Exploring Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia…

There’s mountainsssss to catch up on about my voyages

So much has been happeningggg, so without further adieu….I will jump right in…..

You ever wake up and you are like, “…..mountains”

Like a sudden craving of sorts for that cleansing you know only mountains can give?

If you haven’t, well I hope this post inspires the craving

And if you have, well –

That was me at a certain point during one of those very DRAGGING semesters.

The Appalachian Mountains, a major mountain range in eastern North America, seemed the closest mountains for my partner and I to destress.

These extend from Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada to central Alabama in the United States.

The section that seemed most GIVING is the southern section with the ALLEGHENIES of West Virginia mostly because of Monongahela National Forest – a little biased, but hear me out

Monongahela National Forest promises a wealth of natural beauty

Spanning over 900,000 acres of the Appalachian Mountains, this is a definite true GEM for nature enthusiasts.

It offers a variety of sights and activities to indulge in – from hiking over 500 trails to mountain biking, camping and everything wildlife

I had the pleasure of being there for TWO DAYS and could only indulge in a few of the many things Monongahela had to offer

And boy, was I not content

In this blog, I’ll be sharing my top 7 spots that made my visit worthwhile

But first…..

Did you know that…..trees secrete certain types of chemicals called PHYTONCYTES that trigger the release of natural killer cells in your immune system which in turn actually boosts your immunity?

…..not me INTENTIONALLY heading into the forest to collect whatever it is my ANCESTORS saw in trees that scientists calls phytoncytes

Is that not just glorious?

I mean imagine if besides this whole, “I am going for a walk in nature….” vibes because everyone says it’s good for you

But rather intentionally going to collect these tiny snoobies…..like “Yoooo….here I am…show yourself….I feel a little bit ill…heal me“

Quite an experience if you asked me, especially if someone else is watching😅

Anywaysssss

Top favourite 7 spots

1. Spruce Knob

Hiking to the highest point in West Virginia for panoramic views of the forested landscape DEFINITELY came top for me.

I learnt the hard way that the roads to the highest point are not bicycle friendly, as my road bike ended up with a puncture before I could get any serious miles in.

Once at the summit, its nothing short of glorious

There are a number of trails at the top that all give a worthy trip around this historical landscape

Plus, there were rest stations along the trails that did not only provide rest from the burning feet, but also provided the opportunity to watch the beautiful ridge-and-valley landscapes

We arrived a bit earlier than sunset time

And guess what?!

….there was something wonderful about witnessing the changes in daylight….plussssss, the elegance of the landscape before us and the comfort in which we experienced that….. was to die for

While on the hike, there is no way you can miss the spectacular RED SPRUCE TREE that on top of being the most dominant species there, the tree tends to lean in the direction of the blowing wind – very mind blowing in sight

This on a massive scale was a wow experience for me

2. Spruce knob lake

It’s known for being the highest lake in West Virginia in terms of altitude, being atop of spruce knob

My views; well, for a perfect yearning to watch the expanse of water and breeze on an afternoon after hiking or cycling through the forest, this was the perfect rest place

And for camping and fishing fans?

The Spruce knob Lake Campground offers campsites near Spruce Knob Lake, ideal for fishing and boating enthusiasts

3. High falls Trail

This trail – 7.2 miles in total – gives a variety of options to navigate while in Monongahela

Considered moderately challenging, we felt the uphill vibes it had to offer that turned out to be a great workout.

Besides the few slippery sections here and there, that tempted us to question why we had to choose the trail to start with , there were pitstops along the trail that made the entire trail worthwhile

4. SCENIC DRIVES: Highland Scenic Highway and Forest Road 75

2 days in the forest and wanting to cover everything gem-like meant that driving had to be part of the equation.

Monongahela didn’t disappoint in that regard

There was quite a great deal of expansive views from the forested landscape.

 And Forest Road 75

Well this one was a special one

It acts as a transect line that accesses a range of forest types and it connects a number of hiking trails and remote camping areas within the forest

Driving along this scenic route was the perfect opportunity to explore the BACKCOUNTRY beauty of Monongahela National Forest.

5. Mill creek falls, Kumbrabow stateforest

So as it turns out, there is not just one mill creek falls in the USA

California, Oregon, and Cleveland too

……and in fact, they are Cleveland’s tallest falls being at about 48 feet tall and locally known as Brandywine Falls

In Kumbrabow, however, at a height of 20-feet tall, this small cascade pools into the mountain streams that lie below giving a wonderful view to gaze at

In the warmer months, the cascades are utilised as fishing spots

This was our recovery spot at day’s end for the two days in Monongahela

6. Kumbrabow state forest

Something about the name that definitely made me want to know what it actually means

According to CoPilot, the distinctive name “Kumbrabow” comes from the surnames of the forest’s earliest supporters: KUMp-BRAdy-BOWers

It’s the highest state forest in West Virginia and sits atop Rich Mountain along the western edge of the Allegheny Highlands

We went during the fall season and good heavens! Yasss

There was everything colourful: from the leaves on the trees, to the grass and the climbers on trunks

And I kid you not, along the route, we found arches formed by trees that made the experience super majestic.

7. AIRBnB cottage in the forest

Last but not least and mostly the loveliest….

A cozy yet vintage-styled cottage nestled in the forest made this the perfect getaway on a weekend.

The magnificence of this was that in the night, the stars ohhhh the stars, they brimmed with perfection

This was a SPECTACULAR experience

The last time I saw stars that bright was during my trip to Colorado and Utah

They were super brilliant all throught the sky, something you can only find in the rural parts of America being far from the city lights with no light pollution.

No pictures to show though because current phone-camera technology does not do the brilliance justice

Anywhoooo, will I go back to Monongahela?!

For sure, and in fact for a longer period of time

Any questions or comments, drop it all in the comments section below🤗