May 18, 2008
After hitting the highpoints for Pennsylvania and Maryland this morning, Lynn and I headed off to Spruce Knob in West Virginia. In completing a peakbagging list, I'm a firm believer of getting to the top under your own power. With the state highpointing list, I've decided not to be so strick. It is extremely doubtful that I will every complete the list. I'm not skilled enough to attempt the dangerous and deadly Mount McKinley in Alaska. Although Hawaii is 'doable', I'll probably never get there. Also, some of the highpoints in the northwest are class 3 and 4 climbs, a skill level I do not have. Also, some of the highpoints (especially in the Great Plains), have nothing to climb, you just step out of your vehicle on the highway and you are there. With all this in mind, I've decided to 'visit' but not necessarily hike as many state highpoints as I can. Spruce Knob, West Virginia's highpoint, will be a visit and not a hike. There is a very long trail that will take you to the top, but for the sake of getting to Tennessee as quick as possible to hike the Appalachian Trail, I've decided to drive to the top of this one. Just the long, windy drive up to the top was tricky enough.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Parking lot near the top
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ We had a short walk to the tower.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ There was a nice, easy, well-graded path to the top.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ We reached the 4863' summit and found the tower.
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This was my 10th state highpoint.
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Here's a 360° view from the extremely windy summit.
It was rainy and I got some moisture on the lens of the camera. Sorry!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Although the weather wasn't the best today, it cleared as we headed out of West Virginia. I stopped at a scenic overlook and had a nice view of Germany Valley.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Now it is time to visit our great A.T./ultrarunning friends Jim and Sue in Virginia.
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