About Haystack Meadows bushwhack route
bushwhack uphill in Monongahela National Forrest land to meadows below Haystack Knob
Photo by Holly Mandarich on Unsplash
Expert
Haystack Meadows bushwhack route
Dryfork, West Virginia · Pendleton County
bushwhack uphill in Monongahela National Forrest land to meadows below Haystack Knob
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38.90489, -79.44088
Open in OpenStreetMap5-Day Forecast
Weather at Haystack Meadows bushwhack route
Live forecast for the trailhead. Use it to pack and time your hike.
Today
Overcast
63°/47°
🌬 17mph
↑ 5:54 AM ↓ 8:35 PM
Sun
Clear
61°/41°
🌬 12mph
↑ 5:54 AM ↓ 8:36 PM
Mon
Overcast
60°/46°
🌬 9mph
↑ 5:54 AM ↓ 8:37 PM
Tue
Drizzle
59°/41°
💧 13%🌬 11mph
↑ 5:53 AM ↓ 8:37 PM
Wed
Overcast
64°/38°
💧 2%🌬 8mph
↑ 5:53 AM ↓ 8:38 PM
Forecast data © Open-Meteo. Refreshed every 6 hours. Always check the most recent forecast before heading out.
What “Expert” Means
Long backcountry routes (20+ miles), alpine grades, via ferrata, or extremely technical terrain. For experienced hikers with proper conditioning, navigation skills, and gear.
Difficulty is derived from OpenStreetMap’s Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) hiking scale, trail visibility, surface, distance, and elevation gain. Always verify current conditions before heading out.
What to Pack & Wear
Personalised to this trail’s length, elevation, difficulty, and the live forecast.
👔 What to Wear
- Long-sleeve shirtSynthetic or merino, sun-protective.
- Light shell or windbreakerEven on warm days, wind can chill (avg wind 17 mph).
- Hiking pants or convertibleLayer for variable conditions.
- Trail runners or low bootsComfortable, broken in.
🎒 What to Pack
- WaterBring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
- High-energy snacksA snack for the trail.
- Sun protection (UV 8)SPF 50+ sunscreen, lip balm w/ SPF, sunglasses, sun hat.
- Headlamp + spare batteriesLong days can run late — never rely on phone flashlight alone.
- First-aid kitBlister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
- Offline mapDownload your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
- Helmet (terrain-dependent)Expert routes may include scrambling or rockfall risk.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Trail Safety in West Virginia
Trail conditions in West Virginia change with weather, season, and fire activity. Closures, washouts, and rerouting are common. Before heading out:
- Check with the land manager for current conditions and closures
- Tell someone your plan and expected return time
- Know your turn-around limits — conditions can change fast
- Carry the 10 essentials: water, food, navigation, first aid, light, fire, shelter, knife, sun protection, extra clothes
References & Maps
Nearby
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