Hiking | WV Botanical Garden | Reservoir Loop Trail

WV Botanical Garden Reservoir Loop Trail
Distance: 0.72 miles
Difficulty: Easy

Went on a Fathers day hike with Grandad and Nana. We did the loop plus the boardwalk and some of the wetland trail. So probably about 1 mile. Very pleasant hike with a lot of options for Jude to entertain himself. One great thing about this hike is the location of multiple benches but also signs for learning about the area along the trails. Very pleasant. We went when the gate as opened (check the website for times) so I drove to the bottom and parked. This was key with two little kids. Jude however walked back up to Grandad's car with him which is a very steep hike. Jett again was int he front pack carrier and again fell asleep!

Hiking | Coopers Rock | Virgin Hemlock Trail

State Park Website Description 

Virgin Hemlock Trail
Length: 1.2 miles. Walking time: 1 hour
Blaze: none     
Difficulty: Easy
1.2 miles Visit a large hemlock grove which is over 300 years old at the end of this trail which starts at WV Rt. 73.

The out and back on this trail was about 2.5 miles. Jude walked the whole way and enjoyed it. His favorite moment was placing a rock on top of one of the rock sculptures along the trail. Jett was in the front pack carrier and fell asleep. We went with Beth. Overall a good trail that we have done multiple times. Very easy and pleasant. Followed the hike up with a lunch at Archies Lakehouse where we sat on the deck and watched boats.

Hiking | Coopers Rock | Rattlesnake Trail & Rock City Trail

State Park Website Description 

Rattlesnake Trail
Length: .7 mile. Walking time: 40 minutes
Blaze: Blue
Difficulty: Moderate
This trail winds along the rocky cliffs that parallel the rim of the Cheat River canyon, and connects the concession stand and Rock City.


Rock City Trail
Length: 1 mile. Walking time: 45 minutes
Blaze: Red
Difficulty: Easy
An easy to moderate trail that runs from picnic shelter #3 through the area known as  Rock City

Rattlesnake trail is mislabeled! That trail was hard and took us 2+ hours with both kids. Beth came along and helped with Jude while I navigated the ground with Jett in a front pack carrier. Jude got tired after starting rock city trail and asked to be carried but after a short stint of time on our shoulders he walked by himself. We saw two millipedes on this trail. Jude saw them and yelled "SNAKE!!!!" We showed him how many feet it had. Jude fell one time down a small rock but other than being surprised, he was well. After the hike Jude played on the playground for a short amount of time. I put him in the car and he fell asleep before we left the park. We had lunch at Ruby Tuesdays after.

This was near the beginning as we started to realize we bit off more than we could chew!

Water break

Jett slept some but it was hard cause he was moved around too much with me climbing rocks.

Rock City is beautiful and worth a small hike to it.

This was the trail we meant to go on to get to Rock City.

The rock walls were impressive. Wish I knew this area prior!

Hiking | Valley Falls | Rhododendron Trail

State Park Website Description
Rhododendron Trail - 1.9 miles
Moderately steep near end, otherwise relatively easy

Saw a snake while on the trail. Enjoyed the playground after. Then went for some ice cream at Dairy Cream Corner after hiking.  Weather was sunny and temperature was 75+

All three of us enjoy an overlook of the river.

Jude found a walking stick

Such a big leaf!

Checking out the trail sign

Jett slept about half the trip after a bottle

Enjoying the "falls" after the hike (The dam was wide open so the water just gushed over in a level manner)