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Spruce Knob/Seneca Creek Backpack Last reviewed:
09/05 |
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Description: This is a moderate
14.1 mile shuttle backpack in one of the premier venues of the
Potomac Ranger District of the MNF, WV. In reality this hike can be
completed in a day without packs if you get an early start. Since I
have to drive from
Day one has you
starting at the Spruce Knob Parking lot and hiking about 9 miles.
Your route is either all flat or downhill with the exception of a
steady, wet and gradual climb along the northern 2 mile section of
the Lumberjack Trail. You begin on Huckleberry trail and descend to
Lumberjack. After Lumberjack you’ll descend along a series of open
meadows and then follow the bottom segment of Huckleberry Trail to
The next day is spent gradually ascending 5.0 miles out of Seneca Creek valley as you visit all of the waterworks the creek has to offer. |
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Google Custom Directions to Seneca Creek Tr car drop-off Custom Google Directions from Seneca Creek Trailhead to Spruce Knob
The Huckleberry Trailhead is behind a
picnic shelter in the north corner of the parking lot (bus parking
area). ________________________________________ |
Zipped National Geographic. TOPO! GPS and Universal GPX Files |
Trail
Notes: From the parking lot
proceed down Huckleberry Trail (TR533). The first 2-2.5 miles is
spent weaving in and out of alternating Spruce groves and heath and
fern meadows on a relatively flat to slightly descending grade. It
seems that every Spruce grove has at least one campsite although
they are all dry.
At about 3.1 miles
descend to a large campsite nestled in a very large grove. The trail
goes both left and right but follow the sign and turn right onto a
grassy woods road. In a 100 yards or so a blue diamond with a black
arrow will direct you to make a left turn onto a footpath which
leads to yet another woods road and a sign stating the mileage to
Seneca Creek (1.8
miles) and Lumberjack Trail (0.4 miles). The woods road goes in
either direction. Bear left at the sign. The woods road soon enters
dense woods. As it begins to disintegrate, look for another blue
diamond with a black arrow directing you to turn right onto a narrow
footpath. Descend, steeply at times, to the junction of Lumberjack
Trail (TR534).
Turn right onto
Lumberjack trail. This is an often times very wet railroad grade.
Climb gradually and at 2.i miles arrive at the junction of the High
Meadows Trail (TR564). This trail starts on an old Railroad grade or
woods road but soon turns sharply left, following a barbed wire
fence as it descends to the first meadow. Watch for blue diamonds on
the right that direct you through a rocky area just before the
meadow. This is a great lunch spot as you take in the Seneca Creek
valley enclosed by the
Walk straight across
the clearing and pick up a narrow post with blue blaze that puts you
back on the trail. You’ll descend along the face of the hill and
re-enter the woods on another woods road. Just before the road
appears to enter a clearing look for blue blazes on the right
directing you on to a footpath that leads to a lower part of the
meadow. Watch for blazed stakes and
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Turn right and follow
the trail down to Seneca Creek Trail (TR515) (0.6 miles). Turn right
onto Seneca Creek Trail. Soon pass
The rest of the outing is pretty obvious. Enjoy a nice 4.8 mile walk as you gradually climb out of the valley on Seneca Creek Trail. This entire trail is an old railroad grade except near the end where it becomes a woods road. The grade is barely noticeable especially in comparison to all of the downhill walking accomplished the day before. You will have to cross the creek about four times. The first one, just above the falls, is the most problematic. There is one place where you have to climb up, over and around some boulders to avoid a blow-out of the grade.
Try to allow time to
visit all of the water works along the way. Some may be hidden
behind a wall of Rhododendron so keep your ears alert for the sounds
of water falls. Also keep an eye out for an unmarked side trail on
the left. I believe this is an old railroad siding that once lead to
a mill. Follow it to see what makes be think this! The side trail
comes back to the main trail so you don’t have to retrace your
steps. I can’t recall it’s exact location. I know it’s just below
Judy Spring (See following description.) but can’t recall if it’s
above or below
Pass Swallow Rock
Trail (TR529) on the right at 1.18 miles from
Reference: Monongahela National Forest Hiking Guide, de Hart and Sundquist, 7th Edition Printable/Downloadable Directions and Trail Notes Read about a recent outing to Seneca Creek. ________________________________________ Name:
WVwanderer Hike: Spruce Knob/Seneca Creek
Date: 8-13-05 thru 8-14-05 Ranking: 5 Critique: critique & photos can be found at http://wvwilderness.blogspot.com/ under the heading "Seneca Creek Backcountry". Of note, we opted to skip the LumberJack and High Meadows part of the trip. We will hike this section next time. An excellent hike overall! ________________________________________ |
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