Babcock State Park, Sewell, WV

Discussion in 'Adventure, Hiking, Backpacking and Travel' started by DiscoveryLover, Jan 26, 2020.

  1. DiscoveryLover

    DiscoveryLover Member

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    This weekend I went to Babcock State Park, then hiked down the old railway to the old coal town of Sewell, WV. The railway followed Mann's Creek down to the New River.
    The town was in operation from 1886 to 1956. Trains would haul coal from the mines on top of the mountain, to the coke ovens along the river. Then ship the coke on trains to the iron furnaces.
    My route was about 14 miles, in 5 hours. Weather was in the 30's and Snow flurries.

    The old mill in Babcock State Park. One of the most photographed spots in WV.
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    Some cabins in the park to rent.
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    Foot bridge across Mann's Creek.
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    Some parts of the tracks remain
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    Looks like part of the steam locomotive.
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    At Sewell, WV
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    Building foundation.
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    Last edited: Jan 26, 2020
  2. DiscoveryLover

    DiscoveryLover Member

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    Another foundation
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    Remains of the old Mining Office
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    What's left of the Mine Office Vault.
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    The engine house where they worked on the locomotives.
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    The coke ovens
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    Close up of coke oven
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    200 years ago a ferry was here to get people across the New River
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    New River Gorge
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    Shaerks Terrashark
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    Bear or Sasquatch maybe
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    Last edited: Jan 26, 2020
  3. DiscoveryLover

    DiscoveryLover Member

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    Last edited: Jan 26, 2020
  4. The Warrior

    The Warrior Member

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    Photos not working for me.
     
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  5. DiscoveryLover

    DiscoveryLover Member

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    They are from Google Photos.
    They may have been set to Private.
    I re-added them.
     
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  6. Adventurer

    Adventurer Member

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    Looks like a fun time. I would like to explore there... Thanks for sharing!
     
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  7. The Warrior

    The Warrior Member

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    Cool place man, thanks for sharing.
     
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  8. CWB

    CWB Member

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    nice outing. would love to take a metal detector around the foundations as they're old as hell
     
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  9. Strigidae

    Strigidae Administrator Staff Member

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    Wow. That place is a dream for learning history! Amazing is is all still standing!
     
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  10. DiscoveryLover

    DiscoveryLover Member

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    Today I went back to Babcock State Park to do some little trails I didn't get to do last time.
    There was some drizzle and mist/fog, 40 Deg. Made a good Silent Hill vibe. Some people were there looking at the old Mill and fishing, but I didn't see anyone else on the trails. I did 4 miles.

    The old Grist Mill
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    Pump House #1
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    Natural Arch Trail
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    Stone Steps
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    Looked like a Spring coming out of the mountain
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    Swinging Bridge - Had some bounce to it.
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    Lots of rain lately
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    Looking back towards the Spring and Stone Steps
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    Last edited: Mar 21, 2020
  11. DiscoveryLover

    DiscoveryLover Member

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    Cabin #13 - Supposed to be Haunted. In 1996, a Preacher, allegedly, killed his Wife there.
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    Good thing I don't have Kids - Could have turned out bad.
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    The Trail
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    Some Ladder/Steps to help climb the Rocks.
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    Nice Shelter at the Overlook.
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    Not much to see tho.
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    I had Lunch in the Shelter. Add water and the element heats of the food. You can see some Steam coming out of the top.
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    Babcock Lake - With Creepy Silent Hill Mist.
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  12. The Warrior

    The Warrior Member

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    Beautiful are man, thanks for sharing. The grist mill is too cool. There's one that looks similar at New Salem State Park here in Illinois.
     
  13. Gunn

    Gunn Member

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    An old Mountaineer here, man those pics take me back. Been in tornado alley for 30 years but I think of life in the wooded hills every day. Thanks for sharing.
     
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  14. DiscoveryLover

    DiscoveryLover Member

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    I went back to Babcock State Park today to try some new trails. Also hiked to below the Hawk's Nest Dam. Lots of water flowing with the recent rains. Total of about 6.5 Miles.

    Mandatory Grist Mill shot.
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    Trail
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    Boley Lake
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    Cool swinging bridge.
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  15. DiscoveryLover

    DiscoveryLover Member

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    Rental Cabin
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    Signs leading towards the Dam
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    Hawk's Nest Dam
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    Lots of huge boulders that people come to climb and do bouldering
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    Stopped by Fayetteville, WV at Cathedral Cafe for Philly cheese steak sandwich and smoothie
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  16. DiscoveryLover

    DiscoveryLover Member

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    This weekend I did some newer trails at Babcock State Park, Narrow Gauge Trail and Mann's Creek Gorge.
    Did a total of 8.5 miles.

    Remnants of the old railroad, closed in the 50's I believe.
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    Mann's Creek
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    Swinging bridge
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    Mann's Creek Falls
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    Hike n Chill
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    Mann's Creek Gorge overlook
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  17. DiscoveryLover

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    Another swinging bridge.
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    Stone steps
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    The Mill was operating that day.
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    For $5 bought some Cornmeal
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    Shaerks Mook
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