Spruce Knob/Seneca Creek Loop Backpacking Guide
seneca falls
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The Spruce Knob/Seneca Creek route is a 16.5-mile, “lollipop” style hike located in West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest. On this trail you’ll get to experience a little bit of everything. There’s beautiful streams and waterfalls, high mountain meadows, incredible views from the Spruce Knob tower (the highest point in West Virginia at 4,863 feet), and an old plane wreck you can explore. If you’re new to backpacking or if you only have a few days available to get away, this hike is perfect since it’s just an overnighter.
Trail Facts
Length: 16.5 Miles
Duration: 2 Days
Elevation Gain: 2,394 Feet
Peak Elevation: 4,863 Feet
Best Season to Hike: Spring thru Fall
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Bear Canisters: Not Required
Permits: Not Required
Dogs: Allowed
Highlights
Beautiful Water Falls
Highland Meadows
Spruce Knob Tower
Old Plane Wreckage
Amazing Campsites
Fun Stream Crossings
Maps & Information
Seneca Rocks/Dolly Sods Purple Lizard topographical map: To navigate yourself around the wilderness area, I suggest using the waterproof map from Purple Lizard. It provides information, such as elevation profiles, points of interest, and water sources.
Monongahela National Forest Hiking Guide: This guidebook provides detailed information about this loop and 200 other trails in the area. It provides valuable information on the terrain, degree of difficulty, mileage, water sources, points of interest, and even photos to help you know what the trail will be like.
AllTrails App: For backpackers who prefer digital maps to navigate with, the AllTrails app is great. It uses your mobile phone’s GPS to track your position on the route. You’ll find the Spruce Knob/Seneca Creek Loop there, along with over 400,000 other trails. The app provides you with elevation profiles, mileage, campsites, water sources, and points of interest.
Parking
Parking can be found on top of Spruce Knob Mountain. To access this parking area you will use Forest Roads 104 and 112. Even though these roads are mostly paved they’re narrow and windy, so be careful. When at the top you’ll find there’s ample parking for your car. The trailhead will be marked by a large wooden trail kiosk welcoming you to the Seneca Creek Backcountry.
See the interactive map below for the exact parking and trailhead locations.
Terrain
On this hike, the terrain overall isn’t very strenuous. On the first day, you’ll have an easy hike downhill the majority of the time. However, on the second day, it will become a little more challenging with a 2,173-foot climb out of the Seneca Creek valley.
On this route, there are a few areas to be aware of. The Lumberjack Trail can get very muddy due to poor drainage and it can be a challenge to navigate around the mud.
Another area to be mindful of is the 3 creek crossings on the Seneca Creek Trail. Your feet will get wet, and your progress will slow down in these areas. Instead of taking off your hiking boots every time you need to cross the stream, I recommended wearing trail running shoes, like the Altra Lone Peak 8s. This style of shoe is quick-drying, which allows you to keep them on as you cross streams.
Dangers
Overall the Spruce Knob/Seneca Creek route is relatively a safe place to backpack and that’s why I recommend it for beginner backpackers. However, as I mentioned earlier there are 3 stream crossings you’ll want to plan for before you go.
If the area has received lots of rain over several days the Seneca Creek water level can rise and make the crossings treacherous. In some rare instances, the stream crossing near Seneca Falls has become impassable due to heavy rains causing fast-flowing, waist-deep water.
To prepare for these crossings check out my article on how to ford a river safely.
I also have the stream crossings marked on the interactive map below so you can plan accordingly.
Bugs
With hiking near water, mosquitoes are always a concern, especially in springtime. Ticks are also a notable pest to be aware of in the grassy meadows area. When I backpacked this route at the beginning of June with my dog, the bugs weren’t that bad. However, I did find two ticks on my dog afterward. So, there is a real possibility you could find a tick on yourself also.
To guard against these pests, I suggest using Picaridin Spray for any exposed skin. You can also treat your clothing with Permethrin Spray.
Water Sources
For the most part, water is readily available on this hike. However, Huckleberry Trail has no water sources on it. So for the first 5 miles (or the last 5 miles if you’re coming from the other direction) you’ll want to make sure you’re carrying enough water to support yourself. I have many of the water sources labeled on the interactive map below to help you come up with a strategic water plan.
Make sure to always filter your water because giardia and bacteria are a concern. One of the best water filters on the market is the Sawyer Squeeze because it is lightweight and has a fast flow rate.
Camping Spots
On this hiking route, there’s an abundance of campsites along Seneca Creek and on the Spruce Knob ridgeline. Even if you’re planning a trip on the weekend, you shouldn’t have an issue finding a place to camp at. There are many nice campsites, however, there are two campsites that stand out more than the others.
The first campsite is about half a mile from where you first cross the creek near upper Seneca Falls. The campsite is right along the creek. It has a well-built fire ring with stone chairs around it. There are also many flat areas that could accommodate your tent.
Another spot to consider camping is located right after the last water crossing of Seneca Creek about 0.2 miles back from the meadow at Judy Springs. This site has a view of a beautiful waterfall, a nice fire ring, and level areas for your tent. However, even though it is a very beautiful spot, it is 1.7 miles from where you first cross the creek as opposed to the previous site which is just a half mile.
For more campsite locations check out the interactive map below.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1: (9.7 miles)
Start at the Huckleberry Trailhead from the Spruce Knob parking area.
Hike for 4.7 miles downhill through a spruce forest and come to the intersection with the Horton and Lumberjack Trail.
Turn right onto the very muddy and relatively flat Lumberjack Trail for 2 miles. One mile into this section there’s a side trail that leads to a wreckage of an old plane you can check out. It’s not marked and easy to walk right by so here are the coordinates N38.76409 W79.49852. You can either enter them into your gps or get a general idea through google maps. Continue on the Lumberjack Trail for another mile and you’ll come to the intersection with the High Meadows Trail.
Turn left onto the High Meadows Trail and hike downhill for 1.9 miles. At first you will continue hiking through the forest, but then things will open up to beautiful mountain meadows. Eventually the trail will reenter the forest and intersect with the Horton Trail.
Turn right onto the Horton Trail and hike downhill for 0.5 miles and you’ll reach the Seneca Creek Trail.
Turn right onto the Seneca Creek trail following Seneca Creek for about 75 yards and see the amazing Seneca Falls.
Retrace your steps back to the Horton and Seneca Creek Trail intersection and continue following the Seneca Creek Trail in the other direction by crossing the Seneca Creek. Follow the stream for about 0.5 miles and come to a campsite where you can stay the night.
Day 2: (6.8 miles)
To start your day continue going south on the Seneca Creek Trail for 1.2 miles. You’ll cross the Seneca Creek two more times and pass by many other campsites along way. Eventually you’ll arrive at a grassy meadow and the trail will intersect with the Judy Springs Trail.
Turn left onto the Judy Springs Trail by crossing a wooden footbridge over Seneca Creek. Here is were your elevation climbing begins. Hike for 0.7 miles passing through more mountain meadows. The trail will eventually reenter the forest and intersect with the Horton Trail.
Turn right onto the Horton Trail and hike uphill for 0.2 miles and reach the intersection with the Lumberjack and Huckleberry Trail.
Continue uphill on the Huckleberry Trail for 4.7 miles retracing yours steps you did the previous day back to the trailhead (the stick of the “lollipop”).
As a finale you can check out the Spruce Knob Tower just a short distance from the parking lot where you’ll get to enjoy a beautiful mountain view. There’s a sign that will point you in the right direction.
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