Greenbrier River Trail

The following pictures are all from my ride of the Greenbrier River Trail on Oct. 8th and 9th. The trail runs from Lewisburg, WV in the south to Cass, WV at the northern terminus. Since I had family to shuttle me I split the ride into two days. Day one began at the south end of the trail ending at our campsite in Watoga State Park for a total of 45 miles. The southern end of the trail is more "civilized than the northern end, characterized by more farmland along the river and summer cabins. The most scenic section of the southern part of the trail begins after you pass through Droop Mountain tunnel as you leave the cabins behind and journey along the banks of the Greenbrier through the Monongahela National Forest and Watoga State Park.

A fat man and his bike, leaving out of Lewisburg, WV

The Greenbrier River which the old rail road grade follows for 77 miles. The railroad was created for timber extraction from the virgin forests of Pocahontas County around the turn of the century with the boom times being 1910s to 1920s. As the area was deforested the rail line became more of a passenger route and means of getting produce to market. The rail line was defunct by the 1970s.

 The trail rolling through farmland, mostly cattle up here.

The fall colors only got better as the week wore on, they were at peak north of Marlinton, WV.

Droop Mountain Tunnel 407 feet long. I'd heard it was haunted by the ghosts from the civil war battle fought on the mountain above, but I passed through with no problems.

Typical scenery along the Greenbrier, if you could call such typical.

Fall, my favorite time of the year to be outdoors. There's something about the crackle of leaves under my tires and the smell of the season that I just can't properly put to words.

You pass many bends of the river along the way, each unique in the vista is provides.

Day 2 started from the town of Marlinton, WV and proceeded to the northern terminus of the trail in Cass, WV. and then back to the campsite at Watoga State Park for a total off 62 miles.

Water tower just outside of Marlinton. The trail is paved for about 7 miles total near the town, the rest is fine crushed gravel.

The approach across a trestle over the Greenbrier to Sharp's Mountain tunnel (500+ ft. long).

Cloverlick Depot the only original remaining depot on the trail. Only 29 feet long it was expanded to almost 70' during the logging "boom".

 

The Road goes ever on and on
    Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
    And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
    Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
    And whither then? I cannot say.

                     - J.R.R. Tolkien