Enjoy the View: A Mossy Waterfall on New River Gorge's Kaymoor Trail

The cascading waterfall on the Kaymoor Trail in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, West Virginia. Credit: National Park Service / Jaden Burke.

The Park Service's Enjoy the View Like Us series asks its people to share their favourite park views — as varied as the parks and their visitors.

For Jaden Burke, it is a cascading waterfall on the Kaymoor Trail in West Virginia's New River Gorge National Park and Preserve: a tiered, moss-covered rock face about 50 feet high, with cold water running down it, close enough to reach out and catch the water before it hits the ground. It is far from the park's only waterfall — a New River Gorge waterfall tour takes in many more.

Jaden was a summer intern with Environment for the Americas' Fish & Feathers program, working in a national park, and at New River Gorge, for the first time. The waterfall caught his eye at once as he explored.

What makes it special

He describes the sunlight glinting on the water and the cooling mist at the end of a long hike as what makes the walk worthwhile. He has returned with his parents and with close friends, and enjoys sharing a view he loves with the people he loves.

On workdays he spent most of his time teaching children about river ecology and environmentally friendly fishing; off duty, he liked to hike and take in the park's scenery.

Sandstone Falls, another popular destination at New River Gorge. Credit: National Park Service / Gary Hartley.

Waterfalls and gorges offer some of the finest views in the national parks. From coast to coast, people and wildlife are drawn to the sound and coolness of falling water, and alongside the famous falls the parks protect many hidden ones waiting to be found.

Visiting

The waterfall is about 0.25 mile along the Kaymoor Trail from the Wolf Creek Trailhead, immediately to the right of the trail. Part of the walk is uphill, but otherwise it suits all abilities. This waterfall can be reached only on foot, but other waterfalls in the park can be seen from the road; the park's waterfalls page has details.

Sources

Based on "Enjoy the View Like Jaden Burke," part of the series Enjoy the View Like Us, published by the National Park Service; rewritten in hubnx's own words.

• The series banner is not reproduced.
• Words on this page from people and organisations outside the federal government are paraphrased; rewritten in hubnx's own words.