One of the most challenging climbs in the midatlantic, Cass State Park to the summit at Snowshoe is short in distance, but large in stature. When constructed, the new service road, to the southern portion of the resort, had to be rerouted to a steeper grade to accomodate both the cheat mountain salamander and virginia flying squirrel (both endangered). Cyclists, ever since have been cussing.
Finishing on the back side of snowshoe mountain is no small task. The grade on the last 1.9 miles rarely drops below 10%. Starting in the historic logging town of cass, the ride is a midatlantic epic (most accumulated vertical gain in such a short stretch). With over a century of history, the town of cass has been restored and converted into a state park. From the depot, original shay locamotive engines provide transportation to one of the highest points in west virginia. Your bike takes you to another. The train ride is two miles longer than the bike ride. Don't miss the cass railroad museum and store (cassrailroad.com), and of course snowshoe mountain resort (snowshoemtn.com). Local tip, "its much easier in a car."
Position Format:
Datum:
Tracks
Cass State Park
Distance: 8.88 mi
Points: 148
Calories: 683
Total Time: 1:04:01
Speed: 8.3 mph
Pace: 7:12 / mi
Active Time: 1:03:39
Speed: 8.4 mph
Pace: 7:09 / mi
Points of Interest
Old Spruce
Location: 38.467837, -79.969483
The remnants of the former town of spruce remain. all that is left of this former highest town east of the mississippi are some foundations, tracks and an interpretive trail. the former town can be reached only by mountain bike or train.
Cass scenic railroad
Location: 38.412172, -79.926224
The restored railroad at cass offers a number of trips with variety in length and theme.
Company town
Location: 38.398451, -79.929657
Cass company store
Starting point
Location: 38.395223, -79.909744
Cass train depot
Both the train and bike ride start here.
Drafting along the line
Location: 38.439203, -79.956608
Trains draft too
6 miles by train or 5 miles by bike (abandonded service road).
Bald knob
Location: 38.449287, -79.920044
The train approaching bald knob (the 2nd highest point in the state)
Shavers Fork
Location: 38.442565, -79.975319
Crossing the Shavers fork of the Cheat river
The shavers fork of the cheat river make for a fun crossing in the trailer. pocahontas country (origin of eight major rivers) is known as the birthplace of rivers.
Resting at camp whitaker
Location: 38.419973, -79.953690
Shay #2 at Whitaker station
Main street
Location: 38.394953, -79.923821
Company housing
Spruce junction
Location: 38.444178, -79.964676
Spruce junction
Near this junction, the train can either climb to bald knob, go south to "big cut" or run north to the tygart junction. Accessing this point is far easier by train. For me, it was a 10 mile round trip through a remote section of the resort on poorly maintained service roads. For fun, i brought along my 2 year son and a rigid fork. he especially liked crossing the shavers fork of the cheat river in the bike trailer.
Switchbacks
Location: 38.393608, -79.994202
Overlooking one of many switchbacks
Thanks to both the cheat mountain salamander and virginia flying squirrel, the road was rerouted to a steeper grade.
Old Spruce
Location: 38.462864, -79.961586
Cheat mountain salamander
The trains not endangered by the namesake is. From a different direction, this train takes you to the former logging town of spruce. in it's hayday, at 3800 feet, the highest town east of the mississippi.
The road below
Location: 38.387688, -80.002785
Overlooking the road below
Updated from the old days.
Location: 38.466493, -79.964676
Rest stop
Whitaker station
Location: 38.414325, -79.951630
Cabose at camp whitaker
At 4.5 miles up the line, whitaker station is an old logging camp.
Views from the road
Location: 38.397913, -80.013771
Views from snowshoe mountain
Early slopes of the climb
Location: 38.396568, -79.960213
Early slopes
Most of the route 66 portion of the climb are well shaded, keeping you cool, even i the heat of the day.
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