Canaan Weekend!

The Canaan Loop near Davis, WV along with Canyon Rim Road is a popular offroading destination.  Less well known is the Richford Road ford on the Dry Fork of the Cheat River.  This is a fun trip that most 4×4 SUVs can do.

Friday Campsite Keepers:

1. Ken Kyler
2. Jendra Rambharos
3. Ben Dunkerton
4. Brett Gearing
5. Kristopher Maduro
6. Matt Malone

Hearty Adventurers:

1. Ken Kyler – Jeep TJ Rubicon
2. Jendra Rambharos – Jeep Wrangler
3. Ben Dunkerton – Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road
4. Matt Malone – Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium
5. Brett Gearing – Jeep Grand Cherokee
6. Viran – Bronco Badlands
7. Kristopher & Karen (Sister) – Jeep JLURX
8. James Bullock – Land Rover LR3 (Sat only)
9. Robert Dooley – Toyota 4Runner
10. Dawn Keslar – Toyota 4Runner SR5 Premium (Sat only)
11. Jaymes – Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (Sat Only)

Friday Ken and Ben met at the campground early to set up the camp and make sure it’s reserved for us. 

Ben brought a couple of cones with the CORE logo on it and put them at the entrance. We drove into town, walked around town a bit and got some cool Tucker stickers. A very short walk later we were at Hellbenders Burritos to wait for everybody else and eat lunch. Their burritos are sumptuous but more like a sandwich wrapped in a burrito.  Properly fattened, we headed to camp. It was a toss-up as to whether or not we just set up camp and do a little driving around, or just sit at the campsite. After the campsite was established, it was pretty obvious we weren’t going anywhere. So we just enjoyed the company, drank a few beers, had dinner and sat around the campfire. 

It rained on and off Friday evening and Saturday night. However it wasn’t very substantial. Ken woke up around 7:00, made his usual and required coffee and sat by the river listening to the water cascading through the ripples while waiting on everybody to wake up. That in itself was worth a trip.

Saturday started with brisk air, clear skies and beautiful views of the fall foliage. Camping beside the river is just about as good as it gets.

Everyone was up by 0800. By 10 we are on our way to Hellbenders for lunch and to wait for the group. Everybody slowly trickled in and proceeded to have obscenely big meals of Hellbender burritos. The food is always so darn good and did not disappoint

We had our drivers meeting at 12:30 then the convoy drove straight to the Lindy Point Overlook for a short hike. Most of the group walked out to the overlook to enjoy the view and stretch their legs.  We aired down and started the fun section of the loop.  

To be honest, I think the loop was a little more difficult than last year. It wasn’t quite stock SUV friendly. Everybody did fine and we all made it with no winching required. There were some ledges that required some spotting for the new folks. 

We elected to come in to camp the back way via River Road and forded the river beside camp.  Although the river bottom looked like it was paved with smooth cobblestones, it was not!  But it was fun nevertheless. The rain held off until just after we got to camp. Then it unleashed like a  … well … lets just say it rained hard but thankfully just briefly. As the rain slowed Matt made his world famous smashburgers on his equally world famous skottle.

Sunday started early.  We broke camp and instead of fording the river (sorry Matt, you’ll have to do that crossing another time) we took the long way to Olson Observation Tower.  

The scenery along the route was spectacular.  

At the tower, the saner members of the group stayed on the ground and the others exhibited a distinct lack of respect for altitude and climbed the tower.  From there it was on to the first washout for some entertainment.  This washout was far worse than last year.  Last year there was a very easy bypass.  This year the culvert at that section was crushed and rough.  The right side was butt puckering and, of course, most of us took that route.

After more rough but scenic fire road, we came to the second washout.  It too was different from last year and this time we had an audience.  A group from North Carolina was touring the area and stayed to watch the show.  This washout was uneventful compared to the first.  The climb out on the far side of the washout was steep which resulted in an excellent view of clear skies and blue clouds.  We all made it through fine.

The last stop of the day was Douglas Falls.  After the short hike, we aired up and headed for home.

Photo Album: 09/20/24 Canaan

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Trail Report written by Ken Kyler. Pictures contributed by Ken Kyler, Jendra Rambharos, Ben Dunkerton, Stella, Matt Malone and Brett Gearing. GPS track provided by Jendra Rambharos