Trek to High Falls of Cheat River

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="06c8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <B>Member of </B><B>Buckskin Council #617</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Charter</B></div> <div> <B>March 29, 1917</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Founder</B></div> <div> <B>Don B. Lowe</B></div> <div> <I><B>1891 - 1975</B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Scoutmaster</B></div> <div> <B>Tom Dukas</B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="index.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Boy Scout Troop 3 in Parkersburg, West V"><U><B>Home</B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=82 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="06d8dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Boy Scout Troop 3 in Parkersburg, West Virginia </B></FONT><B>     </B><B>|</B><B>     </B><A HREF="index.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Boy Scout Troop 3 in Parkersburg, West V"><U><I><B>Home</B></I></U></A></div> <div>                                                   </div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=398 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="06d8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I>Trek to High Falls of Cheat River</I></div> <bR> <div> Recently, as summer was winding down, Troop 3, sponsored by the First Presbyterian Church, enjoyed a weekend backpack trip to the High Falls of the Cheat River. The High Falls, hidden in the one million-acre Monongahela National Forest in Pocahontas County, is one of the highest and largest falls in West Virginia. </div> <bR> <div>          <IMG SRC="188eb700.jpg" border=0 width="491" height="368" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> At an altitude of 2,800 feet, the 100-foot wide horseshoe shaped falls plunge some 20 feet into a large pool below. It is a superb location for those looking to enjoy a scenic waterfall tucked away in the midst of a serene mountain setting.</div> <bR> <div> Enroute to the falls the troop hiked over Shaver’s Mountain, on the High Falls and Allegheny Trails, through old growth forest and large Hemlock trees. Upon reaching their destination, the pool beneath the falls provided a welcome opportunity for the Scouts to cool off before turning to the task of setting up camp for the night.</div> <bR> <div> Since it was his first time in the area, Grant Baranoski was excited about his experience. “I was in awe of the natural beauty that surrounded me in the Monongahela National Forest. Getting close to nature is what it’s all about! I’ve seen some mighty wonderful places during our hikes in the mountains,” he said.</div> <bR> <div> Alexander Eckhart especially liked the area around the falls. “From our location beneath the falls, the fantastic view and scenic wonder of such a magical place was really cool. It’s fun to experience the “Out” in Scouting on treks like this,” he stated.</div> <bR> <div> For Troop Committee Chairman Bill Peters, it was a repeat visit to the area. “This is always a nice hike. I never cease to be amazed each time I see, hear, and feel the force of nature as the water plunges over the falls. It’s an experience that makes me want to come back as often as I can,” said Peters.</div> <bR> <div> Troop 3 has long been renown for its weekend excursions in the mountains of West Virginia. In addition to the High Falls, North Fork Mountain, Cranberry Glades, and Dolly Sods are just a few of the destinations that come to mind.</div> <bR> <div> Scoutmaster Tom Dukas, an old hand when it comes to backpacking trips remarked, “We recently hiked the Dolly Sods area in Tucker County and marveled at the superb vistas from the 4,000 foot elevation of its wind-swept plains.”</div> <bR> <div> Troop 3 is currently recruiting new members and has extended an invitation to 11-15 year-old boys and their parents, who are interested, to discover what Scouting in Troop 3 is all about? </div> <bR> <div> The troop plans to hold an “Open House” from 2-4:00 PM, Sunday, September 28th, at the Don B. Lowe Scout Building, located behind the First Presbyterian Church, at 1341 Juliana Street in Parkersburg. Leaders will be on hand to answer questions and discuss Scouting opportunities available in Troop 3.</div> <bR> <div> The troop’s website, troop3wv.org, also has two informational items of special interest, a short video, “What We Do,” plus an article, “Join Our Adventure.” And, last but not least, Scoutmaster Tom Dukas can always be contacted for further information at <A HREF="mailto:Scouting@troop3wv.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:Scouting@troop3wv.org"><U>scouting@troop3wv.org</U></A>.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Note: The above article was also published by the Parkersburg News and Sentinel, September 14, 2014. Permission of use granted by the author.</div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>