After a day of tubing the Cheat River, visiting Blackwater Falls, followed by dinner at Sirianni’s Cafe in Davis, West Virginia, I decided to have my family drive home with my brother so I could head off on my own to Spruce Knob. The goal was to make it there about 15 minutes before sunset. Unfortunately, when I think of Spruce Knob, I also think of Seneca Rocks. Unfortunately, if you type “Seneca Rocks Spruce Knob” into Google Maps, you will get directions from Davis to the heart of the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area, which then forces you to take the long way around the Spruce Mountain, adding at least an extra 25-30 minutes of driving. That scenic detour got me to the peak about 5 minutes after sunset. Lesson learned. 

What was the draw? Spruce Knob is the highest point in West Virginia and highest peak in the Allegheny Mountains. The lookout tower offers 360 degree views and the pathways around the peak have a distinctly alpine feel. They are lined with large rocks and surrounded by the Monongahela National Forest and some of the most beautiful pine trees you’ll ever see. It feels like the top of the world.

In my mind, I envisioned a nice lens flare casting out of over the view West as the sun set, lighting up the pines and exposing the full depth of the Allegheny Plateau. That’s not what I got. My direction mistake made that impossible. I guess I’ll just have to go back and try again next visit. 🙂