An enigmatic stone face carved into mossy sandstone along the rim of the New River Gorge is attracting increased attention as hiking, biking, and climbing in the region grows.

Though its origins are popularly regarded as a mystery, the bas-relief countenance was likely carved in the 1950s, and the son of its creator may still live in the area near Fayetteville, West Virginia, according to area residents who still regard it with a sense of awe.

"I think of it as a kind of benevolent spirit of the forest," says Gene Kistler, who first encountered it in the 1980s when he began climbing the cliffs nearby.

"In many senses, it's perfect. It's like the Mona Lisa: You can't tell if it's sad or if it's smiling."

Now the owners of Waterstone Outdoors, the region's destination rock-climbing shop, Gene and Maura Kistler live not far from the stone face and have long regarded it as an important if minor attraction and a noteworthy work of art.

"One night, years ago, we were driving back from Fayetteville, and we hit a screech owl," Kistler recalled.

"I tried to nurse it back, but it died, and I buried it under the little overhang on the left side of the rock. There's a kind of good energy there, and it seemed like the right thing to do."

According to Kistler, the stone face was carved by the father of Leon Johnson, who may still live in the area. The Johnsons lived in a house in the woods beyond the rock on which the face is carved, and the house foundations may still be visible in the ferny understory along the path beyond.

Read also: Recent bigfoot sightings at Sutton Lake have historic precedent; Ghost town hidden in W.Va. may soon be accessible to hikers

The elder Johnson also carved his surname into a stone that crosses the little run that descends into the gorge there. He also placed bricks and stones along the path, and these can be slippery when wet, so visitors should be sure to watch their footing.

The visage might have been wholly forgotten had it not been carved along the path, which, in the 1980s, became an important trail used by rock climbers accessing what's known as Ambassador Buttress.

The face is located off Fayette Station Road near the Canyon Rim Visitor Center. For information on how to find it, visit Waterstone Outdoors in Fayetteville, a drive of about four miles from the stone face.

Sign up to receive a FREE copy of West Virginia Explorer Magazine in your email twice weekly. Sign me up!

Legend of Burnt House lives through strange town name

Motorists traveling W.Va. 47 through Ritchie County, in north-central West Virginia, are sure to have noticed the little village of Burnt House and wondered about the remarkable name. Here's the ghost story behind it.

Sign up to receive a FREE copy of West Virginia Explorer Magazine in your email twice weekly. Sign me up!