Hello,
I had a question about access to the Pillow Rock viewing area for Gauley Fest. A potential member of our party that would be attending has recently broken her ankle, but is interested in attending the festivities and watching people run the river. She's pretty mobile right now on her crutches (getting around town, the house, the office, etc), but we've never attended Gauley Fest before. So, we were curious about the duration and intensity of the approach trail for Pillow Rock.
Thanks in advance,
Jason

thats one of the steepest trails ive ever been down

I totally agree with troyfultz. This is definitely the BEST viewing of Pillow Rock, BUT the trail is definitely NOT recommended for anyone remotely having any sort of mobility impediment, that includes the periodic knee problems, being old, overweight, too young, not in shape...and certainly not crutches. This trail teeters on needing rock-climbing ropes and washes out repeatedly. If you are fit, the trail is definitely worth the hump. Remember, what goes down must come back up again. The hump back up needs to be taken into consideration as well. Not for the weak of heart. (Female, 45 yrs, 125 lbs., in shape, no knee issues - going down = no problem, ....coming back up = whipped, but doable)

HAVE FUN WATCHING THE ACTION !!!!

How do you get to this trail? Looking for any info I can find on where to park, how to find the trails down to the river, etc. Thanks!

The trail to Pillow is accessible from Carnifex Ferry Battlefield SP. The website for the park is http://www.carnifexferrybattlefieldstatepark.com/

The map of the park at that website shows the trail to the Gauley River at Pillow rapid.

Found this youtube of the trail

[www.youtube.com]