Final sunrise and outing of 2016 (West Virginia, 12/31/2016)
Jan 1, 2017 12:16:09 GMT -5
Post by GaliWalker on Jan 1, 2017 12:16:09 GMT -5
Chimney Top (North Fork Mountain) and Seneca Rocks
For my final outing of 2016 I headed down to West Virginia, in the hopes of catching some snowy mountaintop vistas.
Chimney Top, North Fork Mountain
I began the day with a jaunt up to Chimney Top, the most spectacular part of North Fork Mountain. By hiking the first 30min in the light of my headlamp I was able to hit the ridgeline just as a crisp and colorful dawn broke over the horizon. I finished off the hike atop the spires of Chimney Top. About an inch of snow coated the trail, but it was enough to make for a lovely show on the rocky vistas.
Hiking/photography stats: 5.75mi, 2000ft elevation gain, 5hrs
Seneca Rocks
After my first hike, I drove 15mi south to the dramatic rocky fin of Seneca Rocks, which nestles in the shadow of North Fork Mountain. Since the route to the northern summit is the most popular trail in the Monongahela National Forest, I was concerned about crowds, but the wintery conditions had them down to a smattering. Best of all I had the rocky fin to myself.
Hiking/photography stats: 3mi, 1000ft elevation gain, 2.5hrs
Total trip time: 16hrs
For my final outing of 2016 I headed down to West Virginia, in the hopes of catching some snowy mountaintop vistas.
Chimney Top, North Fork Mountain
I began the day with a jaunt up to Chimney Top, the most spectacular part of North Fork Mountain. By hiking the first 30min in the light of my headlamp I was able to hit the ridgeline just as a crisp and colorful dawn broke over the horizon. I finished off the hike atop the spires of Chimney Top. About an inch of snow coated the trail, but it was enough to make for a lovely show on the rocky vistas.
Hiking/photography stats: 5.75mi, 2000ft elevation gain, 5hrs
Seneca Rocks
After my first hike, I drove 15mi south to the dramatic rocky fin of Seneca Rocks, which nestles in the shadow of North Fork Mountain. Since the route to the northern summit is the most popular trail in the Monongahela National Forest, I was concerned about crowds, but the wintery conditions had them down to a smattering. Best of all I had the rocky fin to myself.
Hiking/photography stats: 3mi, 1000ft elevation gain, 2.5hrs
Total trip time: 16hrs
