Sept 1st 2020
Updated Sept 6 2020
Since early Spring,
this publication has been trying to keep up with the rapid
progress being made on the ERTS hiking, biking, horseback
riding trail snaking thru this 342 square miles we call home.
We have something new to report. The fun stretch from Pisgah to Hartland opened up on Friday August 28th. Adding it all together, that makes close to 32 miles of trail open and in use by the general public.
With that much completed, we thought it was time for a wrap up article and updates. Here goes.
The Upper section of ERTS runs from Duck to Ivydale, a little over 10 miles. Our update, there's now some real problems on the Upper. Between mile posts 41 and 42, there are some moderate wash outs in need of repair before they get worse. Between mile sticks 44 and 45, there are very serious washouts which took away half the top coat surface and did even worser damage to the sides. Those sides are gone for around 75 feet or more.
While ERTS remains open, immediate attention is needed to keep it safe.
Here's one 75 long section of the wash out near milepost 44.
You can see that the contractor re enforced the area with ties and rails.
Unfortunately, big gully washers overcome the efforts of man. THis needs fixed real soon before we lose the width of the trail. Right now, a horse and 60" wide buggy can still get thru safely.
Between 49 and 50, big mud slides
have buried the top coat. Those three slides have taken out of
use, at least, half of ERTS trail.
As we traveled to the Middle section, that's the path from Ivydale to Dundon (about 12 miles), even after all the heavy downpours, it's in remarkably great shape. We see a construction difference on the Middle part. One, the ditch lines were cut much deeper allowing for heavy run off times. Also, near areas where wet weather streams are, railroad ties were put under that rock coating making it tougher for the wet stuff to mess up the trail.
Hands down, this portion offers some of the best opportunities for camping spaces. There are many flat areas to chose from for an overnight stay.
Also, there's a couple of attention getting stopping points.
At milepost 53 there's a hand cut stone tunnel under the trail. You have to look for the path down but it's worth the extra effort. Minus any graffiti, the tunnel is beautiful.
At milepost 54, there's a beautiful water fall that's about 10 foot broad and easily 15 feet tall. This feature is easily visible while riding ERTS.
As you come into Dundon, there's a long stretch of trail minus the much needed top coat. That smooth surface will not be added until after all the stacked rails and ties are carted away. You can get thru that 3/4 mile section but boy o boy is it rough on your hind end.
No demolition has gotten underway in Dundon of the old Newt Bragg home. One fellow from the Elk River Foundation told us last week, they may auction, sell off, pieces from the old wooden structure. Expect demolition sometime very soon. In it's place will be a DNR maintenance building, picnic area, and river access point.
The trail between Dundon and the Pisgah bridge (still in the middle section of ERTS) opened about a month ago. With top coat in place, vehicle traffic barriers have now been erected. That section of the trail is close to .8 miles long.
For those looking for a short hike or ride, if you park at Dundon, go downriver to the Pisgah bridge, turn right, cross the Elk, go upriver on Main Street, cross the Dundon bridge and return to your vehicle, that's about 2.1 miles. It's a darn good way to spend a couple hours.
Quite a change from even 6 months ago, there are now several businesses open on Saturdays in the downtown area. One of those businesses is a sandwich shop named, The Hub. Don't forget to check out the new Small Town Market, tobacco shop, CBD store, and soon to be, bicycle sales, repairs, and livery service coming soon.
OK, now for the newest stuff, the stretch of trail from Pisgah to the Hartland area, about 6 miles, now has the smooth top coat in place and ready for your next adventure. Nearly a complete tree canopy keeps the 6+ miles cool and shaded.
We've been told of a couple features along that section. One is a cave or maybe it's an old punch mine opening. We have yet to find that feature.
Also, one guy told us about a natural Spring that runs year round but has so much alum in it, one drink and you pucker up.
We are still looking for those two places. IF anybody can pin point em for us, please let us know so we can get some pics.
UPDATE Sept 5:
It's pretty remarkable to
have right at 30 miles of new trail up and usable in such
short order. It's even more remarkable to see how many are
using the trail. Whole families, senior citizens, the CHS
track club, and others fill the place each weekend. We've even
seen a couple horses pulling buggies out there too.
The Hartland bridge completed the Middle section of ERTS.
It will take much longer to complete the path from Hartland to Queen Shoals due to a bunch of encroachments along the way. It will be not be easy to get those homes, camps, fences, out buildings off the RR rights of way. There is a possibility that the Courts will be involved. Another major obstacle along this stretch is Hartland Road itself. That length of broken pavement, used by all the residents of Elkhurst for the last 60 years or longer, it's the only way in and out. Since it's located on the ERTS trail (RR Rights of Way), other ways to get to the homes has to be found. Keep in mind, that's not a RR problem. The State Road folks are responsible for those roadways and access for upwards of 50 residences in that neighborhood.
For those traveling thru, there's now three parking lots to accommodate tourists. Those graveled lots are at Duck near Nottingham Store, Villanova bridge , behind the old Ivydale Elem School building, and under the Hartland bridge.
If you're looking for signs to direct you to ERTS, there aren't any. One guy told us, the W Va DNR is making signs now and should be in place before year's end. We need those, the quicker the better.
The Deliciously Vivid Committee is working on pocket size guides to the trail. Hopefully those will be ready later in Sept. That group has also installed bike racks in downtown Clay. Locations: Clay Library, The Hub Restaurant, across from the Clay County Bank, and in Two Run, in front of the Rocking S Hot Dog Stand.
Our mileage estimates are based on a bicycle odometer read out. While out on the trail last weekend, another guy was using GPS coordinates to check the miles. His totals did not match ours. There was a 2 or 3 mile difference. Not sure of anything except the sunk in the ground, concrete mile posts, along the way.
Whether it's on your feet or riding a bike or horse, this first thirty miles is a pleasing experience. There is no trash or litter along the way. Most that live along the path have their dogs on leash. Those that aren't leased, those dogs are friendly including a couple Pit Bulls which love chocolate.
So far there has not been any Grand Opening, ribbon cutting ceremonies. Since it's election year, we expect that photo op to be held near the end of Oct. Expect to see the Gov there as he makes his bid for another four years in office.
When we report, the trail is open, we should actually be saying, the path itself is open. Sometime soon, maybe by next year, there should be established camping sites, trash receptacles, fire rings, rest benches, and a few "jons" in place. That's right, not outhouses by chemical jons for your sit down needs.
And finally, with all the hardwoods along the 30 miles, we can expect spectacular Fall Foliage colors the first three weeks of October. Mark your calendars for a trip back to County Clay for Oct if not before.
AW
We have something new to report. The fun stretch from Pisgah to Hartland opened up on Friday August 28th. Adding it all together, that makes close to 32 miles of trail open and in use by the general public.
With that much completed, we thought it was time for a wrap up article and updates. Here goes.
The Upper section of ERTS runs from Duck to Ivydale, a little over 10 miles. Our update, there's now some real problems on the Upper. Between mile posts 41 and 42, there are some moderate wash outs in need of repair before they get worse. Between mile sticks 44 and 45, there are very serious washouts which took away half the top coat surface and did even worser damage to the sides. Those sides are gone for around 75 feet or more.
While ERTS remains open, immediate attention is needed to keep it safe.
Here's one 75 long section of the wash out near milepost 44.
You can see that the contractor re enforced the area with ties and rails.
Unfortunately, big gully washers overcome the efforts of man. THis needs fixed real soon before we lose the width of the trail. Right now, a horse and 60" wide buggy can still get thru safely.
As we traveled to the Middle section, that's the path from Ivydale to Dundon (about 12 miles), even after all the heavy downpours, it's in remarkably great shape. We see a construction difference on the Middle part. One, the ditch lines were cut much deeper allowing for heavy run off times. Also, near areas where wet weather streams are, railroad ties were put under that rock coating making it tougher for the wet stuff to mess up the trail.
Hands down, this portion offers some of the best opportunities for camping spaces. There are many flat areas to chose from for an overnight stay.
Also, there's a couple of attention getting stopping points.
At milepost 53 there's a hand cut stone tunnel under the trail. You have to look for the path down but it's worth the extra effort. Minus any graffiti, the tunnel is beautiful.
At milepost 54, there's a beautiful water fall that's about 10 foot broad and easily 15 feet tall. This feature is easily visible while riding ERTS.
As you come into Dundon, there's a long stretch of trail minus the much needed top coat. That smooth surface will not be added until after all the stacked rails and ties are carted away. You can get thru that 3/4 mile section but boy o boy is it rough on your hind end.
No demolition has gotten underway in Dundon of the old Newt Bragg home. One fellow from the Elk River Foundation told us last week, they may auction, sell off, pieces from the old wooden structure. Expect demolition sometime very soon. In it's place will be a DNR maintenance building, picnic area, and river access point.
The trail between Dundon and the Pisgah bridge (still in the middle section of ERTS) opened about a month ago. With top coat in place, vehicle traffic barriers have now been erected. That section of the trail is close to .8 miles long.
For those looking for a short hike or ride, if you park at Dundon, go downriver to the Pisgah bridge, turn right, cross the Elk, go upriver on Main Street, cross the Dundon bridge and return to your vehicle, that's about 2.1 miles. It's a darn good way to spend a couple hours.
Quite a change from even 6 months ago, there are now several businesses open on Saturdays in the downtown area. One of those businesses is a sandwich shop named, The Hub. Don't forget to check out the new Small Town Market, tobacco shop, CBD store, and soon to be, bicycle sales, repairs, and livery service coming soon.
OK, now for the newest stuff, the stretch of trail from Pisgah to the Hartland area, about 6 miles, now has the smooth top coat in place and ready for your next adventure. Nearly a complete tree canopy keeps the 6+ miles cool and shaded.
We've been told of a couple features along that section. One is a cave or maybe it's an old punch mine opening. We have yet to find that feature.
Also, one guy told us about a natural Spring that runs year round but has so much alum in it, one drink and you pucker up.
We are still looking for those two places. IF anybody can pin point em for us, please let us know so we can get some pics.
UPDATE Sept 5:
Not sure what
we found Sept 5th, but just above are a couple pics of
what looks like a cave. If the Ace Cub Reporter wasn't so
old and fat, he would have climbed up the big boulder
between the trail and the opening.
This cave like opening is only visible while traveling North, up river, after crossing the Leatherwood bridge.
We're still looking for the natural spring.
This cave like opening is only visible while traveling North, up river, after crossing the Leatherwood bridge.
We're still looking for the natural spring.
The Hartland bridge completed the Middle section of ERTS.
It will take much longer to complete the path from Hartland to Queen Shoals due to a bunch of encroachments along the way. It will be not be easy to get those homes, camps, fences, out buildings off the RR rights of way. There is a possibility that the Courts will be involved. Another major obstacle along this stretch is Hartland Road itself. That length of broken pavement, used by all the residents of Elkhurst for the last 60 years or longer, it's the only way in and out. Since it's located on the ERTS trail (RR Rights of Way), other ways to get to the homes has to be found. Keep in mind, that's not a RR problem. The State Road folks are responsible for those roadways and access for upwards of 50 residences in that neighborhood.
For those traveling thru, there's now three parking lots to accommodate tourists. Those graveled lots are at Duck near Nottingham Store, Villanova bridge , behind the old Ivydale Elem School building, and under the Hartland bridge.
If you're looking for signs to direct you to ERTS, there aren't any. One guy told us, the W Va DNR is making signs now and should be in place before year's end. We need those, the quicker the better.
The Deliciously Vivid Committee is working on pocket size guides to the trail. Hopefully those will be ready later in Sept. That group has also installed bike racks in downtown Clay. Locations: Clay Library, The Hub Restaurant, across from the Clay County Bank, and in Two Run, in front of the Rocking S Hot Dog Stand.
Our mileage estimates are based on a bicycle odometer read out. While out on the trail last weekend, another guy was using GPS coordinates to check the miles. His totals did not match ours. There was a 2 or 3 mile difference. Not sure of anything except the sunk in the ground, concrete mile posts, along the way.
Whether it's on your feet or riding a bike or horse, this first thirty miles is a pleasing experience. There is no trash or litter along the way. Most that live along the path have their dogs on leash. Those that aren't leased, those dogs are friendly including a couple Pit Bulls which love chocolate.
So far there has not been any Grand Opening, ribbon cutting ceremonies. Since it's election year, we expect that photo op to be held near the end of Oct. Expect to see the Gov there as he makes his bid for another four years in office.
When we report, the trail is open, we should actually be saying, the path itself is open. Sometime soon, maybe by next year, there should be established camping sites, trash receptacles, fire rings, rest benches, and a few "jons" in place. That's right, not outhouses by chemical jons for your sit down needs.
And finally, with all the hardwoods along the 30 miles, we can expect spectacular Fall Foliage colors the first three weeks of October. Mark your calendars for a trip back to County Clay for Oct if not before.
AW