West Virginia, renowned for its state park system, has another hidden gem in the Lost River State Park. The Cranny Crow/Big Ridge hike is a combination of a loop and out/back. With Cranny Crow, Cheeks Rock, and the Big Ridge vistas, as well as the ridge meadow, this hike has beautiful scenery around every corner in its trail system.
Note: As of October 2008 the blazes on several of the trails have become faded.
From the lower parking area at the Howard's Lick trailhead, cross the small suspension bridge and follow the blue blazed Howard's Lick trail 0.3 miles to the intersection of the state park service road and footbridge to the upper parking area. Turn right up the unblazed service road for 0.2 miles to the intersection of the Big Ridge Trail. Continue following the service road as it makes a sharp left continuing for another 0.5 miles to the intersection of the orange blazed White Oak Trail.
Turn right on the White Oak Trail as it continues to climb Big Ridge, then in 0.3 miles passes a small shelter and overlook. From here, the White Oak Trail will make several switchbacks before ending at the junction of the Millers Rock Trail and ridge. Turn right on the yellow blazed Millers Rock Trail, and arrive at Cranny Crow overlook in 200 yards.
Continue down the Millers Rock Trail, and pass several more overlooks of Lost River State Park, including Cheeks Rocks, before reaching the intersection of the orange blazed Virginia View Trail in another 0.3 miles.
Turn left on the Virginia View Trail for 0.6 miles to the junction of the yellow blazed Big Ridge Trail. Turn left uphill for 0.1 miles to the high meadow, large shelter, and intersection of the service road. Stay left on the service road and just after exiting the meadow pass the yellow blazed Millers Rock Trail that leads back down to the Cranny Crow Overlook. Continue downhill on the service road, and in 75 yards turn right on the continuation of the yellow blazed Millers Rock Trail.
From this point, the Millers Rock Trail will continue north along the ridge before rejoining the service road in 0.4 miles. Continue north on the service road and pass the old Big Ridge lookout tower, and caretakers cabin in 0.4 miles. From this point the Millers Rock Trail begins to descend along the ridge for 2.2 miles to first main vista to the east and south. Follow the trail another 0.1 miles to the main Big Ridge overlook.
Retrace the route back on the Millers Rock Trail past the lookout tower to the intersection where the Millers Rock Trail splits right, and the service road descends to the left. Follow the unblazed service road for 0.3 miles where the trail will pass a blue blazed trail leading to a spring. Just after passing the spring trail, the service road will enter the meadow and pass an old homestead. Continue through the meadow then start back down the yellow blazed Big Ridge Trail you ascended earlier.
In 0.1 miles pass the Virginia View Trail. Continue downhill on the Big Ridge Trail as it initially heads north, then makes a switchback back to the south. The Big Ridge Trail will continue for 1.7 miles where it ends at the service road you ascended earlier. Head down the service road for 0.2 miles to the upper parking area, then turn left back down the blue blazed Howard's Lick Trail to the lower parking area.
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Reviews For The Cranny Crow/Big Ridge Hike (5 Most Recent)
Ive gone on this hike several times. Twice in the fall and once in the winter. Lost River State park is incredibly beautiful when it snows. There are several hiking trails that lead to the Cranny Crow Overlook. The most commonly used one is the Big Ridge trail which takes you along the east side of the mountain. On the trail, right before you take the service road south to get to the Overlook, there is a nice shelter there to take a break if you so desire. The overlook is INCREDIBLE when it has snowed (and when the leaves change) however I would suggest that you be careful at the overlook as it was (and probably usually is in the winter) very icy.
You can actually print the trail maps right off of the Lost River State Park website. There are multiple trails in this park.
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Date of Hike: Sunday, May 17, 2009
This will be another that I'll need to repeat in the fall, when, if possible, the views should be even more breathtaking. Was a little brisk by May standards when I did this one. 58 degrees at the parking area. Crossed the bridge, and ascended the hill. After a bit of a climb, you get to a point where you can either go straight, or go left. I went left, and after further climbing, I passed first the small shelter, and then arrived at the stone Cranny Crow overlook. This alone made the hike worth the effort. The vistas from here are spectacular. The ascent, and as it turned out, the descent was made rather difficult by the recent passage of a group on horseback. The trail was pretty torn up in spots. Spent a bit of time at the campground watching several deer, and grabbed a quick snack and a sip of water. Once here, the hard climbing is pretty much over, as the walk out to the Big Ridge Overlook is fairly flat, with some gentle rising and falling. Spent some time just enjoying the scenery from the Overlook, before heading back towards the campground. Passed first the spring, then an 1840s era Log Cabin. Upon returning to the campground, spent a bit of time at an overlook just to the east of the picnic tables. Then headed back down the hill towards the Howard's Lick Trail. All in all, enjoyed this hike immensely. If solitude is what you seek, then this is the one for you. Was on this one for almost 6 hours, and never saw another soul the entire time. And please, remember your camera.
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Date of Hike: Saturday, November 08, 2008
Wow - even with the leaves mostly gone, this hike remains a feast for the eyes. The ascent to the ridge is a very good workout. The trail winds past shelters, open vistas, and through forests. Trails are generally easy to follow and pretty well marked, although some signs (Virginia Trail) were down. I wished I'd brought a steak and some charcoal as the picnic facilities near Cranny Crow were extensive - fireplace and grills within a pavillion, outhouses - positively luxurious!!! Saw 2 other people the whole time I was there. Can't wait to return next year.
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