A trip up North Fork Mountain

 

The second of my two day winter trip into West Virginia, the first of which covered Dolly Sods, my friend Pete Jenior threw up the suggestion of visiting North Fork Mountain. This spectacular ridgeline, marked by major highwalls and fantastic rock formations, peaked my interest. I've passed by this several times via West Virginia State Routes 28 and 55 en route to Petersburg and Virginia, but it was time to hit the trail and climb to the top to see it in person.

 

The snows that had blanketed Canaan Valley and Dolly Sods only two days prior had all but escaped North Fork. Lying east of the Allegheny Front, it is one of the driest mountain ranges in the eastern United States, and composed of flora that is unique to this particular mountain range. It was a cold, dreary day, with the threat of an all-day soaking rain later that afternoon, but that only gave us more incentive to see this unique naturalized area that much more.

 

From the base, off of County Route 28/11 that branched off of West Virginia State Routes 28 and 55, we climbed the Landis Trail (TR 502), which meandered up the eastern slope of North Fork Mountain. Ascending 1,130 feet in 1.4 miles, it junctioned the North Fork Mountain Trail (TR 501) at the top. We beared right, following the narrowing ridgeline passing along the way an ideal campsite. Sheltered by the winds and under a thick canopy of trees, it's only downside was that it had no reliable water source.

 

 

The trail afforded many spectacular views to the west of Germany Valley, Seneca Rocks, Fore Knobs, Champe Rocks, Dolly Sods, Roaring Plains, and the North Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac River. A few bring about wonderful photographic opportunities of Chimney Rocks, and arguably offered one of the best views in the Monongahela National Forest that I've seen -- even on this moody, cloudy day.

 

_{A view of Chimney Rocks.}

 

The trail begins its descent towards Chimney Rocks, and it is at this point that a rock cairn marks a departure path towards the highlight of the trip. We scrambled up the trail to the rocks, and was amazed at the formation and assembly of the rocks. Coupled with the wide, expanse views for miles around, of the Allegheny Front and the vast wildernesses that lay beyond it, it was one of the more enjoyably hikes that I've done thus far.

 

_{Chimney Rocks.}

 

It was at this point, though, that it began icing and sleeting, so we began a rather hurried descent down the mountain. Climbing back onto the North Fork Mountain Trail, the path descends at a rather rapid pace, affording several great views of New Creek Mountain and the continuing North Fork Mountain across a deep cut formed by the North Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac. At the base of the mountain, reflected on our two day journey and went along our way. Such a fantastic weekend of exploration in the highlands of West Virginia!

 

_{North Fork Mountain}

 

 

 

If you enjoyed these photographs, visit the North Fork Mountain page for more photographs from the winter expedition.

Thanks.

Spectacular scenery and beautiful photos.