Glorious day on North Fork Mountain (West Virginia, 3/25/18)
Mar 26, 2018 15:10:51 GMT -5
Post by GaliWalker on Mar 26, 2018 15:10:51 GMT -5
My favorite sweeping views in the mid-Atlantic are from the spine of North Fork Mountain, in West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest. I get drawn to photograph these at least once a year, either in fall for the colorful foliage, or in winter/early spring for the snowy display. Last autumn, my plans fell through because of a fire, close to the Chimney Top viewpoint. Fearing the aftermath of the fire - my views might be ruined! - I kept putting off a winter trip until it looked like I might run out of time for a snowy hike. Yesterday, I finally pulled the trigger on my well overdue hike.
I arrived at the northern trailhead around 6:45am, and immediately hit the trail. Even though we had recently had a snowstorm, warmer temperatures had melted most of the snow in the mountain's lower story, leading to a snow free trail. I finally hit continuous snow as I crested the ridge of the mountain, about 2mi and 45min into the hike. I continued past the various scenic viewpoints overlooking the Potomac River valley and New Creek Mountain; my hope was to get to Chimney Top while the light was still good.
Another 45min of hiking and I was at Chimney Top. It had turned into a glorious day, and the viewpoint was looking its best. The waves of snowy peaks, ebbing and flowing off into the distance, glittering in the morning sunshine were spectacularly beautiful. I could see no sign of a recent fire, and curiously would see none on the entire hike.
Chimney Top is named as such because of a blocky spire that rises up like a smokestack. I donned spikes for the scramble up to the top, because the snowy and slightly icy conditions had made it spicier than normal. The view from the top is stunning and I took my time taking it all in.
From Chimney Top I continued my southern course along the spine of North Fork Mountain. Every once in a while I would make a foray to the edge of the ridge, wherever a particularly tasty viewpoint would catch my eye. I continued in this fashion until the 5.1mi mark, where a rocky fin protruded up from the mountain. I treated myself to a final set of views after making my way atop the fin.
Final perch to climb up on
I retraced my steps back to the car the way I'd come.
Hiking/photography stats: 11.2mi, 3200ft elevation gain, 8.25hrs
I arrived at the northern trailhead around 6:45am, and immediately hit the trail. Even though we had recently had a snowstorm, warmer temperatures had melted most of the snow in the mountain's lower story, leading to a snow free trail. I finally hit continuous snow as I crested the ridge of the mountain, about 2mi and 45min into the hike. I continued past the various scenic viewpoints overlooking the Potomac River valley and New Creek Mountain; my hope was to get to Chimney Top while the light was still good.
Another 45min of hiking and I was at Chimney Top. It had turned into a glorious day, and the viewpoint was looking its best. The waves of snowy peaks, ebbing and flowing off into the distance, glittering in the morning sunshine were spectacularly beautiful. I could see no sign of a recent fire, and curiously would see none on the entire hike.
Chimney Top is named as such because of a blocky spire that rises up like a smokestack. I donned spikes for the scramble up to the top, because the snowy and slightly icy conditions had made it spicier than normal. The view from the top is stunning and I took my time taking it all in.
From Chimney Top I continued my southern course along the spine of North Fork Mountain. Every once in a while I would make a foray to the edge of the ridge, wherever a particularly tasty viewpoint would catch my eye. I continued in this fashion until the 5.1mi mark, where a rocky fin protruded up from the mountain. I treated myself to a final set of views after making my way atop the fin.
Final perch to climb up on
I retraced my steps back to the car the way I'd come.
Hiking/photography stats: 11.2mi, 3200ft elevation gain, 8.25hrs
