September 30, 2016

George Washington National Forest

1. Last weekend we were in West Virginia and my husband noticed the sign for George Washington National Forest and remarked that it is a big place! After all, we've often visited it a few miles from our home in Virginia and here it was across the mountain and in another state. Yes, it is big, but it stops and starts. The part near us is in the Massanutten Mountains, then it stops for the occupied land of the Shenandoah Valley and starts again in the Appalachians, interrupted again by another valley in West Virginia and then connecting to Monongahela National Forest. There is also a strip of it southeast of us along the Blue Ridge. On the south it connects with Jefferson National Forest, and together they comprise 1.8 million acres of land. 


Passage Creek in May, GWNF

2. Tomahawk Pond lies in the portion of the forest that is on the Virginia side of Great North Mountain. I posted other photos of this pond in July.  Like most of the National Forest, this area offers mountain hiking trails.

3. If you drive west on Virginia Route 55 (US 48) from Strasburg, you enter West Virginia at the top of the mountain. Just past there you can find Hawk Recreation Area, one of many camping areas in the National Forest.


4. Just a little deeper into West Virginia you'll find Trout Pond Recreation Area. I posted pictures of it before. I've heard the water is soft and clear for swimming!
Weekend Reflection
5. Headquarters of the Lee Ranger District of GWNF is in Edinburg, Virginia. We visited there to pick up a map and admired the forestry exhibits.

Honoring the Civilian Conservation Corps
Skywatch Friday

15 comments:

  1. We love to visit National Forests "out west" where we are -- somehow I never think of their being in your area.... thank you for opening my mind! Looks like a great place to visit (that part doesn't surprise me a bit)!

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  2. Lovely light in that the first view of the creek... The road picture too "draws the eye" and makes you wonder what's beyond the next bend.

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  3. My favourite shot is the first one Linda but all are good. Have a wonderful weekend.

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  4. Many of the older parks in my state were created with labor of the CCC.

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  5. What a lovely area for a walk.

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  6. Beautiful scenery! I didn't realize that the park was that big. My favorite is the image of the road. Looks very peaceful and a nice place to hike.

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  7. We're going to have to checkout GWNF in West Virginia. It looks like a great place to visit.

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  8. All great pictures, but my favourite is the third one

    All the best Jan

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  9. Beautiful forest! A long time ago I visited Washington DC and we drove through W. Virginia to get there. I remember how beautiful it was.

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  10. loved the part of the creek you shared. And great sky of course :)

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  11. Nice shots! I'd love to visit this forest.

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  12. This is such a pretty, scenic area.

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  13. That is a lovely area to be in, Linda!

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