Blackwater Canyon

Blackwater Canyon is a rugged, heavily wooded, eight-mile (13 km) long gorge carved by the Blackwater River in the Allegheny Mountains of eastern West Virginia, USA. For many years, it has been the object of controversy as environmental activists have contended with industrial (power, timber, development) interests over its ultimate status. The canyon extends from the foot of Blackwater Falls near Davis to the confluence of the Blackwater River with Dry Fork (forming the Black Fork) near Hendricks, dropping about 1,250 feet (380 m) from 3,000 ft (910 m) to 1,750 ft (530 m). It is a 1,000-foot (300 m) deep chasm separating Backbone Mountain (to the northwest) from Canaan Mountain (to the southeast). (This affords kayakers a whitewater river with Class IV-V+ [upper Blackwater] and Class III-IV [lower Blackwater] rapids). Tributary streams – notably Pendleton Creek and Shay's Run – have formed hanging valleys high above the canyon floor. The land embracing the canyon consists of about 6,000 acres (24 km2) of spruce, hemlock and pine upland, second-growth forest. Oak, maple, yellow poplar, and rhododendron also predominate. Black bear inhabit the canyon, along with white-tail deer, squirrel, numerous bird species, and timber rattlesnake dens. Wildflowers (soapwort, jewelweed) abound. The Western Maryland Railway's Black Fork Grade, which once ran the length of the canyon, has been converted into a hiking trail, the 12.2-mile (19.6 km) Blackwater Canyon Railroad Grade Trail (USFS Trail 115), which connects with the Allegheny Trail near its northern end. The trail crosses three major tributaries on culverts that feature views of cascades: Tub Run at about 3 miles (4.8 km), Big Run at 4 miles (6.4 km) and Flatrock Run at 5.5 miles (8.9 km). Trails on both sides of the canyon lead down to several sections of spectacular rapids. In addition, on the northwestern canyon rim is the Canyon Rim Trail (USFS Trail 117), accessed by Canyon Rim Road, with its Big Run Overlook. Intermediate between rim and rapids is Limerock Trail (USFS Trail 142), which descends gradually into the canyon over about 4 miles (6.4 km).

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