiring process is completed later this Summer for full time management and maintenance crews.
Last Fall we received info that a family was going to install three cabins in the Pisgah area to be used as AirB&B rental units. Great idea and something ERTS really needs but to date, we see no evidence of cabins being built. Also, the guy that said he was putting in a bike repair business, that hasn't happened either.
Downtown Clay is in desperate need of a sit down diner, restaurant or some other kind of munchy stand. We do see construction going on in the old NAPA building on Main Street. We're hoping, when open, that rolled ice cream stand will include some tasty vittles.
Finally, the contractor (CTW) for the FEMA paid for rebuild project of the BC&G spur line, will be on the job beginning July 12th. 300 days later, the BC&G section of ERTS will be completed and ready to use as a hiking biking horseback riding trail right beside the upgraded rails. Next year, the State should contract out the tourism train contract and get the wheels literally , rolling. We hope that contract includes use of a historic rail bus operation in addition to the current pedal car rides.
The upgrades run about 19 miles, from Dundon to about one mile above Swandale or about three miles short of the Town long Forgotten, Widen.
Now for our
trail update.
After one year of use, the trail covering is holding up well except in places where the ditch line is inadequate or stopped up. It appears that someone has been doing branch, tree, limb removal.
On the 11th, we rode from Hartland up to the 59 mile maker post. At least that section is in tip top shape.
After one year of use, the trail covering is holding up well except in places where the ditch line is inadequate or stopped up. It appears that someone has been doing branch, tree, limb removal.
On the 11th, we rode from Hartland up to the 59 mile maker post. At least that section is in tip top shape.
Sometime this
Spring, five exercise stations were erected on ERTS between
Dundon and the Pisgah bridge. The fitness points are of
excellent quality with good signage. This section of the trail
is well used by the lunch time crowd. We call that 2 mile
section of ERTS, the Clayberry Loop.
For those in need of some exercise, the Clayberry Loop starts at Dundon, runs down river to the Pisgah bridge, crosses over the Elk, then up river on Main Street, over the Dundon bridge and POOF!, there's a beautiful 2 mile walking adventure.
For those in need of some exercise, the Clayberry Loop starts at Dundon, runs down river to the Pisgah bridge, crosses over the Elk, then up river on Main Street, over the Dundon bridge and POOF!, there's a beautiful 2 mile walking adventure.
On the street comes
word that homeless people that live on the riverbank are at
times "intimidating". We didn't see any of those folks along
the trail on the 11th. We think as more and more use ERTS, the
homeless, street people, will go elsewhere. As for being an
issue for hikers, bikers, horseback riders, we didn't see any
problems.
You can see
evidence of tire tracks on ERTS. We're actually seeing more
truck tire evidence than four wheelers digging into the "top
coat" of gravel. We're hoping that DNR switches over to ATV
use for patrolling purposes.
Then's the man made
problem.
Early last Spring, someone put up large concrete barriers between Dundon and the Hartland bridge. The idea was to restrict ATV use. Good idea but instead, the barriers created serious safety issues. In place, no fire truck, ambulance nor law enforcement could maneuver that section of ERTS.
The barriers also made it impossible for horse and buggies or for that matter, someone pushing or pulling a baby stroller, to use the trail. The trail was spoiled before it officially opened for business!
On July 11th, we noticed, the barriers have been moved a bit so at least baby strollers can get thru the passage.. Still , for equestrians, riders have to get off and walk around most of the five barriers. That's not good.
Early last Spring, someone put up large concrete barriers between Dundon and the Hartland bridge. The idea was to restrict ATV use. Good idea but instead, the barriers created serious safety issues. In place, no fire truck, ambulance nor law enforcement could maneuver that section of ERTS.
The barriers also made it impossible for horse and buggies or for that matter, someone pushing or pulling a baby stroller, to use the trail. The trail was spoiled before it officially opened for business!
On July 11th, we noticed, the barriers have been moved a bit so at least baby strollers can get thru the passage.. Still , for equestrians, riders have to get off and walk around most of the five barriers. That's not good.
We're anxious
to see the trail get an official name and receive some state
generated advertising. We're also envisioning a day when we
see tourists from around the region come into the County,
enjoy this great adventure, beautiful tree canopy, luscious
ferns / moss growth and in turn, spend some $$$ in the local
economy. We think that's coming sooner than most think.
AW
AW