Backpacking Spruce Knob West Virginia

Welcome back to beautiful West Virginia! I really can't get enough of the WV backpacking scene. For us Ohio dwellers, the backpacking in WV is the best I've come across within reasonable driving distance.
Spruce Knob is in the Monongahela National Forest, near Seneca Rocks and not too far from Dolly Sods. This trip had plenty to offer with mountain meadows, amazing views, multiple water features and fantastic campsites! We even visited the wreckage of a plane crash that happened in 1972.
The summit of the mountain is the highest point in the state of West Virginia. There is an overlook on the top of the mountain but the view there honestly isn't very impressive unfortunately. The trees are too tall to really see over, I imagine when it was built this wasn't the case. The good news is that there is a short day hiking loop at the summit that affords some AMAZING views of the surrounding landscape.
The trip was not without its challenges. At the beginning of the hike you start off near the summit and walk along a flat ridge for a couple of miles. It's a nice warmup for your legs before you begin descending down into the creek valley. The terrain is very rocky, which can sometimes be a challenge when you're wearing trail runners, but the Altra Lone Peak 6's are always up to the challenge!
There are also several water crossings along the way that we just walked through rather than stopping and changing shoes. On the second day we had quite a bit of elevation gain to get back up onto the ridge. Wearing shorts may not have been advisable because there were a LOT of thorns growing across the meadow sections of the trail.
I'm glad that my gear setup is dialed in so well. My base weight for this trip was only 12 lbs and as always was carried in the Zpacks Arc Air 50. The weather ended up being almost perfect for this trip as it was neither too hot or too cold and I slept like a dream in my Warbonnet Blackbird hammock. I had a few drops of rain splash my face early in the morning so I ended up actually deploying the Warbonnet Mountainfly tarp for the first time this summer, although it ended up not being necessary.
We will continue to do more backpacking adventures in West Virginia. We have a trip planned for the Roaring Plains Wilderness as well as a return back to Dolly Sods Wilderness. Maybe one day we will connect all of these areas together in a massive "section hike" of the Monongahela National Forest. Doing a trip like that in the fall would be absolutely stunning.
As always, thank you so much for your views and support. If you are enjoying the videos please subscribe and share with your friends!

[@jasonhaney108]

Hey man. I just recently came across your channel and I've been watching all your past hikes and trips. Love your hammock set up and all your content in your videos. Thanks !!

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Glad you’re enjoying buddy, thanks for watching and for the kind words. If you want to interact more feel free to join our Facebook Group “Backpacking Ohio and Beyond” I’ll add you!

[@jefferybyard8429]

If you all want to see how different it can be backpacking West Virginia, check out and do some section hikes on the Allegheny Trail. The Allegheny is a 300+ mile, long distance trail across West Virginia. From the Northern Terminus to the Southern Term. at the Appalachian Trail it really goes through a lot of changing environments.

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

I’ll have to look into that for sure. WV is my favorite state to backpack within reasonable driving distance. I’ve done 8-9 trips in the mountains at Dolly Sods, Spruce Knob, North Fork and Roaring Plains. Also looking at Otter Creek and New River Gorge for the future. Thanks for the suggestion and thanks for tuning in!

[@toninemeth8133]

AWESOME VIDEO LOVED THE DEER AND WATERFALLS CAMPSITES WERE PRETTTY AWESOME ENJOYED HOW YOU NARRATED EVERYTHING VIEW FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOPS AND THE SHY WERE AWESOME SO GLAD TO SEE SARA AGAIN SHE MAKES A GOOD OUTDOOR COOK IT LOOKS LIKE YOU HAD AN AWESOME ADVENTURE BEAUTIFUL VIDEO AND SCENERY

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

As always, thanks for watching

[@JourneyontheTrail]

Great trip video of an amazing place! Just backpacked there last October…still finishing up my trip video of it but definitely one of my favorite WV backpacking locations. Those campsites are amazing. Thanks for sharing…just subbed!

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

I really want to go back in the winter. I’ve been to all the major mountain trails in WV twice now, Spruce Knob is the only one I haven’t revisited so far.

[@OutdoorOperator]

I completely agree about getting an adventure woman ; they're great👌👌Lots to see on this route, good job showcasing it. Keep on truckin ✌

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Thanks for watching dude. I don’t have the patience to make my videos as cinematic as yours lol. We can all do a trip sometime if you want, e-mail me. Alternatively join our FB group “Backpacking Ohio and Beyond” and you can just DM me there.

[@kevinnicholas219]

thanks for the video. this is now on my list of to-do's. And I'm a Brown Sugar Cinnamon pop-tart fan!

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Man I’m getting my ass kicked 4-1 on the pop tart poll lol. Spruce Knob is awesome, you’ll love it. Thanks for watching dude.

[@TsugaCanadensis1979]

Great video! This one has been on my list. Thanks for sharing! I know that area sees more visitors than other nearby areas, such as Otter Creek. Last may my buddy and I did a loop in Otter Creek Wilderness. We didn't see anyone else all weekend. If you go to hike that area, just know that the otter creek trail is pretty wet and soggy in many areas with lots of Rhododendron.

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Yeah I’ve seen some videos on Otter Creek, it’s on the list as well. Spruce Knob is definitely worth checking out there’s some great views

[@scottmoore4039]

S'mores is by far my favorite Poptart!!! The strawberry is also nostalgic for me.

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Man I’m not getting any votes on this one lol. Thanks for watching dude.

[@susanmilam2346]

I did that hike in the late 80’s. It’s fun to see it again, but those nice campsites weren’t there back then! The meadow on the hill was a cow pasture as well, but they didn’t care about us. Another time I took my niece and nephew (age 7 & 11), but we hiked an old logging road into Judy Springs, camped a few nights and did day hikes. Spruce Knob is actually my favorite place on earth. Such fond memories there! ❤ Thank you for sharing.

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

It's a really cool place, I'm looking forward to getting back out there. I may return in the fall. Thanks for watching!

[@Pharm_girl2004]

Brown sugar cinnamon. Loved your video. I’m really interested in the Seneca Creek trail for my first backpacking adventure. Thanks for sharing.

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Thanks for watching! If you need any help planning the trip or anything feel free to join our FB group “Backpacking Ohio and Beyond” and I can send you the route or something if needed.

[@kae811italia]

We stayed at that site by that waterfall! Tons of flies in the tree by the falls but set tent far enough away and wasn’t buggy at all. It is a bummer about lack of wood since we wished could have a fire. Nice video!

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

That was the spot I wanted but it was super crowded. Probably ten other sites taken in the area that night.

[@druhol6753]

Great video! I think this solidifies this as our first trip next year for my wife and I. 2 years ago dolly sods was our first backpacking trip and we were hooked since. Thanks for the content. Btw brown sugar cinnamon

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Glad you enjoyed. Definitely go check it out, it’s an awesome trail!

[@garrycollins3415]

I've been chipping away at those trails and the ones just to the north. I will look into this one too.

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

It’s a really good loop. The ridge starting at Spruce Knob is really nice and so is the stretch along Seneca Creek. The airplane is cool too.

[@TerryX2Explore]

Hello again!! Enjoyed the last hike with you guys so wanted to go again! ;-) More beautiful views! Love all the mossy rocks - so pretty! All the nature is so beautiful... And amazing campsites too! The streams and waterfalls are so gorgeous! My favorite Pop Tart is cherry! Terry's is Cookies n Cream! Great hike guys! 💙Terry and Terri

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Spruce Knob is really cool. I’ve never seen so much miss in my life. The plane crash was unique to experience backpacking, lots of cool water features too. Thanks for tuning in!

[@TerryX2Explore]

@@Bacon_N_Backpacking You are very welcome!!

[@JimHayesHiking]

This is on my list for sure! Great video.

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

You should definitely head out there, great place for a trip!

[@JohnSmith-zd8ro]

Fly fish for native Trout. 👍

[@kjclem94]

Frosted blueberry! Loved the video, thanks for sharing your trip!

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Frosted blueberry wasn’t an option! lol…now it’s a three way tie. Thanks for watching!

[@kjclem94]

@@Bacon_N_Backpacking lol! I haven’t had a poptart in forever, but that one’s my fave. I’m old school I guess. 😂

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Get hip to the cookies n cream lol

[@IntoTheWildernessBushcraft]

New sub. Love your channel!!!

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Glad you like it thanks for watching!

[@samsmith8870]

Very nice, I have a tent and hammock setup as well. My girl gets to the tent too lol! The hammock is a Dream Hammock Darien and specifically designed for a 5 ft 9 left-handed side sleeper. So, that's my excuse :) The tent is a Nemo Hornet 2p. I was also going to go with the Lunar Solo also but that extra 6-7 oz was worth the advantages of having a freestanding, double-wall shelter for me.

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Sounds like a good setup. I totally understand the advantages of a double wall tent. I’m still undecided what tent I’m getting for my trips above the tree line.

[@samsmith8870]

I really like my Nemo. It's about two and a half pounds with everything but it's solid and I trust it.

[@ronosmianski812]

What a great job on this video! One of my early backpacking adventures, about 1980. Where did the time go? Enjoy it while you can. I have backpacked the area at least a dozen times. I have pictures I took of 3 of the falls hanging in my house. Seneca creek is my second favorite place after Dolly Sods. Did you go to the Judy Springs on the upper side of the campground and across the creek? I remember when there were log bridges across the creek (no wading at all back then), but they all got washed out in one storm and were never replaced. Have you ever tried the Otter Creek Wilderness? I really enjoy the beauty of the mountains in West Virginia. Thanks for helping me to see places my knee won't let me see anymore. Brown Sugar and Cinnamon pop tarts are the best!

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

It’s crazy to think you were backpacking there 8 years before I was born haha. I wonder how much it has changed. We did not go to Judy Falls, it wasn’t marked on the map I used and I didn’t find out about it until after the trip. I’ll stop by next time. Otter Creek is on my to do list, along with Cranberry Wilderness and we’re going to Roaring Plains this coming weekend. WV is my favorite state to backpack in within driving distance so far. Now I’m losing the pop tart vote 3-1 so it looks like Sara will take home the W. Thanks for watching.

[@ronosmianski812]

Just thinking. I'm not sure if Pop Tarts were even invented when I started backpacking...LOL

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

It’s the ultimate trail food. It has everything you need…like sugar lol

[@OutdoorsinWV]

Great video

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Hope you enjoyed, thanks for watching!

[@ggggg4030]

Ever encounter a bear hiking or over night? I have a shepherd and when I hike locally in n. Ohio, she stays within 200’. I can get her to sprint to me, just by crouching down and she’ll break off a scent on command. Our first trip to the Mon is in a couple weeks but admittedly, I’m in uncharted waters. Do you see many folks with dogs? Advice, perspective appreciated.

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Somehow, I’ve never seen a bear lol. Almost all of my hiker friends have and they have way less miles than I do. Maybe I just make a lot of noise lol. When it comes to dogs, you’ll have to look up the regulations where you’re going. It’s different everywhere.

[@jaiizwaii89]

I was just there last month nice

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

It’s an awesome place, can’t wait to get back. Thanks for watching!

[@SinchuwusOutside]

Cool place, I'll have to take a look down there. A tip for your tarp, I noticed you have a little left over that you need to stuff in the snake skin. I roll my tarp starting at one end as I'm pulling the snake skin over it. However, my snake skin is one long piece that goes from one end to the other. Looks like yours is two pieces. You might be able to roll it from one end and then once the one side is fully covering, keep rolling it to the other end and pull the other side of the snake skin over the tarp. I probably just confused the hell out of you, sorry. Just trying to help you out man. Thanks for sharing,, - dave

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

lol thanks. Generally I just run my hand down the snakeskin towards the tree end and that sorts it out. Sometimes you have to do a little stuffing but nothing more than 10-15 seconds. It was just a quick clip I recorded and didn’t think it through much lol. Thanks for watching.

[@thehafricanultralighter4973]

Pro tip for ur dry tuna lol. Bring a single serve mayo packet. Works wonders.

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

I’ve taken mayo and relish packets before and put it on a tortilla, probably my favorite way to eat tuna lol

[@thehafricanultralighter4973]

@@Bacon_N_Backpacking yupp that’s the way to go

[@theamericanhiker9655]

Keep it up 👍🏻

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Will do!

[@bearhawk426]

Which trail(s) did you hike? Cookies and cream pop tarts are the way to go.

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Huckleberry, Lumberjack and Seneca Creek Trails. The pop tart race is even with your vote lol thanks for watching!

[@dewaynehess3314]

Best pop tart is……brown sugar cinnamon ALL DAY!!

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Raspberry is pretty fire as well

[@elainewhitmore3383]

It's absolutely brown sugar n cinnamon 😋

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Yeah Sara won this one in a landslide lol

[@doug3819]

Thinking about going to spruce knob this month, my feet are injured, need major surgery on both, can only walk so far. Are there any trails worth walking a short distance from the tower or the lake ? Maybe 20 minutes one way. Was there many years ago but went up and left.

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Hey Doug, the beginning of Huckleberry trail from the tower would be doable. There’s a handful of views from campsites that are right off the trail. It’s very flat, but somewhat rocky. Just turn around when needed.

[@michaelpayne8046]

What trail was this?? This place looks amazing!

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

We started atop Spruce Knob and took Huckleberry to the junction of Judy Springs/Horton then onto Judy Springs Trail, Seneca Creek Trail, High Meadows Trail, Lumberjack Trail and back onto Huckleberry.

[@CrowMagnumMan2024]

Im planning a trip to WVA ....could you tell me the exact trails you took for this hike and the total miles it looks amazing.....I would really appreciate it........thanks for the great videos

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Huckleberry > Horton > Judy Springs > Seneca Creek > High Meadows > Lumberjack > Huckleberry 16.5 total

[@CrowMagnumMan2024]

@@Bacon_N_Backpacking Thats awesome ....thank you so much.....!!!!

[@beckylevan8625]

Out of those 2 options of poptarts, brown sugar cinnamon. But I love raspberry frosted. Hard to find.

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Drat, now I’m losing the vote lol. Never seen the raspberry ones but that sounds awesome. Thanks for watching!

[@garrycollins3415]

Definitely brown sugar and cinnamon, like cinnamon toast. Breakfast food.

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

I just learned Eggo pop tarts are a thing so I’m taking one of those on a trip this weekend.

[@scottlattea5832]

Great Video We did a very similar hike back in April of 21. Found the plane crash and took a visit to the waterfall. I'm sure we will be back there again soon. BTW Brown Sugar and Cinnamon is the best.

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Since the recording of this video I have become a huge advocate of Raspberry lol. I'm looking foward to making another trip to Spruce Knob, but it'll probably have to wait until next year. I revisited North Fork, Dolly Sods and Roaring Plains this year again, but Spruce will have to wait until 2024 I believe. Thanks for tuning in!

[@scottlattea5832]

@@Bacon_N_Backpacking did you do all of North Fork Mountain? It was my first and probably my favorite. Headed to Dolly Sods this weekend for a short stay.

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

@@scottlattea5832 Yeah, we hiked the entire thing as an overnighter our first trip there. The second time we did it in three days, that ended up being the annual trip for the channel. We had originally planned on Dolly Sods, but they got record snowfall in May, about 1.5 feet but North Fork was bare! We changed last minute and spent three days up on North Fork. Dolly Sods is awesome, I have three videos of it up on the channel, most recent one was from about a month ago. Both North Fork videos are up on the channel as well.

[@scottlattea5832]

@@Bacon_N_Backpacking I will check them out. Just found your channel so I got catching up to do!! 😁

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

@@scottlattea5832 I appreciate the support. I think there's probably 9-10 videos of the WV mountains on my channel, enjoy lol

[@troldhaugen]

I'd like to see videos of hikes off of Canaan Loop Road such as Davis Trail, Pointy Knob Trail, Allegheny Trail, etc. I can't find KZbin videos of those trails, but the videos of Canaan Loop Road make the area look like a subalpine boreal forest.

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

I’m not familiar with any of these except Allegheny. It seems like most of them are mountain bike trails?

[@troldhaugen]

@@Bacon_N_BackpackingAccording to my Lizard Map, these are multi use trails with overnight shelters and dispersed camping. According to the following video, they are for hiking and Nordic skiing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4Wzl3yYhsqVsLM

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

I’ll have to look into it tonight, thanks.

[@cabinvibesebaystore8956]

New sub ! Liked 😉😊😃🎉😆

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Word

[@texashikeaholicsadventures5651]

What was your route? How many miles? We’re looking for a 2 night loop 20 to 25 miles in West Virginia. We’ve done Dolly Sods

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

We started atop Spruce Knob and took Huckleberry to the junction of Judy Springs/Horton then onto Judy Springs Trail, Seneca Creek Trail, High Meadows Trail, Lumberjack Trail and back onto Huckleberry.

[@texashikeaholicsadventures5651]

@@Bacon_N_Backpacking thanks so much for taking the time to respond!

[@leakyshart9943]

Just curious. Where do you park to begin this loop?

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

At the top of the mountain

[@TheFbiFilesRepeat]

Loved the vid. Yall need proper hiking boots 👻

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Honestly prefer trail runners over boots. I feel like hiking is 20-30% easier than in boots. I’m on team trail runner for life unless it’s too cold. Thanks for watching!

[@dougwalker4947]

The plane crash happened in the early 70's if I remember correctly. It was said it was due to ice forming on the wings.

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Yeah I have since looked up the info. If I recall correctly it was a combination of iced over wings, fog, rain and pilot error. Cool piece of living history though. Thanks for watching!

[@robertuffman3041]

where did you get your chest pack?

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

HillPeople Gear

[@manadeldia6443]

I like it Where exactly is this location, Could anybody tell me please ?

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Spruce Knob, West Virginia

[@manadeldia6443]

@@Bacon_N_Backpacking Thank you so much!

[@patricktreutlein8575]

had to reinstall basecamp for topo maps to appear

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Is that the Garmin app? Never used it before.

[@toninemeth8133]

FORGOT TO MENTION THE PLANE CRASH THAT WAS TERRIBLE YES SARA IS TRULY AN ADVENTURE GIRL YOU MAKE A GREAT PAIR CANT COMMENT ENOUGH ON THE BEATIFUL WATERFALLS

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Yeah the crash was weird to see

[@RFE812]

Have you been to the highest points in any other states?

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Nope lol

[@cdhikes2906]

To be fair, I haven't had cookies and cream pop tarts, but it's pretty hard to beat brown sugar cinnamon.

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

One vote for Sara I guess lol, thanks for watching!

[@robertuffman3041]

brown sugar cinnamon for sure.

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Raspberry is fire too

[@JohnSmith-zd8ro]

I would be Fry Fishing for native Trout.

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

I'm not a huge fisherman, but that would be cool for sure. When I backpack I'm usually about putting in the miles lol

[@JohnSmith-zd8ro]

My son and I did Appalachian trail. Rout 7 to Harpers Ferry. 2 days Loved it.

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

@@JohnSmith-zd8ro Awesome!

[@andrewalden8364]

“Pretty leisurely hike. We’ve only done about 4 miles.” From someone that’s hiked Spruce Knob many times, you definitely didn’t do a 4 mile leisurely hike. If so, let me know where that is.

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

From the tower to the end of Huckleberry is almost completely flat. You make one big descent before Lumberjack and it’s almost completely flat again for miles. Both of these trails are along a ridge and there’s zero uphill one way…

[@robertuffman3041]

what is the name of this trail?

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Combination of Huckleberry, Horton, Seneca Creek, High Meadows and Lumberjack trails.

[@robertuffman3041]

@@Bacon_N_Backpacking ty

[@angiepaolaalvarezmunoz3000]

Has anybody cliff-jumped into the water at the waterfall?

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

I’m sure someone has, but we didn’t lol

[@quickyoungoutside111]

Did Sarah have Timps on?

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Yep, those are the ones 👍

[@quickyoungoutside111]

@Bacon N Backpacking I have them also and love them. They have a little more cushion than the peaks I believe. I found your channel about 2 months ago and really like it especially since you go close to me. Oh by the way I hiked the Archers Fork loop Thursday and yes I had to take my shoes off too that same spot you did lol

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Yeah that spot can get a little deep haha, glad you’re enjoying the channel.

[@michaelbroyer3918]

i love your video. You might want to check out my Seneca creek videos when you have time

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Thanks for the kind words. I’ll check it out tonight after work.