2 nights 3 days 38m West Fork Rail Trail Bikepacking & 8m Hike to High Falls

Escape the DC summer heat to Wild and Beautiful West Virginia with this combined biking and hiking trip:

2 nights 3 days 38 miles West Fork Rail Trail Bikepacking & 8 miles hike to High Falls.

This bike route combines remote rail trail riding along the West Fork of the Greenbrier River with miles of rolling gravel roads snaking in Monoghenal Forest. Deer and turkey are abundant in this area and sightings are commonplace. Other more elusive creatures in the area are black bears, bobcats, foxes, and coyotes. Meandering through the mountains, the trail and the river make sweeping 180-degree turns through a tight valley surrounded by steep hillsides. The West Fork River is a popular fishing spot, and you are bound to see a number of anglers along the way.

Route:

Day 1: Bike 19 miles one way southbound from High Falls trailhead along the West Fort Rail Trail (WFRT) to Durbin. Camp at East Fork Campground ($, hot shower) at Durbin, a small Appalachian town. Food is available.
Day 2: Bike 19 miles back to trailhead. Hike 1.7 miles along the High Falls trail to campsite.
Day 3: Start our 6.3 miles out and back day hike to see beautiful High Falls before we head back home.

Summary:

Day 1 trailhead: High Falls trailhead. Park on the right 75 yards before the High Falls trailhead. GPS: +38.75026, -79.75177
Total bikepacking: 38 miles.
Total day hike on day 2-3: 8 miles.
Rideable section: over 99%.
Biking difficult level: 6/10. West Fort Rail trail Road is mostly gravel. May have some blown down trees. Some sections may be covered by high grass and deep mud due to lack of maintenance in year 2020-2021. Mountain bike is highly recommended.

High Falls trail is well marked.
Remoteness: 9/10: Mostly no wifi or signal available.
Logistics: 8/10: Easy to drive to trailheads and bike shop Joey’s Bike Shop is not too far. https://joeysbikeshop.com/.
Campground: 9/10. Day 1: $. With hot shower and fire ring. Day 2: Dry camp. Free.
Elevation: moderate.

Map and information:

For Day 1 and 2 West Fork Trail trail bikepacking:

http://wvbike.org/west_fork_trail/
https://www.traillink.com/trail/west-fork-trail/

For day 3: 7.8 miles out and back on High Falls trail.
https://youtu.be/haiHk0Dca0s
https://www.hikingupward.com/MNF/HighFalls/images/Map.pdf

Packing: 10 essentials, full biking and camping gears.
Tips: AAA members can get free transportation (have mileage limit) to nearby bike shop.

A. Safety: ITS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.
It’s your responsibility to realistically assess your physical condition, trip related experience and fitness level to decide if you like to join the event and continue the journey to the end or not.
B. Fully Prepare and responsible for bailout, emergency and rescue.
C. Your attendance on any organized event signifies that you have read and accepted the terms of the Club’s liability waiver.