Spruce knob is most famous for being the highest point in west virginia. Scenic views from spruce knob, july 2017, photos by lori hostuttler. A short history of logging the virgin forests of west virginia, including. Be sure to find the usgs marker near the base of the. The west virginia archives and history web site offers detailed information on the states history, outlines the documents available in the state archives, and provides assistance in conducting genealogical research. Preferably, id arrange my trip so that i absolutely spent one night backpacking in the spruce knobseneca rocks national recreation area, which includes nearly 60 miles of forested trails that create a web through maple, birch and cherry trees. Oct 29, 2010 spruce knob, 4,861 feet at its summit and the highest point in west virginia, is located in pendleton county on spruce mountain.
Spruce knob, 4,861 feet at its summit and the highest point in west virginia, is located in pendleton county on spruce mountain. The old logging town of spruce, on the banks of the shavers fork of the cheat river. Spruce knob to seneca creek imba epic mountain bike trail. The heavilyforested trail follows the north slope of spruce knob, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The south face of bald knob is the site of the headwaters of leatherbark run, west virginias highest stream.
What happened on 31 october 1973, two people perished when their plane crashed into the side of spruce knob, near riverton, wv. Browsing west virginia history onview wvu libraries. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and trail running. Although there are several approaches to the lake it can best be reached by traveling 9. Spruce knob, at 4,863 feet 1,482 m, is the highest point in the state of west virginia and the. The spruce knob mountain center is a 400 acre highelevation outdoor learning campus located in. Virtually every tree on every mountain was cut down and hauled out by horse. There is a great little hike on the top short and flat, with spectacular views. Things to do near spruce knob, riverton, wv tripadvisor. Looking for a great trail in spruce knob seneca rocks national recreation area, west virginia. Easily in the top 5 backpacking routes in the midatlantic.
Nov 01, 2011 a settlement called spruce was established in 1902 near the headwaters of shavers fork of cheat river. The sign discusses the history of the tract where the hike starts. The views are best there are bathrooms and picnic tables at the top. Each of our expeditionstyle camps focus on developing a sense of stewardship and connection to the natural world, not to mention they are filled with fun and adventure. Spruce knob has plenty of outdoor opportunities for hikers, backpackers, and rock climbers there are several ridges and rock walls in the area. This area offers backpacking and day hiking opportunities for the visitors looking to. Walk from here back to wv 28 and turn right north, taking care to watch for traffic on the highway. On the 1st of july 1972, spruce knob seneca rocks telephone sksrt was formed as a corporation to provide telephone service to the people of the spruce knob seneca rocks area as a nonprofit organization. Established in 1965, it was the first national recreation area designated by the u. West virginia has some pretty cool landscapes all around the state, but this one spot is extra special. Less known are the other peakbagging categories for which spruce knob has noteworthy rankings.
Available also through the library of congress web site as a raster image. There is a sign for spruce knob at the junction of u. Spruce knob is located within both the monongahela national forest and spruce knob seneca rocks national recreation area nra, the latter of which was established during 1965 by the u. A history is widely considered one of the finest books ever written about our state. Spruce knob is a location in the savage divide region of appalachia in 2102. Spruce knob to seneca creek imba epic add to favorites.
The panorama was spectacular, but if i did this trip again, i would not drive to the lookout just for the lookout. The potomac highlands feature some of the darkest night skies in the eastern u. Bald knob is one of only four mountain summits in west virginia that rise above 4,800 feet 1463. The one place in west virginia that must be seen to be believed. In his clear, eminently readable style, williams organizes the tangled strands of west virginias past around a few dramatic eventsthe battle of point pleasant, john browns insurrection in harpers ferry, the paint creek labor movement, the hawks nest and buffalo. Spruce knob is within the spruce knob seneca rocks national recreation area, which in turn is part of monongahela national forest. Smoke holes refers to the smoke hole canyon, a 20 mile gorge carved by the south branch potomac river in spruce knob seneca rocks national recreation area. Spruce knob, west virginia highpoint the peak seeker.
Well south of the masondixon line, spruce knob is covered by a boreal forest. Spruce knob has the highest elevation in west virginia, and a number of other interesting features that make it a must for your bucket list. The landscape embodies wildness and reminds you of yesterdays people. If youre not paying attention, you might accidentally drive right on past itbut if you take the time to pop in for a visit, youll realize that youve discovered one of west virginias hidden treasures. This is significant because the spruce knob seneca rocks nra was the first nra to be designated as part of the usda forest service. National geographic maps makes the worlds best wall maps, recreation maps, travel maps, atlases and globes for people to explore and understand the world.
More people take their wv real estate classes through spruce school of real estate than any other school in wv because we consistently have the highest success rates. At the base of spruce knob sits an unassuming little restaurant called gateway family restaurant or just gateway restaurant. Sep 29, 2016 spruce knob lake is a 25 acre impoundment located within the monogahela national forest, in randolph county, west virginia. The site of the wreckage, which persists to this day, is easily accessible just a few miles from the trailhead of lumberjack trail.
Once at the top of spruce mountain, park and head south along a short, 0. Spruce knob lake is a 1 mile loop trail located near whitmer, west virginia and is good for all skill levels. This route includes a road climb up to the highest point in west virginia, spruce knob, before an awesome singletrack descent. It is a public workshop with claim and defend event quests. With great amenities and rooms for every budget, compare and book your. Pendleton county history sources west virginia division of culture. With an abundance of trail distances, you can enjoy a leisurely walk through the woods, or get your blood pumping with a hearty climb to a summit overlook. West virginia trilogy west virginia mountain trail runners. Preferably, id arrange my trip so that i absolutely spent one night backpacking in the spruce knob seneca rocks national recreation area, which includes nearly 60 miles of forested trails that create a web through maple, birch and cherry trees.
The south face of bald knob is the site of the headwaters of leatherbark run, west virginia s highest stream. Spruce knob mountain center skmc is a 400 acre highelevation nature preserve located in the potomac highlands of west virginia. Hannah mccoy and alex rutledge west virginia university the spruce knob and snowy mountain 7. The smoke camp trail climbs from west virginia route 28 to the site of an old fire. Gateway restaurant in riverton west virginia serves pie. We offer the best online real estate classes that you can take to get your wv real estate license. Explore the spruce knob observation tower, spruce knob trailhead. Information on purchasing copies of this book can be found at the bottom of this page. The west virginia mountain trail runners and the spruce knob mountain center welcome you to the trilogy. The remaining red spruce was cut by timber barons, except for a 50acre tract near gaudineer knob.
Children in an old fire watch tower on spruce knob in 1938. The mountain, a dominant feature of the west virginia highlands which averages 4,500 feet for its 12mile length, peaks at the knob. Jul 30, 2014 spruce knob is the highest peak in west virginia. This huge outcropping, a 900 foot razorback ridge, just begs to be climbed. There is a small walking trail and a small observation tower for a better look. The spruce knobseneca creek circuit has beautiful meadows, mountain vistas, waterfalls, and the best camping to be found.
Drive out to the lake and keep driving the rest of the forestry road for a beautiful drive. The spruce knob mountain center is a 400 acre highelevation outdoor learning campus located in the potomac highlands of west virginia. Starting at spruce knob, the tallest peak in west virginia, the hike also has a short 12 mile circuit at the summit with beautiful panoramic and views of the valley. This route includes a road climb up to the highest point in west virginia, spruce knob, before an. Spruce knob lies at an elevation of 4,863 feet 1,482 metres at the southern end of spruce mountain, a ridge extending northeastsouthwest along the western edge of pendleton county. Cass, wv was the center of logging for red spruce, among the best in the word, and used by the wright brothers in building their flying machines. Spruce knob seneca rocks national recreation area is a u. Best trails in spruce knobseneca rocks national recreation area. This is the webcam overview page for spruce knob in west virginia, united states.
Book now with choice hotels near spruce knob, west virginia in undefined, wv. Osceola, sinks of gandy, laurel fork river and the spruce knob area. Driving to the top of spruce mountain is perhaps the most difficult part of the journey. History of spruce knob mountain center experience learning. Feb 14, 2017 the panorama was spectacular, but if i did this trip again, i would not drive to the lookout just for the lookout. Forest service and includes more than 100,000 acres 40,000 ha. Find information about spruce knob seneca rocks national recreation area, a west virginia national recreation area. Appointments for installation can be scheduled through the franklin office. Spruce knobseneca rocks national recreation area, a west. The spruce knob mountain center skmc is a 400 acre highelevation nature preserve located in the potomac highlands of west virginia. Spruce knob retreat 4 bedrooms on 40 forested acres. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. On columbus day weekend, runners take over the spruce knob mountain center and, over the course of three days, complete first a 50k, then a 50 mile and finally a half marathon race on the trails in and around the experience learning campus. Please submit any useful information about climbing spruce knob that may be useful to other climbers.
Although green sunfish provide the bulk of the summer fishery, smallmouth bass have been stocked in the lake and are occasionally caught. Consider things such as access and accommodation at the base of spruce knob, as well as the logistics of climbing to the summit. Spruce knob lake is a 25acre impoundment located in the monongahela national forest in eastern randolph county near the junction of randolph, pendleton, and pocahontas counties. Spruce knob is west virginias highest point and one of my favorite places. Over 375 major routes to the top have been mapped, varying from easy 5.
Moderate rain total 10mm, heaviest on thu nightfreezethaw conditions max 9c on thu night, min 7c on tue nightwinds decreasing stormy winds from the wnw on tue night, fresh winds from the sw by thu morning. At 4,863 feet above sea level, spruce knob is west virginias highest peak. Nuttallburg, an old coal town near new river gorge, offers visitors a peek at west virginias rich history of mining. History buffs will appreciate the occasional railroad ties and bridge footings still remaining from the days of the railroad. In example, spruce knob is not only the west virginia state highpoint, the peak is also the highest point of the allegheny mountains and appalachian plateaus. Scenic twilight trail from the summit of spruce knob. Forest service as part of the monongahela national forest and since then it has been fire free. Race headquarters is located at the spruce knob mountain centers 400 acre outdoor education facility lying in the shadow of spruce knob.
Seneca rocks, cloaked in a late morning mist, is one of west virginias most prominent landmarks. Spruce knob lake is stocked with trout once in january, twice in february, weekly march through may, and twice in october. Spruce knob seneca rocks telephone sksrt is providing broadband services to eastern pendleton county. Could i possibly envision walking through miles and miles of spruce forest with. Spruce knob mountain, west virginia, united states. Hotels near spruce knob, west virginia in wv choice hotels. Spruce knob, the summit of spruce mountain, is the highpoint in the state of west virginia and is also highest peak in the allegheny mountains and appalachian plateaus.
Backcountry spruce knobseneca rocks for primitive visitor, parkersburg news, 6 171973. The highest point in west virginia, spruce knob elev. Wvu libraries west virginia university 1549 university ave. Camping on the highest mountain of west virginia music. Nearconstant high winds deform the trees on spruce knob, the highest point in west virginia at 4,683 feet above sea level. Skr is a four bedroom house on 40 forested mountain acres located on the road up to spruce knob, wv highest peak. We are located in the beautiful potomac highlands right in the midst of the monagehela national park. Not only is it the highest point in west virginia, but spruce mountain is. The printed maps we have found of this area are fairly outdated and online maps also dont have the trails completely accurate.
Available television channels and radio stations are listed for pendleton county on the tv program guide. I intend to sleep during the day at a motel rather than camp there. The wv trilogy is a triptych of runs along the eastern continental divide. Spruce knob in west virginia must be seen to be believed. At 3,840 feet, this lake is the highest in the state of west virginia. National recreation area nra located within the monongahela national forest of eastern west virginia, usa the national recreation area protects three prominent west virginia landmarks. Conditions at the top of spruce knob can be windy, and it has an alpine look because of its windblown, mountaintop spruce. Spruce knob, monongahela forest, pendleton county, w. Thinking of going to spruce knob, wv to observe at the end of june, beginning of july. The best map i have found of the entire area has been from midatlantic hikes and it may be helpful to bring that along since there are lots of trail options here. Telephone directories in the west virginia state archives. Spruce knob mountain center wild, wonderful west virginia. You can view all wind and weather webcams nearby spruce knob on the above map.
Monongahela national forest spruce knob and spruce knob. Spruce knob riverton 2020 all you need to know before you. Book, show me trip over the monongahela national forest, 1929. Spruce knob to seneca creek imba epic mountain bike. Spruce knob mountain center, circleville, west virginia. Spruce knobseneca creek seneca rocks, west virginia. Spruce knob riverton 2020 all you need to know before. Spruce knob seneca rocks national recreation area w. Though the windswept height is rarely accessible in winter, the peak and the observation tower upon its summit attract thousands of visitors annually. As of 2103, the location has been occupied by settlers and turned into the settlement of foundation. The summit of spruce knob has a definite alpine feel, much more so than most other mountains of the southern appalachians. The upper few hundred feet are covered in a dense spruce forest, a relic boreal forest environment similar to those found in northern new england and canada.
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