Guest River Gorge: Difference between revisions
(→Maps: Added KML and note) |
(Edits based on hiking the trail) |
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| Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Biking}} {{Dogs}} | | Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Biking}} {{Dogs}} | ||
| Difficulty Rating = Easy | | Difficulty Rating = Easy | ||
| Hike Time = 6 | | Hike Time = 5-6 | ||
| Distance = | | Distance = 11.6 | ||
| Elevation Gain = | | Elevation Gain = 650 | ||
| High Point = | | High Point = 2,035 | ||
| Latitude = N36°55.418 | | Latitude = N36°55.418 | ||
| Longitude = W082°27.082 | | Longitude = W082°27.082 | ||
| Line 25: | Line 25: | ||
== Trail Overview == | == Trail Overview == | ||
<!-- Enter a overview of the trail. What attracts you to this trail, points of interest, types of flowers, lakes, and peaks that you see along the way. --> | <!-- Enter a overview of the trail. What attracts you to this trail, points of interest, types of flowers, lakes, and peaks that you see along the way. --> | ||
Rails-to-trail with a gentle grade of wide fine gravel in the rushing Guest River gorge to its mouth at the Clinch River. Passes through an old tunnel and crosses a couple of wood trestles. | |||
== How to get there == | == How to get there == | ||
<!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. --> | <!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. --> | ||
From Gate City, VA | From Gate City, VA | ||
#Proceed north on | #Proceed north on VA-72 and through Ft. Blackmore and Dungannon for 30 miles. | ||
#Look for USFS sign to Guest River Trail about 3 miles south of Coeburn | #Look for USFS sign to Guest River Trail on right about 3 miles south of Coeburn. | ||
#Proceed 1.4 miles to parking lot at the trailhead. | #Proceed 1.4 miles to parking lot at the trailhead. | ||
== Route Description== | == Route Description== | ||
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? --> | <!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? --> | ||
Walk down steps or take handicapped trail down to old railroad grade. | Walk down steps or take handicapped trail down to old railroad grade. Pass through the former railroad tunnel, built in 1922, and then cross the wood trestle bridge. The trail follows old railroad grade for 5.8 miles downhill, per the mile markers, along rushing river and beside sandstone cliffs with a few coal beds to Clinch River and active railroad. Backtrack uphill to parking area. Do not recommend the obviously unmaintained bike trail which continues upstream along the Clinch River. | ||
The wide rails-to-trail path is easily shared with mountain bikes. There are a couple of small waterfalls on the uphill side, which pass under the trail through culverts. | |||
Folks fishing the Guest River may be seen - especially on the concrete erosion pier between 4-5 miles. Valid state fishing license is required. | |||
== Typical Conditions == | == Typical Conditions == | ||
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees? --> | <!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees? --> | ||
Wide gravel roadbed | Wide fine gravel roadbed. The Forest Service actively maintains the trail by removing blowdowns and cutting back the annual growth. Some fresh beaver activity was observed by the tree fallen across the path at the 5 mile marker. There is pit toilets at the trailhead, but no water source. Pack out any bottles and food wrappers. | ||
==Fees, Permits, etc. == | ==Fees, Permits, etc. == | ||
<!-- Please list any Fees, Permits, Regulations, etc. that may be required on this trail.--> | <!-- Please list any Fees, Permits, Regulations, etc. that may be required on this trail.--> | ||
No fees. The trail and parking area are closed at night. | |||
== After the Hike == | == After the Hike == | ||
<!-- Other things to check out while you're in the area. Restaurants, attractions, monuments, etc... --> | <!-- Other things to check out while you're in the area. Restaurants, attractions, monuments, etc... --> | ||
== Misc. Information == | == Misc. Information == | ||
Revision as of 18:29, 1 January 2012
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Trail Overview
Rails-to-trail with a gentle grade of wide fine gravel in the rushing Guest River gorge to its mouth at the Clinch River. Passes through an old tunnel and crosses a couple of wood trestles.
How to get there
From Gate City, VA
- Proceed north on VA-72 and through Ft. Blackmore and Dungannon for 30 miles.
- Look for USFS sign to Guest River Trail on right about 3 miles south of Coeburn.
- Proceed 1.4 miles to parking lot at the trailhead.
Route Description
Walk down steps or take handicapped trail down to old railroad grade. Pass through the former railroad tunnel, built in 1922, and then cross the wood trestle bridge. The trail follows old railroad grade for 5.8 miles downhill, per the mile markers, along rushing river and beside sandstone cliffs with a few coal beds to Clinch River and active railroad. Backtrack uphill to parking area. Do not recommend the obviously unmaintained bike trail which continues upstream along the Clinch River.
The wide rails-to-trail path is easily shared with mountain bikes. There are a couple of small waterfalls on the uphill side, which pass under the trail through culverts.
Folks fishing the Guest River may be seen - especially on the concrete erosion pier between 4-5 miles. Valid state fishing license is required.
Typical Conditions
Wide fine gravel roadbed. The Forest Service actively maintains the trail by removing blowdowns and cutting back the annual growth. Some fresh beaver activity was observed by the tree fallen across the path at the 5 mile marker. There is pit toilets at the trailhead, but no water source. Pack out any bottles and food wrappers.
Fees, Permits, etc.
No fees. The trail and parking area are closed at night.
After the Hike
Misc. Information
Maps
<googlemap lat="36.903" lon="-82.4250" type="terrain" zoom="13" scale="yes" icons="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/marker{label}.png"> http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Guest_River_Gorge.kml
(G) 36.89508,-82.41492 Lick Log Branch waterfall (G) 36.8766, -82.40748 End of trail at trestle (A) 36.92363,-82.45137 Parking lot </googlemap>
Note: The Guest River Gorge trail is shown in the Google maps database. The above red trail was measured with a hand held GPS receiver, thus is another approximate measurement. Used to illustrate that the rails-to-trail follows the Guest River closely.