 SR 39 begins at Ryder Gap at the West Virginia state line, which also serves as the boundary between George Washington National Forest and Monongahela National Forest and between the James River and Monongahela River watersheds.The roadway continues west of the state line as WV 39 toward Minnehaha Springs and Marlinton.SR 39, which is named Mountain Valley Road, passes through a hairpin turn on its descent of the dividing ridge, then follows Big Turn Run to the valley of Little Back Creek, which passes by the hamlet of Mooretown.