Discover the Best Easy Overnight Backpacking Trip to Chimney Top

Nestled in West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest, Chimney Top is my favorite easy overnight backpacking trip. This particular area of West Virginia is a favorite of mine, in addition to Monongahela National Forest, you have Dolly Sods Wilderness Area, Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area and Blackwater Falls State Park. These areas are a wonderland for hiking, camping, backpacking and climbing.

Monongahela National Forest was established in 1920 and protects over 921,000 acres of land comprising one of the most ecologically diverse areas in the U.S. Elevations can range anywhere from 1,000 feet to over 4,800 feet, it is home to landform features such as the Allegany Front and the western portion of the Ridge-and Valley Appalachians. Almost all of the forests in the area are second growth forests as the area was heavily logged at the start of the 20th century, yet another reminder why it's so important to protect the old growth forests that we do have left.

Chimney Top is the northern terminus for the North Fork Trail, a multi-day backpacking trip, it can also be completed as an overnight, or a as a day hike to enjoy sunrise, sunset, some star gazing or just the views during the day. Chimney Top gets its name from the chimney like rock formations jutting up from the cliff that forms the ridgeline of North Fork Mountain. These cliffs are nesting areas of Peregrine Falcons, a bird of prey that I've been mildly obsessed with since grade school, due to this, flying drones is prohibited as it can disturb nesting birds.

The hike itself is fairly easy, starting from the northern trail head on Smoke Hole Road, there

is only a very small "parking lot" so if you arrive later in the day or it's especially busy you may need to just park on the shoulder which is what many people do. The trail starts ascending right away through a mix of oak trees and other hardwoods, this is the most demanding section of the hike with an elevation gain of around 1,300 feet in under two miles. As the trail levels out and the ascent becomes less intense, you'll find yourself surrounded by rhododendrons (which is technically an invasive species, but due to its slow growth is not considered a problem) mountain holly and azaleas. You'll also notice a few campsites big enough for a one-person tent along the cliff edge in this area.

It's impossible to get lost or confused on this hike as there aren't any other trails that intersect it, however, it may be possible to miss the small cairn that marks the turn off for the spur that takes you up to Chimney Top, if you continue on straight it will just take you further along the North Fork Trail. The spur trail is also pretty steep, and the trail is a bit rockier here as you pick your way upwards. After your short hike up the spur you'll find yourself in a more open area and the sandstone pillars that Chimney Top is named for.

There are spots for 3-5 tents depending on the size, the best spots are on a ledge that juts out along the cliff face, if you pitch here, you can enjoy majestic views of the ridgeline, North Fork Mountain and Table Mountain from your tent door! You can also climb up the chimneys, the best way I've found to do this is from the right side of the chimneys, there are probably other ways to get up that I just haven't explored.

There are no water sources on Chimney Top or on the North Fork trail, so you will need to

make sure to bring enough water. I can get a bit anxious about not having enough water, but two Migo bottles was plenty on my last overnight trip. Monongahela National Forest is a bear activity area; this means you will need wither a bear canister or a bear bag that you can hang and will need to practice good food hygiene. I use a bear canister as these are approved in National Parks all over the country, although I am interested in the new bear bag from Adotek. Leave no Trace principles should be followed, you can find more on those here, with extra tips on handling trash and the bathroom.

The roundtrip milage of this hike is just over 5 miles, despite this I would advise getting to the trailhead earlier in the day as it can be quite popular if the weather is nice, especially in the fall. Getting to the top and set up early means lots of time to relax and hang out, I always bring a number of activities: cards, a book, notebook & pencils and some other small games that are easy to bring backpacking. There are two established fire rings on the summit of Chimney Top as well,

pay attention to burn bans, fire danger levels and the wind as it can get extremely windy! Sunrise and Sunset are both spectacular from Chimney Top, whenever I have spent the night there have been hikers that came up specifically to enjoy the breathtaking views and changing colors of the sky. Finally, if you're into stargazing and astrophotography, Chimney Top provides a wonderful opportunity to enjoy dark skies and the cosmos.

If you're looking to introduce someone (or yourself) to backpacking or are just looking for some time in nature either on your own or with friends, Chimney Top is the perfect overnight trip!

Distance: 5 miles Elevation:1,689 feet Duration: 3-4 hours Difficulty: Easy/Moderate