| Allegheny
Trail - 3 miles from Psalm 23
Camp |
The 330-mile
Allegheny Trail’s northern terminus is on the West Virginia-Pennsylvania
border near Bruceton Mills. Its southern terminus is at the
Appalachian Trail on Peters Mountain, north of Pearisburg,
Virginia.
The Allegheny
Trail is divided into four sections, from north to south.
Section 1 starts at the Pennsylvania line and ends at Blackwater
Falls State Park. Section 2 starts at Blackwater Falls State
Park and ends at the Cass Scenic Railroad. Section 3 goes
from Cass to County Road 14 in Greenbrier County. Section
4 is incomplete, although two segments are open and available
for backpacking. The trail is open from the southern terminus
of section 3 to Interstate 64, where it breaks and picks
up again at Laurel Branch in Monroe County (approximately
three miles from Psalm 23 Camp), ending on Peters Mountain
at the Appalachian Trail. The Allegheny Trail is marked by
2"x 6" yellow blazes. It is maintained by the volunteers
of the West Virginia Scenic Trails.
Trails
at Psalm 23 Camp link up with the Allegheny Trail 4 miles
away. The Allegheny then passes by the Hanging Rock Observatory
(listed below) about 5 miles away before it continues on to
ints southern terminus at the Appalachin Trail (about 15-20
miles).
| Appalachian
Trail - 25 miles from Psalm 23 Camp |
This well
know Georgia to Maine trail enters the southern end of West
Virginia on top of Peters Mountain in the southwestern end
of Monroe County. Traveling north from Pearisburg, VA the
trail crosses the New River and then ascends Peters Mountain.
From there it follows the mountain top a short distance before
going back into Virginia.
The trail
can be accessed from the Allegheny Trail or the Sugar Camp
Farm about 2 miles southeast of Rt. 219 near Linside, WV or
25 miles from Psalm 23 Camp.
| Cascades
National Recreation Trail - 58 miles from Psalm 23
Camp |
|
The
trail ascends a narrow gorge beside a large stream.
The trail frequently crosses the bolder filled stream
for two miles where it terminates at the beautiful 66
foot Cascades waterfall. Small pools of water near the
base of the falls are suitable for those who wish to
take a dip in the mountain stream.
A
large picnic area is located at the trailhead with rest
rooms. For those who might like to make the most of
a day-long outting, a town park with swimming pool is
located in nearby Pembroke, VA
|
| Greenbrier
River Trail - 23 miles from Psalm 23 Camp |
|
This
gentle trail in an old railroad bed is located beside
the Greenbrier River. Hikers have the opportunity to
do some swimming and/or wading during their hike along
the river. Hikers may elect to start and one point on
the trail and have a pickup point downstream. The logical
take-out point would be at Calwell. For more information
about this trail go to the page describing mountain
biking or just click here.
|
| Hanging
Rock Raptor Observatory - 7 miles from Psalm 23 Camp |
|
This
45 minute hike takes you to the top of Peters Mountain
at an elevation of about 3,800 feet. A small building
with windows and decks built upon a rock gives hikers
an excellent opportunity to view farmlands in both West
Virginia and Virginia . Access is from the West Virginia
side of the mountain from either of two trail heads,
one at the top of the mountain and one about half way
up the north side of Peters Mountain.
This
observatory is ranked in the top ten places in the United
States to view migrating raptors in the fall months.
While
this is a favorite place for observing hawk migration,
it is also good for those who just wish to enjoy scenic
views at any time of the year. For more information
including some good photos taken at the observatory
go to http://www.hangingrocktower.org
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