Posts Tagged ‘hiking’

West Virginia Wildlife – Wild and Wonderful

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

If you happen to be rafting, biking, hiking or just hanging out in the New River Gorge, one thing you can’t help but notice is that it is comprised mostly of forest. At any point in the Gorge there may be thousands of acres in any direction with no civilization present. This makes it a great place for wildlife to reside.

Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcon

Many people visit the Gorge and never see a single animal. After all, many adventure activities don’t really allow for a lot of scenery-watching. But there is plenty of wildlife here in the Gorge, and if you take the time to look for it, it can be found.

The Critters

Here’s a small list of some of the animals that make their home in the Gorge.

  • Squirrels
  • Raccoons
  • Skunks
  • Opossums
  • Hawks (many varieties)
  • Falcons
  • Bald Eagles
  • Turkey
  • Deer
  • Bear
  • Coyotes
  • Bobcats
  • Mink
  • Otters

 

There is also a large variety of bird species, small rodents, amphibians, reptiles and fish that call this area home. The Gorge is a very healthy ecosystem and its protected status is a major reason why.

Wildlife Viewing

If it’s wildlife viewing you’re after, then there are a few ways you can make it more likely that you’ll have a successful outing.

  • When hiking, cover ground slowly and fairly quietly. Remember, the farther away you get from roads or well-used areas, the more likely you are to encounter wildlife.
  • Stop, look and listen.  Take your time to look around and don’t get in a hurry to move. Scan the area very carefully before moving again.
  • Timing is key.  Very early mornings and late evenings are the optimal time to see animals, as they are either coming out of their hiding spots or getting ready to disappear into the foliage.
  • Come to the Gorge for one of our animal-related events.  The New River Birding and Nature Festival takes place every May and is a great way to learn from some expert birdwatchers.

 

Just remember that no matter how cute, cuddly or friendly an animal looks, keep a respectful distance. There’s a reason why they call it wildlife.

What wildlife have you seen in the Gorge?

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How To Have The Best Winter Vacation Ever

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

Not long ago, a visit to the New River Gorge in the winter wasn’t high on many folk’s list. Although that has changed somewhat over the years, it’s still not common knowledge that this place is pretty amazing in the wintertime too. That’s why winter is a wonderful time to visit and take advantage of all the Gorge has to offer this time of year.

Skiing at Winterplace

Great lodging rates and amazing cool weather mean that the Gorge is a special place to visit during what most call the “off season.” Let’s look at some of the reasons to make a trip to the Gorge before summer rolls back around.

Cozy Cabins

Winter availability at many of the area chalets and cabins is easy to find, even on short notice. That means that at the last minute, you can check the weather (“Hey, it’s going to snow!  Let’s go skiing!) and easily find a cozy West Virginia cabin.

One of the best parts about visiting the New River Gorge is the peace and solitude in your surroundings. Many of the cabins or chalets are fairly secluded.  In fact, many times in the winter you may stay a day or two at a cabin in the woods and not see another soul. People from the city may find this concept foreign, but trust us, you’ll love it.

Winter Adventures

Winter in the Gorge doesn’t mean sitting in your cabin and playing board games all day to pass the time. You’re in the heart of an outdoor adventure hub, so get active! Try some of these winter outdoor activities:

 

And after a day on the slopes or trails, there are lots of interesting places to stop for dinner, shopping, and entertainment.

Finding a reason to plan a winter getaway shouldn’t be hard. Are you visiting the Gorge soon?

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Rails to Trails Projects Give the New River Gorge Several Great Trails

Tuesday, May 24th, 2011

West Virginia is fortunate to have 27 different rails to trails projects throughout the state – with one large site right here in the New River Gorge.  Our site is made up of four different trails – the Kaymoor, Glade Creek, Southside Junction to Brooklyn and Rend Trails – all converted railway right-a-ways.

If you’re a biker – you’ll want to check out the Southside and Rend trails.  They are six and three miles in length and offer an easy grade.  Along the way are great views of Dunloup Creek, the town of Thurmond, and abandoned coal towns.

Rail Trails in the New River Gorge

On the hiking side, all of the rail-trails are hiking approved, with Kaymoor being moderately difficult.  The National Park Service also sells a great book on the Kaymoor area, which you might want to take along.

The Hawks Nest Rail Trail, which runs from the top of Ansted along Mill Creek to the bottom of Hawks Nest Lake, is a great trail for the family.  Be sure to stop and snap some pictures of the Mill Creek Waterfall.

The National Park Service has information to plan your next hiking or biking trip.

Have you been on the New River Gorge area rail trails?

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What’s a Cairn?  And more NRG Hiking Questions Answered.

Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011

Spring is a great time to jump on one of the trails in the New River Gorge.

If you’re not a hiking aficionado, don’t worry.  The NRG trails are well marked and range from an easy two-mile stroll to more strenuous eight-mile hikes.  Here are some tips to make you a hiking rock star among your friends:

•    What’s that pile of rocks over there?  It looks like someone just piled them up. A pile of rocks can be found at the transition of many trails indicating a turn or transition.  The pile is actually called a “cairn” and hails from our friends in Scotland and Ireland who typically carried a rock with them up to the top of a mountain to place on the cairn.

You might see a Cairn like this

 
•    Are the trails marked? The public trails in the New River Gorge all use signs or blaze to mark the way. Blaze is a practice of using paint or markings on trees to show you that you are moving in the right direction.

 
•    I heard some people say they were highpointing.  Um what is that? Some hikers want to get to the top of the trail; these are highpointers.  They long to find the highest point for the greatest views.

 
•    I have seen some hikers with a strap across their backpacks.  Should I be using a chest strap? A chest strap is an important part of hiking if you plan to carry a backpack.  A chest strap is connected across your chest in the front so that your backpack doesn’t pull your shoulders backward.

Hope to see you on the trails…

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