Description
The Canyon extends from the foot of Blackwater Falls, near the town of Davis, to the confluence of the Blackwater River with Dry Fork (forming the Black Fork), near the town of Hendricks. It is a 1,000-foot (300 m) deep chasm separating Backbone Mountain (to the northwest) from Canaan Mountain (to the southeast). Over its entire course, from falls (3,000 ft/915 m) to confluence (1,750 ft/534 m), the river drops about 1,250 feet (380 m) in elevation. (This affords kayakers a whitewater river with Class IV-V+ and Class III-IV rapids). Tributary streams — notably Pendleton Creek and Shay's Run — have formed hanging valleys high above the Canyon floor.
The land embracing the Canyon represents about 6,000 acres (24 km2) of spruce, hemlock and pine upland, second-growth forest. Oak, maple, yellow poplar, and rhododendron also predominate. Black bear inhabit the Canyon, along with white-tail deer, squirrel, and numerous bird species. The Canyon accommodates numbers of rattlesnake dens. Wildflowers (soapwort, jewelweed) abound.
The Western Maryland Railway's Black Fork Grade, which once ran the length of the Canyon, has been converted into a hiking trail, the Blackwater Canyon Railroad Grade Trail (or USFS Trail 115). In total — including before entering and after leaving the Canyon — it is 12.2 miles (19.6 km) in extent. Near its northern end it connects with the Allegheny Trail. Descending the Canyon trail, at regular intervals one crosses culverts with picturesque views of tributary cascades: Tub Run at about 3 miles (4.8 km), Big Run at 4 miles (6.4 km) and Flatrock Run at 5.5 miles (8.9 km).
Canyon trails on both sides of the river lead down to several sections of spectacular rapids. In addition, on the northwestern canyon rim is the Canyon Rim Trail (USFS Trail 117), accessed by Canyon Rim Road, with its Big Run Overlook. Intermediate between rim and rapids is Limerock Trail (USFS Trail 142), which descends gradually into the Canyon over about 4 miles (6.4 km).
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