"The trip exceeded all my expectations. I can't imagine how it could have been better." K Bolden, Illinois
Highlights:
- Biking on the Greenbrier River Trail, one of the prettiest Rails-to-Trails paths
- Canoeing a gorgeous (and different) stretch of the Greenbrier River
- Exploring the unique bog ecosystem of the Cranberry Glades
- Enjoying a superb dinner at the Elk River Inn
- Relaxing in our outdoor hot tub after an active day
John Denver knew what he was singing about! Pocahontas County, isolated and rugged, is often considered the outdoor recreation capital of the East by people who love the outdoors. There is more to see and do than we can possibly fit into a long weekend, so we've picked the best and left some time just for relaxing and hanging out in the outdoor hot tub
This trip is for: any healthy woman who enjoys being active and wants to get away (and be cooked for!) for a long weekend. No experience in any of the activities is required.
Accommodations:
- The farmhouse and adjoining cabin at the Elk River Inn. There are a total of seven bedrooms and five shared baths, great common space, and a hot tub located on the back porch.
Maximum group size: 12
Trip price: $626-$695 (There is a $50 deduction if you register by 1/7 and 3% if you pay the balance by check) $200 deposit.
Trip price includes:
- three nights lodging
- meals and snacks from Thursday dinner thru breakfast the following Sunday
- dinner at the Elk River Inn
- canoes and canoe and bike shuttles
- you can bring your own bike or rent one there, and we'll share vehicles for transportation during the trip
Trip starts: arrive at 1 pm at the Elk River Inn on May 7 (If you are flying in from out of town, please plan to arrive the night before)
Trip ends: 11 am on May 10
More information: These have not been updated for 2009 so check back for the most recent versions; we do not anticipate significant changes suggested packing list, notes on the list, and general information sheet (must have Adobe Acrobat Reader)
For pictures from our 2005 trip, click here or if you want to see our slideshow, click here.
To learn more: about the Elk River Touring Center, click here
Register for this trip or Contact us for more information
Itinerary
May 7: The trip officially starts at the Elk River Inn at 1:00. After getting settled we'll go for a ride on the Greenbrier River Trail, one of West Virginia's most successful rail-to-trail conversions. Extending 75 miles (we won't do the whole distance) and traversing 35 bridges and two tunnels, the trail parallels the Greenbrier River. It is widely regarded as featuring some of the most spectacular pastoral and woodland scenery in the state. The surface is packed gravel on the majority of the trail and with less than 1% grade, it is ideal for the casual cyclist. We'll cycle a 10-mile section from Cass to Cloverlick. For those of us who haven't cycled much recently, the hot tub on the back porch will be particularly appealing.
May 8: Trading pedals for paddles, we'll see the Greenbrier River from a very different perspective today, as we guide our canoes down its quiet water. Our float trip will include clear water, solitude, and lush forests. The water never has rapids but it's fast-moving in places, and we'll teach you how to handle a canoe in style as we paddle a beautiful 10-mile section. No previous canoeing experience is necessary.
May 9: Today we'll drive the spectacular Highland Scenic Highway over to Cranberry Mountain Visitor Center. Over 60% of the 23-mile-long parkway is above 4,000 feet, and the rest areas along it feature outstanding vistas. After visiting the Center, we'll visit the Cranberry Glades Boardwalk and Interpretative Trail. This is the largest area of bogs in West Virginia. Here you can see a variety of rare plants common to the northern tundra! A half-mile boardwalk will allow us to take a leisurely stroll through two of the bogs. We'll then hike a 5 mile beautiful loop trail that goes along both sides of the ridge. And tonight we'll eat at the Inn at Elk River, considered to be the best restaurant in West Virginia by those in the know.
May 10: After a casual breakfast and time to pack up, we'll go for a very pretty hike right behind the Inn. The trail takes us through verdant forests, crossing bridges over rushing streams, and shows us wildflowers we might not have seen previously. It's an out and back hike, so we'll go just as far as we choose. We'll get back to the Inn about 11 am and go our separate ways.
Depending on your route home, you might be interested in stopping at the Green Bank Radio Observatory - the free tour there is really quite fascinating.
