The Appalachian Highlands were once home to towering giants known as American chestnuts. For centuries these towering trees made up a quarter of all trees in the Mountain State. Known as the redwoods of the east, American chestnuts could easily grow to be 100 feet tall, with a diameter so wide it would require five adults to link their hands around the base. Sadly, Chestnut blight virtually extinguished this beautiful tree, taking down an estimated four billion trees in just forty years. Fortunately, there's thoughtful restoration of the American chestnut underway, thanks to organizations like the American Chesnut Foundation.
And while you won't find any old-growth American chestnuts in West Virginia, there's a special state park where another remarkable species of giants has grown undisturbed for hundreds of years. Today, we're venturing to Cathedral State Park.
Located in Aurora, West Virginia, Cathedral State Park is home to one of the only remaining tracts of virgin hemlock trees in West Virginia. The 133-acre park is nothing short of a sanctuary for these ancient, towering trees, some of which are believed to be nearly 500 years old. In 1882, the forest was the home of Brookside Resort, where residents from Baltimore and Washington would visit to experience the cool, clear air of the West Virginia mountains. By 1922, Baranson Haas had purchased the land and decided to sell it to the state, under the important condition that the forest remain uncut. Today, we are grateful for these preservation efforts, as they've resulted in one of the most important ecosystems in the region.
In addition to the great hemlocks, the park is home to 170 species of trees, ferns, and wildflowers. The hemlocks will stand out; they're the dominant species in the forest and some grow over 90 feet tall! One of the best ways to familiarize yourself with the park and its towering residents is to hike the Cathedral to Giant Hemlock Trail Loop. This easy loop trail measures 2.5 miles and gains a little under 200 feet in elevation. Most hikers can complete it in just under an hour, although this isn't a trail to rush through. Each step will reveal something remarkable.
There are no camping opportunities at Cathedral State Park, so you'll want to plan to arrive early in the day so that you can take advantage of all that this special place has to offer. If you do need a place to stay, take a look at these vacation rentals near the park that will make for a cozy home base. For more details that will help you plan your visit, we recommend taking a look at the official West Virginia State Parks website.
Who would you visit this state park with? Be sure to send them this article and let the adventure planning begin!
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