I have a buddy that really wants to hit up Seneca next week..Can anyone tell me how the approaches are after it gets hit with snow? Is it even doable? Any advice would be appreciated!

Matt

Seneca is awesome in boots and a pack. The approach is definitely doable-- its walking up a gravel fire road. It also has a ton of moderates that you can run around on if the faces are icy. I say go.

+1 what Wannabe said. I have plans (seneca or old rag) for the weekend following this coming up one. I've climbed at seneca in winter, snow, etc totally doable. In the cold starting on the south/east side is what I've always done, just stay with the sun. Have fun dude!

I will be ski backpacking in dolly sods/ roaring plains this thursday thru sunday. I can let you know next week what it looks like from afar, as the seneca formation can be seen from where i am going. The weather is generally a little nicer around seneca and the elevation is lower, but for reference:

Canaan Valley snow depth-
16" @3715' elevation
19" @4000'
22" @4300

data.canaanmtnsnow.com/

1-3" of new snow possible for the rest of the week, but most likely a "wintry mix". It is supposed to warm up(alot) this weekend however.

Like wannabe said; The approach is def doable.the crux may be getting across the (small)stream if the water is high.

Thanks for all the great information. Sounds like we'll be going! Is there and close hotels around? I don't remember seeing any last time I was there.

Matt

As Nick posted Yokums. They have "primative" camp sites, teepees (nice in winter because they are cheap, insulated and have power), hotel rooms (down from seneca at the diner and above the general store in front of the seneca formation) and cabins.

There is another camp option at the princess snowbird (next to general store in town). Not sure if they're open though; yokums definitly is.

Note: if the water is high walk farther up the road and more stairs exist where you don't have to cross water. These stairs bring you to the east and/or south sides which can be further linked to the west face south peak.

Aren't there also cabins in Snowbird? Idk what the prices are like though. Availability is probably good right now.

There very well could be cabins at snowbird, I'm simple and have always just stayed at yokums since that is where I stayed the first time and its a solid place to stay (bench, pavilion, fire pit, ample room, etc) . I'm sure the cabins are more than id like to spend at both places. They're there as options though of course.

Last Saturday Canaan Valley was in the mid 20's. Sunday it was 10 and very windy. Skied from Whitegrass to Timberline. Up FR80 and into the Sods. Plenty of snow. It was fantastic.

I think Smoke Hole hotel and cabins are open year round.

Did not go down to Seneca. Hopefully the info helps.

Truck13

Windy and cold today. Lodgng above yokums country store is good and $75/night..... Hostile lodging at shellys-- seneca-house.com or see if tom at seneca rocks mtn guides will let you stay in his new cabin rental. Email-- climbing@senecarocks.com

+1for Seneca House. Stayed there last summer and it was great!

I think Seneca is lovely in the winter! We found snow on the stairmaster maybe 3 weeks ago (and some on the summit), but it wasn't too bad. It was downright pleasant in the sun.

And, if you didn't know about it, here's the webcam pointed at the rocks. You can get a very general idea of conditions (i.e., amount of white that is visible).

Seneca Rocks Webcam

We ended up going earlier than expected. We climbed this past weekend. So much fun! Some of the routes were a bit icy, but that just made it more fun! Thanks for the webcam link! I'll be using that in the future!

Matt