Morgantown: Blackbird Knob Loop
Soak up views from open balds on this moderate 10.4-mile hike through a born-again wilderness once dotted with grazing sheep and WWII soldiers.
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Trail Facts
- Distance: 13.3
Waypoints
BBK001
Location: 39.0336685180664, -79.3143005371094
Head W on Blackbird Knob Trail; trail meanders through wetlands and pines before breaking onto scenic balds
BBK002
Location: 39.0318717956543, -79.3399124145508
Quick-access campsite (with soft grass) on small island in Red Creek
BBK003
Location: 39.0324516296387, -79.3434371948242
Straight @ 3-way; swing S of Blackbird Knob. Caution: Hillock was used for WWII artillery practice; be wary of old shells
BBK004
Location: 39.0311508178711, -79.3484573364258
L @ T onto Red Creek Trail; blueberries along the trail
BBK005
Location: 39.019401550293, -79.3530731201172
The Forks: 2 feeder creeks converge into Red Creek, making beaches, swimming holes, water slides. Good campsites
BBK006
Location: 39.0169792175293, -79.3545532226562
R @ T onto Breathed Mountain Trail; rock-hop up steep trail onto stony bald
BBK007
Location: 39.017520904541, -79.3672027587891
Lonely pine stand provides shady shelter for a rest break
BBK008
Location: 39.0336112976074, -79.3845596313476
R @ T to rejoin Blackbird Knob Trail. Note: For an alternate 16.2-mi. trip down Big Stone Coal Trail into Wilderness Area, see backpacker.com/hikes
BBK009
Location: 39.0369834899902, -79.3835144042969
R @ Y, away from Rocky Ridge Trail and Cabin Mtn.
BBK010
Location: 39.0363998413086, -79.3724899291992
L @ Y, continuing on Blackbird Knob Trail
BBK011
Location: 39.0369186401367, -79.3621826171875
Straight @ T with Harman Trail. Continue .9 mi. back to Blackbird Knob, crossing Left Fork of Red Creek after .2 mi. Retrace steps back to parking area from WPT 4
Right fork campsite
Location: 39.0192947387695, -79.3514556884766
©Gary Clark
Campsite at The Forks
Location: 39.0205497741699, -79.3520812988281
©Gary Clark
Red Creek
Location: 39.017936706543, -79.3540649414062
©Gary Clark
