Upcoming events.
WV Trail Fest
This family-oriented annual trail running event will occur every May in the heart of Pocahontas County, WV. Pocahontas is known as WV most mountainous county! The WVTF will have a series of trail races: 5K, 30K, 60K, 100k, and kids fun run. Other weekend activities will include a movie night, kids activities, a ride on the Cass Historic Railroad, awards ceremony, and Mother's Day breakfast.
Woods Wacky Week (W5)
A week of exciting trail maintenance on the ALT.
Usually, the week of WV’s birthday (June 20). Join us for our biggest event of the year, W5! Come spend the week, weekend, or however long you can! Camping is free for tents, or car camping, facilities are located on-site.
ALT 50th Anniversary Celebration
Save-the-date for our 50th Anniversary Celebration of the WV Scenic Trails Association (WVSTA) and the Allegheny Trail (ALT). 2024 September 6, 7, 8
TREK 2024
The TREK is a fun weekend spent hiking the Allegheny Trail (ALT) in the “wilds” of Wild, Wonderful West Virginia. WVSTA has over 20 years of experience conducting backpacking events and would like to invite you to participate in our annual 3-day Trek. For 2024 we have a slack packing adventure from Seneca State Forest to Cass.
Spring The Trail
Spring The Trail - An annual Allegheny Trail Event. April 19-21. Join WVSTA and Friends of the Cheat for our first trail event of 2024. No experience necessary.
Overnighter Hike on the ALT
Join us for an organized hike on West Virginias
longest hiking trail. Explore a portion of the
Allegheny Trail along Section 4, Jerrys Run. This will be WVSTA’s First 50th-Anniversary-Themed Backpack Trip of 2024 on Section 4 North. March 22-24, 2024. This is a WVSTA-ALT history-themed trip, so we will learn a good deal around our campfires about the first couple of decades of the ALT development, private and public landowner cooperation, and potential opportunities to fill in the gap in the ALT between S4N and S4S.
Trail Work Weekend
Come lend a hand as we help make trail improvements. Volunteers needed: brush clearing, tread work, sawyers. No experience necessary!
Trail Work Weekend
Come lend a hand as we help make trail improvements. Volunteers needed. No experience necessary!
Meet The Trail
Come learn about hiking and volunteer opportunities along the Allegheny Trail.
First Day Hike
First Day Hike - WV State Parks
“Start the New Year on the right foot with a First Day Hike at a West Virginia state park or state natural area. These free guided hikes, held annually on January 1, are part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks to encourage people to get outdoors. It’s an opportunity to enjoy the area’s natural beauty while learning about park history and wildlife. Participants will receive a West Virginia State Park First Day Hike patch.
Please dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear. Bring water and a snack. Trekking poles or a walking stick are helpful but not required. First Day hikers should arrive 10-15 minutes prior to the hike so the hike can get started promptly at the scheduled time. Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. For specific questions about a hike, please contact the park where it is being held.” - WV State Parks.
Click the “Learn More” button below for a list of the West Virginia State Parks hosting a First Day Hike.
National Take A Hike Day
National Take-a-Hike Day
Photograph yourself next to an ALT yellow blaze send to Instagram: allegheny_trail or #alleghenytrail .
National Tak-a-Hike Day
National Take-a-Hike Day,
Photograph yourself next to an ALT yellow blaze.
Send photo to Instagram: allegheny_trail or #alleghenytrail .
“On November 17th we hope that everyone has their favorite hiking shoes on and is ready for an adventure because this day is National Hiking Day.”
Source: National Take A Hike Day in 2023/2024 - When, Where, Why, How is Celebrated? (holidayscalendar.com)
Wild Foods Weekend
Wild Foods Weekend (WFW)
ALT Section 3
Location: Hopkins Fire Lookout Historic Cabin ( 37.946665°/ -80.248604° )
A first for the WVSTA will be holding our WFW weekend at this refurbished fire lookout cabin near Blue Bend Campground on the Marlinton - White Sulphur Springs Ranger District of the Monongahela National Forest (MNF). You can check out info, photos, and location of the cabin at two websites: HopkinsTourism and Hopkins MNF.
Arrival time: is set for noon on Saturday October 21, when the cabin officially becomes available. We will have electric cooking and refrigeration capability for you to prepare your shared wild food dishes.
Lodging: Tent camping on site.
Workday: On Sunday, the 22nd, we will have a short day of treadwork at Meadow Creek Mountain South, meeting at the Laurel Run Trailhead at 9 am.
Background info: Edgar Hull was one of the fire lookouts who manned the tower that the cabin served. Edgar later was the Ranger District leader of Youth Conservation Corps crews that first dug the treadwork for the newly developing ALT on Middle Mtn, Meadow Creek Mtn, and Allegheny Mtn decades ago. Perhaps we should reflect upon the historical parallel of current WVSTA volunteers staying in the cabin where Edgar spent his fire lookout nights and then refurbishing the treadwork that he first dug on Meadow Creek Mtn as the YCC crew leader. You can read a bit about Edgar’s fire lookout duties in an old Sports Illustrated story here: FireLookout .
Trail Workday - Section 3
Workhike - Section 3
Leader: TBD
Location: Bear Branch, Camp Pocahontas, Huntersville WV
Allegheny Trek
Allegheny Trek
Section S3 - Watoga State Park to Seneca State Forest
Details TBA
The TREK is a fun weekend spent hiking the Allegheny Trail (ALT) in the “wilds” of Wild, Wonderful West Virginia.
Located in Section 3 near Marlinton, W.V. This is a great event for beginners and seasoned hikers alike. This is a supported hike, meaning WVSTA organizes camping sites and will carry your pack if you want each day. WVSTA also provides snacks, water, and shuttles each day. Dinner is provided on Sat night. Bring a friend and come have fun with us !
WVSTA has over 20 years of experience conducting backpacking events and would like to invite you to participate in our annual 3-day Trek.
TREK Registration Fee: $25
Those who register can get a t-shirt for an additional $25
Mountain State Forest Festival
Mountain State Forest Festival
About: The Mountain State Forest Festival is one of the largest and oldest festivals in West Virginia, continuing to promote the beauty and splendor of our mountains and valleys in all their autumn glory and promoting prudent development, conservation and culture of our abundant natural resources for the future.
Location: Elkins, WV,
Road Kill Cookoff
West Virginia Roadkill Cook-Off and Autumn Harvest Festival
Location: Marlinton, WV
Source: West Virginia Roadkill Cook-Off and Autumn Harvest Festival | Marlinton WV | Facebook
Source: Autumn Harvest Festival | Pocahontas County Chamber of Commerce (pccocwv.com)
A rad write-up about the festival: https://radseason.com/event/roadkill-festival-marlinton-west-virginia/
‘The Roadkill Festival is not for the faint of heart, but muster up your courage and come with an open mind – you’ll discover that there’s much more to meat than just pork, beef, and seafood, all while having a good time!’
Kevin Riedel Memorial Hike
Kevin Riedel Memoria Hike
Amazing hiker and trail volunteer
Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory
Union WV 24983
Meet at Hanging Rock trail head
Two hikes: 7 am & 1 pm
Memorial service at Moncove Lake State Park after
National Public Lands Day
National Public Lands Day — Join us on the ALT for National Public Lands Day…
“National Public Lands Day is traditionally the nation's largest single-day volunteer effort. It celebrates the connection between people and green space in their community, inspires environmental stewardship, and encourages use of open space for education, recreation, and health benefits.”
Source: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/public-lands-day.htm
Trail Work Weekend - Seneca State Forest
Trail Work Weekend - Section 3, Seneca State Forest
Work type: Sawyers, loppers, blazers, weed whackers, & shuttlers are needed.
Leader: Jeff Byard. If you have questions, email Jeff at: grizzlyjb@yahoo.com
Location: Dunmore, WV
Arrival times: Saturday and Sunday arrive 8:30 am at the campsite.
Lodging: Tent camping with toilet facilities. Perhaps no running water. TBD.
Register: If you are attending, please register.
National Eat Outside Day
National Eat Outside Day - Do it on the ALT. Send a photo with a yellow blaze in it.
Send photo to Instagram: allegheny_trail or #alleghenytrail .
“ … get some fresh air and enjoy the great outdoors whilst enjoying a meal, too. Our earliest ancestors ate outside, so it’s no wonder we love to eat in the open air as they did.”
Source: https://nationaltoday.com/eat-outside-day/
Trail Work Weekend - Glady Slip
ALT Trail Work Weekend - Section 2, Glady Slip
Work type: Treadwork to solve a decades-long problem.
Leader: Jeff Byard. Contact Jeff Byard ahead of time for more details (C 304-838-4660, grizzlyjb@yahoo.com ), because cell and text service are likely poor to none at the campsite.
Location: Two Spring Slip near Gladwin, WV.
Arrival times: Friday eve for camping. Saturday and Sunday arrive by 9:00 am at the campground. On Saturday and Sunday we will hike from the campground to the work site.
Lodging: Tent camping primitive-style (BYO tent and there are no toilet facilities) at the Gladwin Dispersed Camping Area (39.004707° / -79.551902°).
Food: BYO food except if you notify Jeff ahead of time, Saturday supper will be provided.
National Dog Day
National Dog Day — Submit pics of you & your dog hiking or working at the Glady Washout! Be sure to have a yellow blaze in the photo.
Send photo to Instagram: allegheny_trail or #alleghenytrail.
Source: https://www.nationaldogday.com/
Trail Work Weekend - Section 2
ALT Trail Work Weekend - Section 2
What: Tread work and trail clearing between Cass and the Hevener farm. Sawyers, loppers, blazers, weed whackers, & shuttlers are needed.
Leader: Jeff Byard. Contact Jeff Byard ahead of time for more details (C 304-838-4660, grizzlyjb@yahoo.com ), because cell and text service are nil due to the National Radio Astronomy Observatory quiet zone.
Location: HQ at Hevener Farm near Green Bank, WV. (L/L = 38.458570/79.824073) Thanks to the graciousness of the Heveners, we will be able to access the ALT relatively easily.
Arrival times: Friday Aug. 11 Jeff will be setting up around 6 pm. Saturday and Sunday arrive by 8:30am.
Lodging: Tent camping primitive-style (BYO tent and there are no toilet facilities) on a portion of a hay meadow, approximately ½ mile from their house.
Workhike - Cheat Canyon
Workhike - Section 1, Cheat Canyon
Leader: Marissa Bennett
Location: 39.513199°/ -79.645328°
Time: ??
The WVSTA’s annual clearing of the ALT’s Cheat Canyon segment. The Friends of Cheat will provide our volunteers free camping in their campground north of Albright on Friday (28th) and Saturday (29th). We will make repairs and add new information to the northern terminus kiosk at the Mason-Dixon Line, as well as doing some treadwork on both ends of the canyon segment. Supper will be provided on Saturday, and don’t forget to visit Big Sandy Brewery if you pass through Bruceton Mills (see article above).
Backpack Overnighter - Glady Fork
Backpack Overnighter - Section 2, Glady Fork
Leader: Jeff Byard (WVSTA President and ALT Section 2 Coordinator)
To register for the hike, contact Jeff at grizzlyjb@yahoo.com
Location: 38.893148°/ -79.644930°
Backpackers will start at the US-33 ALT trailhead in Evenwood on Saturday the 15th at 9 am after shuttle setup.
The night’s camp will be at the ALT jct with the McCray Trail North segment.
Campfire smores will be provided.
On Sunday, participants will finish up at the Glady Road Trailhead and shuttle back to US-33.
If dayhikers wish to join the overnighters, they must make their own shuttle arrangements.
Workhike - Beaver Creek Gorge
Workhike - Section 3, Beaver Creek Gorge
Leader Jeff Byard; Approximate
Location: 38.146811°/ -80.085731°
Friday (7th) and Saturday (8th) night camping will be at the strip of Forest Service land along Violet Rd, north of Watoga State Park.
Saturday and Sunday morning departures for the gorge will be at the campsite by 9 am.
Volunteers will walk into the gorge along the old Violet Rd to the treadwork on the North side of Beaver Creek Gorge.
Supper will be provided Saturday night.
Woods Wacky Week (W5)
WOOD’S WACKY WEEK OF WORK AND WELAXATION (W5)
Primary Leader: Jeff Byard
Please help our planning for the event by filling in our Volunteer Sign-up Form.
W5 will be headquartered Thursday (15th) to Monday night (19th) out of the Stuart Recreation Area Campground Stuart Campground . 38.915756°/ -79.769905°. Supper will be provided during the Stuart headquartered portion of W5, as well as morning coffee and snack breakfasts.
On Tuesday, we will move the HQ to the “Well” campsite on East Fork of Glady upstream of the Glady compressor station. The campsite is along Forest Service Road 183, likely at these coordinates: 38.763992°/ -79.704975°, but contact Jeff for exact location. BYO food for that portion of W5.
We will be sending work parties out in various directions from each HQ, so you can be matched up with the type of work you are capable of or that you want to try your hand at for the first time. “Welaxation” includes swimming and tubing in the clean Shavers Fork River at the end of the days the 15th through the 19th and native brook trout fishing in the East and West Forks of Glady Fork the 20th through the 23rd. Light spinning tackle is recommended for these small, brushy streams. Birding for high elevation species is good along Glady that time of year also.
Be sure to attend our ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING in the evening on Saturday, JUNE 17. Every member has a vote at the decision-making meeting. We will be considering by-laws changes this year. Rumor has it that the WVSTA will be ceremoniously presented an award during the meeting by staff of the MNF. It is the very prestigious ENDURING SERVICE AWARD for all of Region 9 (not just MNF) for Fiscal Year 2022. Come on out and join us as we drink a toast to the enduring cooperative relationship between the WVSTA and USFS Region 9.