The Highland Scenic Highway — Life Downstream

The Highland Scenic Highway travels from U.S. Route 219 just north of Marlinton, West Virginia to Richwood, West Virginia in the southern part of the Monongahela National Forest. Along the 43-mile route are an array of scenic overlooks, trails, and natural wonders. The route represents one of the highest in West Virginia, ranging in altitude from 2,325 feet to over 4,500 feet. The altitude changes the entire climate and environment, yielding views and experiences unique from anything else in West Virginia and the entire region. In fact, if I did not know better, I would think I was back home in the Pacific Northwest.

It is widely believed that during the most recent ice age, while much of the continent was covered with ice, this part of the Appalachian Mountains was not. Consequently, it is also believed that the area the Highland Scenic Highway curves through reseeded North America as the ice receded. While I am not an expert in geology, it seems plausible given the diversity of flora in the area. Something simply feels special about being in this forest. Three of my favorite places along the Highland Scenic Highway are Honeycomb Rocks, Cranberry Glades Botanical Area, and Falls of Hills Creek.

Honeycomb Rocks

Honeycomb Rocks Trail is a short out-and-back trail that leads walkers past rocks with an incredible boxwork, or honeycomb, pattern caused by rock bending and folding. This folding and bending caused rocks to fracture, then water rich in iron made its way into the fractured rock, causing the rock along the fractures to harden into another type of stone, hematite.

Cranberry Glades Botanical Area

The Cranberry Glades Botanical Area protects the largest area of bogs in West Virginia. Bogs are more commonly found further north, not so much this far south. The spongy ground of a bog is largely made up of decaying plant matter and this foundation inspires a unique array of plants to grow, only starting with cranberries but also including carnivorous plants, like the pitcher plant. Navigation of this area is on a wooden boardwalk with interpretive signs to help guests identify the most unique parts of the bog. The wooden boardwalk can be uneven in areas and is quite slippery when wet, which was confirmed when a member of our group fell while taking in the sights.

Falls of Hills Creek

The Falls of Hills Creek proves that the only thing better than one waterfall is, not one, but two more waterfalls! This trail requires hikers to navigate over 400 steps in about three-quarters of a mile. I was initially skeptical but by the time I made it to the lower falls, I was sold. The falls are progressively higher the further one hikes. The first falls is a modest 25 feet, the second is 45 feet, and the third is the second-highest in West Virginia at 63 feet high, with a stunning amphitheater behind it, covered in lichen in all shades from white to dark green. As Hills Creek continues down Droop Mountain it eventually travels underground into Sharps Cave where it has additional falls, one over 100 feet in height, making it higher than the official highest waterfall in West Virginia, which is Blackwater Falls, at 65 feet—only two feet higher than the Lower Falls at Falls of Hills Creek.

I hope you have the opportunity to explore some of these amazing places in the Mountain State. The Highland Scenic Highway has plenty more to offer depending on your interests, but these three locations are fairly approachable for even fairly inexperienced Mountaineers. Plus, due to the higher elevations, it can be quite cold in the winter but the elevation makes these special places perfect to visit during the summer to escape the sweltering heat and humidity in the lower cities and towns in the region.