Today, Cool Guy and I planned on a return trip to Valley Falls SP, his favorite. The plan was thwarted when we arrived and the gate was closed. It was surprising. I double checked my brochure and there was no mention of seasonal closing, no signs posted, nothing. Well, we weren't going to have driven 2 hours for nothing, so we drove on over to Tygart Lake, which wasn't too far away.
The weather was at least 10 degrees cooler there than at home. I had a hat and mittens and I needed them. My heavy sweater was just right after we started hiking.
The lodge at the park was very nice, with the entire back side of it being windows overlooking the lake. It was a lovely sight. Someone working there was familiar enough with the trails to give us some guidance, which was much appreciated, as we were doing this on the fly.
We began with the Dogwood Trail which went straight up, up, up until we reached the ridge top. The trail was well-blazed, but there was an incredible amount of trees and branches down, and it was pretty rough going in places. At the ridge top, there was one open expanse which had a nice view of the valley beyond. Then it was down, down, down, crossing rivulets of snow melt, scrambling over fallen trees, all the while enjoying our solitude outside in soft weather.
At the bottom of the hill, we crossed the park road and began the Dam Trail. It was very level, but a lot mushier, being at a lower elevation. Nonetheless, it was a pleasant hike with woods on one side and the lake on the other. The trail terminated at the dam with an overlook of the lake and the dam and some benches where we could have our lunch. Dams just don't thrill me.
Cool Guy went down to the lakeside after we had eaten and just messed around. When he came back up, he was bothered by the amount of trash around the lake: old tires, beer bottles, paint cans, and the like. To finish up the hike we doubled back on the dam trail and then went further on it, past the lodge until we reached our car again. Cool Guy pointed out to me all the trash on the sides of the trail.
If Tygart doesn't have a clean up program, I hope one can be started.
Despite the trash, despite the change in plans, it was a good day, perhaps because it was a saved day after all.
The weather was at least 10 degrees cooler there than at home. I had a hat and mittens and I needed them. My heavy sweater was just right after we started hiking.
The lodge at the park was very nice, with the entire back side of it being windows overlooking the lake. It was a lovely sight. Someone working there was familiar enough with the trails to give us some guidance, which was much appreciated, as we were doing this on the fly.
We began with the Dogwood Trail which went straight up, up, up until we reached the ridge top. The trail was well-blazed, but there was an incredible amount of trees and branches down, and it was pretty rough going in places. At the ridge top, there was one open expanse which had a nice view of the valley beyond. Then it was down, down, down, crossing rivulets of snow melt, scrambling over fallen trees, all the while enjoying our solitude outside in soft weather.
At the bottom of the hill, we crossed the park road and began the Dam Trail. It was very level, but a lot mushier, being at a lower elevation. Nonetheless, it was a pleasant hike with woods on one side and the lake on the other. The trail terminated at the dam with an overlook of the lake and the dam and some benches where we could have our lunch. Dams just don't thrill me.
Cool Guy went down to the lakeside after we had eaten and just messed around. When he came back up, he was bothered by the amount of trash around the lake: old tires, beer bottles, paint cans, and the like. To finish up the hike we doubled back on the dam trail and then went further on it, past the lodge until we reached our car again. Cool Guy pointed out to me all the trash on the sides of the trail.
If Tygart doesn't have a clean up program, I hope one can be started.
Despite the trash, despite the change in plans, it was a good day, perhaps because it was a saved day after all.
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