Summers County High Point Trip Report

Keeny Knob on Keeny Mountain - USGS BM (3,927 ft)

Date: November 16, 2000
Author: Mike Schwartz

Following in Fred Lobdell's footsteps, I investigated the approach from the southwest, via CR 7 and CR 7/17. Both roads are poorly marked, and I got nowhere. Two kind gentlemen (self-described West Virginia mountain men) finally led me to the CR 7 turnoff in Clayton, and I started up the newly re-paved road to find CR 7/17. I was again feeling lost, and came upon the paving crew, again asking for directions. Turned out that CR 7/17 is unmarked, very rough, and becomes impassable to cars at least three miles from the summit. Keeny Mountain is heavily towered, and visible for miles around, so all the locals know of it. The work crew foreman had worked the previous summer on the road from the north that leads to the multiple towers, and he said it was open and could be driven by passenger cars. He drew me an excellent map, and off I went on a 30 mile drive to the other side of the mountain. The route from the north is not shown on the topo or DeLorme as reaching the summit, but is shown heading southeast from Grassy Meadows.

Details: From I-64, take exit 143 to WV 20 north. Go north 1.7 miles on 20, and bear right onto Elton- Lawn Road (CR 5). CR 5 passes back under the interstate, and at 4.8 miles, see a side-road bridge over the interstate, just to the left. At 5.0 miles, turn right onto Grassy Meadows Road (CR 27).

Come to a 3-way stop sign at 6.9 miles, and continue straight ahead onto Snake Run Road (CR 42). At 8.3 miles, turn sharply right onto Ford Hollow Road (CR 42/2), with the summit towers now clearly in view. Pavement ends at 9.6 miles. Bear right at 10.4 miles. At 10.6 miles, opposite a split rail fence, bear left onto a gravel road with two orange posts visible about 75 feet in. This road stays pretty good all the way to the multiple towers (10) at the summit at 12.3 miles. All that's left is a 200-foot walk up a gated dirt road to the fire tower on the summit. I found reference marker #2, but not the station marker. Highest point seemed to be at the base of a tree just inside the fenced-in fire tower area, which can be touched through the fence.