TRANSITION TO MNF8:
MNF8 is now available. The information below is devoted to updates for MNF7. Virtually all of these updates have been used in the preparation of MNF8. However you may not yet have a copy of MNF8 and continue to rely on MNF7. For this reason we will continue posting the material below to help you make use of MNF7 until late 2008. Then we will delete it.
If you own a copy of MNF8, click here to go the web page dealing with updates to MNF8 for use in MNF9.
The material below provides a means by which you can learn about changes in the foot trails on the Monongahela National Forest that have occurred since Edition 7 of WVHCs MNF Hiking was published in 1999. This web page was compiled from the experiences of other forest visitors -- not a detailed compilation of all changes that have occurred to the MNF trail system since the publication of MNF7. So do not assume that the tabulation of updates below are complete. The MNF trail system is in a constant state of flux, so be sure to carry a map and compass (and/or GPS) to help you make the best of any difference between the trail descriptions found in MNF7 and the situations you encounter that appear to conflict with what MNF7 has to say.
MAP KEYS:
In MNF7, the text is keyed to the corresponding topographic map by characters enclosed in squares that appear in both the map and the text. This notation is difficult on this web page, so instead, the notation of the form [X] is used here as a substitute.
MONONGAHELA NATIONAL FOREST HIKING GUIDE, Edition 7
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Structure and Use of this Guide
Cheat Ranger District [I]
Gauley Ranger District [II]
Greenbrier Ranger District [III]
Marlinton Ranger District [IV]
Potomac Ranger District [V]
White Sulphur Ranger District [VI]
INTRODUCTION (p. 1-11)
Ranger Offices Addresses (p. 10)
Below are somewhat more complete addresses of the Forest Supervisor's Office and the District Rangers offices (in case you have a need to visit one of these offices).
The Forest Supervisor's office is one block east of Rt. 219 at the Iron Horse statue in downtown Elkins,
The Cheat Ranger District office is in Nursery Bottom on Rt. 72, just east of Parsons.
The Gauley Ranger District office is one mile east of Richwood on Rt. 39/55.
The Greenbrier Ranger District office is on Rt. 92/250 just east of Bartow.
The Marlinton Ranger District office is on Cemetery Road of Rt. 39 at the eastern edge of Marlinton.
The White Sulphur Ranger District office is on Rt. 60 in White Sulphur Springs on the White Sulphur Springs National Fish Hatchery grounds.
The Potomac Ranger District office is 1.5 mile south of Petersburg off Rt.28/55.
HIKING AND BACKPACKING IN MONONGAHELA NATIONAL FOREST (p. 12-23)
***** (No new information)
MONONGAHELA NATIONAL FOREST WINTERS (p. 24-26)
***** (No new information)
STRUCTURE AND USE OF THIS GUIDE (p. 27-35)
Useful Literature (p. 33-35)
If you are interested in trees of the MNF, check out the web site http://www.treeguide.com/states/WV.asp It is informative and well laid out, though not quite complete. [Jonathan Jessup, 8/01]
Augusta Bookstore (p. 34) no longer exists. The new bookstore in Elkins is Main Line Books (previously Book Explorer previously Augusta Books), 301 Davis Ave., Elkins 26241; 304-637-3307. It's small but has a nice selection. [Helen McGinnis, 6/8/04]
An excellent web site describing foot trails in and near Monongahela National Forest is found at http://www.midatlantichikes.com [Michael V. Juskelis, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com 4/17/04].
The Monongahela National Forest has its own web site http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf/
A website with lots of great photos of the MNF is found at http://www.jonathanjessup.com
To keep of track of changes in the trails described in this guide, see the updates described in this website page before you venture onto your favorite MNF trail. Keeping in touch with changes will help you plan your trips better and could save you a lot of trouble.
THE TABLE OF TRAILS (p. 36-47)
***** (No new information)
LONG-DISTANCE TRAILS ON THE MNF (p. 48-51)
***** (No new information)
CHEAT RANGER DISTRICT [1]
(I-A) -- CANAAN MOUNTAIN AREA (p. 53-74)
*** Click here to examine updates to the Canaan Mountain Area.
(I-B) -- OLSON TOWER / BLACKWATER CANYON AREA (p. 75-81)
*** Click here to examine updates to the Olson Tower/ Blackwater Canyon area
(I-C) -- PHEASANT MOUNTAIN AREA (p. 82-87)
*** Click here to examine updates to the Pheasant Mountain Area
(I-D) -- HORSESHOE RUN AREA (p. 88-93)
*** Click here to examine updates to the Horseshoe Run Area
(I-E) -- OTTER CREEK AREA (p. 94-112)
*** Click here to examine updates to the Otter Creek Area.
GAULEY RANGER DISTRICT [II] (p. 113-120 of MNF7)
(II-A) -- SOUTHERN CRANBERRY BACKCOUNTRY / WILDERNESS (p. 121-130)
*** Click here to examine updates to Southern Cranberry Backcountry/ Wilderness
(II-B) -- NORTHERN CRANBERRY BACKCOUNTRY/ WILDERNESS (p. 131-139)
*** Click here to examine updates to Northern Cranberry/ Wilderness
(II-D) -- BISHOP KNOB AREA (p. 140-161)
*** Click here to examine updates to the Bishop Knob Area
GREENBRIER RANGER DISTRICT [III] (p. 162-165 of MNF7)
(III-A) -- PETERS MOUNTAIN AREA (p. 166-172)
***** (No new information)
(III-B) -- MIDDLE MOUNTAIN AREA (p. 173-197)
Hinkle Run Trail (TR367) (p. 183)
This trail has been abandoned by the USFS [Allen de Hart, 8/1/04]
(III-C) -- SHAVERS FORK AREA (p. 198-216)
Allegheny Trail Segment 3 (p. 200)
About 0.5mi from point where the trail turns off FR27 (heading N) is a stand of spruce and hemlock, many of them blown down in a recent storm. Deep shade and green moss are common. One can count more than 150 rings on one blown-down spruce that was cut through to clear the trail. The trail through the blow-down is well cleared. This is well worth visiting. [Helen McGinnis helenmcginnis@meer.net 12/01]
Allegheny Trail (TR701) and West Fork Trail (TR312) south of Glady: I refer to the description of Trail 701 on pp.200 -202 and of Trail 312 (pp. 207-208). Last summer (2002) I lead a large group on a camping trip at Stuart Recreation Area. We had to cancel our shuttle hike through the Otter Creek Wilderness because of high water. I thought I had a substitute hike using the Allegheny Trail (TR701), the West Fork Trail (Eastern segment of TR312) and the High Falls Trail (TR345) as a circuit. To my dismay I found that a large segment of the Allegheny trail between CO22 and some point south of Glady had been rerouted off of the ridge to share the tread with part of the West Fork Trail (TR312) that runs through the valley. I have no clue as to where 701 turns west to regain the ridge if it does at all. I was told that the land owner, a judge, has denied access to that segment of the ridge that runs through his property. We walked approximately 3 miles along the West Fork Trail South from the intersection of CO22 and CO27 and saw no signage or trail intersections except for the sign marking the rail trail as both TR701 and TR312 at a gate at the beginning. Map III-C-1 on pages 210-211 also shows this error. This change has been confirmed by the ranger district. At the time I didn't think to ask where TR701 rejoined its original route. [Michael.V.Juskelis@grace.com 5/21/03]
Also, the old tunnel is closed due to a collapse. I was also told that the West Fork Trail from the tunnel to Greenbrier Junction is either closed or is no longer being maintained. [Michael.V.Juskelis@grace.com 5/21/03]
(III-C) Allegheny Trail - Durbin to Glady (Greenbrier District) (p. 200)
A segment of the trail has been relocated. I was going to do the 50-mile loop using Allegheny Trail and returning on West Fork Trail in April of 2003. I had some trouble finding the trailhead and I stopped at the District Office. Jan Miller, a USFS ranger, informed me that there was a dispute with one of the property owners through which the Allegheny Trail passed and they had to reroute. The reroute occurs (if you're heading north) at TR345 (High Falls Trail). Instead of going straight, you bear to the left onto High Falls Trail and follow it to the end. You then turn right onto the West Fork Trail and follow it to Glady at which point you resume back on the Allegheny Trail. Additionally, the trail is in pretty rough condition, it looks like there has been little trail maintenance for years and this past winter has really caused a large number of blow-downs. [Chuck Ledney, lednec@earthlink.net 5/5/03]
A while back I submitted some changes concerning Allegheny trail (TR701) and West Fork Trail (TR312). You posted the info on the MNF guide update web page. There is also a description of the reroute posted by Chuck Ledney. It describes the reroute differently than I did. I Emailed Chuck but have not gotten a reply. After studying his description I can only assume that he took High Falls trail down to Shavers Fork, headed N on the tracks to the NW Terminus of TR312 and followed that out to CO27. That would explain the roughness he mentions in that segment of the trail. As I noted in my original correspondence, that portion of TR312 is no longer maintained. From what I could see the reroute coming from the S should have been a right onto High Falls Trail (TR345) going E to the maintained rail/trail portion of TR312 and then North to CO27. There is a clearly visible sign for both TR701 and TR312 on the same post at the gate where the trail enters CO27. [Michael.V.Juskelis@grace.com, 7/1/03]
High Falls Trail (TR345) (p. 202)
Segment 2 appears to have changed. The trail no longer descends sharply to the RR along Shavers Fork. Instead, several long and sloping switchbacks (blue-blazed) have been added to the trail. The trail arrives at the RR at about the same spot as the old route (which can be seen vaguely in spots). The switchbacks lengthen the trail by about a mile. [Amy Trader, 7/01]
p.203 An elegant arched foot bridge has been installed across the Glady Fork. Revised wording for Segment 1. "From FR44, the trail descends the hillside and crosses the West Fork of the Glady on a foot bridge." It no longer follows the overgrown road (nearby) [Helen McGinnis, 9/26/02].
High Falls Trail (TR345) (p. 202)
TR345 has been relocated and lengthened. The old trail used to be a straight shot up the hollow, over the gap, and down the other side. The USFS apparently relocated it due to a clearcut in the hollow above Wildell. The trail now switch-backs (interminably, it seems) on both sides of Shavers Fork Mountain. The addition is about 0.5mi on either side, making about 1mi for a one-way trip and 2mi for the round trip. They did not take the trail down closer to the falls to avoid walking the RR. The relocation appears to be several years old. ["George E. Beetham Jr." geobeet@hotmail.com 5/27/03]
MARLINTON RANGER DISTRICT [IV] (p. 217-222 of MNF7)
(IV-A) -- BIRD RUN AREA (p. 222-223)
***** (No new information)
(IV-B) -- LAUREL CREEK AREA (p. 223-227)
***** (No new information)
(IV-C) -- HIGHLANDS SCENIC HIGHWAY, PARKWAY SECTION (p. 228-229)
***** (No new information)
(IV-D) -- TEA CREEK AREA (p. 230-242 of MNF7)
Tea Creek Trail (TR454), Segment 1 (p. 234)
MNF7 states that, at 2.9mi, Tea Creek Trail (TR454), Right Fork of Tea Creek Trail (TR453) and the North Face Trail (TR450) meet. After investigating the situation for 1.5 hours we determined that this is not the case but rather the following:
"at 2.9 miles Tea Creek Trail (TR454) and North Face Trail (TR450) meet. A 0.25-0.30mi hike up (South) North Face Trail brings you to Right Fork of Tea Creek Trail (TR453) on your left."
This error is also implied on Map IV-D-1 (pp. 240-41) although if you look closely you can see old dash marks for the correct path of North Face Trail and the intersection with Right Fork of Tea Creek Trail. [Michael.V.Juskelis@grace.com 5/21/03]
Tea Creek Trail (TR454) (p. 234):
I've now hiked almost the entire Tea Creek area (except for the top 0.5 miles of Tea Creek Trail (TR234) and Gauley Mountain Trail (TR438) (p. 238). Except for the correction about the Right fork terminus on North Face Trail (TR450) (p. 236) that I made several months ago, everything in MNF7 checks out. [Michael V. Juskelis@grace.com 9/30/03]
New Nature Trail (not in MNF7):
There is now a handicapped-friendly nature trail that starts at the Right Fork of Tea Creek Trail (TR453) (p.236) and Tea Creek Mountain Trail (TR452) (p.235) trailheads. It hasn't been named or signed yet. It's a wide gravel trail (about 0.5 miles in length) that switchbacks through meadows down to a nice board walk, bisecting Right Fork Connector Trail. The boardwalk has two wildlife viewing platforms that project out into a beautiful scene: Beaver Pond, meadows, Red Spruce Forest and Gauley Mountain serve as a backdrop. [Michael.V.Juskelis@grace.com 9/30/03]
POTOMAC RANGER DISTRICT [V] (p. 243-247 of MNF7)
(V-A) -- NORTH FORK MOUNTAIN AREA (p. 247-261)
*** Click here to examine updates to the North Fork Mountain Area
(V-B) -- SPRUCE KNOB AREA (p. 262-283)
*** Click here to examine updates to the Spruce Knob Area
(V-C) -- FLATROCK PLAINS AND ROARING PLAINS (p. 284-293)
*** Click here to examine updates to the Flatrock Plains and Roaring Plains Areas
(V-D) -- DOLLY SODS AREA (p. 294-312)
*** Click here to examine updates to the Dolly Sods Area
WHITE SULPHUR RANGER DISTRICT [VI] (p. 313-314 of MNF7)
(VI-A) - MIDDLE MOUNTAIN AND LAKE SHERWOOD AREA (p. 314-327)
I went to Lake Sherwood on 5/27/03. I hiked a 9.5-mile circuit, plus some extra exploring, using Meadow Creek Trail (TR684), Connector Trail (TR604) Allegheny Mountain Trail (TR611), Virginia Trail (TR685) and a segment of Lake Sherwood Trail (TR601). [Michael.V.Juskelis@grace.com 5/27/03] Below are some comments:
Meadow Creek Trail (TR684) (p. 318)
A) Keep and eye out for ruins of an old mill on Meadow Creek shortly after crossing the bridge. Water still flows over the spillway. B) There are 10 creek crossings not 7 as stated in MNF7.
Connector Trail (TR604) (p. 319)
Segment 2: I encountered a little confusion here and think some description of the trail might eliminate future head scratching. See below:
Connector Trail (TR604) remains an old road for approximately 1/3rd mile. Initially there is a steep climb but the crest is soon reached. At the crest, on your right, is the junction of not-blazed Snake Valley Trail, another forest road. Ignore this trail and continue straight, following blue blazes into an open wildlife clearing with fire ring. The old forest road continues straight across in a wet spot but this is not the desired trail. The trail is located at between 9-10 o'clock on the perimeter in relation to the original point of entry into the clearing. There is a double blue blaze on a tree marking an obvious foot trail. This is the continuation of TR604. Proceed up the hill to its junction with Allegheny Mountain Trail (TR611).
Allegheny Mountain Trail (TR611) (p. 319)
There are no longer any views of Lake Sherwood. There are several partially obstructed views of the eastern ridges and Lake Momma, but the forest is getting pretty thick and the views aren't as open as they used to be. There are loads of Orange Azaleas and red/ purple rhododendrons along the ridge. The signage and trail map are missing at its junction with Virginia Trail (TR685) but their posts and blazes are still there. I mention this because Allegheny Mountain Trail continues, not-blazed, beyond this point and the lack of signs might throw you off course. Does this trail cross/meet Allegheny Trail (TR701)?
Virginia Trail (TR685) (p. 318-19)
See the above note about missing signage at the junction of TR685 with TR611. I doubt that there are any views at the top regardless of season. 20+ years can create a pretty dense forest.
Little Allegheny Trail (TR668) (p. 320)
This trail has been abandoned by the USFS [Allen de Hart, 8/1/04]
(VI-B) -- BLUE BEND AREA (p. 328-333)
***** (No new information)
