By Peter Shoenfeld

On February 24, an intrepid group of ten hikers ascended four-hundred feet in mid-winter to the heights of Canaan Mountain, overlooking the Blackwater Canyon from the south. We met at Blackwater Lodge at 10:30 AM. The route had been a mystery up until then, since I’d only chosen it earlier that morning. Our group was a mix of West Virginia regulars and lowlanders from Takoma Park, Maryland, lured onto this Mountain Odyssey by yours truly. Before we left, Jack Slocomb "purified" us with whiffs of burning leaves he said were sage.

We went south up the mountain along Engine Run on the Allegheny Trail, then west on Plantation Trail, then north down Lindy Run, out and back the new trail to Lindy Point Overlook, and finally east on the Canaan Loop Road back to the park -- total distance about seven miles. We had lunch at the shelter near where the Allegheny Trail reaches the crest. The scenery was fantastic, the weather just right.

We were walking through several inches of fresh snow and animal tracks got much of our attention. We’d brought two books on tracks, so precise analysis was possible. We determined that four types of critter inhabited these heights-- bobcat, squirrel, mouse and turkey. At the top of the mountain bobcat and squirrel tracks converged at a spot marked by material thought to be squirrel scat. This engendered intense speculation as to what had taken place. Some said that the bobcat had eaten the squirrel; but I prefer to think that the squirrel had turned into a bobcat.

On the way down, the trail crossed Lindy Run and so did we. One hiker fell in, but climbed out smiling and continued undaunted. Near this point we stopped and admired a "large impressive rock formation" (Mon. Forest Hiking Guide).

When we got to the bottom we meandered down the new state park trail to Lindy Point, to enjoy the spectacular view of Blackwater Canyon that this vista is famous for. I gave a long lecture on the history of the Canyon and the need for its protection, but forgot to pass the contribution cup.

Finally, we walked down the road the last mile to our car shuttle. Here the snow had been fresh in the morning, but was well trammeled by afternoon. At this point, the youngest member of our group collapsed from exhaustion. Old-timer Tom Rodd soon cheered him back to mobility and both finished the day in high spirits.

A great time was had by all. Hope to see you on another West Virginia Highland Conservancy Mountain Odyssey 2001 outing this spring!