First and foremost, let me tell you this is the HARDEST swing to get to and in my opinion not hikeable for the average joe. You MUST reserve an ATV in order to visit this impressive swing with its gorgeous view, something I know I wish my husband and I knew ahead of making the 3.5 trip from Morgantown, WV.
We arrived in Williamson, WV around noon with directions on Google Maps set to Death Rock. DO NOT follow the gps! We were lead to a teeny tiny road with a dead end that was practically a cliff. My poor husband had to reverse nearly half a mile before he was able to find a spot to turn around. Not a great start to our adventure and our LAST swing to visit on the list. Once finding the trail entrance, we quickly realized this was not drivable with our vehicle and we decided to attempt to hike it, how bad could it be? Well, a mile and a half in we arrived at a 3 way slipt all of which had massive puddles that were unavoidable to continue on so we decided to turn around. There was sweat.. so much sweat and even some tears. We walked to lunch with defeat in our hearts and I could not settle for coming all this way and not getting to the top of the mountain.
After finishing a delicious lunch at 3 Guys Pizza (highly recommend the garlic aoili fries), I called Trailblazers Outfitters and explained we had come all this way and asked for a ride. Butch mentioned they were already closed but he would see what he could do, he called me back less than 15 minutes later saying he would take us! We strapped on our helmets and loaded up into his 4-seater ATV and began our climb to Death Rock. I cannot thank Butch enough for taking the time to help make my birthday wish come true with completing all 16 Almost Heaven Swings.
When you arrive at Death Rock the swing is situated perfectly with views of both West Virginia and Kentucky. It truly was a breathtaking view... or maybe I was still out if breath from our original attempt at hiking this massive mountain.
P.S. You are required to have a permit in order to climb the trail... this was an additional piece of information we had no idea about.
Ratings:
Accessibility: 1/5
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View: 4/5
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Location: 2/5
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Level of Difficulty: 5/5
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Overall: 3/5
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Tips:
• Parking is weird to say the least, you can park in the parking lot located adjacent to 3rd Avenue behind Wilson Eye Care Associates.
• Walk to the Prichard Street/3rd Avenue Rail Road Crossing and head up Prichard Street
• At the intersection with 4th Avenue, turn left and head up the hill (You'll notice a brown Hatfield McCoy Trails Sign with a left-handed arrow)
• Continue out 4th Avenue and bear right at the Trail #10 Entrance.
• Reserve an ATV or schedule a riding tour, your body will thank you.
• If you do plan to hike it, wear waterproof hiking boots and pack all the necessities, water, snacks, sunscreen, etc.
My husband and I have been doing trips to all the swings and this was the last on our original list. So sad to get here all the way from Wheeling to realize we can’t to it unlike all the other swings! I wish it had said something online about this before we made the trip. Luckily there are some more new ones we got on the way down and get stop at on the way home.
We went down on a Monday, we found the CVB and the lady there was very helpful, told us about Butch but he was closed we could call him tomorrow. We drove 2 hours back home and I called Butch the next day. He quoted me $300 just to take me and my mother up to see the swing.