My hike on the Seneca Rocks West Virginia Trail through the Monongahela National Forest was so less grueling than the hike to Arethusa Falls in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Yes, my new hiking poles helped. However, this trail was clear of rocks and roots. The rock scramble didn’t happen until near the vertical top. But I’ll get to that. My daughter had hiked the trail before, and she accompanied me.
We crossed the Seneca Creek bridge from the picnic area on the valley floor and started ascending through the forest. The trail was level and somewhat smooth. I only stopped twice on the 1.5-mile climb to the observation platform for a short rest. The weather wasn’t oppressive, although it was warm. We hydrated often.
The Seneca Rocks Trail gains about 1000 feet in elevation. We climbed steps and switchbacks. This trail culminates at the vertical walls at the mountaintop. The observation platform is below the topmost walls. You are cautioned to stay at the platform and not go higher. But many hikers did.
And yes! My daughter convinced me to scramble up the corrugated rock slabs to reach the rock walls, a narrow, I’m-too-wide-to-fit-between-them set of ragged rock. I climbed up on my hands and knees, looking only at the rockface. Then I sat back, heart pounding, too shaky to stand tall when all around me was air. It’s true. Not many hikers went farther than we did.
People were repelling on the other side of the rock wall. The answer is no. I do NOT see myself dangling from a mountain wall. Or stepping off the top of a cliff to walk down the side of the rock wall. Perhaps if I were younger. And had trusted climbing guides with proper climbing equipment, I might try it. But I’m not exactly sure. I have done a few—very few!—freestanding climbing walls years ago. They were not nearly as tall as a mountain. And I could see where the bottom was. Yes! I was strapped into a harness in case my arms gave out, but that was only so I didn’t break my neck if I fell to the ground.
As we age, it does not mean we should avoid challenges or hikes in nature. But we do need to know our limitations. And my limitation is the top of the mountain with nothing but air around me. I’ve always had an “edge” problem. Especially when my children were young and hiking along with me and my husband. My “edge” problem has only intensified with age.
But oh, the grandeur at the top of the mountain! As long as I’m sitting down, I can breathe in the beauty of God’s creations. I will continue to hike and walk in nature, until the Lord tells me it’s enough.
So, how about you? Do you like to climb to the top of a bald mountaintop to look out? A pointy mountaintop with no trees around to help you to feel more secure at the edges? Have you ever repelled from a mountaintop? Please share any experience you may have being a daredevil in nature in the comments section of Camping with Five Kids. Then go enjoy a hike or walk in nature. You’ll be glad you did.