Six Waterfalls of the Midland Trail

“The Midland Trail is more than a road; it’s a virtual history book. Originally a crude pathway worn by buffalo and the early pioneers, it stretches from White Sulphur Springs westward to Kenova, zigzagging along rivers, over mountains and through lush valleys. Along the way it touches just about every aspect and time period of West Virginia’s story—coal mines and chemical plants, Civil War battlefields and historic churches, ancient Native American burial mounds and African-American slave quarters” (Highway to History, by James E. Casto).

To celebrate this historic road, I’ve chosen to highlight some of the waterfalls that line U.S. 60 from just east of Gauley Bridge to Charlton Heights. Some of these waterfalls, like Cathedral Falls, are well-known landmarks. But most are smaller and lesser known seasonal waterfalls that flow best in the winter and spring months during periods of rain and thaw. Although they don’t run all year long, when in season, these waterfalls are as pretty as any the State has to offer. So starting at Cathedral Falls and running west on U.S. 60 here are photographs of six waterfalls along the Midland Trail.

Cathedral Falls

Cathedral Falls

Cathedral Falls is located at a roadside stop a mile east of Gauley Bridge on US 60. This is one of the premier waterfalls of West Virginia. Lucia Hyde Robinson mentions in her Forward in West Virginia Waterfalls: The New River Gorge, a book of waterfall photography by Randall Sanger and me, that Cathedral Falls might have been named by her father, the renowned West Virginia photographer, Arnout Hyde, Jr. That would be fitting because more than any single individual, Arnout Hyde, Jr. popularized the natural beauty of West Virginia.

Hidden Falls

Hidden Falls

Lying on Laurel Branch, Hidden Falls is about a half a mile west of Cathedral Falls on U.S. 60. To be sure, this waterfall seems unimpressive, if visible at all, from the highway--thus the name Hidden Falls. But there are pull-offs on the river side of the highway for parking, and the hike up to the falls is short. Your hike will be rewarded by a waterfall with a single vertical drop of about 60 feet. Hidden Falls has the distinction of being the last waterfall in the New River Gorge. Just a half a mile downstream, the New River merges with the Gauley River to become the Kanawha River. In addition to being the last waterfall in the Gorge, it just might be the tallest, too. 

Riggs Branch Falls

Riggs Branch Falls

Another hidden, but very attractive waterfall lies on Riggs Branch just off of U.S. 60 about a half a mile west of the Glen Ferris Inn. There’s a large parking area on the river side of the road just before the highway crosses the railroad tracks. This is the safest place to park since the shoulders of U.S. 60 are quite narrow and the highway is close to the rail line at Riggs Branch. The falls at Riggs Branch are protected in a narrow cove in the sandstone cliffs near the road. 
The watershed for Riggs Branch is even smaller than that of Laurel Creek, so the best time to visit is definitely in late winter or early spring. Although not as tall as the waterfall at Laurel Branch, when the water is running well, Riggs Branch Falls are very photogenic. Half way down its vertical plunge, the waterfall strikes a hollowed out ledge in the sandstone cliff. Hitting this ledge, the water is thrust up and out before making the last vertical descent into the plunge pool. The effect is striking and dramatic making it a wonderful waterfall to photograph.

Seasonal Falls

Seasonal Waterfall

Just 2000 feet south of Riggs Branch Falls lies an attractive seasonal waterfall. Its watershed is small, so it’s best to catch it after a very heavy rainfall or several days of steady rain. Nevertheless, when the creek is full, the waterfall is quite pretty. It stair-steps over several sandstone ledges as it descends to the Kanawha River. It’s easy to find as a large pullout is right at the falls. 

Lower Wall Falls

Wall Falls

About a mile south of the previous waterfall on U.S. 60 and just before the town of Charlton lies a waterfall I’ve dubbed the “Wall Falls.” At the head of the waterfall is a wall about 20 feet high constructed of stone blocks. Although I’ve asked, no one yet has been able to tell me why the wall was built. It does form a retaining wall for the creek crossing of an old road that sits atop the wall and perhaps that’s its purpose. The watershed for this falls is quite small, so you have to also catch it in periods of heavy flow.  If you climb to the top of the wall, at Wall Falls, you’re treated with a second waterfall that descends in stair-step fashion over a substantial drop. So the Wall Falls are really two waterfalls in one. 

Upper Wall Falls

This brings our tour of the waterfalls of the Midland Trail to a close. These seasonal waterfalls along U.S 60 are at their very best in late winter and early spring. When winter seems to be its dreariest, I suggest you take a drive along the historic Midland Trail and visit these beautiful waterfalls