Take Me Home, Country Roads

[seicer]

West Virginia is by far one of my most favourite locales to travel in. Endless opportunities for backpackers, hundreds of miles of back roads to travel, dozens of quaint festivals and small towns to enjoy, and the "larger" cities are no bigger than 50,000 in population (to put their population bleed it in a good light). This thread covers the highlights of the state.

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Spruce Knob and Seneca Rocks

Authored on November 16, 2008 at American Byways by Sherman Cahal

Noted as the first National Recreation Area in a national Forest, the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area contains Spruce Knob, the highest peak in West Virginia, and the dramatic Seneca Rocks. Nestled between the two are numerous breathtaking mountaintop meadows and prairies, serene waterfalls and meandering streams, and trails that wonder through thickets of huckleberry.

While not the highest peak in the state, Seneca Rocks offers a dramatic, rocky contrast to the relatively serene North Fork Mountain. On the other hand, Spruce Knob is West Virginia's highest mountain peak at 4,863 feet and is located in one of the most scenic and remote locales in the state. It is also the highest peak in the Allegheny Mountains. The area is also home to Spruce Knob Lake, the highest lake in the state.

For the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area guide are over 50 photographs, extensive trail descriptions, camping information, and for the first time, trail maps and elevations. Here are a few more photographs for sample:

Spruce Knob, West Virginia's highest point.

A view from the High Meadows Trail, which traverses through four breathtaking mountain meadows.

The Huckleberry Trail leads from Spruce Knob down to Seneca Creek, and passes by... many thickets of huckleberry and blackberry.

Upper Falls of Seneca Creek, one of the many highlights along the creek.

Your author's campsite for the night, alongside a small 6' waterfall on the Seneca Creek Trail. There are numerous cleared regions for camping.

A bountiful meadow and wetland, partially created by a beaver dam along the Seneca Creek Trail.

The viewing platform at Seneca Rocks.

West Virginia's highest lake, Spruce Knob Lake is partially covered in fog in the early morning.

Find more of this at American Byway's Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area guide!