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Author:
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davidmorlando
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Date:
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8 Sep 2007 9:23:55 AM
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Activity:
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Bicycling
ActivitySearchBicycling
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State:
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West Virginia (WV)
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Distance:
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8.88 mi
(Change units)
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Calories:
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683
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Average Speed:
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8.4 mph
0:07:09/mi
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Duration:
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Total: 1:04:01
Active: 1:03:39
Resting: 0:00:21
Unaccounted: 0:00:01
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Elevation:
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Total Gain: 3871 ft
Total Loss: 1490 ft
Net Change: 2382 ft
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Difficulty:
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5 / 10
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Tags:
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West Virginia, Slaty Fork
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Rating:
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Unrated
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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."
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Datum: |
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Cass State Park
| Dist: 8.88 mi |
Points: 148 |
Calories: 683 |
| Time: 1:04:01 |
Speed: 8.4 mph |
Pace: 7:09 / mi |
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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