Coopers Rock SF West Virginia
May 26, 2015 11:49:03 GMT -5
Post by hoosier on May 26, 2015 11:49:03 GMT -5
Sunday May 24, 2015
Coppers Rock State Forest WV
Spent a few days working at a job location out in eastern Ohio. And figured I head out of my way a bit while heading home and do a quick hike in the state of West Virginia. As I’ve never hiked in that state up till this past Sunday
Looked at MR Hyker’s very informative website and picked his Coopers Rock State Forest Loop 1 hike. As this hike was the one that best fit my drive home with time available. And not taking me too far off of the shortest route home.
Parked at the trailhead parking area MR Hyker mentions as a starting point. And followed his directions out to the spectacular view at Raven Rock. The cairn he mentions along the Raven Rock Trail was not visible anymore, nor was the footpath he mentioned. So I just backtracked to the McCollum Trail. Where I took a left and soon intersected the woods road he mentions.
Followed the directions once again. Heading through the narrow rock pass on the Sunset Wall trail, the viewpoint at Coppers Rock, Rattlesnake trail, with its massive rock overhang at its junction with the Rock City trail. I modified the hike somewhat by hanging a right onto the Ridge Trail, and then a left onto the Rhododendron trail to the Clay Furnace. Before completing the loop hike by using the Clay Run trail, and an unmarked woods road along the south side of a small reservoir (lake) near the parking area I started from.
Ended up being just under 8 miles with the changes I made on the fly. Only drawback to the hike was the upper section of the Clay Furnace trail which ran under a power line in the full sun for a half mile or so. But there where many wildflowers present along this stretch to make it a little bit better.
A great hike with some beautiful views of the Cheat River Canyon. And spectacular rock formation to hike over and through. So glad I drove out of my way for my first West Virginia hike on a beautiful sunny Sunday in May
A few pictures from the day:
View From Raven Rock
[/a]
RAven Rock and Cheat Lake
Sort of looks like an Elephant
Great Rock Formations
Giant Rock Overhang
Rhododendron Trail
Wildflowers
More Wildflowers
Coppers Rock State Forest WV
Spent a few days working at a job location out in eastern Ohio. And figured I head out of my way a bit while heading home and do a quick hike in the state of West Virginia. As I’ve never hiked in that state up till this past Sunday
Looked at MR Hyker’s very informative website and picked his Coopers Rock State Forest Loop 1 hike. As this hike was the one that best fit my drive home with time available. And not taking me too far off of the shortest route home.
Parked at the trailhead parking area MR Hyker mentions as a starting point. And followed his directions out to the spectacular view at Raven Rock. The cairn he mentions along the Raven Rock Trail was not visible anymore, nor was the footpath he mentioned. So I just backtracked to the McCollum Trail. Where I took a left and soon intersected the woods road he mentions.
Followed the directions once again. Heading through the narrow rock pass on the Sunset Wall trail, the viewpoint at Coppers Rock, Rattlesnake trail, with its massive rock overhang at its junction with the Rock City trail. I modified the hike somewhat by hanging a right onto the Ridge Trail, and then a left onto the Rhododendron trail to the Clay Furnace. Before completing the loop hike by using the Clay Run trail, and an unmarked woods road along the south side of a small reservoir (lake) near the parking area I started from.
Ended up being just under 8 miles with the changes I made on the fly. Only drawback to the hike was the upper section of the Clay Furnace trail which ran under a power line in the full sun for a half mile or so. But there where many wildflowers present along this stretch to make it a little bit better.
A great hike with some beautiful views of the Cheat River Canyon. And spectacular rock formation to hike over and through. So glad I drove out of my way for my first West Virginia hike on a beautiful sunny Sunday in May
A few pictures from the day:
View From Raven Rock
[/a]RAven Rock and Cheat Lake
Sort of looks like an Elephant
Great Rock Formations
Giant Rock Overhang
Rhododendron Trail
Wildflowers
More Wildflowers
