New River Gorge, WV - Thurmond and Kaymoor Mine

Discussion in 'Adventure, Hiking, Backpacking and Travel' started by DiscoveryLover, Sep 26, 2020.

  1. DiscoveryLover

    DiscoveryLover Member

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    Went for a small hike today at the New River Gorge. First stop was the ghost town of Thurmond. Used to be a railroad town, now part of the National Park Service. The film Matewan was filmed here too.

    Train depot, now a visitors center
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    Coaling Tower
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    Train tracks are right along Main Street
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    The New River Gorge
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    The old Bank of Glen Jean. Now part of the National Park Service headquarters
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    Well that's disappointing. Goats being used to clear underbrush.
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  2. DiscoveryLover

    DiscoveryLover Member

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    Next the Kaymoor Miner's Trail. Steep and rocky halfway down to the mine, then 821 steps down to the bottom to the river and train tracks. It was about 2.4 miles and took about 1.5 hours.
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    View across the Gorge
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    Your family wants you to work safely.
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    Old mine entrance
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    Powder House
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    View of the steps. 821 steps down, and back up.
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    Power Station
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    Coke Ovens
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    Overgrown train tracks
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    Selfie after I climbed the steps back up
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  3. DiscoveryLover

    DiscoveryLover Member

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    Safety Board
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    Also stopped by the Hawk's Nest overlook. They let water out of the Dam for maintenance of the Hydro Tunnel.
    Neat seeing the low water levels.
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    Also a link for a neat animated route of my Kaymoor hike.
    https://www.relive.cc/view/vYvrNYpM7Lv
     
    Last edited: Sep 28, 2020
  4. Boker55

    Boker55 Member

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    I like your new sunglasses.
     
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  5. DiscoveryLover

    DiscoveryLover Member

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    Thank you, those are the Magpul Radius polarized. They are a little big for my narrow face, but they are comfortable.
     
  6. Gunn

    Gunn Member

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    New River Gorge is an amazing place. Thank you for stirring this old Mountaineer's memories.
     
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