Cool Guy and I went to Kanawha State Forest for the first time Feb. 7. For a nice change, the weather was clear and warmish, after a couple of weeks of overcast skies, rain and snow. I chose Overlook Rock Trail because it immediately involved climbing, and I figured that getting up might get us away from snow run-off.
Finding Kanawha State Forest was very easy. I forget how easy it is to get around in Charleston. After taking the correct exit, I only needed to follow the signs for 6 miles. Easy peasy.
Once we got to the forest, I checked in at the station to get our VIPP cards stamped, and the ranger was very helpful to us, recommending the best way to hike the Overlook Rock loop. We began with the hard climbing and then at the end of the hike, we got our reward in the form of a fantastic view on a large rock.
But I'll start from the beginning. The trail was extremely well-blazed, and the trail, though narrow, was clear and easy to follow, even with leaves all over the ground. We began by going up, up, up, though none of it involved scrambling over anything. Just steady upward movement. Finally at the ridge top, we had pretty level walking. At the top, it was evident that the forest suffered quite a bit from the storm damage of last summer. There were trees down everywhere, though none obscuring or blocking the trail. One thing I noticed at ridge top was that thorn brambles grew thick right to the edge of the trail. I imagine that they only get worse as the spring and summer come along, so I was glad that we were hiking this one in winter.
There were so many beautiful sights: large moss-covered rocks, little streams babbling, trees, views. And then we came to the rock. It was huge and gave us the most fantastic view of the hills and valleys all around. It was hard to believe that we were in Charleston.
After having our lunch on the rock, we trekked on, almost immediately heading down. The hike down was easy, not too steep at all. One interesting part was that when we got to the bottom, our trail took us right up next to a stream, and with the snow melt, often the stream was in the path. We crossed back and forth over it a few times. We saw a few small waterfalls tumbling over rocks. I don't know, but I'm guessing that in drier weather, these little runs are missing.
This was a short hike, on 1.5 miles, but it had everything: climb, view, water interest.
We were the only ones there. It was so quiet and peaceful. Definitely going again.
Finding Kanawha State Forest was very easy. I forget how easy it is to get around in Charleston. After taking the correct exit, I only needed to follow the signs for 6 miles. Easy peasy.
Once we got to the forest, I checked in at the station to get our VIPP cards stamped, and the ranger was very helpful to us, recommending the best way to hike the Overlook Rock loop. We began with the hard climbing and then at the end of the hike, we got our reward in the form of a fantastic view on a large rock.
But I'll start from the beginning. The trail was extremely well-blazed, and the trail, though narrow, was clear and easy to follow, even with leaves all over the ground. We began by going up, up, up, though none of it involved scrambling over anything. Just steady upward movement. Finally at the ridge top, we had pretty level walking. At the top, it was evident that the forest suffered quite a bit from the storm damage of last summer. There were trees down everywhere, though none obscuring or blocking the trail. One thing I noticed at ridge top was that thorn brambles grew thick right to the edge of the trail. I imagine that they only get worse as the spring and summer come along, so I was glad that we were hiking this one in winter.
There were so many beautiful sights: large moss-covered rocks, little streams babbling, trees, views. And then we came to the rock. It was huge and gave us the most fantastic view of the hills and valleys all around. It was hard to believe that we were in Charleston.
After having our lunch on the rock, we trekked on, almost immediately heading down. The hike down was easy, not too steep at all. One interesting part was that when we got to the bottom, our trail took us right up next to a stream, and with the snow melt, often the stream was in the path. We crossed back and forth over it a few times. We saw a few small waterfalls tumbling over rocks. I don't know, but I'm guessing that in drier weather, these little runs are missing.
This was a short hike, on 1.5 miles, but it had everything: climb, view, water interest.
We were the only ones there. It was so quiet and peaceful. Definitely going again.
Hi, I found your blog while googling hikes in Charleston. Our family will be travelling through there (we live in MT) this summer and is this trail doable for younger kids--like 5 years old?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Elizabeth
Hi, Elizabeth. Glad you found the blog. If you have a 5 year old willing to walk for 1.5 miles, then it is doable. There is pretty steady uphill at the beginning if you hike in the counter-clockwise direction, but no reason you can't take that uphill slow and easy. There are lots of beautiful excuses to stop and take a drink of water. There are no difficult parts to the trail, just upward movement for the first third of the hike.
DeleteRegardless of whether you decide to hike that trail, Kanawha State Forest is definitely worth taking kids to. There is swimming, playgrounds, picnic area, horseback riding, etc.
On another hike we did, Polly/Beech Glen/Wildcat Ridge, we were passed by a mom and two kids, probably around age 7 or so. They were going fast.
Good luck, and I hope you enjoy your visit to Charleston!