But there wasn't much to see of the main waterfall from here.
So I went back to the parking area and found a super steep scramble path down to the base. With loose rocks and lots of garbage, it was treacherous going down. Once at the creek, I rock-hopped up to the base of Pipestem Falls.
In low water, it wasn't too exciting, but I'd like to make another visit when the water is higher.
After some pictures, I made the steep climb back up to the road.
From here, we continued into New River Gorge National River and made a stop at Brooks Falls.
It's more of a rapid than a waterfall but pretty impressive with being so wide.
We found a nice spot to go out on the rocks and stop for a snack.
The river is really scenic here as it transitions from a wide mountain river to narrow whitewater gorge.
We had planned to hike Bad Branch Trail to see the waterfalls, but the water level was so low, it wouldn't have been worth it. Instead, we headed to Sandstone Falls. Like Brooks Falls, it's a river wide waterfall, but closer to 15 to 20 feet. We first took the boardwalk out to the overlook of the main falls.
Some paths led from the boardwalk around the islands below the falls with some great closer views.
In low water, Sandstone Falls might look nicer than in high water. Instead of one constant flow, it was dozens of smaller waterfalls and reminded me of the waterfalls in Plitvice Lakes in Croatia.
There were a number of summer wildflowers blooming on the small islands.
These islands make up the rare Appalachian Riverside Flatrock Community, an unusual ecosystem found only a few places in West Virginia.
Wild sweetwilliam, nodding onions, and shrubby St. John's Wort were flowering.
It started to rain as we got to the larger main falls and a closer view than from the overlook.
So we headed back to the boardwalk and found a path leading to a small beach further downstream.
The rain died down and we took a hike around the short Island Loop Trail around the largest island below the falls. Back at the boardwalk, I stopped for one more view of Sandstone Falls.
Then we headed back to the car and continued on.
It's more of a rapid than a waterfall but pretty impressive with being so wide.
We found a nice spot to go out on the rocks and stop for a snack.
The river is really scenic here as it transitions from a wide mountain river to narrow whitewater gorge.
We had planned to hike Bad Branch Trail to see the waterfalls, but the water level was so low, it wouldn't have been worth it. Instead, we headed to Sandstone Falls. Like Brooks Falls, it's a river wide waterfall, but closer to 15 to 20 feet. We first took the boardwalk out to the overlook of the main falls.
Some paths led from the boardwalk around the islands below the falls with some great closer views.
In low water, Sandstone Falls might look nicer than in high water. Instead of one constant flow, it was dozens of smaller waterfalls and reminded me of the waterfalls in Plitvice Lakes in Croatia.
There were a number of summer wildflowers blooming on the small islands.
These islands make up the rare Appalachian Riverside Flatrock Community, an unusual ecosystem found only a few places in West Virginia.
Wild sweetwilliam, nodding onions, and shrubby St. John's Wort were flowering.
It started to rain as we got to the larger main falls and a closer view than from the overlook.
So we headed back to the boardwalk and found a path leading to a small beach further downstream.
The rain died down and we took a hike around the short Island Loop Trail around the largest island below the falls. Back at the boardwalk, I stopped for one more view of Sandstone Falls.
Then we headed back to the car and continued on.
Our next stop was at the Grandview area of New River Gorge just north of I-64. The rain had died down but it was cloudy. We first stopped at the Main Overlook, which had a spectacular view of a horseshoe bend in the river.
The clouds hanging over the mountains were just beautiful.
We waited here for a bit and eventually a train passed by far below.
From here, we got on Castle Rock Trail. There were some huge sulphur shelf mushrooms along the trail.
This rocky trail passed below some huge cliffs below the rim.
There were a few small caves in the cliffs.
It was a rocky and narrow trail but made for a great hike.
The trail ended at Canyon Rim Trail and we turned right to continue along the rim. It was mostly forested but there were a couple spots with a break in the trees for a view of the gorge far below.
The trail ended at Turkey Spur Overlook and the rain had started again. With this rain and slick wooden steps, we took turns going up so Alex didn't have to climb. There are three overlooks up here and two black vultures were perched at the first.
Despite the rain, the views from up here were really nice.
With three overlooks, there were views in all directions.
Heading back down, Alex and I stood under a rock overhang to stay dry while Sandy checked out the overlook. The rain died down again on the hike back. We made a stop on the hike back at the North Overlook, which is just above the rocky cliffs we had passed early.
Initially, it was cloudy but a beautiful view. Slowly, more clouds rolled in and it became a complete whiteout.
Finishing up Grandview Rim Trail, I spotted another sulphur shelf, a different species I think.
Before we left, I wanted to hike the short tunnel trail.
There's a tunnel in the sandstone rock outcrop, but it's closed for safety.
The short loop trail was very nice even with the tunnel closed and seemed cooler than the rest of the area.
After finishing the loop, we headed back to the car and started heading south.
Passing Little Beaver State Park, we made a quick stop. The historical dam was very pretty.
I climbed up to the lake and then we took off.
After checking in at Camp Creek State Park and Forest, we set up camp at the Blue Jay Campground site number 12. This one was across from all the other campsites so great for social distancing. It was still raining, so we decided to hit up some of the waterfalls in the park. First we stopped at Mash Fork Falls.
Despite the rain, the water flow was pretty low. It was very easy to rock hop around and view the falls from different angles. Then we headed back to camp and hiked to Campbell Falls.
This one was really scenic, even in low water.
The top of the waterfall was really interesting, with flat rocks with deep cracks through which the water was flowing.
The rain picked up so we headed back.
With heavy rain all night, we just stayed in the tent for the rest of the night.
The clouds hanging over the mountains were just beautiful.
We waited here for a bit and eventually a train passed by far below.
From here, we got on Castle Rock Trail. There were some huge sulphur shelf mushrooms along the trail.
This rocky trail passed below some huge cliffs below the rim.
There were a few small caves in the cliffs.
It was a rocky and narrow trail but made for a great hike.
The trail ended at Canyon Rim Trail and we turned right to continue along the rim. It was mostly forested but there were a couple spots with a break in the trees for a view of the gorge far below.
The trail ended at Turkey Spur Overlook and the rain had started again. With this rain and slick wooden steps, we took turns going up so Alex didn't have to climb. There are three overlooks up here and two black vultures were perched at the first.
Despite the rain, the views from up here were really nice.
With three overlooks, there were views in all directions.
Heading back down, Alex and I stood under a rock overhang to stay dry while Sandy checked out the overlook. The rain died down again on the hike back. We made a stop on the hike back at the North Overlook, which is just above the rocky cliffs we had passed early.
Initially, it was cloudy but a beautiful view. Slowly, more clouds rolled in and it became a complete whiteout.
Finishing up Grandview Rim Trail, I spotted another sulphur shelf, a different species I think.
Before we left, I wanted to hike the short tunnel trail.
There's a tunnel in the sandstone rock outcrop, but it's closed for safety.
The short loop trail was very nice even with the tunnel closed and seemed cooler than the rest of the area.
After finishing the loop, we headed back to the car and started heading south.
Passing Little Beaver State Park, we made a quick stop. The historical dam was very pretty.
I climbed up to the lake and then we took off.
After checking in at Camp Creek State Park and Forest, we set up camp at the Blue Jay Campground site number 12. This one was across from all the other campsites so great for social distancing. It was still raining, so we decided to hit up some of the waterfalls in the park. First we stopped at Mash Fork Falls.
Despite the rain, the water flow was pretty low. It was very easy to rock hop around and view the falls from different angles. Then we headed back to camp and hiked to Campbell Falls.
This one was really scenic, even in low water.
The top of the waterfall was really interesting, with flat rocks with deep cracks through which the water was flowing.
The rain picked up so we headed back.
With heavy rain all night, we just stayed in the tent for the rest of the night.
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