Wittenberg-Cornell-Slide Loop from Woodland Valley

[Snav3]

I hiked this loop with my dog Sunday Morning in a CW direction, starting at Woodland Valley.

It was nice and dry, the mostly haze-less sky made for great views all along the upper sections of this trail. On the way up the path, we came across a porcupine that was in no hurry to get out of the way. We gave him a wide berth and continued on. I knew there would be several challenging sections for the dog along the way, but we managed to get through them alright. Between Cornell and Slide I crossed paths with the first hikers/backpackers of the day. I talked with one of them on advice of where to find the trail location along the road by Lake Winnisook. I rested on Slide’s summit for a while and then headed down toward the Slide PA.


Pictures

The road walk went quickly and was actually a nice break from the rough, rocky trails. I continued on the road until just NE of the dam, then headed across the easement trail to state land and over to the Giant Ledge trail intersection. The overgrown “unmaintained trail” was generally flat and soft to hike along. It also avoided the elevation loss of a road walk down to the GL-Panther trail head. I made a right turn at the intersection, where a group of hikers was frying up some bacon (?), and headed down the yellow trail toward Woodland Valley. A ways down that trail, I met 3 hikers who asked if I could show them where they were on the map. Turns out they had taken the wrong trail out of the WV parking area. While we were looking at the map my sneaky thief of a dog, who was still tethered to my chest strap, managed to stick his nose into one of their knapsacks, quietly rip open a baggie and consume a sandwich. It was a little embarrassing, but luckily we were all happy hikers and found it somewhat amusing. I offered some of my trail food, which they refused and then continued on to the PA. The last section of rocky down-up-down trail was somewhat of a suffer fest for my tired feet and felt longer than the 2 miles it was. Overall though, it was a very enjoyable and fun hike.

[billandjudy]

Nice pics....Always nice to see a smiling Golden...Shiloh and I have done it twice...Once from WV and once from the Slide lot

[mudhook]

Its a great loop, I was on Slide about noon, just a quick walk on a beautiful day.

[jjp24]

Awesome pics, I'm really looking forward to doing this hike later this summer.

[SendHelp]

That is a great loop. Thanks for sharing. The "rocky down-up-down trail" section always seems long to me too.

[JimB]

I did the same loop last month but it rained from WV to Slide. The pics were great to remind me of what I missed. That is a trip I could do many times, a great area.

[Mike S]

I ran the loop on Saturday. Nice dry trails but the spring on slide was still flowing nicely, yeah! I was counting on it.

[Laurie Rankin]

Originally Posted by SendHelp

That is a great loop. Thanks for sharing. The "rocky down-up-down trail" section always seems long to me too.

Yes, that section is long, but you have to admire all of that stone work don't you?

[TFR]

Originally Posted by Laurie Rankin

Yes, that section is long, but you have to admire all of that stone work don't you?

Says the woman whose father laid that stone MANY years ago!

[Snav3]

Originally Posted by Mike S

I ran the loop on Saturday. Nice dry trails but the spring on slide was still flowing nicely, yeah! I was counting on it.

It was nice to have have dry trails, especially after doing a couple face plants off damp rocks in the Blackhead range a few weeks ago.

Even with the dry trails, there were still plenty of water sources along the loop, which the dog appreciated.

[SendHelp]

Originally Posted by Laurie Rankin

Yes, that section is long, but you have to admire all of that stone work don't you?

Its a really nice section of the loop, must have been a good amount of work putting that stone in there. In addition, there is a small waterfall along that section which always feels a few degrees cooler. Plus its usually a good place to refill (with filter).

Originally Posted by TFR

Says the woman whose father laid that stone MANY years ago!

Usually women know best! How can we argue with that?

[Tmax]

Love that hike! When I was training for Rainier I used to do it as an out and back (starting and ending at the Slide trailhead). Wish I still had those knees!

[2 Dogs]

I'm using that loop Saturday, as training loop for the Whites / Does anyone know what time the Ranger shows up @ WV PA - is there a pay box ???

[TFR]

Originally Posted by 2 Dogs

I'm using that loop Saturday, as training loop for the Whites / Does anyone know what time the Ranger shows up @ WV PA - is there a pay box ???

There is no pay box, but I assume you can call them and get info. I think I've read that you can leave a note that says you started really early, and you promise to come back and pay at the end of the hike, but that's not a guarantee.

[catdacker]

The ranger usually leaves something on your windshield. You pay where the campers go into the campground. Last time it was $4.

[Maria]

Did this loop last Wednesday. Got there a couple of minutes before 8 and the booth was already open. It's gone up - $6 now.

[Snav3]

Originally Posted by 2 Dogs

I'm using that loop Saturday, as training loop for the Whites / Does anyone know what time the Ranger shows up @ WV PA - is there a pay box ???

At WV there was no ranger at 5AM when, or any paybox. I left a note on my dashboard saying I’d pay upon return. At around 11:30/11:45, there was a note on the ranger cabin saying to come back later. After using the rest room there was still no ranger and I left without paying .