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Posts Tagged ‘new river gorge’

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All About Hawks Nest

Tuesday, May 15th, 2012

The New River runs through some beautiful areas here in West Virginia. This is evidenced by the six State Parks located in close proximity to the New River Gorge. The closest to the New River Gorge Bridge is Hawks Nest State Park. Its name is very representative of its location.

Seated right on the rim of the Gorge about 3 miles west of the Bridge, this Park offers not only wonderful views but plenty of recreation. Let’s take a look at why Hawks Nest is a great place to visit.

An Overlook at Hawks Nest State Park

The Lake

Hawks Nest Lake was built in 1936 as a result of damming off the New River to produce power for a Union Carbide-built metallurgical plant. Its 250 acres now provide recreational activities like swimming, boating, and fishing. The tunnel built to move water to the hydroelectric plant is still in use.

Located directly below the Lodge in the park, the lake can be accessed by driving down what was once a narrow gauge rail line into Ansted or by taking the aerial tram out of the Lodge. For the more adventurous types, park at the top of the Hawks Nest Rail Trail and hike to the bottom. Once there you can catch a jet boat that offers tours of the lake, culminating in a view of the New River Gorge Bridge.

Hawks Nest Lodge and Nature Center

The 31-room Lodge was built in 1967 and offers some of the most spectacular views from guest rooms of any State Park in WV system. Accomodations are reasonably priced and the Lodge is very close to many area activities. The Lodge also has a full service restaurant that allows guests to dine with a “birds eye” view of the Gorge, courtesy of a wall of windows.

The Hawks Nest Nature Center is located at the bottom of the aerial tram by the lake. It is filled with nature exhibits and interactive displays.. There are also many hiking trails on site. The newest of these is the Hawks Nest Rail Trail, based out of the Nature Center.

Other Activities

The 276-acre Park has lots of places to explore within its boundaries, but is also close to the heart of the New River Gorge. That means there’s plenty of fun to be had within minutes of the park. Here’s a list of recreation opportunities either in Hawks Nest State Park or close by.

  • Hiking
  • Biking
  • Golf
  • Whitewater rafting
  • Kayaking and Canoeing
  • Rock climbing
  • Zip lining
  • ATV riding
  • Boating
  • Fishing
  • Horseback riding

Need another reason to make Hawks Nest part of your New River Gorge visit? Views from the overlooks are spectacular, the people are friendly, and you’ll really be able to get back to nature and relax.

Have you visited Hawks Nest?

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The Rich History of the New River Gorge and the Town of Sewell

Wednesday, May 9th, 2012

Sewell is another once-bustling area mining community. It was carved into the hillside of the New River Gorge to take advantage of the abundant coal reserves found there. But Sewell had a greater distinction at one time.

Curious?

Sewell used to be known as Bowyer’s Ferry, after Peter Bowyer. Peter not only established a ferry across the New River there around 1798, but he is also credited as the first white settler in the Gorge. This small settlement was right where the road from Charleston to Lewisburg met the New River. It was nearly 80 years before the CSX line was built through the Gorge. A depot went in at Bowyer’s Ferry and the name of the town was changed to Sewell Station. It was later just shortened to Sewell.

The Depot in Sewell, West Virginia

The name Sewell comes from Stephen Sewell, a European pioneer, among the first to settle and explore these mountains. From this name, it is fitting that this little town became the first commercial center for the Gorge’s small mining communities, with the first store being built by 1871.

Sewell had amassed a population of more than 300 by 1880. Even one of the coal seams running through the Gorge bears Sewell’s name.

Mining

The Longdale Iron Company from Virginia acquired land and opened a mine near Sewell Depot in 1873, the same year the railroad was complete. The Sewell mine was the first operation to have coke ovens in the Gorge, building 50 of the beehive design ovens in 1874. Eventually it was expanded to almost 200 coke ovens, the largest in the Gorge at the time.

Even later when the Sewell mines had been worked out, the town remained a vital link in the Gorge. Mines from the Clifftop area shipped coal down Mann’s Creek Railroad, through what would now be Babcock State Park. That coal was burned in Sewell’s coke ovens. These ovens burned coal until 1956, and were some of the last ovens used in southern WV. The towns last official resident, a railroad employee, moved out in 1973.

What’s Left

The remains of the old community are located just upstream, but across the river from the rafting access point at Cunard. The remains of some of the foundations and the coke ovens can still be seen. Many rafting companies use the areas between the river and the town for lunch and camping areas for overnight trips.

It’s easy to see why CSX chose this area to base a depot. There is a lot of flat area associated with it between the water and the steep mountainside.

How many mining towns of the Gorge can you name?

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New River Gorge History: The Lost Town of Kaymoor

Thursday, May 3rd, 2012

There were well over 60 mining camps and communities located within the New River Gorge at one time. Many of them were no more than a few miles from the New River Gorge Bridge. The Industrial Revolution fueled a need for natural resources. The Gorge area, with its vast coal reserves, was able to prosper from this.

One of the towns that developed from this boom was the mining camp of Kaymoor. A little over a mile from where the New River Gorge Bridge is now, Kaymoor was home to one of the last operating mines in the Gorge. What is left today are a few of the old buildings, coke ovens and a couple mine openings that have been gated off for safety.

Let’s take a look at a little of the history of the Kaymoor mines and camp.

Photo Courtesy of the National Park Service

The Beginning

The Kaymoor mine was opened by the Low Moor Iron Company around 1899 to supply coal for its iron furnaces in Low Moor, Virginia.  This mine was a bit different than most because they built two complete coal camps for it, one at the top of the Gorge and one at the bottom. There were no churches, banks, saloons, or town halls associated with either one of these areas. Only company stores, a pool hall, and a pair of segregated schools were part of the camps.

Kaymoor partly gets its name from James Kay, the man in charge of building the town. In all, close to 130 houses were built to house the miners. In order to get these workers from the town to the mine, a single track incline was built to transport workers and equipment over a 1,000 foot slope. A similar double track incline was built to move the coal down to the processing plant and coke ovens. Both inclines were in operation until the mine closed in 1962.

The Decline of Kaymoor

Low Moor owned the mine until 1924, when, after the processing plant burned, they decided to sell. It was purchased by the New River and Pocahontas Consolidated Coal Company. They modernized the mine over the next couple of decades, including building a brand new processing plant.

The Kaymoor bottom camp was abandoned around 1952, with any remaining residents moving to the top. This made life more convenient for them because the bank the townsfolk used was in Fayetteville. Most of the structures that remained were destroyed by fire in 1960.

Kaymoor is unique too in that the average existence of a coal town was around 25 years, but Kaymoor was inhabited and worked for 62 years.

Today

Some of the remains of the Kaymoor Mines are still standing today. A short hike down the side of the Gorge will take you to the area with the old mine openings. Here you can also see the remains of some of the structures that were part of the mining operation.

The National Park Service has worked on preserving much of this area, and it is a neat look back at the past. You can also access the 800+ steps here that follow the same path as the old double incline , taking you to the bottom. There you can see a few more of the remains including the coke ovens.

It’s a strenuous hike into Kaymoor, but if you’re into history, it’s well worth it. Just be careful and keep your eyes open. There’s no telling what remnants of the past you might see.

Do you have any memories of Kaymoor?

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How To Gear Up For Rafting Season, Part 2

Thursday, March 22nd, 2012

March is almost a memory and with April just around the corner, it’s time to think rafting. April is a time for the hardy paddlers to take advantage of normally high river levels and typically lower trip costs.

Before you come here to “get your raft on” there are a few things you need to think about that can help make your trip more enjoyable. We’ve compiled a short list for you:

Spring Rafting is a Wild Ride

Get the Right Gear

If you’re a wily rafting veteran, you’ve probably already learned a few things about what to bring on a trip. But if you’ve never been rafting in the spring or you’re a rookie to the sport, there are many little things you should consider for this time of year and this type of rafting:

  • Wear synthetic or wool clothing; stay away from cotton. If you wear fleece or other synthetic material clothing, you’ll stay warmer when you get wet (and yes, you’re going to get wet). Wool is also a good choice because it has the ability to keep you warm when wet. Sweaters, long underwear, socks, gloves and a beanie will all go a long way towards making your trip more comfortable.
  • Consider wearing waterproof clothing.  Even if you have great under layers or wear a wetsuit, you will still want to have something to keep the splash off .
  • Don’t forget your sun protection.  Spring is when you have the potential to get burned without realizing it. The air and water keep you cool all day, but the sun’s rays are blazing. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat will help diminish the sun’s effects and you won’t go home beet red.

 

Planning

A little bit of planning goes a long way.  This is especially true when it comes to rafting. There are a few things that you can do in preparation for a trip that will make a big difference.

  • Get to know area outfitters.  Rafting companies are all different, and some offer great deals this time of year. Many of them have specials that include lodging, dinner, and even free cold weather clothing rentals to entice rafters to take the plunge in the spring.
  • Know your limits.  If you’ve never been rafting before or you’re not the bravest when it comes to water, you may want to spend an extra bit of time finding a trip that matches your comfort level.
  • Get ready by getting moving.  Spring time rafting can be quite exerting, so try and get some exercise in prior to your trip. Walk, stretch, jog – any of these activities will prep you for a big day on the water.

Have you already made plans for your spring rafting trip?

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Explore the Gorge at Canyon Rim Visitor Center

Thursday, March 15th, 2012

With a front row seat to the New River Gorge and the Bridge, Canyon Rim Visitor Center is a must-see when you’re visiting the New River Gorge National River. Located just on the North side of the New River Gorge Bridge, the center sees an estimated 300,000 people every year.

The Center provides information about the recreational, natural, cultural and historical values of the park. There is a staff of interpretive rangers that man the center and provide information about the park and its resources. And bonus: it provides a couple of the nicest views of the Gorge and the Bridge from multiple overlooks.

Let’s take a little deeper look at what this center means to the Park and its visitors.

Canyon Rim Visitor's Center

Inside the Center

The building itself houses a great mini-museum with photographs and exhibits collected from the people, towns and coal industry that inhabited the Gorge for so many years. Other displays focus on the natural history of the area. There is an auditorium that runs two permanent videos, and special features and programs rotate through from time to time.

There is also a gift shop that sells publications specific to the park and surrounding area. They have a great selection of books on the natural and cultural history of the area.  There are plenty of fun items for the kids.  And, you’ll find plenty of books on recreation and maps to help you navigate the New River Gorge.

Outside and Beyond

In addition to the great overlooks at Canyon Rim, the Park Service plays host to a number of events and activities throughout the year. Many of these events are based out of Canyon Rim or take place on the property. Guided, informative nature hikes, birding sessions, wildflower walks and many events geared specifically towards children are offered throughout the year.

Coming up in the next few months at Canyon Rim:

  • Earth Day Celebration, April 21st. The NPS will have a booth set up in Fayetteville as part of the Earth Day celebration in town.
  • Wildflower Weekend, April 27-29. Several programs and hikes at different locations in and around the park will be offered focusing on the spring wildflowers of the Gorge.
  • Water Safety Weekend, May 26-28. With summer just around the corner, the NPS will conduct programs dealing directly with safety while in or around the water.

And many more events will be scheduled soon at Canyon Rim..  Visit the Center’s website to check the calendar periodically for updates, or call 304-574-2115 for more information.

The New River Gorge is an amazing place and has so much to see (and do!). Make sure you’re taking advantage of all the Gorge has to offer. Canyon Rim Visitor Center is a great place to start.

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Whitewater Rafting in West Virginia: The Beginnings

Thursday, March 1st, 2012

When you’re standing high above the New River on Bridge Day, looking down from the Bridge, have you ever noticed those lucky folks who are rafting below?  Whitewater rafting has become a favorite adventure for West Virginia visitors, on Bridge Day and other days alike.

And with rafting season just around the corner for the most avid and hardy of paddlers, this seems like an opportune time to look back at the history of running the rapids of the New River.

This year marks 45 seasons that outfitters have been taking folks down the New River in rubber rafts. The first company to raft the New was Wildwater Unlimited.  When the Dragan brothers started taking friends down the New River in 1968, one has to wonder if they ever dreamed it would become the industry it is today.

First Year

With two pick-up trucks and two rubber rafts that were custom made by an Army surplus boat company, Jon, Tom, Chris and Melanie Dragan started rafting the New during summer breaks from college. In Wildwater’s first year, less than 80 people went down the river.  But it was from this simple beginning that an industry was born.

For these pioneers from Pennsylvania, the New River was uncharted territory. There were no laws governing rafting at the time and the New River Gorge was not a National Park. Little was known about the rapids on the New.  In fact, the names that these rapids possess now are due to these first trips. Most of the knowledge that paddlers of today have about the New River came from the early trips.

Wildwater Guests Today

In order to build a “seasoned” crew for the rapids of the Lower section, the protocol for all guests was a two day trip. Day one consisted of guests paddling the much flatter and safer upper stretch to acclimate themselves to the water and the rafts.

On day two, guests tackled the rougher water of the Lower New. The rafts were all double guided for safety, a practice that Wildwater Unlimited continued until the early 1990′s.

Influence

As there were no rules or regulations about whitewater rafting, the WV Division of Natural Resources was tasked to be the governing body of this new sport. The Dragans were influential in helping create many of the policies that are still in place today. Emphasis on safety was a huge concern.  A few years later policies for company licensing and quotas, designed to prevent overcrowding, soon followed.

By 1971 a few more companies had entered the scene and eventually the state capped the number of licenses at 25. Today there is rafting on the Gauley, Cheat and Shenandoah, Big Sandy, Tygart, Potomac and Bluestone rivers as well.

It’s hard to believe that an industry that had over 200,000 customers a year in the mid 1990′s was spawned from some college kids running the river with friends, but that’s exactly what happened.

Are you ready for a West Virginia whitewater adventure?

 

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Gearing Up for Rafting Season in West Virginia

Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

March is a mere week away.  And even if Mother Nature has a few more days of snow and cold planned, something about March lifts folks spirits and lets them believe winter is over. It also means that rafting companies and guides will be preparing for another whitewater season.

All that gear? It will be checked thoroughly.

Before guests show up to be “whitewatered”, there is a great amount of work and planning that goes into getting ready for a rafting season. Both companies and guides have things that they do before the season starts to get ready for 8 months of fun.

Here’s a little bit of what goes on before the rafting season gets rolling.

Gear – Check and Recheck

Even though it was packed away nice and neatly in preparation for winter, rafting gear will all be inspectedagain before being put into use for a season. Rafts will all be inflated to make sure they hold air. Helmets and PFD’s will have their buckles all checked and inspected for any problems or defects. Wetsuits will be examined to make sure they still stink (a little raft guide humor there folks).  Guides will do this with their own personal equipment too.

Guide Gear, Ready to Go

There are also medical kits that will have to be checked and rechecked to make sure all contents are present, accounted for, and in-date. We’re not talking just about bandages and gauze here; splints, cervical collars and EPI pens are part of these kits. Whitewater trips try to anticipate what medical needs they might have while on the river.

Guide Training

Every spring, companies prepare for the upcoming season by providing training refreshers for their staff. This is the time when outfitters decide how many new guides they’ll need and start formal guide training programs. Every guide, no matter how many years they’ve worked, has to take classes on first aid, CPR and Swiftwater Rescue. Being able to use the things in those aforementioned kits is as important as carrying them.

Guide training can take a long time, so starting early in the season is crucial. Requiring trainees to go out when conditions are less than favorable is a way of weaning out people who may not have the dedication to be a professional guide. By the time they complete a training program, every guide will have boating skills, first aid skills, rescue skills and be ready to take guests on their whitewater adventure.

These are just some of the things that will be going on at river outfitters starting here in a few weeks. And soon we’ll have some tips to help you gear up for a rafting trip before you come to paddle.

 

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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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5 Unique Facts About the New River

Wednesday, July 27th, 2011

The New River Gorge Bridge is pretty amazing (and we know, we’re biased).  But did you know that the river that runs beneath it is pretty unique too?

Here are 5 facts that you should know about the New River.

  • The river begins in western North Carolina, in Ashe County.  From there it flows through Virginia into West Virginia, where eventually it becomes a tributary for the Kanawha River.  The river is around 320 miles long.
  • The New River is old.  As in somewhere between 10 and 360 million years old.  That makes it one of the oldest rivers in the world.  Many believe that it is certainly the oldest river in the United States.
  • Interestingly, the New River flows primarily from south to north.  Only a handful of rivers in the world have this unique feature, including the Nile.
  • The New was designated a national river in 1978 and is part of the United States National Park Service.  In 1998, it was designated an American Heritage River.
  • The first commercial rafting trip on the New took place in 1968.  The Dragan brothers started it all when they founded Wildwater Unlimited.  After that many of the outfitterswidl you know today started running the river.

What else should people know about the New River?

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How to Plan Your Bridge Day Stay

Friday, July 15th, 2011

It’s only July, but believe it or not, people are already planning their Bridge Day trips.  That’s because lodging and activities tend to book up quickly for that weekend.  Have you started to plan?  If not, here are some tips for planning the best Bridge Day vacation ever.

New River Gorge Lodging

We’ve got it all here in the New River Gorge.  You just have to decide what kind of accommodations you want.  From luxurious cabins to rustic camping, you can make the outdoors part of your stay.  If that’s not quite your style, there are some great hotels in the area.

Taste of Bridge Day

Looking for something more quaint? Choose one of our area Bed and Breakfasts.  The Historic Morris Harvey House in Fayetteville is a local favorite.

New River Gorge Dining

You might be surprised by the diverse dining choices available in the Gorge.  There is something for everyone.

Do some homework and scope out locals’ favorite haunts.  Fayetteville, Hico, and Oak Hill have an awesome variety of options – hand-crafted pizza, American cuisine, unique Mexican food, cajun-style fare.  If you stop by Swirl, be sure to try the Blueberry Pie ice cream.

Since it’s nearly impossible to try all of our local restaurants when you’re here, think about coming to the Taste of Bridge Day.  Sponsored by our local Fayetteville and Oak Hill Rotary clubs, it’s on Friday, October 14 at Adventures on the Gorge.  You’ll have the chance to sample a signature item from several local eateries.  And you can bet you’ll run into some local rafting and Bridge Day pioneers.

Plan An Adventure

Bridge Day coincides with the end of Gauley Season.  If you’re thinking of rafting the Gauley, make sure that you’re experienced enough to handle the class IV, class V, and class V+ rapids that you’ll be facing.  And if the Gauley’s not for you, rafting the New is a great option.  This is a really busy weekend for outfitters, so be sure to book your trip in advance.

If you don’t want to get on the water, try a canopy tour or zip line.  These trips have quickly become a favorite adventure for locals and visitors alike.  Autumn is a pretty spectacular time to soar through the trees.

And why not go for the ultimate adventure – tandem jump off of the New River Gorge Bridge! Only 10 spots are available for a brave and lucky few, so you should make the call quickly if you’re up for jumping.

So go ahead and start making your Bridge Day plans.  It’s never too soon.  Besides, who doesn’t like looking forward to a vacation?

See you there!

 

 

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