Published March 1963 — Download PDF of the original newspaper column
From the office of UNITED STATES SENATOR ROBERT C. BYRD Room 342, Old Senate Office Building, Washington 25, D.C. Volume III Number 10 BYRD' EYE VIEW A PUBLIC SERVICE COLUMN BY ROBERT C. BYRD HIKING IN WEST VIRGINIA GOOD FOR BODY AND SOUL In recent days, hiking has been spotlighted as a moderate means of attaining physical fitness. The swing of the stride, we are told gives motion to most of the body's muscles and generally promotes a better conditioning of the tissues. But hiking, as such, can be a dull activity if the route of the walk lacks eye-appealing elements which can add the factor of contentment to the exercise. Personal serenity can be found, however, along the 735 miles of hiking trails and byways in the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. Some enthusiasts have called hiking in the Monongahela National Forest “tranquility” without tranquilizers," and a "panoramic tonic." Certainly, for physical renewal and spiritual enrichment, extensive foot travel in the high country of the Mountain State has no equal anywhere East of the Mississippi River. Oddly enough, many of the trails in the National Forest are the paths that mark the commerce of a generation almost forgotten. They were established by loggers, at the turn of the century--men engaged in harvesting the rich virgin forests from such logging centers as Davis, Thomas, Parsons, Glady, Neola, Evenwood, Bemis, Cass, Rimel, Franklin, Petersburg, Whitmer, Horton, and Job. The trails which these woodsmen left for our generation of hikers are pathways abounding in natural riches. They weave between birch, beech, and maple trees; they touch on many cool, flowing springs; they pass fields of wildflowers; and they skirt scenic overlooks of breath-taking beauty. Then there are trails developed by the Forest Service which lead to forest fire towers located at high elevations. Here the hiker is afforded commanding views of lush mountainous landscapes. There is the Red Oak tower overlooking Cranberry River; Red Spruce tower in Pocahontas County overlooking the Williams River; and Beaver Lick tower, also in Pocahontas County. Spruce Patch, a stand of virgin timber of rare beauty, is reached by walking 4~ miles over the Mylius Trail in Randolph County. This trail was named for one of the pioneer families of the area. Hiking in the high country of West Virginia's Monongahela Forest is particularly pleasant during the summer months. It is a truly stimulating experience in the autumn months, when the brilliant hues of many hardwoods are sharply contrasted by the evergreen foliage of the native Red Spruce. In many respects, the coloration of our forestlands is superior to New England's fall foliage, which attracts thousands of visitors each autumn. Thus, to those Americans who are thinking of taking to hiking, the high country of the Mountain State recommends itself as being good for both body and soul. - 30 -