The Trough facts for kids
The Trough is a special place in West Virginia, USA. It's a long, narrow valley about 6 miles (10 km) long. The South Branch Potomac River flows through it, carving its way between tall, wooded hills. You can find The Trough in Hampshire and Hardy Counties, right in the Allegheny Mountains.
Long ago, in 1756, a small battle happened here during the French and Indian War. It's known as the "Battle of the Trough".
The sides of The Trough are very steep and covered with trees like oaks, hickories, and Virginia pine. You can also see lots of paw paw trees and some rocky cliffs. Because the hills are so steep, it's hard to get into The Trough from the sides. You can only enter by boat on the river, by walking, or by taking the South Branch Valley Railroad train that runs along the river.
Exploring The Trough's Geography
The Trough is a narrow valley with Mill Creek Mountain on its west side and Sawmill Ridge on its east. The South Branch Potomac River flows right between them. The Trough starts near a place called McNeill in Hardy County.
For people who love to canoe, The Trough officially begins where a small stream called Stony Run joins the river. This is near a train bridge at Sycamore. As the river flows through The Trough, it makes several turns. You'll see large rocks along the riverbanks that have fallen from the hills above.
The Trough continues into Hampshire County. It passes by high points like High Knob on Mill Creek Mountain. The communities of Sector and Glebe are located at the end of The Trough. Many canoe trips finish at a public access spot near Glebe.
Fun Activities in The Trough
The Trough is a very popular spot for canoeing and kayaking. It's not a super challenging river, but it's known for being incredibly beautiful. If you want to go canoeing, you can rent canoes and get a ride to the start of The Trough from The Trough General Store in Glebe. There are also simple campsites along the river if you want to stay overnight.
This area is also famous for its bald eagles. These amazing birds live here! Because of the eagles, there's a special train called the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad. It travels along the river, giving visitors a chance to see the beautiful scenery and hopefully spot some eagles. You can catch this train in Romney.
