Three state high points in one day! Thanks to the geology of the Appalachian Mountains and the quirky shapes of states in this region, Bernie and I easily visited three state high points: Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia. While all three high points had attractive characteristics to them, the views on Spruce Knob were the best.

We arrived at Spruce Knob, altitide 4,683 feet in northeast West Virginia, in the late afternoon. This particular high point exhibits features alpine terrain similar to Colorado's Rocky Mountains including stunted and wind-shaped pine trees and talus fields. We really felt like we were in the middle of nature, far from civilization and in a mountain wonderland!

How To Get There: One can drive to the summit of Spruce Knob. South of Seneca Rocks, WV on State Highway 28, there is a major turnoff to the right (west) for Spruce Knob and Spruce Knob Lake. (If you are driving on Highway 28 from the south, the turn will be a left.) Either way, take that road all the way up the mountain. A portion of the road is made of dirt. Passenger vehicles can make it just fine, but do be alert for the occasional bump and pothole and take your time.

Enjoy the photos and videos below!

-Steve

Right Photo: Myself standing on an upper slope near the highest point in West Virginia.

	Welcome to the top of the Mountain State! :) It is a short 900 foot walk to the Spruce Knob marker and observation tower.
	The marker (left) and me squatting down and pointing to it (right).
	There is a three story observation tower that rises above most of the trees. There are grand views of the Appalachian Range to the southwest, west, northwest and north up there!
	Three photos of the scenery.
	Looking down at Bernie.
	This was the view to the east from the observation tower. The lighting was perfect for photography to the east, but those trees were in the way. Note there is a lookout to the east lower along the road. We noticed it but both times we were not in the mood to stop there.
	Two photos by Bernie as he stood on the observation tower. This was my seventh U.S. state high point. Below are my previous ones: Maryland Highest Point Pennsylvania Highest Point Connecticut Highest Point Colorado Highest Point Florida Highest Point New Jersey Highest Point
	We walked a short distance along a trail and came upon a clearing on Spruce Knob's west slope. I had to include myself in the scenery out there. Note how the strong winds up here shape the branches of those trees. That is something one will commonly see near timberline on Colorado mountains.

West Virginia Photos - Enroute To Spruce Knob We drove over the eastern Continental Divide and some sheep grazing on the side of the road, but Bernie was driving too fast to even notice them! :p) However, eventually we pulled over to capture this 10% road grade sign (a very Colorado-ish grade!) and the highway.
We briefly stopped across the street from the Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. That jagged rock formation and canyon was very eye-catching.
One photo as we climbed up the dirt road leading to Spruce Knob.

West Virginia High Point Video Enjoy this video clip at the high point. See the marker, Bernie and I talking and then I do something that was semi-dramatic. :p) You can see more of my video clips here: Steve's Video Clips.

Bernie The Photographer In real life, Bernie works as a professional photographer in New Jersey. There he is photographing pink flowers (far left) and he sent me the middle shot of the tree. Go ahead and watch the YouTube video on the right. Yes, I gave Bernie and hard time but c'mon already, how long does it take to snap a picture of an ordinary tree like that one? Sheeesh! <;P)