Back to the Monongahela National Forest, WV

[mtnbike28]

It was time to visit Monongahela National Forest with friends again. This year we camped at the Laurel Run Primitive campground in the southern part of Monongahela. Best part of the campground (other than being alone) was seeing a Bobcat!



The first day was a trip to the Cass Railroad and saw mill. The train was a 1900's Shay locomotive, a gear driven engine.

 

[mtnbike28]

After the train ride, we headed toward a cave on private property.









As you can see, the opening is about as wide as you are and a 10 foot drop to the floor. Once down, you had to press your back against the wall and your feet across from that wall to crab over a deep crevasse, and that was the first 15 feet. Lots of scrambling and sliding (new respect of denim stickiness) led to open rooms and passages in every direction!

 

[mtnbike28]

The next day was a hike up to Ann Bailey Observation Tower, an old hand cut railroad tunnel on the Greenbrier Trail before a pot luck dinner with friends.











Lemon bars and a homemade (made in camp) dried apple pie by Beth!

 

[mtnbike28]

As long as we are at the Greenbrier River, we might as well swim and swing.

 

[mtnbike28]

Sadly Sunday rolled around and most folks pack up and headed home, after lunch we visited Falls of Hills Creek and it's three waterfalls that cascade 25, 45, and finally 63-feet, the second highest waterfall in West Virginia. After the hike we played games of ultimate Frisbee and ladder ball.

 

[mtnbike28]

Thanks to all the ARSES folks for allowing us to play! This was a great trip. After my 5 hour drive home, I dropped off the Land Cruiser and jumped in the Tacoma and drove to Rock Hill, SC (another 4 hours driving round trip, and a 3 hour class) for my first certification class to ride and race on a velodrome. What a great experience, but I am tired today!

 

[matthewp]

Very nice trip and pictures Jay! Monongahela is on my "shortish" list. You have given me great inspiration!

 

[mtnbike28]

Thanks Matthew, this trip was only in a VERY SMALL part of the good stuff. The northern part (Blackwater Falls area) is as nice or nicer. As I was checking the names for this report, I found a couple new spots I want to visit.

 

[CLynn85]

Great pics as usual, Jay.

Our decision to attend was last minute, as per protocol, but we were glad we did. We arrived Friday after some of the group's sub-subterranean adventures and set up camp just in time to join the group for dinner. The "organizers" chose an awesome place for group camping that was primitive enough to be sedate and keep away the hordes yet maintained such that critters were kept to a minimum and no bushwhacking was required.

Saturday's hike and subsequent swim were great both for relaxation and to burn off some of the aforementioned calories that accompanied the fine dining, and not even a little drizzle could dampen the spirits for Saturday evening's pot luck and following BS session.

It was nice to catch up with everyone and meet some new faces, and it was REALLY hard to pack up and leave Sunday afternoon. Next time we'll definitely have to devote more of our schedule to the event.

 

[CLynn85]

Not many photos but here's a few.

Hmmm....


Camp


We always have to be, uh, "special"...


View from the top


Lunch stop. One of these things is not like the other, but hey, I didn't hear any complaints about the mobile changing room....


Greenbrier trail