West Virginia is known for a lot of things, but islands aren't typically one of them. You may know of one or two West Virginia islands (river ones, of course). But did you know about the small coal-mining island in the New River Gorge? Red Ash Island lies abandoned in an old-growth forest near the Red Ash Mine along the Southside Trail between Thurmond and Cunard — most recommend starting the Southside Trail at the Brooklyn Boat Launch near Cunard — near Fayetteville. The story of this forgotten community is a classic West Virginia tale of beauty and tragedy that all began over 120 years ago.
Red Ash was a fairly typical small mining community nestled in the beautiful New River Gorge at the turn of the 20th century.
A community of mining families and a string of mines — including the more popular Kaymoor Mine — populated the area.
Then disaster struck. On March 6, 1900, an explosion in the Red Ash Mine killed 46. Five years later, a second explosion in the joined Red Ash and Rush Run mines killed 24.
These were two very devastating events in West Virginia history.
Now the town and the mine are abandoned and largely forgotten...
...but you can still hike along the Southside Rail-Trail to the old coke ovens and other mining ruins. It is among some of the best hiking in West Virginia.
Once you cross the channel to Red Ash Island, you'll find a cemetery of more than 200 mostly anonymous graves — marked with concrete bricks — from miners who perished in the mine disasters as well as community members who died of smallpox.
Pictured is an abandoned graveyard similar to what you'll find on Red Ash Island.
The island can only be reached during dry times of the year and the views along the hike are best in the late fall to early spring.
But not when there's snow or snowmelt raising the river level! Otherwise, the leaves block the views.
Although the Red Ash Mine ruins are right along the Southside Trail, the hike to the island is unmarked, so make sure you know what to look for in order to reach this remote destination.
About two miles from the Brooklyn end of the Southside trail, after you've passed the Red Ash mine (did we already mention that it is one of the many abandoned places in West Virginia?), watch for a small stream on the left. You need to cross this stream to reach the island, which will be swampy at first so head for the high ground, where you'll start to find stone markers indicating the graves.
One other note: although the cemetery is not accessible by bike...
...the Southside rail-trail is suitable for bikers or hikers.
Have you visited the Red Ash Mine ruins and Red Ash Island? Did you even know about this mining community and its story? For more information, visit the Red Ash Island National Park website page.
If you'd like to visit another mine and ghost town while you're in the area, consider hiking to the Kaymoor One mine site.
For more interesting hikes in The Mountain State, check out this list of low-key trails with amazing payoffs!
Last but certainly not least, check out this video extolling the virtues of West Virginia!
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