Spruce Knob / Seneca Creek Backpacking!

OVERVIEW

Backpack, backpack
Backpack, backpack
I’m the backpack loaded up with things and knickknacks too! – Dora’s Backpack
We’re doing the Spruce Knob/Seneca Creek lollipop loop. 16.5 miles over two days, starting from the highest point in West Virginia (4,863 ft). This one has EVERYTHING: high mountain meadows, waterfalls, swimming holes, spruce forest, a fire tower, and a 1967 plane wreck you can go find if we have the energy. It’s basically Dolly Sods’ greener cousin and I am obsessed.

Listing this as intermediate, the mileage is real but the terrain is friendly and there’s no scrambling. Happy to help anyone doing their first backpacking trip, just say so.

Two things to actually pay attention to:
WATER. There is no water from the trailhead until we drop down to Seneca Creek, which is about 5 miles in. You need to start with 2L minimum. I am not joking, this is the #1 way people have a bad time on this loop.
COLD. We’re camping around 4,000 ft. Even in September, nights up there run much colder than Cville — think 40s, possibly upper 30s. Bring a real sleeping bag and actual warm layers.
Also: the drive is ~2 hours 40 minutes each way, and the last stretch is narrow winding forest road. Zero cell service from about an hour out. If there is another driver and interest I can expand trip!
Rough schedule:
Saturday:
7:00am – Meet at Echols, head out (yes it’s early, we can get coffee/energy drink)
10:00am – Arrive at Spruce Knob, walk the summit loop and climb the tower before we start
11:00am – Hit the Huckleberry Trail. ~10 miles going counterclockwise along the ridge, through the High Meadows, then down to Seneca Creek
(unknown evening time) – Camp along the creek near Seneca Falls / Judy Springs. Tons of good sites. Dine, chill, chat, maybe stargaze
Sunday:
8:00am – wake up, eat, pack up, stretch
9:00am – ~6.5 miles back up. This is the shorter day but it’s most of the climbing (~2,000 ft), fill up water at Judy Springs before we start ascending
1-2pm – back at the cars
5:00pm – maybe eat
6:00pm ish – return to Cville
What you need (some of this gear can be rented out from the gear room!):
* Backpack
* Tent/hammock/sleeping setup or a friend with these things
* Sleeping bag + sleeping pad — this is a cold camp, don’t skimp
* Water filter (I have a pretty large nice one but would love if anyone else brought)
* 2L+ carrying capacity for water (ideally 3 liters)
* Meals, Snacks. More calories than usual!
* Jetboil/stove if you need (I have two but if u have ur own bring it)
* Headlamp (I have extras)
* Appropriate shoes — expect mud on Huckleberry and Lumberjack, trail runners will get soaked
* Warm layers, hat, gloves
* Toilet paper
* Bug spray/sunscreen as you see fit
* Extra socks, extra clothes (no shame in being smelly)
I’ll make a group chat to coordinate shared gear (and food potentially) ahead of time.
***** Route info: https://www.greatamericanhikes.com/post/backpacking-the-spruce-knob-seneca-creek-loop
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/west-virginia/huckleberry-lumberjack-seneca-creek-trail-loop?u=i&sh=w2t3m2