Seneca Creek Backpacking

See an update on the message board here!

This is a Memorial Day Weekend trip. If you'll be attending this trip, please come to the test pack on May 16!! especially if you haven't been on one of our trips before.

So I cheated and went to Trails.com instead. I'm most interested in the Seneca Creek/High Meadows Loop.
A moderate 13.5 mile loop that takes you up Seneca Creek to a walk-up campsite, traverses a ridge in the Allegheny Mountains, then comes down by way of an old logging road. There are lots of "cascades" and streams, and the second night camps in a meadow.

From the first night camp in the Judy Springs Site, there are a number of short trails that can be explored to lengthen the trip. the campsite is only a few miles in, so there should be plenty of time to get there & set up camp after the Via on Saturday. The second day we can explore from the campsite or push on.

There are a few river crossings ("fords", they are called; need to look more into that) and the logging trail is reported to be rather muddy. Bring extra socks. Plenty of water. We may be able to build a fire, even. It looks like dogs are welcome in the backcountry of West Virginia and I know mine would love to come. Looking into it.

More comprehensive gear list coming soon. bring your own food. Gear is probably available to share, we'll discuss soon....

The loop starts and ends at the same trailhead! No switching cars!

I will be staying Friday night in Seneca Shadows Campground, then do the Via Ferrata on Saturday morning. We'll head out into the backcountry after that. If you don't want to do the Via you can probably start out early & set up camp & explore, or hike the 30 miles of trails in Nelson Rocks Preserve until the rest of us are finished.

The loop is short enough that if we went straight through, we could possibly finish early enough Monday (on a downslope!) with enough time for other activities (rock climbing, kayaking, caverns, etc.)

There will be a small cost to stay in the campground on friday (much easier than driving 5 hours, hiking a few miles and setting up camp in an unknown forest at 2 am).

it's set at 20 people right now; if more than 15 go, we'll probably split into two groups and do the same loop from different ways. If more than 20-24 want to go, for environmental reasons we'll need to look into an additional trail. I'm also going to post the trip on thebackpacker.com and invite the Blairstown Backpacking group.

Paid & Official:
1. Roc (VF)
2. Adam (VF)
3. Amy V. (VF)
4. Jessica (VF)
5. Andrew (VF)
6. Val (VF)
7. Dave #2 (VF)
8. Steve
9. Nancy (VF)
10. Nancy's guest (VF)
11. Ben
12. Kristen (VF)
13. Emily (VF)
14. Wei (VF)
15. Leah
16. Ed
17. Jessica's Guest (VF)

Links:
Seneca Rocks Campground Trip
Via Ferrata
Maybe you can see from trails.com?:http://www.trails.com...