It’s not till we exit Interstate 81, run by way of some gears on US Route 48, and catch a whiff of dew-covered fields that I really feel like we’ve arrived. Craig, a good friend from faculty who lives within the suburbs of Philadelphia, has a cross for the weekend, so he got here down for a trip with me to Seneca Rocks by way of “Wild and Wonderful” West Virginia. He’s on his 2000 Harley Road King and I’m on my 2011 Triumph Sprint GT.
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Our place to begin is Manassas, in northern Virginia, and the quickest route west to the Appalachians is Interstate 66, adopted by a three-mile hop on I-81 earlier than we exit and switch onto US 48.
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Once off the interstate, every part modifications. Time – and our velocity – slows down, giving us the chance to note our environment. Simple homes have cinder-block foundations and indifferent garages. Folks out right here don’t stroll behind wimpy electrical mowers, and so they don’t put grass clippings in baggage. Out right here they proudly trip massive gas-powered mowers, with clippings flung far and huge throughout expansive yards. We soak up that unmistakable odor of freshly minimize grass – it smells like summertime.
US 48 is a two-lane highway with farmland on either side for about 5 miles earlier than ascending by way of the forest and over the ridgeline that serves because the border between Virginia and West Virginia. It’s a fast descent on a 9% grade to Wardensville, the 48th place will get a significant makeover and turns into a four-lane divided freeway. Before the superhighway begins, we divert to Old Route 55 (McCauley Road) and wind our way by way of the shaded Lost River valley.
We hop again on 48 simply earlier than Baker and make our strategy to Moorefield, the place we head south on Main Street (US Route 220). The highway flattens out by way of extra farmland, however mountains on all sides feed our anticipation of future switchbacks. At Petersburg, we proceed west on State Route 28 and observe the North Fork South Branch Potomac River, which carved one of many many gaps by way of the mountains.
Heading south, we catch glimpses of Champe Rocks, a pair of vertical crags that emerge from the Champe Knobs within the Allegheny Mountains. Roughly 230 million years in the past, rock that was as soon as on the backside of the ocean was pushed up till it grew to become vertical. Softer rock ultimately eroded, however the quartzite that makes up the fin-looking outcroppings is far more durable and nonetheless stands as we speak. The rocks are throughout the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area within the Monongahela National Forest. Cabin rental ads alongside the highway communicate to the good fishing, canoeing, climbing, and tenting to be discovered close by.
Before lengthy, the Seneca Rocks formation – a widely known scenic vacation spot within the Mountain State – emerges from the dense forest of the River Knobs vary. The rock partitions are standard amongst climbers, however after our 150-mile morning trip, Craig and I are extra desirous about consuming. We kick out our stands at Yokum’s Vacationland, on the junction of Route 28 and US Route 33. In enterprise since 1923, Yokum’s has a basic retailer, a deli, a motel, cabins, and a campground.
The short-order grill is behind the shop, so Craig and I stroll previous all method of native items (Traffic Jam catches my eye) and order lunch. Being from Philadelphia, Craig surprises me by ordering a Philly cheesesteak, however the outcome appears even higher than my cheeseburger, which hits the spot. After our meal, we trip a couple hundred yards down the highway, park the bikes in so much alongside Roy Gap Road, and stroll to the river, our eyes centered on the excessive climbers above on the rocks. We agree that Yokum’s would make an amazing hub for driving a number of the extra adventurous routes by way of the Japanese a part of the state.
A curvy 35-mile trip west by way of the Alleghenies on US 33 brings us to Elkins, a basic American city with eating places, bars, accommodations, and retailers. In the middle of the city is the West Virginia Railroad Museum and a historic practice depot that’s one of many stops on the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad, a vacationer practice that travels by way of rugged mountain surroundings.
After returning to Seneca Rocks, we proceed south on US 33, which makes a pointy flip to the east at Judy Gap. On the ascending turns I’m tempted to open up the throttle, however I examine my urge in order not to miss Germany Valley overlook – an amazing view of the valley and the River Knobs vary simply earlier than the crest of North Fork Mountain. Thirty miles later we crest High Knob and cross again into Virginia. On the descent, the place the highway is straight and the outdated development creates a cover 100 toes above, it appears like driving by way of a cathedral.
We courageous the stoplights and visitors of Harrisonburg earlier than once more ascending to Swift Run Gap, the place Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive intersects with US 33. Two monuments give a little bit of historical past of the cross, the place in 1716 Lieutenant Governor Spotswood and a gaggle of rangers, Native Americans, and authorities officers got down to show that a simple path over the Blue Ridge Mountains existed.
At Stanardsville, we take Business Route 33 by way of the historic district. We flip north on State Route 230, which ultimately ends at US Route 29, the place we once more flip north. Less than half a mile later we cease at a brightly colored Tastee-Freez to flee the summer season warmth and wolf down scorching fudge sundaes. A neighborhood informs us it’s the oldest repeatedly operated, privately owned Tastee-Freez in America.
The mountains fade from our mirrors as we proceed northeast towards our place to begin. We’ve solely scratched the floor of what we will uncover in West Virginia, and we’re desperate to return.
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