WV Waterfalls: Falls of Turkey Creek

My schedule since I returned to West Virginia from North Carolina has kinda sucked, so it’s been almost two weeks since I’ve hiked. The weather has been oppressively hot. I only had two days off last weekend so I didn’t get out into the woods, but this weekend I have three and, though that isn’t a lot of time to play with, I have to get outside. Upon waking, I quickly throw together an overnight bag, pack a few cups of dog food for Shooter, and we hop in the car and head east, toward New River Gorge. It’s already pushing 90 degrees by the time we leave home, and I know I’m not going to be able to tolerate an extremely long or difficult hike. I will pass Hawk’s Nest State Park on the drive, so I decide to stop and see two waterfalls in this State Park that I’ve been wanting to check out. They are Upper and Lower Turkey Creek Cascades, and can be seen as one long hike with a lot of climbing, or by two shorter, separate hikes from different trailheads. I choose the second option, and set my GPS for the first trailhead.

The trailhead for Upper Turkey Creek Cascades is right off Highway 60, and the Cliffside Trail, used to access this waterfall, starts in the lower corner of the parking lot. It isn’t well marked or otherwise indicated by any signs at the trailhead, but it isn’t difficult to find. It is, however, not in the best shape. Since this hike is less than a mile I figure I can hike it in sandals without trekking poles… I quickly regret both of these decisions. The trail is initually quite steep and very muddy and slick. It has that sensation of “falling off the mountain” that some unmaintained trails get after a while, as if the trail itself is slowly sliding down the slope. A tree has fallen and taken most of the trail in its path with it. I trip over a root and impale the bottom of my right foot with a sharp stick. Things are going REALLY well at this point.

The trail eventually reaches Turkey Creek and levels out. I follow the creek for a short while, dodging mud and rocks and roots until I hear the waterfall down on the right. There’s no apparent way to reach it, but I manage to crawl through the rhododendron to a decent viewpoint. The waterfall is pretty, but I can’t find a way to get to the creekbed that feels safe, so my view of it is limited. I snap a few shots and Shooter and I turn back to climb up to the car. From this point, Turkey Creek drops about 250ft to the New River, and right before it meets the river it tumbles over a rock face, creating Lower Turkey Creek Falls. This is my next destination, but I’ll drive around to a different trailhead for that. I think Shooter and I are both grateful for the 30 minute ride in the air conditioning we take to get there. The heat is getting to us both.

Back on the highway, we drive through the small town of Ansted and head down a gravel road to a fishing access of the New River. We will take a trail called the “Fisherman’s Trail” out to the lower waterfall. This trail parallels the New River and goes past several canvas tents that are owned by the state park and rented out via Tentrr. The hike isn’t particularly scenic and it’s hotter than hell in the direct sun that beams down on the wide gravel path, clearly an old road bed that has been converted into a trail. We walk all the way to the end of the trail and find the waterfall, right next to a final canvas tent that appears to have had a tree fall on it. The waterfall is pretty, but the setting– next to a concrete bridge, close to a dam, and right beside this partially destroyed canvas tent– leaves a little to be desired. I climb up next to the waterfall to enjoy a moment of the cool spray and breeze coming off it and capture a few photos and we leave.

7.23.22 I awoke today with every single intention of hiking. Last night I got a message from my friend Ash, who works at ACE as a river guide, that she unexpectedly had the day off today. We wanted to hang out, and thought about doing a hike. However, as the sun breaks through the early morning clouds it becomes evident that today is going to be another scorcher. I’m up earlier than she is and shoot her a text: I think it’s too hot to hike. Let’s just go to the lake. With that, I pack up and head off to find breakfast. I bit later a text back confirms this plan, and we agree to meet at Summersville Lake to spend the day swimming instead of hiking. Sometimes I really struggle with feeling guilty about not hiking, and this is one of those times. I feel like I NEED to hike. I’ve been working on not forcing myself to hike when I really don’t want to, and allowing myself to enjoy other activities that aren’t hiking, but it’s still tough some days.

Ash and I meet up at the lake and, carrying down our PFD’s and a few White Claws, we make our way to the water. It’s a Sunday and there are a TON of people here, but we find a spot to park our things, strap on our PFD’s, and head straight into the clear, cool water of Summersville Lake. I’ve mentioned it before, but this is the prettiest lake I’ve ever seen; the water is clean and the sheer cliffs that end right at the water are truly a sight to behold. There are climbers all over the cliff faces, mostly free climbing because if they fall, they land softly and safely in the several-feet-deep lake. Ash and I float and talk about life and social media and relationships and big moves. I feel at peace and know I made the right decision today.