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Post by jnk556 on Jun 26, 2018 19:19:25 GMT -5
Hello again folks been out of the hiking game for a few years, and have recently lost some weight, and want to get back out and stretch the legs a bit. I've pretty much hiked all the popular stuff here in the Mon, as they are all close to where I live here near Elkins. Anyways, I haven't really done any of the trails on Canaan Mtn, as they were always too wet when I ended up there in my travels.
I have been toying with the idea of doing pointy knob starting at the eastern end, going to the western trail head, and ending back with the 2mi road walk to the truck. Anyways, I know it will have some mud, well, probably alot of mud, but hey it's summer, so shorts and the old t-shoes, and just winging it will probably be the name of the game.
Anyways, just curious if anyone has hiked this trail in the past year or so?? It's a pretty popular trail in the biking world, so it should be a pretty beat down trail... Also, any decent views left out on the rocks anymore?
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vdeal
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Post by vdeal on Jun 27, 2018 5:40:10 GMT -5
Jnk, I hiked it last year. I’ll send more info when I’m at a computer instead of my phone
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vdeal
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Post by vdeal on Jun 27, 2018 7:53:28 GMT -5
jnk,
I hiked the Pointy Knob trail on President's Day in 2017. This was our second attempt to use it to access Chimney Rock at the end of Canaan Mountain. We started from the eastern end near the North Fork of Red Run. The first section heading south is a gradual rise but not bad. There are boggy areas that were once spanned by boardwalks, many of which are broken down now. Somewhere near the high point is what was know as White Rocks. There are basically no views there now, even during leaf off when I was there. In fact, there weren't hardly any views twenty-some years ago when I was there. Shortly after the trail turns west and starts downhill we broke out directly south and started bushwhacking. In February (and a snowless time at that) it was very easy. Open woods all the way as we worked just to the west of the ridge-line. There is an old bus on top of the mountain and basically at the very tip of the mountain before it heads down is Chimney Rock. I climbed it and had some decent views. After lunch we backtracked our bushwhack and headed on down Pointy Knob trail. The trail is pretty muddy for a while and you have to work around some decent sized mud holes. Eventually it levels out and you can motor along. There is a shelter down in this section that we stopped at for a rest. After the shelter there are 4 fords of the South Fork of Red Run and then a final ford of Red Run itself to get you to the Canaan Loop Rd. Then it's just a slog up the road back to your car.
A couple notes - back in March 2011 I did this trail and each ford of the streams was a wet wade up to almost our knees. The last ford of the South Fork is right above a waterfall and in high water could be dicey. In 2011 we bushwhacked from near the 3rd ford to the past the 4th one to avoid that scenario. This time of the year unless it's just rained I don't see too much of an issue. The bushwhack to Chimney Rock might be quite a bit harder during leaf on. Also, during the summer I can imagine the bugs might be an issue also. If you have any other questions let me know.
BTW, the loop you're describing is 7.5 miles.
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Post by jnk556 on Jun 27, 2018 14:54:23 GMT -5
Thanks! Yeah, I'm not planning on bushwacking any since I'm gonna be doing this hike solo. Not really worried about views, just want to put in some miles in the woods again. If I remember right the trailhead on the east side is at a old rutted out road that goes into the trees correct? If I remember right there is a sign marking it, but then again it's been about 4 years since i was back in there last. Yeah, as far as the water, it should be ok, only chance of rain is today, and then nothing through Sunday, so i expect it to be a easy wade.
My plan is to pack good dry shoes and extra socks in my day pack, so when I make the final crossing back to the road I can change out, and slog the last 2mi back to the truck.
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vdeal
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Post by vdeal on Jun 27, 2018 17:06:29 GMT -5
jnk,
Both trailheads were marked last year. The eastern trailhead (the first one you come to coming in the Canaan Loop Rd) is right where the road crosses the North Fork of Red Run. There is a small parking area on the opposite side of the road from the trail right beside the stream. There is usually a small pile of limestone sand there that treats the water. Your description of the beginning of the trail is correct. As for dry shoes you'll probably be able to rock hop and stay dry. Enjoy the hike.
Oh, I missed your mention of bikers using this trail. Honestly, the most biked area of Canaan Mt is the Plantation Tr on top of the mt. While I could see riding this trail I don't think it gets much riding. I never rode it when I was doing that but it is still pretty visible. The entrance might be tricky for a moment and the hard turn where I cut off but nothing really to worry about.
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vdeal
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Post by vdeal on Jul 1, 2018 7:30:42 GMT -5
Give us a trail report after your hike
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Post by jnk556 on Jul 3, 2018 18:51:53 GMT -5
Sorry for the delay folks! I got to the E trailhead about 9:45am sunday morning, no other people in sight of the trailhead. Boardwalks over the bog had recently within the past few months have been rebuilt, and the trail for about the first mile or so had been trimmed back. In some places they put the laurel limbs in the mud to walk on which really sucked, as you had no idea what you were stepping in, but ankle deep mud!! After fighting the mud, the trail turns rocky and gains elevation, trail was decently nicely marked all the way. I reached the high point on the trail which is the 4100ft mark on the topos, no views of course. After that the trail drops sharply, and maybe a half mile later I found what I think was your bushwack trail Vdeal, it was marked with orange ribbon. It was at a right turn in the trail. I didn't investigate. Rest of the hike was uneventful, creek crossings were all running good, but i managed all by rock hop. Last part of hike from shelter to FS road 13 was wonderful, nice open for the most part and dropping elevation. The 2mi slog back to the truck on the FS road was the bad part it seemed harder than the trail itself!! All total 7.1mi by the GPS. My legs are still sore today. Planning another hike for this weekend... high point:
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vdeal
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Post by vdeal on Jul 3, 2018 20:47:43 GMT -5
jnk,
Glad you enjoyed the hike. I don't believe the ribbon you saw was where I bushwhacked since we turned left off of the trail. Thanks for the report.
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Post by jnk556 on Jul 3, 2018 20:50:51 GMT -5
jnk, Glad you enjoyed the hike. I don't believe the ribbon you saw was where I bushwhacked since we turned left off of the trail. Thanks for the report. Correct, the pointy knob trail made a 90* right turn and the bushwack trail turned left, so it would have been in the right direction. I took a pic of it, must have not uploaded it
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