Description: This difficult four-mile hike (one way) is located in the New River Gorge National park at Fayettville. We obtained maps and information from the Canyon Rim visitor center. The guides there are very friendly and knowledgeable.
The Kaymore Miners Trail follows the route of miners who worked one of the largest mines in the gorge area. This mine prospered for over 60 years and the abandoned workings are overgrown and forest has re claimed most of the mine site and town.
We parked our car at Kaymore top and began the steep mile descent down the rocky trail. The sun was shining and the temperature hovered around 68ºF but being early spring the trail was soggy, slippery, and very beautiful. Trickling streams and waterfalls provided our music and early pink honeysuckle, dogwood and wild ginger added to the wonderful forest aroma. One of the bonuses of spring hiking is the spring green trees and waterfalls that really roar.
Part way down a short spur trail we had a great view of the river and gorge. A few narrow ridges and some rocky sections required scrambling and we kept a sharp eye on the tree trunks. Crude stone steps aided our descent and short bursts of flat narrow pathways gave us a respite.
800 steep stairs provided access to old homes, coke ovens and buildings. At the bottom we found the area impassable. Overgrown vegetation, huge tree trunks and boulders blocked our access to the river. Signs warned of Copperheads and Rattlesnakes and hazards of decayed structures, commonsense prevailed; we began our climb - no mean feat. The temperature by then was hovering around 75 and I was wearing a long sleeved cotton sweater. My husband suggested that I remove it – I did so because there wasn’t a soul around however, I will spare you the photo of my crawl back. {Love handles and all…} I felt I had conquered Everest. Semi- naked.
You can follow the path on the left at the top of the stairs That is the Cunard—Kaymore trail and will take you back to Kaymore top, however, it is longer (Around 6 miles). We returned the way we came and did the climb in a tiring 40 minutes. Time for "A cold one"
From U.S. Route 19, follow Route 16 South through the town of Fayetteville. Take a left on Gatewood Road (sign indicates Kaymoor and Cunard). Follow this road for 2 miles, and turn left at the Kaymoor sign. Follow this narrow road for about one mile to an intersection, and bear left. You will see a camp, if you pay the fellow there one dollar he will keep an eye on your car. There is another car park on the left 50 yards down. Kaymoor Trails can be accessed from the Kaymoor Top trailhead.
Caution this is a strenuous hike with a total elevation change of almost 1000 vertical feet if you continue to the river level.
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