NRGE Hunt for the southside mines 1/2 day (evening)

OVERVIEW

Disclaimer: This is a trip for NRGE so please sign up for the main carpool (https://outdoorsatuva.org/adventure/nrge-2026-main-carpool/) and pay the trip fee after you have been let onto this trip! You cannot go on this trip if you are not also on the main trip!

Hello fellow NRGErs!!!! This is a half day hike in the afternoon, so I’d recommend joining a half day something or other in the morning as well! (I’m going climbing)
We will be going to the one and only southside trail, a defunct mining trail alongside some cool train tracks and the new river (name drop!!!). It’ll pass through a bunch of abandoned mining towns and some coal mines!! Total mileage is about 15-16 miles, but it’s relatively flat, so I’m hoping we will be finished before 8ish, but that may change depending on how fast we walk. Since sundown is going to be at 7 you will need a headlamp or some kind of light!! Hopefully there will be pizza left for us when we get back!!!

Here’s the alltrails we’re gonna follow:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/west-virginia/red-ash-via-southside-trail
Alltrails claims there’s a road closure, but the nps website says it’s now open… We’ll see when we get there I guess.

Timeline:
– Leave Ray’s at 2
– Get to trailhead 2:30
– Hike!
– Back to trailhead around 8ish and head back

You Bring:
– Hiking shoes/boots
– Lots of water, better to bring too much than not enough
– Snacks
– Layers (plan for chilly weather)
– Headlamp
I bring:
– First aid kit