West Virginia Outings

July 10, 2021. Harpers Ferry hike: looking out at the old Shenandoah Dam, Virginius Island, HFNHP. Photo by Tom LoConte.

Still smiling at the end of a winter day on the Tuscarora Trail, Morgan County, WV. Photo by Chris Craig

Dugan Hollow Shelter made for a good lunch stop on a February hike along the Tuscarora Trail in Morgan County, WV. Photo by Chris Craig

On the July 10 Harpers Ferry hike: Cannons at the Murphy Farm, where it was quieter than in September 1862. HFNHP. Photo by Tom LoConte.

Crossing even a little stream can be a delicate operation on a February hike. Tuscarora Trail, Morgan County, WV. Photo by Julie McFadden

On the July 10 Harpers Ferry hike: Hiking the Murphy Farm, HFNHP. Photo by Ed Wheeless.

June 11, 2017. Members of the Mon Group of the WV Sierra Club and the WVU Sierra Student Coalition at the Henry Clay iron furnace during a morning hike at Cooper's Rock State Forest. Photo by Autumn Long.

February 2018. Six Sierra Club hikers participated in a chilly hike to Maryland Heights and Civil War fortifications in Harpers Ferry NHP. Five are shown here, still smiling after the snowy descent, crossing the C&O Canal, with the Potomac River in the background. Photo by Ed Wheeless.

November 21, 2021. Peak foliage had turned to late autumn and temperatures dropped as eleven Sierrans gathered at Cacapon State Park for a pre-Thanksgiving hike on the Ziler Loop trail. But the loss of leaves allowed for some great views, and the rugged climb up the ridge warmed everyone up. All were thankful for good folks to hike with and for great public lands to explore all year long. Photos by Chris Craig

March 2018. It was supposed to be a hike with signs of early spring. But instead, open winter views and a dusting of snow greeted eight hikers at Cacapon State Park as they walked the Ziler Loop trail. Nevertheless, everyone enjoyed the friendly group and interesting hike. Photo by Ed Wheeless.

October 2021. Twenty Sierrans came out on early autumn day for a hike at the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship. The Center provides a home for horse and hiking trails, an organic farm, and educational programs on former farmland near Harpers Ferry.

February 15, 2020. 27 Sierrans discovered the great trails at the Rolling Ridge Foundation near Shannondale, WV on a cold but bright February day. The Foundation maintains and shares a great trails system on their property on the west flank of the Blue Ridge. Several stream crossings provided the main challenge for the winter hikers. Photo by Ed Wheeless.

April 21, 2018. A group of 22 Sierra Club hikers fittingly celebrate Earth Day weekend and John Muir's birthday with a walk through the big trees at the WV Land Trust's Marie Hall Jones Ancient Forest Preserve, Doddridge County WV. Photo by Autumn Long.

April 21, 2018. A group of 22 Sierra Club hikers fittingly celebrate Earth Day weekend and John Muir's birthday with a walk through the big trees at the WV Land Trust's Marie Hall Jones Ancient Forest Preserve, Doddridge County WV. Photo by Autumn Long.

February 15, 2020. 27 Sierrans discovered the great trails at the Rolling Ridge Foundation near Shannondale, WV on a cold but bright February day. The Foundation maintains and shares a great trails system on their property on the west flank of the Blue Ridge. Several stream crossings provided the main challenge for the winter hikers. Photo by Ed Wheeless.

June 3, 2018. Five Sierrans were undaunted by recent flooding and predictions of yet more rain on an Appalachian Trail hike from Gathland State Park (MD) to Harpers Ferry. They indeed encountered mud and standing water on the trail and sometimes heavy rain along the C&O towpath section of the hike. Still, they enjoyed the camaraderie and the lush green views that resulted from all the rain. Photo by Chris Craig.

February 15, 2020. 27 Sierrans discovered the great trails at the Rolling Ridge Foundation near Shannondale, WV on a cold but bright February day. The Foundation maintains and shares a great trails system on their property on the west flank of the Blue Ridge. Photo by Chris Craig.

June 3, 2018. Three Sierra Club hikers at Weverton Cliffs, MD, overlook a swollen and roaring Potomac River. Photo by Chris Craig.

January 1, 2020. HF Civil War Round Table president Steve French gives an impromptu summary of the history of Pack Horse Ford during our New Year's Day hike from Antietam Aqueduct to Pack Horse Ford and back. Photo by Mike Zagarella. 

June 9, 2018. Sierra Club hikers on Schoolhouse Ridge, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. Photo by Chris Craig.

January 1, 2020. A nice group of 29 on our Canal hike on a beautifuil New Year's Day for that walk from Antietam Aqueduct to Pack Horse Ford and back. Photo by Mike Zagarella.

June 9, 2018. Bolivar Heights, Harpers Ferry NHP, is mainly known for open meadows, cannons, and signage describing Civil War battles. Our Sierra Club hikers enjoyed all that, but on a muggy Sunday afternoon, they especially enjoyed a shady walk through paw paw groves. Photo by Chris Craig.

December 15, 2019. After the Sierra Club’s Harpers Ferry hike during Olde Tyme Christmas, several participants gathered at the Coach House for some afternoon refreshment. While there, hiker Beth enjoyed a visit with this Harpers Ferry VIP. Photo by Laurie Biggs.

December 15, 2019. Thirteen Sierra Club hikers discovered Virginius Island ruins, a little piece of the Appalachian Trail in West Virginia, and (here) the view from Thomas Jefferson’s Rock in Harpers Ferry on the last day of Olde Tyme Christmas. Photo by Ed Wheeless.

July 14, 2018. Nine hikers joined in a July hike in Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area. Here are some of the group on Shockey’s Knob on the Tuscarora Trail. Photo by Chris Craig.

November 2, 2019. Sierra Fest hike participants along Lake Shore trail at Pipestem State Park.

July 14, 2018. Stopping for a lunch break at Shockey’s Knob shelter. Photo by Chris Craig.

July 14, 2018. Stopping for a lunch break at Shockey’s Knob shelter on the Tuscarora Trail, Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area. Photo by Chris Craig.

November 2, 2019. Sierra Fest hike participants along Lake Shore trail at Pipestem State Park.

November 2, 2019. Sierra Fest hike participants along Lake Shore trail at Pipestem State Park.

June 2, 2018. Four participants enjoy an educational hike to "the past" during the Old Growth Hemlock Forest hike at Carnifex Ferry Battlefield SP. Photo by Laura Miller.

June 2, 2018. Beginning of the old growth forest, Carnifex Ferry Battlefield SP. Photo by Domenica Queen.

November 2, 2019. Sierra Fest hike participants along Lake Shore trail at Pipestem State Park.

November 2, 2019. Sierra Fest hike participants along Lake Shore trail at Pipestem State Park.

June 2, 2018. Some trees were measured to estimate their ages at Carnifex Ferry Battlefield SP. This Hemlock had a DBH (diameter at breast height) of 41" which translates to more than 200 years old tree. Photo by Domenica Queen.

October 20, 2019. Four of the five hikers who braved a cool, wet October day to complete our series of hikes on Maryland’s Appalachian Trail. They were rewarded with fall color, some good views, and great company as they made their way from the Mason-Dixon Line to Wolfsville Road. Photo by Ed Wheeless,

June 2, 2018. Leader Laura Miller explained how trees are measured, and also discussed the importance of old growth trees in a forest ecosystem at Carnifex Ferry Battlefield SP. Photo by Domenica Queen.

September 28, 2019. WV Sierra Club celebrated Public Lands Day with a short and easy hike on the Armory-Canal Trail. This old Harpers Ferry road, which runs along the Potomac River and Harpers Ferry National Historic Park property that includes the feeder canal for the pre-Civil War Federal Armory. The town of Harpers Ferry has received Federal funding to develop the old road into a multi-use trail. The old Harpers Ferry Dam intake platform provides a great view of the Potomac River and the hills of Maryland beyond. Photo by Ed Wheeless.

June 2, 2018. Participants enjoyed beautiful views of the Gauley River and mountains along the hike at Carnifex Ferry Battlefield SP. Photo by Domenica Queen.

September 28, 2019. WV Sierra Club celebrated Public Lands Day with a short and easy hike on the Armory-Canal Trail. This old Harpers Ferry road, which runs along the Potomac River and Harpers Ferry National Historic Park property that includes the feeder canal for the pre-Civil War Federal Armory. The town of Harpers Ferry has received Federal funding to develop the old road into a multi-use trail. Twenty people joined the hike on a warm but pleasant September day. Photo by Ed Wheeless.

June 2, 2018. A colorful Eastern Newt in its terrestrial juvenile form called Eft was spotted and photographed by Domenica Queen at Carnifex Ferry Battlefield SP. Newts are amphibians that belong to the family Salamandridae; in comparison to other salamanders they are semi-aquatic. They are threatened by habitat loss, fragmentation and pollution. One of the many reasons why it is important to preserve healthy forest ecosystems that include old growth trees. 

August 11, 2018. Predictions of thundershowers or the thought of a mountain hike in August heat may have kept our numbers down, but four intrepid Sierrans enjoyed a good day and interesting Appalachian Trail hike from Gathland State Park (MD) to Washington Monument SP (MD). Highlights included the War Correspondents’ Monument at Gathland, R.L. Rudy’s 1890 inscription at the still-lovely White Rock overlook, Civil War sites along the way, and spotting six deer near the end of the hike. Shown here: Three hikers at Dahlgren Memorial Chapel—an AT landmark at Turner’s Gap. 

August 11, 2018. Predictions of thundershowers or the thought of a mountain hike in August heat may have kept our numbers down, but four intrepid Sierrans enjoyed a good day and interesting Appalachian Trail hike from Gathland State Park (MD) to Washington Monument SP (MD). Highlights included the War Correspondents’ Monument at Gathland, R.L. Rudy’s 1890 inscription at the still-lovely White Rock overlook, Civil War sites along the way, and spotting six deer near the end of the hike. And how did Beverly keep that leaf suspended in air above her hands?

September 22, 2018. Twenty-seven hikers attended our Public Lands Day hike at Antietam National Battlefield, Sharpsburg, MD. The cool day was ideal for the easy hike on the rolling terrain, and participants enjoyed learing some historical background and observing some of the native plants on that first day of autumn. Antietam National Battlefield is a unit of the National Park Service that commemorates the bloodiest day in American history on Sept. 17, 1862.

September 22, 2018. Twenty-seven hikers attended our Public Lands Day hike at Antietam National Battlefield, Sharpsburg, MD. The cool day was ideal for the easy hike on the rolling terrain, and participants enjoyed learing some historical background and observing some of the native plants on that first day of autumn. Antietam National Battlefield is a unit of the National Park Service that commemorates the bloodiest day in American history on Sept. 17, 1862.

September 22, 2018. Twenty-seven hikers attended our Public Lands Day hike at Antietam National Battlefield, Sharpsburg, MD. The cool day was ideal for the easy hike on the rolling terrain, and participants enjoyed learing some historical background and observing some of the native plants on that first day of autumn. Antietam National Battlefield is a unit of the National Park Service that commemorates the bloodiest day in American history on Sept. 17, 1862.

October 20, 2018. Just in time for Halloween, nine Sierrans hiked the Tuscarora Trail to Devil’s Nose in Morgan County, with a stop at beautiful Meadow Branch Creek along the way.

October 20, 2018. Just in time for Halloween, nine Sierrans hiked the Tuscarora Trail to Devil’s Nose in Morgan County, with a stop at beautiful Meadow Branch Creek along the way.

October 20, 2018. Just in time for Halloween, nine Sierrans hiked the Tuscarora Trail to Devil’s Nose in Morgan County, with a stop at beautiful Meadow Branch Creek along the way.

September 22, 2018. National Public Lands Day educational hike at Holly River. Largest old growth Red Oak found in the park so far, with 59" in diameter and 300+ years old. Photo by Laura Miller.

September 22, 2018. National Public Lands Day educational hike at Holy River SP Oak Ridge Trail. Photo by Laura Miller.

September 22, 2018. National Public Lands Day educational hike at Holly River SP. Group picture in front of the charming old patrol cabin along Ridge Road Trail.

September 22, 2018. National Public Lands Day educational hike at Holly River SP. Measuring tree diameter of an old growth chestnut oak. Photo by Laura Miller.

November 17, 2018: In spite of a chilly day with slush-covered trails, six Sierrans enjoyed a November hike on the Appalachian Trail north from the 1827 Washington Monument near Boonsboro, MD. The hike was shortened from the planned 12 miles to an 8-mile out-and-back. The Pine Knob Shelter provided a nice site for lunch, though the group opted not to use the ice-covered picnic table. Watch the WV Chapter calendar for additional hikes in this series of the entire Maryland AT.

November 17, 2018: In spite of a chilly day with slush-covered trails, six Sierrans enjoyed a November hike on the Appalachian Trail north from the 1827 Washington Monument near Boonsboro, MD. The hike was shortened from the planned 12 miles to an 8-mile out-and-back. The Pine Knob Shelter provided a nice site for lunch, though the group opted not to use the ice-covered picnic table. Watch the WV Chapter calendar for additional hikes in this series of the entire Maryland AT.

November 17, 2018: In spite of a chilly day with slush-covered trails, six Sierrans enjoyed a November hike on the Appalachian Trail north from the 1827 Washington Monument near Boonsboro, MD. The hike was shortened from the planned 12 miles to an 8-mile out-and-back. The Pine Knob Shelter provided a nice site for lunch, though the group opted not to use the ice-covered picnic table. Watch the WV Chapter calendar for additional hikes in this series of the entire Maryland AT.

November 17, 2018: In spite of a chilly day with slush-covered trails, six Sierrans enjoyed a November hike on the Appalachian Trail north from the 1827 Washington Monument near Boonsboro, MD. The hike was shortened from the planned 12 miles to an 8-mile out-and-back. The Pine Knob Shelter provided a nice site for lunch, though the group opted not to use the ice-covered picnic table. Watch the WV Chapter calendar for additional hikes in this series of the entire Maryland AT.

January 1, 2019: 47 folks rang in 2019 in outdoor fashion on a WV Sierra Club outing on the C&O Canal Towpath near Shepherdstown, WV. The group walked from the antebellum plantation house of Ferry Hill to Killiansburg Cave, a hiding place for citizens of Sharpsburg, MD, during the 1862 Battle of Antietam.

January 1, 2019: 47 folks rang in 2019 in outdoor fashion on a WV Sierra Club outing on the C&O Canal Towpath near Shepherdstown, WV. The group walked from the antebellum plantation house of Ferry Hill to Killiansburg Cave, a hiding place for citizens of Sharpsburg, MD, during the 1862 Battle of Antietam.

January 26, 2019. Ten Sierrans did not let subfreezing temperatures of January stop their hike and their celebration of the reopening of the National Park Service after the government shutdown. They walked from Weverton, MD, on the Appalachian Trail/C&O Canal Towpath into Harpers Ferry, WV, where they warmed up over chili and burgers at a downtown eatery. Photo by Ed Wheeless

January 26, 2019. Ten Sierrans did not let subfreezing temperatures of January stop their hike and their celebration of the reopening of the National Park Service after the government shutdown. They walked from Weverton, MD, on the Appalachian Trail/C&O Canal Towpath into Harpers Ferry, WV, where they warmed up over chili and burgers at a downtown eatery. Photo by Ed Wheeless

March 23, 2019. March brought blustery but bright weather for our hike on Schoolhouse Ridge (Harpers Ferry NHP). The mix of meadow and woods (with a little history mixed in) made for a great early spring hike. Near the end of their walk, the group gathered at the ruins of an old farmhouse for a cheery group shot.

March 23, 2019. March brought blustery but bright weather for our hike on Schoolhouse Ridge (Harpers Ferry NHP). The mix of meadow and woods (with a little history mixed in) made for a great early spring hike. 

April 27, 2019. On a breezy but beautiful spring day, 23 folks joined a Sierra Club hike from Keys Gap, VA/WV to Harpers Ferry, WV on the Appalachian Trail. They ended their hike at Harpers Ferry’s Flip Flop Festival, where they enjoyed food, music, AT-related workshops, and vendor booths. The festival is a celebration of Harpers Ferry and Bolivar’s rich outdoor offerings and a promotion of “flip-flop” through-hikes on the AT. Instead of hiking from one end of the trail to the other, flip-flop hikers start in the middle twice in a year, hiking to both ends. Find more at www.flipflopfestival.org.

May 26, 2019. Six Sierrans showed on a beautiful Memorial Day eve for a double hike: 4.5 miles on the Huckleberry Trail from Spruce Knob, and 3 miles to Seneca Rocks overlook. It was a great combination of WV’s highest elevation and its most iconic natural formation.

May 26, 2019. Six Sierrans showed on a beautiful Memorial Day eve for a double hike: 4.5 miles on the Huckleberry Trail from Spruce Knob, and 3 miles to Seneca Rocks overlook. It was a great combination of WV’s highest elevation and its most iconic natural formation.

July 20, 2019. A heat advisory and summer vacations kept turnout low for our summer hike on Maryland’s Appalachian Trail. But we still had a good time, and the temperatures didn’t seem so bad on the shady trail a few hundred feet above the valley below.

July 20, 2019. A heat advisory and summer vacations kept turnout low for our summer hike on Maryland’s Appalachian Trail. But we still had a good time, and the temperatures didn’t seem so bad on the shady trail a few hundred feet above the valley below.

August 30, 2019. Ten Sierrans closed out August 2019 with a great hike around Catoctin Mountain Park MD. The originally intended route had to be altered due to an unusual visit to Camp David (which is in the Park) by President Trump. But our flexibility allowed us to discover one lesser-used trail section, including this hemlock-forested area along Big Hunting Creek. Photo by Ed Wheeless

August 30, 2019. Taking in the view at Chimney Rock, Catoctin Mountain Park, Maryland. Photo by Ed Wheeless

August 30, 2019. On the boardwalk at Cunningham Falls, Catoctin Mountain Park, Maryland. Photo by Chris Craig.