We had to plan around the expected rain and thunderstorms, and for once, it worked out. We drove straight down to Canaan Valley State Park, encountering awful traffic on the way, and did that hike first. We stayed closer to our home base of Morgantown on Saturday, the second day. That second bit of hiking was in nearby Coopers Rock State Forest. Here's the rundown. Or walkdown, if you will.
We stumbled out of the car after that awful five and a half hour drive through terrible traffic. Got right on the ski-lift and rode to the top of the mountain. Our two and a half mile hike would be back down to the car via the Bald Knob Trail.
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| Chair Lift |
When we emerged from the chairlift, I thought we'd be at the top of Bald Knob. But although we were high up - it had been a long ride - we had to hike further to get to 'the knob.'
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| Hiking to Bald Knob |
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| Hiking up to Bald Knob |
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| On the Bald Knob trail |
It turned out to be about halfway 'down' the trail, and that first part wasn't bad at all. The second half was. It was a steep, knee-buckling and quad-killing hike. Yet it was spectacular at the mountain-top lookouts, as well as all the way down. Even though our legs, and Lady Adventurer's feet, were killing us, we absolutely loved this hike.
Dinner at the Canaan Valley Park Lodge was tasty, and a nice treat for our hard work.
Saturday would be our easy day, I said. I think that I lost some credibility with the Lady Adventurer and Hiker Extraordinaire after about five miles on the trails. But like Canaan Valley, Coopers Rock park was spectacularly scenic. We hiked the Raven's Rock Trail (there was a great lookout), the Rock City Trail (this is a lot like our ledges trail), and also a few shorter ones.
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| Ravens Rock |
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| Ravens Rock |
The woods were great, and the lookouts on the Cheat River Gorge were, well, gorgeous.
We loved this little hiking trip. We will be back.
Also, see my running blog post about this trip.
