The panorama was spectacular, but if i did this trip again, i would not drive to the lookout just for the lookout. Spruce knobseneca creek seneca rocks, west virginia. 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. Camping on the highest mountain of west virginia music. Please submit any useful information about climbing spruce knob that may be useful to other climbers. 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. History buffs will appreciate the occasional railroad ties and bridge footings still remaining from the days of the railroad. Spruce knob retreat 4 bedrooms on 40 forested acres. The site of the wreckage, which persists to this day, is easily accessible just a few miles from the trailhead of lumberjack trail. 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. 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. Spruce knob mountain center wild, wonderful west virginia.
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. Spruce knob riverton 2020 all you need to know before. Scenic twilight trail from the summit of spruce knob. Could i possibly envision walking through miles and miles of spruce forest with. Although green sunfish provide the bulk of the summer fishery, smallmouth bass have been stocked in the lake and are occasionally caught. The old logging town of spruce, on the banks of the shavers fork of the cheat river. West virginia has some pretty cool landscapes all around the state, but this one spot is extra special. Spruce knob seneca rocks telephone sksrt is providing broadband services to eastern pendleton county. The one place in west virginia that must be seen to be believed. Spruce knobseneca rocks national recreation area, a west. Jul 30, 2014 spruce knob is the highest peak in west virginia. Well south of the masondixon line, spruce knob is covered by a.
Available also through the library of congress web site as a raster image. The red spruce, west virginias only native spruce, was a magnificent tree, reaching 70 to 100 feet in height and two to three feet in diameter. 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. At 3,840 feet, this lake is the highest in the state of west virginia. Be sure to find the usgs marker near the base of the. Over 375 major routes to the top have been mapped, varying from easy 5.
Once at the top of spruce mountain, park and head south along a short, 0. This is the webcam overview page for spruce knob in west virginia, united states. 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. History of spruce knob mountain center experience learning. The heavilyforested trail follows the north slope of spruce knob, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. 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. There is a small walking trail and a small observation tower for a better look. Less known are the other peakbagging categories for which spruce knob has noteworthy rankings. It is a public workshop with claim and defend event quests.
The south face of bald knob is the site of the headwaters of leatherbark run, west virginia s highest stream. I intend to sleep during the day at a motel rather than camp there. 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. The remaining red spruce was cut by timber barons, except for a 50acre tract near gaudineer knob. 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. The southwestern edge of the spruce knob quadrangle also includes small portions of pocahontas and randolph counties, west virginia. Spruce knob has plenty of outdoor opportunities for hikers, backpackers, and rock climbers there are several ridges and rock walls in the area. 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. 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. The south face of bald knob is the site of the headwaters of leatherbark run, west virginias highest stream. Sep 29, 2016 spruce knob lake is a 25 acre impoundment located within the monogahela national forest, in randolph county, west virginia. Spruce knob in west virginia must be seen to be believed. 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.
Nov 01, 2011 a settlement called spruce was established in 1902 near the headwaters of shavers fork of cheat river. Spruce knob, at 4,863 feet 1,482 m, is the highest point in the state of west virginia and the. Consider things such as access and accommodation at the base of spruce knob, as well as the logistics of climbing to the summit. This huge outcropping, a 900 foot razorback ridge, just begs to be climbed. Seneca rocks, cloaked in a late morning mist, is one of west virginias most prominent landmarks. Spruce knob to seneca creek imba epic mountain bike trail. Gateway restaurant in riverton west virginia serves pie. Hannah mccoy and alex rutledge west virginia university the spruce knob and snowy mountain 7. With great amenities and rooms for every budget, compare and book your.
Children in an old fire watch tower on spruce knob in 1938. Forest service and includes more than 100,000 acres 40,000 ha. National geographic maps makes the worlds best wall maps, recreation maps, travel maps, atlases and globes for people to explore and understand the world. The smoke camp trail climbs from west virginia route 28 to the site of an old fire.
Drive out to the lake and keep driving the rest of the forestry road for a beautiful drive. Established in 1965, it was the first national recreation area designated by the u. Osceola, sinks of gandy, laurel fork river and the spruce knob area. 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. Monongahela national forest spruce knob and spruce knob. Thinking of going to spruce knob, wv to observe at the end of june, beginning of july. Browsing west virginia history onview wvu libraries. The landscape embodies wildness and reminds you of yesterdays people. Spruce knob mountain, west virginia, united states. At 4,863 feet above sea level, spruce knob is west virginias highest peak.
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. The spruce knobseneca creek circuit has beautiful meadows, mountain vistas, waterfalls, and the best camping to be found. The mountain, a dominant feature of the west virginia highlands which averages 4,500 feet for its 12mile length, peaks at the knob. A history is widely considered one of the finest books ever written about our state. Wv real estate classes at spruce school of real estate. Spruce knob riverton 2020 all you need to know before you. Nearconstant high winds deform the trees on spruce knob, the highest point in west virginia at 4,683 feet above sea level. 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. Spruce knob mountain center, circleville, west virginia.
Well south of the masondixon line, spruce knob is covered by a boreal forest. We are located in the beautiful potomac highlands right in the midst of the monagehela national park. Spruce knob mountain center skmc is a 400 acre highelevation nature preserve located in the potomac highlands of west virginia. 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. 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. Hotels near spruce knob, west virginia in wv choice hotels. There is a great little hike on the top short and flat, with spectacular views. Bald knob is one of only four mountain summits in west virginia that rise above 4,800 feet 1463.
Virtually every tree on every mountain was cut down and hauled out by horse. Spruce knob is within the spruce knob seneca rocks national recreation area, which in turn is part of monongahela national forest. Spruce knob lake is a 1 mile loop trail located near whitmer, west virginia and is good for all skill levels. This is significant because the spruce knob seneca rocks nra was the first nra to be designated as part of the usda forest service. Spruce knob to seneca creek imba epic mountain bike.
Although there are several approaches to the lake it can best be reached by traveling 9. Book, show me trip over the monongahela national forest, 1929. Spruce knob seneca rocks national recreation area is a u. Scenic views from spruce knob, july 2017, photos by lori hostuttler. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. 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 printed maps we have found of this area are fairly outdated and online maps also dont have the trails completely accurate. Wvu libraries west virginia university 1549 university ave. The summit of spruce knob has a definite alpine feel, much more so than most other mountains of the southern appalachians. Find information about spruce knob seneca rocks national recreation area, a west virginia national recreation area. Spruce knob, west virginia highpoint the peak seeker. Spruce knob is west virginias highest point and one of my favorite places. The spruce knob mountain center is a 400 acre highelevation outdoor learning campus located in.
Book now with choice hotels near spruce knob, west virginia in undefined, wv. The spruce knob mountain center is a 400 acre highelevation outdoor learning campus located in the potomac highlands of west virginia. Things to do near spruce knob, riverton, wv tripadvisor. A short history of logging the virgin forests of west virginia, including.
Available television channels and radio stations are listed for pendleton county on the tv program guide. 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. Explore the spruce knob observation tower, spruce knob trailhead. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and trail running. Spruce knob, 4,861 feet at its summit and the highest point in west virginia, is located in pendleton county on spruce mountain. We offer the best online real estate classes that you can take to get your wv real estate license. The west virginia mountain trail runners and the spruce knob mountain center welcome you to the trilogy. Information on purchasing copies of this book can be found at the bottom of this page. Conditions at the top of spruce knob can be windy, and it has an alpine look because of its windblown, mountaintop spruce. The potomac highlands feature some of the darkest night skies in the eastern u. Best trails in spruce knobseneca rocks national recreation area.
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. There is a sign for spruce knob at the junction of u. 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. Minute quadrangles are located in extreme southwestern pendleton county, west virginia. What happened on 31 october 1973, two people perished when their plane crashed into the side of spruce knob, near riverton, wv. Forest service as part of the monongahela national forest and since then it has been fire free. The highest point in west virginia, spruce knob elev. West virginia trilogy west virginia mountain trail runners. Spruce knob lake is stocked with trout once in january, twice in february, weekly march through may, and twice in october. 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. Race headquarters is located at the spruce knob mountain centers 400 acre outdoor education facility lying in the shadow of spruce knob. Spruce knob is a location in the savage divide region of appalachia in 2102. At the base of spruce knob sits an unassuming little restaurant called gateway family restaurant or just gateway restaurant.
Backcountry spruce knobseneca rocks for primitive visitor, parkersburg news, 6 171973. Easily in the top 5 backpacking routes in the midatlantic. The wv trilogy is a triptych of runs along the eastern continental divide. Skr is a four bedroom house on 40 forested mountain acres located on the road up to spruce knob, wv highest peak. The spruce knob mountain center skmc is a 400 acre highelevation nature preserve located in the potomac highlands of west virginia. Looking for a great trail in spruce knob seneca rocks national recreation area, west virginia. Spruce knob to seneca creek imba epic add to favorites. Appointments for installation can be scheduled through the franklin office. Pendleton county history sources west virginia division of culture. Nuttallburg, an old coal town near new river gorge, offers visitors a peek at west virginias rich history of mining. Not only is it the highest point in west virginia, but spruce mountain is. 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. You can view all wind and weather webcams nearby spruce knob on the above map. This route includes a road climb up to the highest point in west virginia, spruce knob, before an.
Spruce knob is most famous for being the highest point in west virginia. This route includes a road climb up to the highest point in west virginia, spruce knob, before an awesome singletrack descent. The views are best there are bathrooms and picnic tables at the top. This area offers backpacking and day hiking opportunities for the visitors looking to. Telephone directories in the west virginia state archives. Driving to the top of spruce mountain is perhaps the most difficult part of the journey. Walk from here back to wv 28 and turn right north, taking care to watch for traffic on the highway. Spruce knob seneca rocks national recreation area w. 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. 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. Spruce knob, monongahela forest, pendleton county, w. The sign discusses the history of the tract where the hike starts.
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