Best Viewed In Winter, This West Virginia Waterfall And Ruin Are A Perfect Pair
When you think about going for a hike in West Virginia, you might tend to assume that spring, summer, or fall is the best time to do so. And while those seasons all have their own merits, there are some hikes through the thick, lush Appalachian forest that are best accomplished in winter, after the leaves have fallen and the undergrowth on the forest floor has died back.
The hike to the old Alfred Beckley Mill in Piney Creek Gorge is one such hike, when the perfect pairing of old mill ruin and beautiful waterfall is best seen during the late fall, winter, and early spring months.
The Piney Creek Trail System boasts more than a dozen trails and can be accessed from the Beckley YMCA Parking Lot or from the end of Jersey Avenue (the Jersey Avenue end is closer to the mill ruins).
The Alfred Beckley Mill is named for the founder of the town of Beckley, West Virginia, who was a brigadier general in the Civil War. He commissioned the mill, built in 1835, to grind grain for the proposed city of Beckley. It remained the most significant mill in the area through the early 1900s. Now, the mill, although in ruins, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
You can even access the mill ruins and falls after a snow, although you'll want to wear some sturdy boots with plenty of good traction. Still, it's a beautiful sight bathed in a white, icy blanket!
To look at a map of the Piney Creek Trail system for yourself, check out this one provided by the WV Explorer Magazine. To get directions to the mill from your current location, use this Google Map link.
Not up for a winter hike? Beckley has plenty of other adventures to offer, including the popular Exhibition Coal Mine.
Address: County Rte 9-7, Beaver, WV 25813, USA
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