Ancient Petroglyphs found In Watoga State Park? No, these are the feeding trails of the Emerald Ash Borer. In this case the Emerald Ash Borer is responsible for perpetrating a trick on the human brain, pareidolia. We humans instinctively seek patterns in nearly everything we see. For example, I see an abstract horned creature in …
Watoga State Park has a new distinction. It was made official yesterday when Park Superintendent Jody Spencer received a plaque giving Watoga State Park an Old Growth Forest designation. Dr. Joan Maloof, Director of the Old-Growth Forest Network, made the presentation yesterday at the Ann Bailey Trailhead. Now Watoga is part of the Old Growth …
Read more “Watoga is Now Part of the Old Growth Forest Network”
Some of you generously shared your recollections of riding the trail at Watoga State Park. Others also shared information about who ran the operation and some ideas about its demise. Memories of Horseback Riding at Watoga State Park I am told the riding operation was run by Stuart Horner’s father. Stuart and his wife Kristy …
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We have great places to stay and great places to play! Welcome to Watoga! Hope you can be here a few minutes. Get to know us a little. We have the most return visitors of any West Virginia State Park. Come see us soon! Stay at Watoga Check out what people say about our cabins …
Bongo, Daisy and their manservant left their collective tracks in the snow this morning as they ascended the NW section of Honey Bee Trail. The recent winds have dropped many trees and branches on Watoga’s trails but we managed to clear all on this part of Honey Bee Trail save a 14 inch oak lying …
If the Bear Pen Trail is any indication of the current condition of the rest of the trails at Watoga State Park then the trail volunteers are in for a big clean-up task. Cleaning large branches and trees off the section of the trail from the trailhead to just the junction of Buck and Doe …
Read more “Watoga Trail Report March 4, 2018: Family Reunion Central”
This is a follow-up to our recent discussion about the loss of the American Chestnut to a blight. Therefore, I would like to address efforts to restore this majestic tree to our forest. The return of the American Chestnut. The American Chestnut Foundation and the American Chestnut Research and Restoration Project have made great strides …
This is the scene this morning at Mile Marker 44 on the Greenbrier River Trail. Two rockslides have partially blocked the trail. Caution should be exercised when passing this section of trail, particularly when raining. There are some huge rocks on the slope that are hanging on by a thread; it is a contest now …
Upon arriving at the Monongaseneka Overlook this morning Bongo and I saw fit to tarry a bit and “take in the view”. And what a view it is; changing with each visit depending upon the time of day, season and the weather. One thing that is always striking is the sense of an endless forest …
Read more “Watoga Trail Report February 28, 2018: Monongaseneka Trail & Chestnut Musings”
A nice loop trail from the Pine Run Cabin area is starting on either Pine Run Trail (Cabin 28) or TM Cheek Trail (Cabin 21). The loop is sewn together with a short section of the Honeymoon Trail and TM Cheek Road. An added plus to this moderately strenuous hike is passing the TM Cheek …
Read more “Watoga Trail Report February 24, 2018, Hiking with Canine Companions”