Hike #22: North Fork Mountain Trail to Chimney Top (Cabins, WV)
Hike #22 took me close to Cabins, WV, an approximately 20 minute drive from Seneca Rocks, where I was able to hike under the stars and see West Virginia from a very different, moonlit perspective.
Fast hike facts:
1. Near Cabins, WV
2. North Fork Mountain Trail to Chimney Top
3. 39.10437177065668, -79.26126180477988
4. 7.2 Miles
5. 4.5 Hours
My hiking partner Natalee and I met at the trailhead of the North Fork Mountain Trail at around 6:30 pm. We got a late start but decided it would be an adventure to experience a starlit hike in the mountains!
To access this trail I camped on the side of the road by the trailhead. While I car camped, Natalee set up camp for herself at a site along the early portion of the trail, not far from the trailhead. We encountered some other overnight groups as well, both at the beginning and end of the trail. The sites at the top of the trail seemed perfect for waking up to a killer sunrise and endless cliff views-noted for next time!
Directions to the North Fork Mountain trailhead can be found on All Trails or using the coordinates above!
This was a steep one and definitely a workout. I took plenty of breaks on the way up and would rate it as moderate to strenuous because of the distance and grade.
Hiking under the night sky was so amazing and Natalee and I were able to capture some seriously mesmerizing photos of the moon and soak in the stars once we made it to the apex of the trail. We spent at least an hour just enjoying the sky and the night air.
Disclaimer: There are of course risks to hiking at night, as there are during the day, but some that I think everyone should consider are:
Decreased field of vision. Your eyes will adjust but it is inevitable that you will have a limited field of vision at night. This risk can be mitigated by bringing a headlamp and/or flashlight. I personally prefer a headlamp because it is hands-free and lets you spend less time focusing on lighting your way and more time on enjoying the hiking experience. It is also always a good idea to bring spare batteries when relying on a light source.
There will be minimal trail traffic when hiking at night. You may run into a few people camping for the night like Natalee and I did, but you should prepare for zero human interaction just to be safe. That means if you get lost, or hurt, the likelihood that someone will stumble upon you and provide aid is much less and should be taken into account when considering an adventure in the dark. Personally, I do my best to mitigate this risk by keeping my Garmin inReach Mini on my person at all times so that I can signal for help should I need it.
Navigation. Related to the decreased field of vision issue mentioned above, navigation may be more challenging at night. It is harder to keep track of where you’ve already been and where you’re headed when landmarks and signage are more difficult to read. For example, Natalee and I missed a turn towards the end of the trail and had to retrace our steps. By using a map that was accessible offline, we were able to get back on track.
These aren’t all of the risks I am sure, but these are the risks that I considered most before heading up the mountain. Considering these kept us on track and ensured that we were prepared should an issue arise.
Natalee and I had a rattlesnake encounter maybe half-way up this trail, but the snake gave us a fair warning before we got too close. It was a very calm but quick interaction. We gave our snake pal plenty of space to slither off of the trail before continuing on.
Sidenote: It is always worth researching an area's wildlife before setting off on an adventure for reasons exactly like this. Knowing how to have positive encounters with wildlife will optimize your outdoor experiences!
You will encounter many exposed cliffs upon reaching the top of the mountain. Natalee and I were extremely careful and are both comfortable hikers, but I would exercise your best judgement and know your limits.
After our hike Natalee and I headed back down to my car to eat some Backpacker’s Pantry and hang out before tucking ourselves in for a snooze, and then headed off to NROCKS take on the via Ferrata the following morning (an all time favorite).
I loved this hike and can’t wait to go back soon and experience it during the day. But this night journey was also one for the books!
We want to highlight the trails that you hike every week, and the trails that have absolutely blown you away, so send us your favorites!
Thanks for coming by, and I hope to see you on the trail!
