After a very warm spring, the temperature dropped this week. This morning, dry skies finally arrived, but it was 63* with a wind. Now, that is hiking weather to me.
Ford and I were talking and decided that going on a short walk in the morning might be nice. We decided to do more of the WV Route 9 path in the Eastern Panhandle, in Jefferson County. Here is Part 1.
We parked along the side of Wiltshire Road – it is big enough for 2 to 3 vehicles to park. If you are on the other section of the trail, you will need to cross Wiltshire Road, then walk under the Route 9 overpass, to connect. This is at the Bardane exit (also the Shendoah Junction exit). Wiltshire Road becomes Luther Jones Road on the other side of the train tracks.
The first .3 of a mile is along a quiet area. The highway exit is far above, and to the left is a massice field.
It comes to a road crossing of Charles Town Road. Be very careful here, even with the crosswalk. To the left traffic is slowing down to 40, but to the right, traffic is going to 55. You can see excellent both ways, so it is safe enough. But be wary with children here. Very wary. Large trucks do drive this road.
The crossing.
Once you cross over, the trail will be along Route 9 for a nice section.
This section of the trail is not developed in general, and has many flowers growing. It’s easy to tune the highway out.
Wildflowers with pollinators in action.
And a bike fix-it station.
The trail is gentle but has one or two uphills (both ways).
The trail goes up and crosses Northport Ave, which has an overpass over the highway, and seems to only exist for Rockwool, a not-so-loved insulation manufacturer with a plant there. Anyhow, it’s light traffic, but still, cross carefully to continue.
After the crossing, the trail heads downhill, then follows the highway.
As the trail approaches the next road crossing, of Charles Town Road, it finally approaches houses.
We had a short section before truly connecting with Kearneysville (at Route 480/Leetown Road), but we decided to turn around here. Here, you cross the road, go under the overpass, and then you will be on the other side of the highway for the rest of the trail to Martinsburg. We figured we would start here next time!
We walked 3.15 miles round trip, or about 1.57 miles each way. There was a total elevation gain of about 217 feet, so it was not a huge workout.
~Sarah