#4: [22-Oct-19]

#3: [04-Sep-06]

#2: [29-Oct-04]

06-Aug-2000 -- This pretty forest confluence lies just 300 feet from the ridge of the Allegheny Mountains, which forms the boundary between West Virginia and Virginia. Fortunately it's a relatively easy hike from the Lake Sherwood recreation area (see photo 5), which is reached by a paved road from the small town of Neola, WV.

From Lake Sherwood, I took the Virginia Trail (trail #685), which climbs about 400 feet to the ridgeline of Allegheny Mountains to the east. I then turned left onto the Allegheny Mountain Trail (trail #611), following the ridgeline. At this point, West Virginia lies on the left; Virginia on the right (see photo 3). The Allegheny Mountain trail passes just 300 feet to the right of the confluence, which is easily reached down a gently slope of thinly-spaced trees.

The effects of this year's unusually wet east-coast summer were clearly visible throughout the forest, with lots of fungus thriving (see photo 4).