Seneca Rocks, Spruce Knob and Blackwater Canyon

~ Seneca Rocks ~

 
The Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area had not been thoroughly explored thought I. I would like to go hiking thought I. Justin, my good friend from Ohiopyle, Pa also wanted to walk in the forest. We had camped along the upper Blackwater River outside Davis, WV. Initially, we had wanted to backpack but a hard rain had soaked our gear the night before and so we set out on a day hike; then another day hike; then another still.

First, We ventured to Seneca Rocks. We hiked to the top, about one thousand feet above the valley of the North Fork, South Branch Potomac. We stopped at the sanctioned government overlook which stands next to the rocks. We then walked beyond the government "stop here" sign and up onto the rocks themselves. The official overlook is kind of horrible. I've deleted my pictures of that view. If you clamber up onto the actual rocks. It gets much better. This is why you hike up a thousand feet.

I thought we might be the only ones to get up there that day but I was wrong.

This old man staring into the fog told me as he headed back down that he had been looking for the spot where a picture of him and his wife had been taken 30 years ago. He couldn't find it.

~ Spruce Knob ~

Spruce Knob, at 4,863 feet, is the highest point in the Mountain State.

The summit, which you can almost drive to, is forested with Red Spruce. An observation tower offers views into the Seneca Creek Backcountry.

This arduous path leads hikers the final 900 feet from the parking lot to the summit.

It was surprisingly cold and windy up there. Justin pounded a beer to stay warm. He then looked far into the Southwest for several minutes. Nearby, a family was camping in an open meadow along the summit ridge in what may be the most exposed, windy and cold campsite in West Virginia. At the time, their children were frolicking. It is unclear how many of them survived the night.

~ Blackwater Canyon ~

Lastly, we decided to go on one more hike. We settled on a hike down into Blackwater Canyon just below the falls.

The waterfall is the highest in West Virginia at 62 feet. The miles of rapids leading away from the falls are considered a classic whitewater run.