Friday, September 10, 2021
Valley Falls State Park, MCTrail, Mon River South Trail
After three nights in Davis, it was time to move on. Today we were heading north to Fairmont, county seat of Marion County, not far from Morgantown.
It was 60 miles to our first stop of the day, which took almost two hours to drive. That's what happens in West Virginia! The route was winding in the extreme, and we took a few “interesting” shortcuts provided via Google Maps. Adventure!
All routes are scenic in West Virginia
Finally, we arrived at Valley Falls State Park, a picturesque place on the Tygart Valley River. The park has numerous hiking and biking trails, but we spent our time just wandering among the rocks by the river.
Jana at Valley Falls State Park
Tom and Jana by the Tygart Valley River
Valley Falls
The main event of the day was a bike ride on the MCTrail and a portion of the Mon River South Trail, both part of the larger Mon River Rail-Trail System, which consists of over 50 miles of interconnected rail-trails centered in Morgantown. Over the next four days, we'll be riding several of these trails in whole and in part.
We parked at Prickett's Fort State Park, at the top of the MCTrail (aka Marion County Trail). This 2.5-mile trail runs along Prickett's Creek and features a 1,200-foot-long lighted tunnel. Across the road from the trailhead is Prickett's Fort, a reconstruction of a Virginia frontier fort built in 1774.
Prickett's Fort
Meredith Tunnel on the MCTrail
A rare lighted rail-trail tunnel
After riding out and back on the MCTrail, we connected with the Mon River South Trail. This trail follows the Monongahela River for 19 miles to downtown Morgantown, where it links up with the rest of the larger trail system, but we wouldn't be riding that far today.
South end of the Mon River South Trail
Mighty Monongahela River
Prickett Creek
We biked the southernmost six miles of the Mon River Trail South, turning around at the Opekiska Dam. A recent storm had downed some trees, but they were easily bypassed. Between the two trails, we racked up 17 leisurely miles.
Slight detour
Tom on the trail
In honor of those who never met a bench they didn't like
Lodging: Quality Inn, Fairmont, WV, the most luxurious lodging of our trip. The king bed and bedding were super comfy!
We had dinner at the nearby Copper House Grill, pasta with meatballs, chicken breasts with provolone, sides, and a couple of Big Timber IPAs. The food was good, the portions were large, and the place was lively!
Tom
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