Babcock State Park Hikes

Saturday, we took Harper and Amaroq up to West Virginia.  Our first stop was at Babcock State Park.

We parked by the grist mill and hiked down Old Sewell Trail, passing the dam downstream of the mill.

The road was paved and led past the cabins to a gate, where it changed to gravel.  Babydog Falls was just past the gate.

The sign called it Sugar Camp Run Falls, but its not.

Old Sewell Trail continued following an old logging grade along Manns Creek.

There were some nice wildflower blooming along the trail.

Waterleaf, stonecrop and violets were poking up from the forest floor.

There was a rock along the trail with hanging moss.

Where Narrow Gauge Trail intersected, Old Sewell Trail crossed Sugar Camp Run on a bridge.

The real Sugar Camp Run Falls was just upstream, but the water level was rather poor.  This one definitely needs better water flow.

Then we headed back.  I went down to get some pictures of the grist mill.

Glade Creek Grist Mill is one of the most photographed spots in West Virginia.

Just downstream was the scenic Glade Creek Grist Mill Falls.

It's a small waterfall but very photogenic with the mill in the background and it had enough water to look nice.

After some pictures, we drove a short ways to the trailhead for the Natural Arch.

It was just a short walk to the interesting natural arch.

Then we took off and headed back towards Beckley.

We had lunch at Weathered Ground and then made a stop at Little Beaver State Park.  Parking at the picnic area, we hiked down Nature Ridge Trail.

In half a mile or so, we took Hemlock Trail down to Rhododendron Run and followed along the creek.

Mountain laurel was blooming.

After a ways we turned back and took Billy Goat's Gruff back to the lake.

We followed the lake back around to the parking and took off.

From here, we checked into the Quality Inn for the night.