Upon The Mountain: Cass 2022
Upon the Mountain: Cass 2022
By Giles Kennedy
What do the slight remnants of Hurricane Ian, first time visitors and glamping in West Virginia have in common?
Everything.
Ohio Valley Rails in partnership with Columbus Wired took the Kennedy family to Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, West Virginia.
The lingering rain and wind did brush Pocahontas County, West Virginia (between Roanoke, Virginia and Beckley, West Virginia). However, by the time the storm hit the eastern edge of the Mountain State; a crisp fall foliage and clouds covered the area,
Myself, my wife Tanya and daughter Hannah were seasoned travelers here. Hannah’s friends; Summer and Piper Rackley were along for the journey.
With the occasional insanity and road trip silliness with three tween girls; it was an interesting drive through the Appalachian Mountains.
More information on the railroad is in the Columbus Wired article
https://www.columbus-wired.com/post/cass-scenic-railroad
I will recap on basic info on booking with Cass Scenic Railroad State Park (separate operation from Cass Scenic Railroad; owned by Mountain Rail Adventures)
https://wvstateparks.com/park/cass-scenic-railroad-state-park/
The Wifi on the State Park property is still in the company houses; but also has a wifi hub at the Cass Company Store/Visitors Center above the Cass Depot.
Contact
- Phone: 304-456-4300
- Email: cassrailroadsp@wv.gov
- Address: 12363 Cass Road, Cass, WV 24927
Per the Website
“The Company Store, which houses a gift shop and The Last Run Restaurant and Soda Fountain, is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The park also features an artisans co-op and the Cass Historical Theater and Historical Museum, one of America’s only authentic lumber railroading museums. The visitors center is open Wednesday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Winter hours at Cass run Nov. 1 to March 31. During winter hours, the Company Store is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. During winter hours, The Last Run Restaurant is open Sunday and Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Thursday 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Friday 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. During winter hours, the restaurant is closed Tuesday and Wednesday.”
Although some basic items are for purchase at the Company Store;inform the cashier you are a house guest. When staying at a Cass Company House; you get a 10% discount on your purchase during your stay.
The Company Store has the main check in/reservation office, the main portion of the Company Store, an ice cream parlor and a casual restaurant; The Last Run.
Nearby the Depot and the Company Store; an artisan’s market, a museum. These are well worth your visit at the State Park.
Tanya suggested this adventure.
Seriously, she did.
She discovered the Greenbrier River Valley Trail in 2020. She also discovered they would run a marathon through the West Virginia countryside. (Minus 2020, of course)
The Trail runs along the former Cheaspeake and Ohio right of way through a large part of Pocahontas County.
https://wvstateparks.com/park/greenbrier-river-trail/
(Due to the terrible weather endured by the train ride; we seriously made the best of it. Tanya decided due to the weather and kids with us; she didn't run the marathon.
However, memories were made. The staff at Cass Scenic Railroad and the State Park staff were amazing!)
If you are an avid or novice biker, hiker or runner; this is the flattest trail in any of the Appalachians. 79 miles starting at North Caldwell; west of White Sulphur Springs. Even with the level grade; it winds all the way up to the Village of Cass.
The Marathon runs the 1st weekend in October in Pocahontas County from Cass to Marlinton and back.
This proves to be a wild and wonderful adventure year round.
