On Sunday morning, after an hour of decision paralysis, which I am adding to the hours on Saturday of the same, I settled on Coopers Rock State Forest.

“Where to hike this weekend?” is such a good problem to have. All those hours were SO productive that I have lined up a great hike for next weekend, as well! 👏👏👏

Back to Coopers Rock…do you like Hobbit-like rock canyons, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) handiwork, and big views? Yes? Me too! And this hike had all that and more. Throw in some cool bits of history and traversing lovely forest scape … *sigh*… it is a hike well done!

First the canyon! I stood for more than a few minutes at this location wondering if I was suppose to go around on the trail seen to the left. Finally, decided and went down the hole! Thrust immediately into a Hobbit world of immense stone walls, I may have audibly squealed in delight. 🤩 I was in a magical moss covered tunnel between soaring stone canyon walls. I felt the temperature drop as I descended. A wonderful feeling mid-summer!

Second, the CCC structures! The Pumphouse is my favorite! It looks like a little forest witch’s house and I want that in my backyard. 😄 After I got back home, I poked the Internet beast and found a whole tour of the CCC buildings at Coopers Rock. I will be going back with this information in hand!

Third, big, big views of the Cheat River and Canyon! The CCC also built the bridges and safety barriers on the rocks. The workmanship, wow! It is beautiful…thankful for those who put their blood, sweat, and tears into making this overlook accessible for many folks!

And … Bonus points for the extra tidbits on the history on the community built up around the Henry Clay Iron Furnace! ✨ I started my hike in the parking lot just inside the entrance to the park and hike the “advanced ski” trail to the furnace. It is a thickly forested area. Hard to imagine this community now…even the first sight of the furnace was a surprise, as it was sitting in the middle of the woods and nature is definitely trying to take back its own! There is a really cool picture of hikers from the 1890s at the furnace on the WVU Library webpage!

I completed approximately 7-miles and 800 feet of elevation on this hike. A shorter, easier route exists to approach the furnace from another parking area, if you were wondering!

(🥾🥾 https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/west-virginia/coopers-rock-day-hike )

I can’t wait to go back and explore the other trails at Coopers Rock…absolutely worth a visit!

Hike on!