Skiing at Whitegrass XC ski area, in December 2010. Wonderful soft snow, fast trails, and some trails not-yet-skied!

Canaan Loop road – gorgeous! Prez Day 2010

Originally uploaded by ilamhouse

Here’s a picture from last winter about 1/2 mile from Ilam House, up Canaan Loop Road. Randy and Jamie are enjoying the wintry conditions.

We’re at Ilam House now for a November weekend, and there is a bit of snow in the shadows around the house, left over from a few inches that fell here a week ago! Winter is certainly on the way, and some predictions are that it will be heavy.

The good folks at Whitegrass are preparing their cross country trails (www.whitegrass.com) – and the XC skiing is generally good from Christmas through the end of March. Downhill skiing at Canaan Valley and Timberline is often good from mid-December through April 1. (more info)

This house is still available for rent some weekends over the winter- check out the “Rent Ilam House” link on the right side.

Whitegrass – Feb 2010 – Breaking Trail on Wilderness Trail

Originally uploaded by ilamhouse

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ilam house – jan 09

Originally uploaded by ilamhouse

Rafting on the Cheat – Aug 2009

Originally uploaded by ilamhouse

We had a blast rafting one day on the Cheat with Blackwater Outdoor Adventures, based in Parsons, WV. From Ilam House we drove to Parsons (30 min drive) to the BOA compound, then ride their bus about 45 minutes to where we put in on the Cheat (above Cheat Narrows this time.) Lots of fun!

Red Run is a creek which runs along Canaan Loop Road in the Monongahela National Forest, and is open for catch+release fishing for trout. We landed a few on this summer day! From Ilam House, about 3-4 miles along Canaan Loop road there are some easy access points to the creek. This stretch of the road is drivable without needing 4wd or high clearance.

Table Rock is accessible on a 1 mile side trail off of the Canaan :Loop Road, about a 6-7 mile hike or mountain bike ride from Ilam House.

Canaan Loop Road is wonderful for biking or hiking in the summer. It is a 17 mile dirt/gravel road which runs from Canaan Heights – at Ilam House – to the SW and then to the NE, ending at Blackwater Falls State Park. The road is a great way to access a lot of hiking trails which run through the Monongahela National Forest.