It was a nice, crisp day for a walk in the woods for 10 scouts, a sibling, and 8 adults (including an Aaron C. who couldn't have been happier to be up at 0-dark-thirty on the first weekend of his first college spring break!).
We drove to West Virginia's Lost River State Park today. It's about 30 minutes southwest of Wardensville, WV. And I think this is the first time our troop has make that trek. A big thanks to Mr. and Mrs. B. for recommending the hike.
The hike started with a stout uphill--the same elevation gain (1200') as Kepler Overlook, but in only two thirds of the distance. That certainly got our attention. At the top of the climb was a mortar and stone shelter overlooking one of the best views I've ever seen in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I don't know how many miles we could see--but the windmills we pass on the way to Timberline were clearly visible.
Just past the overlook, at only 2 miles into the trip, we (strangely) headed downhill. And more downhill. And then uphill, in a hurry (again!). This time the payoff was an awesome mountaintop meadow with a beautiful stonework & hand-built-timber pavillion (and a latrine). We need to think about returning here for a backpacking trip. That pavillion was huge and has a large fireplace.
Apparently the buildings were created by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's. In another interesting bit of history, Lost River was the site of a skirmish in the French Indian war.
The rest of the distance to the turnaround was along a windy ridge. The trees in McLean may all be budding, but at 3000' in WV, it was still winter today. When the trail dipped to the leeward side of the ridge near our turnaround, the warm sun felt wonderful. We grabbed lunch, took a few pictures, and enjoyed some hot coffee--courtesy of Ms. Coopersmith. Then we mostly retraced our steps--with a slightly shorter & steeper decent to the cars.
Our under 18 crowd today was Connor C., James R., Ian F., Braden B., Jack T., Brandon C., Jordan C., Jack C., Nick B., Noah C., and Helen F. And Aaron C. certainly gets an honorable mention.
See you all Tuesday.
Enjoy the pictures here.