Watoga State Park Old-Growth Forest Hike

Join us for a round trip hike through Watoga State Park to visit a stand of old-growth forest with ecologist Doug Wood.

Located in the mountains of Pocahontas County, Watoga State Park is West Virginia’s largest state park with nearly 10,100 acres of land.

Ecologist Doug Wood will lead us on a moderately difficult three to four mile round-trip hike to the old-growth tract.
The mixed hardwood forest stand consists of white oak, red oak, chestnut oak, as well as some 100+ year-old black oak, yellow poplar, black gum, pitch pine, white pine, mockernut hickory, and cucumber tree.
Many oaks in the 300-500 year range have been found and the forest is a part of the Old-Growth Forest Network.

Date: July 9, 2023

Time: 1-4 p.m.

Location: Ann Bailey Overlook Trailhead at Watoga State Park (Pub Rd 21/4A, White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986) GPS: 38°06’24.9″N 80°07’34.5″W (Some maps will show Marlinton and not White Sulphur Springs. Please use the GPS coordinates if you are unsure)

Directions: From Watoga State Park Road, take Park and Forest Route (PFR) 819 to PFR 821. Park at the end of 821 at the parking lot at Ann Bailey Overlook Trailhead.

Trip leader: Doug Wood

Trip description (difficulty, distance): DIFFICULT: Fairly easy for one mile, then difficult as we bushwhack for another 0.5 mile. Total distance between three to four miles, depending upon how far we explore into the old-growth tract.

This is a free event! Bring your friends.

REGISTER HERE.

2023-07-09 13:00 2023-07-09 16:00 America/New_York Watoga State Park Old-Growth Forest Hike

Join us for a round trip hike through Watoga State Park to visit a stand of old-growth forest with ecologist Doug Wood. Located in the mountains of Pocahontas County, Watoga […]

 Ann Bailey Overlook Trailhead at Watoga State Park olivia.miller@wvhighlands.org