Blue Ridge Country January/February 2021 - 36

ELKINS-RANDOLPH COUNTY TOURISM CVB

Mower Tract

ABOVE: Visit the Appalachian Forest
Discovery Center and West Virginia Railroad
Museum.
BELOW: Ride vintage diesel to steam at
Durbin & Greenbrier Valley RR.

Within the Monongahela National
Forest, visit the site of ongoing highelevation forest ecosystem restoration.
Once carelessly mined, a 40,000-acre
tract is slowly regaining healthy soil and
water systems and diverse native plant
populations through multi-agency efforts.
Specifically, red spruce and big-toothed
aspen, once abundant in this ecosystem
dating back to the ice age, are the focus of
reforestation. These habitats are wildlife
corridors and critical for sensitive species
such as the Cheat Mountain salamander
and Virginia northern flying squirrel. The
Monongahela overall spans 1.7 million

acres and hosts seven Wilderness areas.
fs.usda.gov/mnf

Appalachian Forest Discovery Center
Learn about forestry, nature, culture
and history at this National Heritage
Area site. From industrialization in the
past to present-day conservation and
management, the environments within
this multi-county region are rich with
resources and stories of life and living
in the mountains. Located in a historic
grist mill in Elkins, this heritage tourism
initiative contains engaging exhibits
complimented by specially curated yearly
updates. elkinsrandolphwv.com

MUCH MORE TO SEE IN WEST VIRGINIA...
)) Blenko Glass Company, Milton. The now world-renowned
handmade glass company celebrates its 100th year in Milton
(originally founded in 1893), after humble beginnings in a small
hillside barn.
)) Spruce Knob - Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area, Riverton. Perfect for rock climbers and the rest of us, these white and
gray Tuscarora quartzite formations lie 900 feet above the river
and offer views of unspoiled wilderness in all directions.
)) Seneca Caverns, Riverton. Step back 460 million years into
the heart of karst geology (landscapes formed by water dissolving rocks) to see stunning cave features and formations.
)) Beverly Heritage Center, Beverly. Spend the day in one of the
first settlement-towns west of the Alleghenies touring museum
exhibits in four historic buildings, each telling the story of local
history, the Civil War and a journey through time.
)) Bickle Knob Observation Tower, Elkins. Climb one of the few
standing and publicly accessible fire towers in the Monongahela
NF for a panoramic experience.
CHASE GUNNOE
)) Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad, Elkins. Travel in
vintage passenger trains behind
steam locomotives through remote mountain terrain, or stay
overnight in a real caboose.
)) West Virginia Botanic
Garden, Cheat Lake. Stroll the
82-acre gardens at your leisure
or with an educational guide
to learn about native plants,
wetlands, garden design and
the ongoing projects in this slice of heaven.
)) Hatfield & McCoy ATV Trails, Williamson. Ride 700+ miles on
the largest off-road trail system in the world, and stop along the
way at " ATV-friendly towns " on this Trails Heaven.
)) Helvetia - Swiss Village, Randolph County. Enjoy traditional
Swiss and German cultures through festivals, food, music and
dance of the original settlers in this isolated region.
)) Civil War Trails, statewide. Journey to dozens of locations and

BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM

discover camps, forts and historic events that shaped the future
of the state.
)) Dolly Sods Wilderness, Grant/Randolph/Tucker counties. Experience true wilderness across 17,371 acres, lofty summits, 47
hiking trails, during four seasons in this remote location.
)) Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, Weston. Tour the second
largest hand-cut masonry building in the world; home to a
(checkered) 160-year history of caring for the mentally ill (...and
it may be haunted).
)) Roaring Plains West Wilderness, Randolph/Pendleton counties. Listen to the silence (despite the name) of these 6,792 acres
amongst native vegetation, rich understory flora and diverse
wildlife.
)) National Coal Heritage Area & Trail, Oak Hill. Glimpse the
unique culture of coal country via stops at preserved mining
homes, railyards, company stores and other indicia of a largely
bygone era.
)) Gaudineer Knob, Huttonsville. Get the binoculars ready to see
the diverse population of the 186 boreal forest birds who call
this almost pure stand of native red spruce trees home.
)) Stirrup Gallery, Elkins. Learn about life around the world from
the Stone Age to the early 20th Century visiting the 10,000+
items on display at this free museum.
)) Snowshoe Mountain skiing, Snowshoe. Carve some powder,
snowboard or cross country on 60 trails at this popular wintertime destination; and relax afterward at local resorts.
)) The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs. Treat yourself to
a stay at one of the world's finest luxury resorts whose varied
history dates back to 1778 and guests have included presidents,
royalty and celebrities.
)) Summersville Lake, Summersville. The state's largest lake runs
to 327 feet deep as it dams the Gauley River and offers great
boating, fishing, rock climbing, snorkeling and more.
)) Green Bank Observatory, Green Bank. Visit seven large radio
telescopes at the nation's first astronomy observatory; plus programs, events, the Science Center and stargazing. Green Bank is
also home to Fort Warwick, recently discovered colonial-era site.

Blue Ridge Country January/February 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Blue Ridge Country January/February 2021