National Trails Day, Saturday, June 6
West Virginia State Parks and Forests Take In The Outdoors

            On June 6, West Virginia State Parks and Forests welcome hikers and bikers (bicycle) in celebrating the American Hiking Society’s 17th annual National Trails Day.®  “A number of scheduled hikes led by park and forest naturalists are planned to encourage individuals of all ages to get outside and take a hike, bike or walk a trail or trails at your nearby or favorite state park or forest,” according to Sissie Summers, W.Va. State Parks programming administrator.

            “If you hike on National Trails Day at a W.Va. State Park, let your hiking/walking or biking miles be counted,” Summers said. “Log cards will be available at every state park and forest on this day. Even more convenient is the log sheet that is available online at www.wvstateparks.com under the Hikes/Walks icon.  If folks want to walk independently from an organized hike on a trail at a state park or forest, simply keep track of the number of miles hiked on June 6, complete the entries and forward to the address on the log sheet.” 

            Everyone participating in National Trails Day and submitting a log card will receive a 2009 Trails Day patch and National Trails Day certificate. Mileage will be totaled and posted to the West Virginia State Parks Web site. “National Trails Day is an excellent excuse to get outside with your children, family and friends and enjoy you West Virginia State Parks. We hope our scheduled hikes are well received and our trails well traveled on this special outdoor day.”

            National Trails Day in 2008 saw weather conditions that reached the high 90’s into 100 degree mark across most of the state. “Even with the heat, parks and forest had 142 individuals submitting log cards that recorded 770.5 miles hiked or biked at 18 different state parks or forests.”   Those areas were: Babcock, Beech Fork, Berwind, Blackwater Falls, Cacapon, Cathedral, Chief Logan, Coopers Rock, Greenbrier, Hawks Nest, Kanawha, Kumbrabow, Lost River, North Bend, Pipestem, Stonewall, and Tomlinson Run. 

            For more information about a scheduled hike on National Trails Day, call the specific park for details or go online, www.wvstateparks.com under Hikes & Walks or 1-800-CALL-WVA.

National Trails Day events at West Virginia State Parks, June 6, 2009, include:

Greenbrier River Trail 10-Mile Trek
Contact:  Jody Spencer, Superintendent, 304-799-7416 or greenbrierrt@wvdnr.gov

Join park staff and fellow hikers for a guided walk along the Greenbrier River. Begins at 10 a.m.  This year’s hike takes place between Mile Post 46 near Seebert to Milepost 56 on the Greenbrier River Trail. Vehicle shuttles and water will be provided.  Hikers should wear study walking shoes and bring water and lunch as this hike.  There is no charge for this event. For more information contact the trail superintendent at 304-799-4716 or email greenbrierrt@wvdnr.gov.

The Greenbrier River Trail is a 78-mile long rail trail operated by West Virginia State Parks. Trail uses include bicycling, backpacking, cross-country skiing and horseback riding. A packed, crusher run surface coupled with a mere 1 percent grade creates an ease of riding that allows cyclists, young and old, to enjoy the many breathe-taking views. The trail closely mirrors its namesake, the Greenbrier River, for most of its length offering trail users countless opportunities for swimming and fishing.

Hike ‘n Bike the Park at Twin Falls Resort State Park
Contact:  Twin Falls Resort State Park, 304-294-4000 or email JosephSwiney@wvdnr.gov

Two events are planned at Twin Falls.  One is a 4-mile hike for hikers or walkers and the other is an 8-mile ride for mountain bikers.
According to Joe Swiney, park activities coordinator, a mountain bike clinician will conduct a riding skills clinic for bikers. Mountain bike instructors and guides will accompany riders. Participants should bring a lunch and water. This event is for all ages and skill levels.

For those individuals hiking, there is a morning hike on Huckleberry Trail. An afternoon hike on the Cliffside Trail is planned. For more information contact Twin Falls Resort at 304-294-4000 or e-mail josephswiney@wvdnr.gov.

Twin Falls Resort State Park is located in Wyoming County, near Saulsville W.Va. The park lodge is currently under renovation and expansion to a 48-room unit. The park features a 18-hole golf course, miles of hiking and biking trails, cabins, campground, restaurant and an 18-century Pioneer Farm homestead. Visit www.twinfallsresort.com to learn more about this state park gem.

A Bluestone Turnpike Hike
Contact:  Pipestem Resort State Park, Jim Phillips, Naturalist, 304-466-1800 x 344

Pipestem and Bluestone state parks naturalists, Jim Phillips and Vinnie Hudspeth, team with the National Park Service and conduct the Bluestone Turnpike Hike. A 10-miler, this hike starts at Mountain Creek Lodge at Pipestem and treks to Bluestone State Park. Hikers should be at Mountain Creek Lodge by 10 a.m. to start this hike. Mountain Creek is accessible by aerial tram. The hike should conclude by 3:30 or 4 p.m. Shuttle is provided. Participants should wear sturdy shoes and pack water and lunch. In addition to being a National Trails Day event, this hike is part of the WV State Park Hiking Program special hikes. Call Jim Phillips, park naturalist, for greater details at 304-466-1800 extension, 344. “It is very helpful for folks planning to participate in this hike to call in advance so we can organize shuttle services” says Phillips.

Pipestem Resort is located on Rt. 20, minutes from I-77 south, between Athens and Hinton, W.Va.  The park is open year-round with lodges, golf courses, restaurants, gift shop, horseback riding stable, campground, fishing and game courts in addition to good hiking opportunities. A family-favorite, Pipestem’s hiking, nature center, and birding activities make this a nature lovers playground. Online information about Pipestem amenities and activities including the outdoor amphitheater are at www.pipestemresort.com.

"Encounter Naturalist" National Trails Day – Hawks Nest State Park
Contact: Hawks Nest State Park (304) 658-5212 or email WillaGrafton@wvdnr.gov.

Join Naturalist Willa Grafton at Hawks Nest State Park and hike about two miles on the Hawks Nest Rail Trail starting at 9 a.m. and concluding around 11 a.m.

This special hike is nature-based and uses the Hawks Nest Rail Trail to discover the plant life (herbaceous and woody) and learn some of Hawks Nest history. “We will also do some minimal litter pickup to keep our trails green and clean as we hike along the trail,” says Grafton. This will consist of only papers and small items, and small trash bags will be provided for those wishing to participate.

Hikers should come prepared for rain and wear comfortable hiking shoes. No food or drinks will be provided. Hawks Nest Rail Trail is located just off Rt. 60,  Ansted, W.Va. The 1.9 mile (one way) trail is an easy walking, gravel trail featuring two trestles and many waterfall vantage points. Meet at the Main Trail Head on the Hawks Nest River Road. “Pre-registration is suggested so ‘where to meet’ information is confirmed as it is a little confusing to new visitors to this great rail trail,” Grafton advised.

Hike Across West Virginia at Cacapon Resort State Park
Contact: Cacapon Resort State Park, (304) 258-1022 or kellysmith@wvdnr.gov

Naturalist Kelly Smith invites you to hike across a short cross section in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle and “essentially walk across the state!”  Cacapon Mountain is the highest mountain west of the three Eastern Panhandle counties. This hike will travel down the ridge of the mountain with a gradual elevation change from 2,350 feet to 1,700 feet. The final view near Prospect Rock provides a wonderful panoramic scene of three states and two rivers. The hike is fairly level hiking with a wonderful view at the end.

Hikers should meet at the Cacapon Nature Center to be shuttled to the overlook to begin the 10- mile hike along the ridge of Cacapon Mountain on an old fire road. Please bring plenty of water and wear comfortable shoes. You may want to pack a lunch/snacks to eat along the way as this hike is scheduled to depart at 9 a.m. and return by 3 p.m.

Where’s Cacapon Resort State Park? From Washington, D.C., take the Beltway to I- 270 North, Merge onto I-70 West toward Hagerstown, merge onto US - 522 South to Cacapon Resort State Park. Approximate distance: 105 miles. From Interstate 81 (Winchester, Va.) take U.S. Route 522 north 27 miles to the park. From the north on Interstate 81 (Pennsylvania) take Interstate 70 west to Hancock, Md., then U.S. Route 522 south at Hancock, towards Berkeley Springs. The park is located 9 miles south from the town of Berkeley Springs. From the west on Interstate 68 to Hancock, Md., go to 522 South towards Berkeley Springs. The park is located nine miles south from the town of Berkeley Springs. The Web site is:  www.cacaponresort.com

31st Ridge Runner Marathon
Contact: North Bend State Park, (304) 643-2931 or dorisg.mcguffey@wvdnr.gov

North Bend State Park takes different road on National Trails Day with the 31st Annual Ridge Runner Marathon. The 26.2 miles USATF certified marathon begins near the parks maintenance area with start time at 7 a.m. or earlier at 6 a.m. if runners require more than a four hour time. The 10-mile race, also on this date, begins at North Bend Lodge at 9 a.m. Both runs conclude at the park’s amphitheater. All information is available online at www.northbendsp.com , including 2008 results, race information and pre-registration form. This event attracted runners from more than 15 states in 2008 with a course time of  3:08:36.00 hours by Karsten Brown of Front Royal Virginia.

The North Bend Rail Trail welcomes anyone looking for a great trail to walk or bike at your own pace and schedule on National Trails Day or any day. North Bend Rail Trail is 72 miles in length and stretches between Walker, W.Va., near Happy Valley in Wood County, to Wolf Summit in Harrison County.

North Bend State Park is located in Ritchie County, between Cairo and Harrisville W.Va. The park features a lodge, cabins, campgrounds, lake, fishing, picnicking, restaurant and hiking trails. Interpretative programs are scheduled weekly and open to the public.

About National Trails Day

A long-standing celebration of America's magnificent trail system and its countless supporters and volunteers, National Trails Day (NTD) is celebrated in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. The slogan for NTD 2009, Take in the Outdoors, is an open invitation to all Americans to get outside and connect with local hiking clubs, outdoor retailers, local parks and recreation departments or federal land managing agencies to experience everything the great outdoors has to offer.

Since 1993, National Trails Day has inspired thousands of people to enjoy trails on the same day nationwide, taking part in hikes, bike and horse rides, trail maintenance, paddle trips and other activities. Event hosts include local hiking clubs, federal agencies, municipal parks, retailers, land trusts and many other businesses and organizations. For more information about National Trails Day®, visit www.AmericanHiking.org.

Founded in 1976, American Hiking Society is the only national, recreation-based nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting America’s hiking trails, their surrounding natural areas and the hiking experience. To learn more about American Hiking Society and its mission and programs, visit www.AmericanHiking.org or call (800) 972-8608.