Endless Wall: A New View

I found myself back in Fayette County, WV, at the  trail head of Endless Wall. This time the aim was different. I was not to hike the upper edge of the mountainous tower, but to escalate down a story, to the place where climbers commune and set out to conquer giant crags. It’s November, the first snow pattering on the rhododendron leaves. I made my way to the climbing trail, heading down a steep hill. Painted iron ladders peek from cold grey rock, leading down natural channels and tunnels.

Making my way down the rungs of icy metal is enough of a thrill to me at this stage. I have yet to rock climb, but I have spoke to many friends about it. They speak in a foreign tongue, calling rocks crags or boulders, yammering about features, belays and jugs.  I have no intention to climb today. Though, I have been drawn to rocks lately. I have been grabbing onto a small boulders that I pass on hikes, gripping narrow ledges with all my strength, hanging motionless like a baby animal clinging to it’s mother. I’m only 4 feet off the ground and I’m daydreaming of when a expert climber will slow down for a green bean like myself. I own no ropes or harnesses, just a curiosity and a intuitive knowing that it would be a incredible thrill, a boost of confidence, a surge of endorphins. Seeing the anchors drilled into the sides of the boulders of Endless Wall only made me realize more that it’s all possible and all right here in West Virginia.

Every turn, another wall to climb, another path. The hike itself was top notch and the fuel it gave my curiosity about climbing, insurmountable. Research and practice know no season. Endless Wall, see you next time. The leaves may be green and the wind warm. I might just have a rope in tow.

Pedal Through It, Arrowhead Trails Fayette County WV

I set my mind to it, starting my own adventure journey. When it comes down to brass tacks, much is needed, both gear and friends, resources and businesses, maps and cars. My first time on a mountain bike started with a short trip from Nicholas to Fayette County where I found myself out front of a cool, local bike shop on North Court Street. They do rentals. I’m a firm believer in “try before you buy”.

There is a heavy sign, rusted to aesthetically please,  hanging over a freshly painted shop, a former feed store. It reads “NEW RIVER BIKES”, surrounded by shining, welded gears on a copper backdrop that resembles the area’s famous bridge in both tone and color. The proprietor of the establishment, Andrew Forron, is talking bike diagnostics with a tattoo clad man when I walk in. Business is good, even though the season is ending. I later found out that for folks like Andy, the season never ends.

“Fresh tracks”, Andy and his buddies get up early to be the first to break the seal on fresh snow. There are tires that aid in riding in that sort of weather. My first ride was on wet leaves. The trail wasn’t easily visible and a few fishtail incidents went down, but to the seasoned mountain traveler it’s all a challenge.

I have rode bikes for over 5 years, mostly rail trails on road bikes. I was comfortable on the Specialized bike Andy set me up with.  I’m not totally foreign to the dance, but for my first mountain trail ride I chose a beginner friendly course. Clovis trail, one of the easier paths that make up Arrowhead Trails in Fayette County, makes a nice loop with low obstacles (and to beginners there can be a lot of those) and still enough climbs and valleys to give you a thrill . After riding Clovis a few times, Adena, a more difficult beast, came next. I jumped off my bike twice, just to get right back on and pedal through it. It’s no walk in the park, or my familiar zone out ride on a rail trail.

In my mere 3 hours mountain biking I learned a lot. Confidence is key and that takes time. Riding between trees, over rocks, and not knowing when to shift up or down on ever changing terrain is something I’ll work on. Mountain biking requires attention and quick thinking on top of earned skill. After renting once, I know I’m ready to buy and more than excited to pedal through it.

Respect Elders, WV Virgin Hemlock Trail

Monongalia County, West Virginia offers some excellent hikes. Cooper’s Rock might get the most love, but just a stone’s throw away, on Route 73, you’re not only find a parking spot, but you might just get a hike all to yourself amoungst virgin hemlock.

Just off the side of the road, 2 trail marker signs take hikers down a small path and into the woods. Directions can be found here. The loop of the trail can be completed in a half hour, moving briskly for 2.5 miles. There are a few man made bridges to cross and there is plenty of woodland beauty to bask in. However, old growth trees are what everyone comes to see.

Some giants have fallen, roots and all, and are laying across creeks, growing years of moss and ecosystems on their backs like ancient turtles.  Others stand dignified as the kings of this grove.

WV has a list of old growth forests to explore, but nothing like the redwoods of California.  Logging in the 19th and 20th century wiped clean our 500 year old hemlocks as if they had bulldozers and not oxen. Reforesting has most certainly taken place, but how rare it is to see the wise visage of one old papa hemlock seated with his kindred.

Other old growths to visit in West Virginia: Cathedral State Park, Pierson Hollow in Carnifex Ferry, and you can even seek out old growths tree by tree from this list from the WV Commerce.

THIS WAY to Cranesville Swamp

I’m sure there’s some old saying about having to work hard for something and that making the reward sweeter. I had a heck of a time finding Cranesville Swamp on my own. A friend and her GPS made it all happen this past weekend. The Nature Conservancy photo that caught my eye online and inspired the visit finally manifested into a truly rich reality, amongst bogs and majestic pine.

I didn’t navigate the entire 1,600 acres that makes up this nature preserve, straddling both West Virginia and Maryland.  I couldn’t help but take note of the unique landscape and flora during my time there.

Cranesville Swamp is one of the few boreal bogs in the southern part of The United States. Visitors get a glimpse of the North, walking along a boardwalk in a natural “frost pocket”, surrounded by rare mosses and thirsty grasses. Think Sleepy Hollow by Tim Burton and prepare for juniper blue at this trail marker. What lays ahead is a most impressive layout of pine. So picturesque that it seems almost intentional.

Layers upon layers of sappy bark fade into the distance. A mirage of trees that is perhaps a hazy, grey fog. It almost seems like an optical illusion. These pines, which I think may be White Pine, stretch themselves long and thin to be so tall and impressive. They line up in rows.

On the boardwalk, trees become scarce and only small knobby evergreens share the marsh with the mosses that grow in excess, pillowing into dense mounds. Shrubs with thick, plastic leaves brandish spurs, protecting grasses with cotton-like caps that send off a puff or two into the breeze. The terrain is flat, the air is heavy with water. This is a different territory.

To  learn more about visiting Cranesville Swamp,  click here

A Walk through the Crater of Gad, When Summersville Lake is Drained

Drained Summersville Lake off of Salmon Run

One man had a metal detector and another was casting a fishing line into a babbling stream on a fine October day at Summersville Lake in Nicholas County, West Virginia. I climbed up a rock, carved with delicate water lines  (one that is usually 10 feet submerged), for a better view. What is this moon crater here on Earth? Summersville Lake is being drained for Gauley Season. This happens every year starting Labor Day weekend. The lake transforms from one of nature’s favorite plagrounds to a another kind all together , but still as fun.

In summer, Summersville Lake offers a respite from the heat with it’s water reaching up to 327 feet deep. Swimming, boating, fishing, and scuba diving attracts the masses. Rock climbers, hikers and both road and mountain bikers also flock to the area. The lake has vertical climbs cushioned by 60 miles of shoreline and 100 diferent climbs to choose from ranging from 30 to 80 feet. The wilderness surrounding the lake offers at least 3 treks over 3 miles with beautiful views throughout. Bikes are permitted on the hiking terrain and paved roads connect all areas of the lake.

Same serves true for the fall season, as far as terrestrial ventures go, and then some. All of a sudden a new environment to tackle is exposed. Boulders grow as the water recedes. Crag climbers discuss the sweet time slot for soloing when the water still provides a natural safety net. Others pull out metal detectors, hiking boots and cameras and explore the crater that was once known as the village of Gad.

There’s something about Halloween nipping at our heels that adds to the creepy mystique of knowing you are walking over what was once a town and not too terribly long ago. Before 1966, Gad was a farming town and now it’s under water. There was a general store, children played on swings, clotheslines hung heavy with soiled work apparel. Gad Damn, mentioned in the video below, has a history and it’s dragging the surface, down under those waters. The upbeat music in the background and the friendly dialect of the commentator in this video doesn’t get this vibe across, but is very informative. http://wvuncovered-archive.wvu.edu/r/images/galleries/gad_w_va/29481 The jeepers creepers can be sought out in person if you’re not distracted by adventures and beautiful views.

If you’re heading to New River Gorge in Fayette County for this years Gauley season (which is too much fun and too gorgeous right now to miss) turn off of Route 19 and explore life on Mars, climb, hike or hunt ghosts.

Directions and general information can be found here for rafting in Fayette County: http://adventuresonthegorge.com/misc/fall-gauley-season-dates and for Nicholas County and Summersville Lake visit: http://visitwv.com/our-area/nicholas/

Endless Wall to Diamond Point: Hike of Dreams in Fayette County, West Virginia

It’s the perfect season to hike, not too hot nor too cold. All the leaves are on the cusp of transitioning to fall splendor (I most definitely want to return to The New when that change occurs), but for my first time ever hiking Endless Wall in Fayetteville, West Virginia, I can honestly say the season wouldn’t matter. It’s a eternal beauty.

Endless Wall trail is 2.4 miles in length and is primarily through rich forest.  The path is well trotted, but interesting with its twists, root steps, and hiking bridges. The trail is easy in difficulty and takes hikers along steep rock cliffs, the sort that rock climbers live for. If children are hiking, be very attentive, but it’s truly a hike for all ages.

What really takes the cake and makes this trail so brilliant is all those rock cliffs. Hikers can detour, right off the path, to the edge of monumental boulders. What is seen from such heights is West Virginia’s pride, those majestic mountains and Fayette County’s famous white water.

   

The entire day was amazing. I had excellent coffee at the local Cathedral Café and lunch after at The Secret Sandwich Society (get all local eats and drinks info here: http://visitfayettevillewv.com/restaurants/ Supporting the local, independent businesses while visiting was super enjoyable.

Diamond Point was the highlight of the hike and perhaps my day. Approaching the cliff, there’s a rock shard that can be seen. To me, it resembles a humble throne, a seat of meditation, or the spot one might stake their flag, laying claim. Here you are on top of the world and at the same moment, centered calmly in nature’s beauty at it’s fullest.

 

For directions and visiting information The National Park Serivce website is helpful:  http://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/endlesswall.htm but for more detailed information go straight to the local source: http://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/endlesswall.htm