WEDNESDAY
We were up bright and early to get our free breakfast at Webbs when they opened at 8 am. We were informed that we were a day early … the “Free Food” was tomorrow. Drats. We repeated the breakfast from the day before even though we had to fork-out another $8 plus tip.
We left Cumberland Gap in a drizzle, entered the tunnel heading north on US 25E and hit a torrential downpour when we came out on the Kentucky side. We hustled onto Pinnacle Road and parked under the US 25E overpass until the rain eased.
We carefully headed-up Pinnacle Road, 2 miles of 5 mph corners and severe switchbacks to an outlook called Pinnacle Rock looking down on Cumberland Gap and Tennessee from the Virginia/Kentucky State Line. The view was awesome even in the shroud of mist and clouds. We had the place to ourselves in a misting rain. This is one of the tightest roads we have ridden. We recommend it for experienced riders who know how to work the clutch, throttle and brake all at the same time when climbing the steep switchbacks.
Back on the road we took KY 988 northerly through the Cumberland Gap National Park for 2.5 miles. We encountered a deer that was not too concerned about getting off the road. Another mile and we took KY 217 east, an interesting ride with no traffic for 9 miles to KY 987. Then easterly on KY 987, dodging another deer on the way and easing through a couple of road washouts, for 18 miles to Martins Fork Lake where the rain got even harder. All of the above roads are paved, but secondary country roads with less than perfect pavement.
At this point we had enough of the chilling weather and wet roads. There was no clearing in sight. We programmed in a return to the campground and saw that the GPS had us backtracking a few miles and then jumping over the Cumberland Mountains back onto US 58 in Virginia. I had my doubts about this route and when we arrived at the turn-off there was a little used, washed-out gravel track heading up the mountain. Not even Nancy was willing to try this road in the rain. We carefully followed our earlier path back home on 987, 217, and 988. We arrived soaked to the skin even in our Aerostitches.
We packed-up our gear and headed-out with the Fun Mover. It was too early to get dinner at Webbs so we missed the “Free Food” once again. Maybe tomorrow will come on our next trip to the Cumberland Gap.
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST
Pinnacle Rock at the end of Pinnacle Road - paved, but very steep with sharp switchbacks.
Daniel Boone Information Center
Trails leading to some historic places in the Cumberland Gap area. http://www.nps.gov/cuga
History of the old US 25 known as Massacre Mountain
http://www.us-highways.com/cgap00.htm
Town of Cumberland Gap
http://cumberlandgap.net
SUMMARY:
TOTAL DISTANCE: 78 miles
TRAVEL TIME: 2.5 hours
