Wild & Wonderful Mountain Mamas

Starting the trek at Spruce Knob

After getting back to Etown after an awesome summer in Gainesville I didn't want the fun to end just yet. I felt like I needed one last big adventure before starting the next chapter in my life (aka grad school).
So my friends & I decided that we would go on a mountain hiking trip! I have always had this bucket list goal of hiking all of the highest points of each state. I am not completely serious about that goal because right now I couldn't even imagine climbing high points out west, but I do think it is a great way to see the country. So far I have hiked the highest point in Minnesota, Eagle Mountain, and the highest point in New Hampshire (also the highest point in the East Coast), Mt. Washington.


This trip. Oh my. It was a perfect mix of limited planning and spontaneity. We decided that we would hike Spruce Knob, the highest point in West Virginia, Backbone Mountain, The highest point in Maryland, and then Mt. Davis, the highest point in PA.

We started our trip in West Virginia because it was the furthest away & thought we would backtrack after that. West Virginia was so incredibly beautiful! We basically just plugged Spruce Knob into our GPS and blindly followed it. We knew we were near the mountain because our car was climbing up and up and the dirt road continued to get narrower. By the time we got to the trail head it was pouring down raining. There was no turning back now! So we put on our raincoats and strapped on our backpacks & started our hike.

The trail, absolutely beautiful. Also, very long and flat. The hike itself was 9 miles but with minimal elevation. Apparently only 1% of people who visit Spruce Knob actually hike that trail and that was definitely apparent. It was so peaceful and quiet and was really just the three of us out there. We did see a family near the summit who looked like they had been hiking and camping for days. The weather was bipolar and the terrain changed frequently. Narrow paths, paths through grass, river-like paths, and a more open forrest terrain. I loved the diversity on the trail.

"Gorgeous" View at the Overlook

During the second half of the hike we were drenched and absolutely chilled to the bone. I mean it, blue lips and shivering uncontrollably. What was keeping us going was the satisfaction of reaching the top. When we finally reached the top we couldn't see a single thing. We climbed the tower and all burst out in hysterics. All of that work and new view. Kind of like a metaphor for life I suppose. Really though, the view didn't matter because the trail itself was so gorgeous. I think the fact that there was no view just added to the ridiculousness of the trip.

After taking our goofy pictures we came to the realization that we had to get down the mountain somehow. The trail was drenched and it was going to get dark pretty soon. We didn't have flash lights and didn't want to risk navigating through a slippery trail in the dark. We decided it would be best to walk down the auto road because it was also cut some mileage off (6 miles instead of 9). I think we walked a total of 3 minutes before realizing how horrible and miserable we would be during the hike down. We were already cold, but the wind and rain got a lot harsher and this time we had nothing to shield us from the elements. I don't know how it happened, but by some twist of fate a red pick up truck drove by that we decided to flag down. Besides this truck, the summit was completely dead. The truck belonged to a very nice lesbian couple who let us jump in the back and gave us a ride back to our car. Thank god for these lovely human beings or we seriously would have gotten frost bite or something. The couple also informed us that it was supposed to storm pretty bad with thunder and lighting so it might not be a good idea to camp.

View of Seneca Rock from Yokums

We decided to take the couple's advice and find a place to stay. Well, let me tell you. There isn't much in West Virginia. There was only one place which at first we judged pretty harshly but it ended up being great. The place was called Yokums Vacationland. This place had an amazing view of Seneca Rock and ended up being quite the nature vacationland after all!

In the morning we left and decided to check out Blackwaterfalls State Park while we were in West Virginia. AH! More beauty! It was the perfect morning stop before hitting another 2 high points.

Prom Shot at the Falls :)

After the falls, we made our way to Backbone Mountain, the highest point in Maryland. It was rather strange, the base of the trail started just off the highway! It was a steep hike but very short (compared to the day before!) So, it was actually very funny. We were hiking and we thought we had reached the top because there was a big giant boulder. We were confused because there was no sign or mention of it being the highpoint. We shouted down to some other hikers who were below us asking us where the high point was. They replied, "It's down here!". Now, we were surprised because we were much higher up than where the lady was. Then, we realized that we were actually still standing in West Virginia! Crazy right! So we climbed down to reach the "top" of the mountain. Oh my, it was absolutely adorable. There was a mail box with certificates in it stating that you had hiked the highest point as well as a notebook for visitors to sign there name. There was a cute sign, picnic table, and pile of rocks as well. Highpoints take note, Maryland does it right!

Backbone Mountain, Maryland Highpoint

Top of Mt. Davis

After Backbone Mountain, we made our way over to Mount Davis back in good ole PA. First, it was nearly impossible to find and smack dab in the middle of the Amish. When we finally figured out how to get there... well, it was a bit disappointing. The "hike" was a complete joke! It was less than a flat straight mile walk to a tower. I mean, I guess PA is pretty flat, but geez I wasn't even winded! 

All in all it was a great trip filled with adventure, laughs, mountains, and an olive garden gorge on the way back :)

xoxo, Becca