This trail was alot of fun. I just hiked it on July 5th 2010. Your basicly going down the entire mountain. The first part of the wooded trail is rocky but well cleared. Once you get down to the Kaymoor Mines.. It has signs to read the history and the openings of the mines gated off,but still very cool to see. And if you stand infront of the 2nd mine it feels like you just walked into a air conditioned room, it very refreshing. But watch out for snakes.. There are signs to warn you about them, and we did see a big black snake over by one of the mines.

Then if your brave go down down the 2,000 plus stairs to where the coal rail cars were kept by the(still active) rail road tracks. We went further because we could hear the rapids from the river and wanted to see if there were any rafters out. We crossed over the rail road tracks, scaled down a half beatin path, more like we rock climbed down to the river side. And there were many rafter having a great time hitting the rapids on the "lower new river"... It was very relaxing sitting in the rock on the river side waving at the rafters that came by.

Now going back up is a totaly different story. I really enjoy hiking, but the hike back up really tested my ability and patience. I had to stop several times to catch my breath and rest. It could have been we ran out of water and were not hydrated and the sun burn on our legs from the rafting trip the day before was starting to take a toll on our muscles, but it was very hard. And I had to used all my strength and will power to get back up those stairs and up the rest of the mountain.

After it was all said and done, it was an awesome experience, beautiful scenary, great history, and an awesome workout!!!

Highly recomended!! Take lots of water and be ready to sweat!! :-)