Up
in the northeast corner of West Virginia, where Maryland takes its big bite,
is Blackwater Falls State Park ( a couple miles from the town of Davis).
This park protects several waterfalls which are not only inspiring but very
accessible.
Getting
there is very straight forward. From I-79, take exit 99 and follow US-33
east to US-219 NORTH (about 36 miles). Turn left and follow US-219 to Thomas
(about 34 miles) and turn right onto WV-32 which will take you into Davis.
Just look for the sign marking the entrance road to Blackwater Falls State Park
(it will be on your right).
If
you are coming from I-81, take exit 247 and follow US-33 north, through
Harrisonburg, to Harman (about 76 miles). Turn right onto WV-32. (Note: if
it is winter and the snow is bad, continue on US-33 to Thomas and turn right
onto WV-32 which will take you into Davis. Then follow the directions in the
previous paragraph.)
Assuming
no snow, follow WV-32 all the way to Davis (about 21 miles). In Davis, just
look for the sign marking the entrance road to Blackwater Falls State Park
(it will be on your left).
Robert
Glaubitz describes and gives directions to a trail to the bottom of Falls
Run. While I have been all over the floor of the Blackwater Canyon, I did
not see or know of a trail at that location so I have to refer you to his
web site (Eastern
Waterfall Guide).
I do have one recommendation for the hikers among us: unless the water in the canyon is high,
you can easily make your way along the canyon and see the entire inventory of local cascades and waterfalls.
It is certainly a lot easier than climbing up and down the trails unless you
are satisfied to just gaze at the more prominent falls from the canyon rim.
More
about Falls Run:
