Adventure for another day

The Guest River Gorge, home of the old Interstate RR's branch line from Coeburn, Va. to Miller Yard, Va., is highlighted by high cliffs, water falls and a high forest canopy covering knee high undergrowth of mostly ferns.  One tunnel and several bridges lead down 400 feet over the 5.9 mile ride.  You can practically coast the whole way down.  Once there, there is nothing but the (very) active CSX railroad (ex-Clinchfield RR between Elkhorn City, Ky. and Spartanburg, SC).  Nowhere to go, but back up.

An adventurous soul could ride along the CSX track (a rough ride on bike) for another mile and see the abandoned yard at Miller Yard.  All traces of the Interstate, except the hulk of the old coaling tower, are gone.  No yard tracks, no station, no hotel, no section houses, etc.  In fact, the forest has just about reclaimed the land.  CSX still maintains a couple of yard tracks there for MoW equipment storage.

The way back is obviously up hill, but it's an easy and gentle 2% grade (2 feet rise in 100 feet run).  It was only after the 11.8 mile ride that I noticed these strange looking objects in the parking lot at the trailhead.  These turned out to be bear-proof trash cans.   Mmmmm.

Well, it makes a good story.  I've been to both the trailhead and Miller Yard (by car on a gravel road), but I haven't ridden the trail yet.  Maybe I'll wait until the bears are hibernating to make that trip.  Or until I can get someone (slower than me) to go with me.  I don't have to outrun the bear, just the guy with me.  An adventure for another day.

The tunnel near the trailhead, looking back "uphill" toward the trailhead.

What's left of the Interstate RR at Miller Yard - one track (formerly the IRR main line) and the coaling tower.  The abandoned rail equipment belongs to CSX.  CSX's main line and passing track are about 75 yards to the left of here.  

The yard tracks in between (CSX/Clinchfield and Interstate) have been torn out and trees and brush have taken over.  All of the buildings (section houses, hotel, depot, boiler house and water tank) have all rotted and/or been torn down.  I could find no traces except for the foundation of the depot.