I've closed down RSVPs for this weekend so that I can get the final details out to all who are RSVP'd Yes. There is still room and if you'd like to go, please place yourself on the Waitlist and I will move you over to a Yes plus provide you an details that have already gone out.

Jam-packed three day weekend with activities to include waterfalls and swim holes, sunrises and sunsets, hiking, fishing, biking, caving!!!, camping, cookouts, etc... in the Spruce Knob/Seneca Rocks area of WV.

Difficulty: Varies from Easy to Medium

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What to expect:
This area of WV offers many, many, many outdoor activities of all different kinds. I am not planning a strict itinerary, rather I'm hoping that folks will come and join us throughout the weekend as their schedules allow.

The campsites we'll be staying in are centrally located to most of the more popular attractions. Over the next few weeks I will be uploading files with some 'things to do' in the area and will also include tips/suggestions on what to bring for the various activities.

The way this will work is we will all car camp together along a creek. As people come and go, most likely the group will split up into smaller groups based on activity interest. Personally, I will be doing a lot of swimming, paddling on the lake, bike riding, fly fishing and I love exploring a nearby cave with Ripley. You are more than welcome to join me in those activities or you can make up your own adventure.

Of course, the beauty of nature may compel you to want to just sit back and relax and take in the surroundings which is totally fine too!

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Accommodations:
We will be car camping within the Gandy Dispersed Camping Area along a beautiful creek in a large field. There are a few large group sites or we can split up into smaller neighboring sites if the group spots are not available. There is no charge for camping and this is first come, first serve so I can't tell you ahead of time exactly what sites we will be in, but we will be near two major trailheads and finding us will not be difficult.

There are no showers but there are several pit toilets in the area. Depending on our campsite location, we may not be within walking distance of any toilets, but they are usually only about a 5-min car ride or you can use the woods!

All water will have to be brought with you or treated from the creek. There are fire rings in each campsite but no grills so stoves are a must.

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Things to do:
These are just a few of the activities available in the area. I will not be organizing formal hikes to any of these places, rather the weekend's schedule will be left open for people to come and go as they like and so that members can participate in whatever interests them. These files are for informational purposes so you can have an idea of what to expect.

I will be uploading files on a regular basis, so check back because this list will grow!

Caving - I will probably visit the cave a few times during the weekend so there will be several opportunities to see this. For an idea of what to expect, please view this document: http://docs.google.co....

Spruce Knob - Spruce Knob is the highest point in the 'Mountain State'. It is a short drive to the top and there are a few trails along the top of the ridge with a lookout tower at the very top with incredible 360 degree views. Trails in this area are easy and well marked. This would make for a great sunrise or sunset hike. For photos, click here: http://www.wvhome.com....

Hiking - There are miles and miles of trails in the area. This link contains detailed trail maps: http://www.wvhighland... and you can browse hike suggestions here: http://www.trails.com.... I am also very familiar with the area and can give you good suggestions based on how far you'd like to hike, what you'd like to see (waterfalls, vistas, etc...) and the type of terrain you're interested in.

Fishing/ boating - For a description of nearby Spruce Knob Lake, view this article here: http://www.associated.... As well there are many trout creeks in the area (including one right at our campsite). I will have at least one canoe with me for the group to use on the lake (if you have your own, please bring it!). Please obtain a license if you plan on fishing: http://www.wvdnr.gov/.... No license is required to boat and this is a good place to learn to boat with a dog if you've not done it before!

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Camping rules:
Leashes - Within the national forest there are no leash restrictions, however some trails and developed areas may have separate rules. You are responsible for reading signage and knowing when/where you are required to use a leash.

Other Users - Some of the local trails are very popular and see lots of traffic. The busier trails, even if no leash is required, I will be asking groups of 4 or more dogs (regardless of how many handlers) to please use leashes when other users pass. If you are within sight of other users and in a group of 4 or more dogs, on the trails I will specify, then your dog needs to be on leash.

Parking Lots - Please use a leash in ALL parking lots during the weekend. Do not let your dog off leash until you are a good ways down the trail.

Introductions - Keep your dog on leash for introductions. Many dogs rushing each other at once off leash is too overwhelming for a great majority of our dogs. If you have more than one dog, think about introducing them one at a time.

Vehicles - You are responsible for making sure your dog does not run into the road while in camp. If this becomes a problem, I will have to ask everyone to keep their dogs on leash for the remainder of the weekend, so please be responsible for knowing where your dog is at all times.

Human Food - If your dog eats another member's food uninvited, you are responsible for replacing that food. Don't let it happen in the first place.

Dog Food - When feeding your dog, do not feed him/her in any common areas. Don't leave your dog's food bowl out where other dogs can get to it. You must supervise during the entire feeding. We have dogs with food aggression issues, dogs with sensitive diets, etc...

Camp Kitchen - Your food must be put away at night whether in your car or in a latched cooler. There are bears in this area, but the more important threat are the smaller critters like raccoons. In addition to food, all utensils, pitchers, used containers, trash, foil & wrappers, cups, etc... anything that has come into contact with food or liquids needs to be properly stored overnight.

Personal Property - If your dog destroys another member's property you are responsible for making it right with the other owner. That may include costs for repairs, replacement of, etc...

Remember, supervision keeps dogs out of trouble!

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Directions:
There are three ways to go about getting here. Google is in general very accurate with all three options, but the directions below are my preference. It does add a few miles to your total, but you'll skip some long stretches of winding dirt road and you'll climb the ridge on a paved highway vs a narrow dirt road. You'll still have winding dirt road no matter what, can't avoid it completely, but this is the least painful of your three choices.

Map - http://maps.google.co...

• From the town of Seneca Rocks, drive north on US-33 towards Harman. US-33 will take you up and over a mountain and you will be on US-33 for about 13.5-miles total from Seneca Rocks to Whitmer Road.
  
• Turn slight left onto Whitmer Road. Remain on Whitmer Road for 3.1-miles to the town of Job.
  
• In Job turn right onto Rich Mountain Road/County HWY-3/1, cross a bridge and make an immediate left to continue on Whitmer Road.
  
• Stay on Whitmer Road for approximately 12.5- additional miles (Whitmer Road turns into a dirt road at some point) and begin looking for either our campsite or Big Run or Leading Ridge Trailheads on your left at around 12.5-miles.
  
• If you reach Forest Service Road 1, you've gone too far and will need to turn around and head back towards Big Run & Leading Ridge.
  
• Pull into either Big Run Trailhead or Leading Ridge Trailhead. They are less than 1/2-mile apart. We will be in one of the first come first serve campsites nearest to these trailheads and will have campsite details posted at both locations. If you don't find us first, the trailheads will tell you which direction to head and what campsite to look for.
  
• Our campsite will be marked by a couple of pink flamingos at the parking entrance off Whitmer Road. And you will likely see a herd of 4-legged beasts with wagging tails and panting tongues!