Tuesday, September 7, 2021
Spruce Knob, Seneca Rocks, Canaan Valley
Shortly after leaving our hotel in Harrisonburg, we crossed a mountain ridge into West Virginia. I haven't spent much time in WV, but we started our visit by returning to a couple of places that I have been before - 20 years ago this month.
Welcome to the Mountain State
Overlook at the border
Old Yeller keeps on trucking
At 4,863 feet, Spruce Knob, in the Allegheny Mountains, is the highest point in West Virginia. A long, narrow road leads to a half-mile trail circling the peak. The road has been vastly improved in the last two decades, but the trees have grown so much that you no longer get much of a view from the observation platform at the summit. Luckily, there are better viewpoints along the trail.
Jana in West Virginia
Observation platform obscured by trees!
The Alleghenies from Spruce Knob Trail
Next we revisited the distinctive razorback ridge called Seneca Rocks. A 3-mile round-trip hike with a bit of rock scrambling at the end leads to the distinctive summit 900 feet above the valley. With the interminable switchbacks, the hike seemed much longer.
Seneca Rocks
Endless switchbacks
We made it!
Last time when we reached the summit, we encountered several technical-climbing Euro-hippies who'd come straight up the rock face. I remember being mystified that they even knew about this out-of-the-way destination. With the current Covid travel restrictions, there were no Europeans this time. I kind of missed them.
Jana flirts with danger
Well worth the hike
Tom at the top
Late in the afternoon, we reached Canaan Valley Resort State Park, where we rode a scenic 1/2-mile-long ski lift to a 4,300-foot peak overlooking what many say is the most beautiful valley in West Virginia. The weather was perfect. We were lucky to be there on a rare non-windy day.
Canaan Valley Resort State Park
Hang gliding launch site
From the top, you can either ride the lift back down or return via a two-mile hike. We'd had enough hiking for one day and caught the last lift down just before six o'clock. The gorgeous late-afternoon light made the view on the descent especially spectacular!
Canaan Valley from the lift
Jana enjoys the ride
On our way to Davis, we stopped by Canaan Valley BBQ for some take-out pulled pork and potato salad, which we enjoyed with some local beers at a picnic area in front of our motel. Hit the spot!
Lodging: Alpine Lodge in Davis, WV, an older motel with low frills but a great value at $60. The Sawmill Restaurant is located onsite, but its limited hours won't coincide with our stay. We'd initially reserved two nights here but immediately decided to stay for three.
We drove hard for hours and hours today, and at the end of the day, I realized we'd only gone 126 miles. Negotiating the steep and winding roads of West Virginia takes some time!
Tom
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