(I-A) - CANAAN MOUNTAIN AREA (p. 53-74)
Introduction (p. 53)
The large private sign "#1 Wilderness Road" was not seen. A sign there now says "Canaan Valley Road". Also there is a sign there with a bicyclist on it, suggesting that Canaan Loop Road (if that is still its name) is now an official bicycle route. [Steve Swingenstein, 11/99]
The potential of Canaan Loop Road (CLR) for ski-touring should not be overlooked. Usually only the first 0.1 mile of the south leg is plowed With dense forests of snow-capped spruce on both sides of CLR, and with "snow-devils" rising off the road on a cold winters day (or moonlit night), one can easily conjure up visions of Siberia. Besides, the skiing there is as easy as it comes [Bruce Sundquist, 2/01].
The WV Highway Dept. plows out a parking area on the east side of Rt.32 opposite and slightly downhill from the turn-off to the south leg of CLR. There is room for 6-8 cars. When skiing in Canaan Valley State Park and Blackwater Falls State Park is marginal due to snow depth or icy crust, CLR can offer excellent skiing due to its higher altitude [Bruce Sundquist, 2/03].
Going west on CLR, from Blackwater Lodge, CLR is now paved further up to around the Lindy Run Trail junction. A new trail sign there says "Lindy Overlook"?. No mileage was given for it, but it appears to be less than 0.5 mile. [Steve Swingenstein xplor@adelphia.net 4/17/02]
I posted 3 Canaan Mountain circuit hikes on my web page: www.midatlantichikes.com. I speak a bit about using the park trails to form loops. Might this be worth mentioning in MNF7? [Michael.V.Juskelis@grace.com 8/17/04]
Allegheny Trail (p. 57)
Segment 1, intersection with US Hwy 33: Rewrite as follows: "The S trailhead is on the east side of the bridge crossing Glady Fork, 1.3mi E of Alpena Lodge and Restaurant. It begins across the road from the sign announcing the Beaver Dam Cooperative Wildlife Management Area." The problems with the present description are (1) there are larger, more prominent parking areas on the west side of the bridge that are also 1.3mi from the Lodge, and (2) Flanningan Run is very small and crossed by a culvert. The bridge and the WMA sign are much more prominent landmarks [Helen McGinnis, 12/01].
Segment between US33 and Glady: Apparently this is missing from the guide. The north end is at the Beaver Dam Cooperative WMA sign. Allegheny Trail follows an old RR grade from about 1/2 mile to the first of seven fords, according the MNF map. (The northern end is not correctly located on the MNF map.) Trail condition is excellent. I haven't made the crossing, which could be done on rocks when the water level is low but no doubt difficult or impossible when the water is high.
Hiking in from the southern end of the segment: Allegheny Trail leaves County Rt. 27 1.9mi from the Glady PO, at a small off-road parking area large enough for 3-4 cars. Go up and down through the woods about .5mi. to an arched steel pedestrian bridge over Glady Fork. Trail condition average--have to keep watch for the yellow blazes, which are fading. Good potential campsites are found near the bridge. [Helen McGinnis helenmcginnis@meer.net 12/01]
Informal Trails - Mozark Mountain (new material)
The 2.5mi, 800ft. climb to the top of the W peak of Mozark Mountain from CLR is easy and scenic. Much of the route passes through forest "cathedrals" of tall, mature trees with a closed canopy and only low understory. The trailhead is 0.7mi W of the S trailhead of TR110 along CLR and a scenic section of Red Run. Parking is available for about 4 cars. Just upstream of where the trail crosses Red Run is a pleasant, scenic pool in Red Run. Within 100yd of the trailhead the trail (old jeep road shown as a double-dashed line on the map) crosses a steep, treacherous landslide that prevents motorized use. The tread way is grassy and smooth. A number of good views are found along the trail. Near the top, where the trail starts to descend, an obscure side trail leads 0.2mi to the top of Mozark Mountain, exactly as the map shows. The mountaintop is spruce-covered and offers no views. At the top are foundation stones of an old fire tower. Nearby is a bronze USGS marker. (NOTE: THIS IS NOT A FORMAL USFS TRAIL. IT IS NOT BLAZED AND NOT MAINTAINED. MOZARK MOUNTAIN, DESPITE ITS SIGNIFICANT SCENIC VALUE IN AN AREA USED HEAVILY FOR RECREATION, HAS NO FORMAL TRAILS.) [Bruce Sundquist, 10/01]
Fire Trail No. 1 and Fire Trail No. 2, (TR102 and TR103) (p. 61)
These trails have been abandoned by the USFS. [Allen de Hart, 8/1/04]
Flag Run Trail (TR106) (p. 61)
0.5 mile of this trail has been abandoned by the USFS [Allen de Hart, 8/1/04] (Which section this statement applies to is not known yet.)
Lindy Run Trail (TR109) (p.63)
This trail has been abandoned by the USFS [Allen de Hart, 8/1/04]
Table Rock Overlook Trail (TR113) (p. 67)
The "faded blue" blazes were not seen. It is now marked with triangular metal blazes quite sporadic. [Steve Swingenstein, 11/99 ]
Plantation Trail (TR101) (p. 58)
Plantation Trail from Davis trail to it's western terminus on CLR13 is no longer blazed yellow but with blue diamonds. [Michael.V.Juskelis@grace.com 8/17/04]
The Plantation/Railroad Grade Trail intersection is confusing. I totally walked by it and ended up walking 15.6 miles instead of my planned 12.4 miles! It still was a nice hike. I studied it quite a bit and also took a picture of it. I actually think it should be described as "the two trails share the same tread for about 30 yards. The RR Grade trail stays in a trough slightly to the left while the Plantation Trail bears right up and over a berm." Sure could use some signs there. [Michael.V.Juskelis@grace.com 8/17/04]
(Replace the description of TR101 in MNF7 (p. 58) by the following.)
PLANTATION TRAIL (TR101) 8.4mi(13.5km)
SCENERY: 2 (wooded) NOTE: B,H, M,(8)
DIFFICULTY: II (moderate) SKI-: S2
CONDITION: A (good) ELEV: 3580/3310
MAPS: USFS(A,B), Mozark Mountain, Blackwater Falls, I-A-1 and I-A-2 in this Guide
SEGMENTS: (1) WV32 to TR104 (Fire Trail No.3) 1.0mi
(2) TR104 to TR107 (Davis Trail) 1.7mi
(3) TR107 to TR108 (Fire Trail No.6) 1.1mi
(4) TR108 to TR109 (Lindy Run Trail) 1.0mi
(5) TR109 to TR110 (Railroad Grade Trail) 1.7mi
(6) TR110 to FR13 (Canaan Loop Road) 1.9mi
Plantation Trail is the backbone of the trail system in the Canaan Mountain Spruce Plantation. Many loop routes are possible. The E end of the trail is designated for ski-touring. Ski-touring is possible along the entire trail with only a few steep spots, though the crossing of Engine Run and Lindy Run could pose a challenge. Deep snow is required to cover rocks on some portions of the trail. The trail passes through rhododendron, spruce, hemlock and laurel and has just a few good views. It is wet and rocky in spots. Blazing is yellow. The tread way is clear due to heavy use. All segments were in excellent shape in 1999. Much of the trail tunnels through dense rhododendron, so early July would be a good time to visit.
Access: The E trailhead [A] (Map I-A-1) is on WV32, 2.1mi S of the town of Davis. Parking is available for several cars along the shoulder of the road. Backpackers may prefer to use one of the intersecting trails as a trailhead to secure safer parking for cars. Blackwater Falls Lodge would be good, because a trail leaves the road at the Y just E of the lodge and leads E to TR107.
The W trailhead [I] (Map I-A-2) is on scenic Canaan Loop Road (CLR) (FR13) near its western-most point. It is marked by a sign. Parking is available for 6-8 cars at the TR113 trailhead, 65yd S along CLR. Do not use the north leg of CLR between Blackwater Falls Lodge and the N trailhead of TR110.
Segment 1: Starting from the E trailhead [A] (Map I-A-1) descend from WV32, reaching Devil's Run at 0.5mi. Do not drink from the stream. From here ascend steadily, watching for good views to the N and W. At 1.0mi Fire Trail No.3 (TR104) [B] joins from the left. A sign marks this junction.
Segment 2: Beyond TR104, by 300yd, cross a stream with a dam and an old sign ("Pump Chance No.2"). The trail continues to ascend gradually, growing wider and crossing a pipeline [C] at 1.8mi. The trail here passes through rhododendron and spruce, passing through a rocky area at 2.3mi, where there is a view to the N. Cross Engine Run with a small, old, concrete dam at 2.5mi. Ascend briefly, to a level, open section. Descend gradually through laurel, reaching Allegheny Trail, TR701 (also known as Davis Trail, TR107) at 2.7mi. [D]. The junction is usually signed. The area around this junction is rocky, but open, with a dozen or so sites suitable for tents. Water is sometimes found in a small stream crossing the trail 100yd W of the junction. A 6-person trail shelter is on the E side of this stream 40yd N of the trail. Just beyond the stream is an open field. The field's SW end offers dry, level tent sites.
Segment 3: Continuing on from TR701 [D], the trail is level, running just below the ridge crest through hemlock and laurel. Cross streams at 2.8 and 3.0mi. At 3.3mi reach the crest and begin a gradual descent. Cross a stream with a small dam at 3.5mi. A few sites suitable for small tents are found in this area; the ground is generally rocky. Cross Fire Trail No.6 (TR108) [E] at 3.8mi. Beware that yellow blazes turn onto Fire Trail No.6. Yellow blazes do not reappear on Plantation Trail until 0.2mi further W.
Segment 4: After leaving TR108, cross a small stream with a small concrete dam at 4.2mi. The trail now becomes narrower and rocky in spots, and occasionally passes through open areas. Reach the signed junction with Lindy Run Trail (TR109) [F] (Map I-A-2) at 4.8mi. To the N, Lindy Run Trail is labeled 688 on old USFS maps.
Segment 5: Proceeding W from the junction [F] with TR109, the trail crosses Lindy Run after 100yd. The route is level and walking is easy, except at boggy sections. The junction [G] with Railroad Grade Trail (TR110) is reached at 6.5mi. This junction is often very confusing because the two trails are nearly parallel to each other where they cross--not like what the map suggests.
Segment 6: Continuing W from TR110 [G] , the trail is level, narrow, and passes through dense laurel and rhododendron. The tread way is sometimes wet. Several small streams cross the trail except during dry periods. Farther on, the trail passes through a more open section with mainly hardwoods, where it runs just below the summit, with little elevation change. At 8.0mi the trail descends into a small bog [H] and climbs steeply for a short distance before descending to FR13 (CLR) at 8.4mi [I] . [from Bruce Sundquist (10/01)]
Fire Trail No. 1 and Fire Trail No. 2, (TR102 and TR103) (p. 61)
These trails have been abandoned by the USFS. [Allen de Hart, 8/1/04]
Flag Run Trail (TR106) (p. 61)
0.5 mile of this trail has been abandoned by the USFS [Allen de Hart, 8/1/04] (Which section this statement applies to is not known yet.)
Davis Trail (TR107) (p. 62)
Davis Trail no longer starts in the park on the park road. The trail and parking area is still there but it is now marked as a bike trail. The official trailhead and sign have been moved to the southeast park/ forest boundary on the Allegheny Trail. Also, the sign for the merge onto 701 coming up from this segment has been removed. I believe the official 701 route calls for one to walk up through the stable gate (yellow blaze on post) and make a left onto the trail. I believe a better route is to continue using the old trail. It intersects the park's Yellow Birch Trail (Marked with round and rectangular blazes to signify dual use with 701). At least it smells better. [Michael.V.Juskelis@grace.com 8/17/04]
Lindy Run Trail (TR109) (p. 63)
MNF7 and forest signs state that the distance on Lindy Run Trail (TR109) (p. 63) from Plantation Trail to CLR13 North is 1.5 miles. TOPO! tells me its 1.1- 1.2 miles. I hiked it 2X recently, once up, once down. It seems to follow the route shown on old USGS maps and "walks" a lot shorter than 1.5 miles. [Michael.V.Juskelis@grace.com 8/17/04]
Lindy Run Trail has been abandoned by the USFS [Allen de Hart, 8/1/04]
Railroad Grade Trail (TR110) (p. 65)
0.5 mile of this trail has been abandoned by the USFS. Which section of TR110 this applies to is not yet known. [Allen de Hart, 8/1/04]
Bennett Rock Trail (TR112) (p. 66)
This trail has been abandoned by the USFS [Allen de Hart, 8/1/04]
Mountainside Trail (TR114) (p. 67)
The routing on this trail has been changed by the USFS [Allen de Hart, 8/1/04]
Table Rock Overlook Trail (TR113) (p. 67)
The "faded blue" blazes were not seen. It is now marked with triangular metal blazes quite sporadic. [Steve Swingenstein, 11/99 ]
(Replace the description of TR113 in MNF7 p. 67 by the following.)
TABLE ROCK OVERLOOK TRAIL (TR113) 1.1mi(1.8km)
SCENERY: |
1 (exceptional) |
NOTE: |
M,(0) |
DIFFICULTY: |
I (leisurely) |
SKI-: |
S4 |
CONDITION: |
A (good) |
ELEV: |
3435/3310 |
MAPS: USFS (A,B), Mozark Mountain, I-A-2 in this Guide
SEGMENTS: (1) FR13 (Canaan Loop Road) to Overlook 1.1mi
Table Rock Overlook Trail, W of the area bounded by FR13 (CLR), leads to one of the most spectacular views in the Cheat Ranger District. The trail is blazed with triangular metal blazes (faded and sporadic). The trail is well used, and the tread way is evident.
Access: The NE terminus [L] is at the CLR (FR13) 65yd S of the W end of Plantation Trail (TR101). This point on the CLR is 9.8mi from WV32 and 6.6mi from Blackwater Falls State Park Lodge. The N 6.6mi segment of CLR between TR113 and Blackwater Falls Lodge requires a vehicle with 4WD, a high under-carriage and lots of time. The trailhead is signed and parts of the parking area may be boggy.
Segment 1: Starting from CLR [L], the trail climbs gradually through the woods. The tread way is clear but rocky. After completing the incline, descend slightly to a damp area in dense rhododendron. Beyond is a large (100yd long) outcrop called Table Rock [M] from which the entire Red Run Valley can be seen to the SE, with Mozark Mountain on the far side of the valley. To the S, over the valley of the Dry Fork, several mountains, including Shavers Mountain, are visible in the distance. Near the W terminus of the Trail are heavy mountain laurel thickets and one popular campsite suitable for about 6 tents.
Be careful in the vicinity of Table Rock. Some crevices are concealed by vegetation, yet wide enough to fit you, and are well over 60ft deep. Falling off the edge of Table Rock anywhere along most of its length would also surely be fatal. [Bruce Sundquist bsundquist1@juno.com (10/01)]
(I-B) -- OLSON TOWER BLACKWATER CANYON AREA (p. 75-81)
Boundary Trail (TR116) (p. 76)
This trail has been abandoned by the USFS. [Allen de Hart, 8/1/04]
FANSLER TRAIL (TR118) (p. 77)
This trail has been abandoned by the USFS. [Allen de Hart, 8/1/04]
(I-C) -- PHEASANT MOUNTAIN AREA (p. 82-87)
South Haddix Trail (TR126) (p. 85)
The routing on this trail has been changed by the USFS. [Allen de Hart, 8/1/04]
(I-D) -- HORSESHOE RUN AREA (p. 88-93)
McKinley Run Trail (TR154) (p.88)
This trail has been abandoned by the USFS. [Allen de Hart, 8/1/04]
Mikes Run Trail (TR156) (p. 89)
This trail has been abandoned by the USFS. [Allen de Hart, 8/1/04]
(I-E) -- OTTER CREEK AREA (p. 94-112)
Otter Creek Area (p. 98)
Parts of the Shavers Mountain Trail north of Alpena Gap will be lost because the Forest Service is no longer clearing trails or renewing paint blazes. Definitely not a green tunnel when I hiked it. You must watch carefully for the trail. [Helen McGinnis helenmcginnis@meer.net 12/01]
Baker Sods Trail (TR132) (p. 102)
This trail has been abandoned by the USFS [Allen de Hart, 8/1/04]
Middle Point Trail (TR140) (p. 105)
The routing on this trail has been changed by the USFS [Allen de Hart, 8/1/04]
Hedrick Camp Trail (TR165) (p. 107)
A beaver dam has flooded the lower part of the trail, and the footbridge is flooded and not useable. Probably best to cross and recross Otter Creek to get around this obstacle. Going upstream to get around the beaver pond gets you into a bog. [Helen McGinnis helenmcginnis@meer.net 12/01]
Map I-E-1 (p. 109)
The trail at [D] has no rock cairns, and the trail at [I] looks like a 4-way junction. The map indicates that the trail at [I] is in a north-south direction, but it is really in an E-W direction. When approaching from the north for the first time its ambiguous as to where a person is because this does not match the description or map for either location. Because the trail at [D] is not marked explicitly it is difficult to tell where [I] is in relation to [D] and consequently if [I] is in the wrong place on the topo map or if the trail has been placed on the map incorrectly. So I dont have an explicit suggestion for updating the topo. But regardless of this, the comment below attempts to clear up a difficulty a hiker might have.
Shavers Mountain Trail (TR129) p. 111 Segment 3, second paragraph, add before the second paragraph begins:
".. these giants rise from a ground cover of rhododendrons and ferns."
At [I], rock cairns mark a 4-way intersection of trails. Coming from the S, the trail leading to your left goes through an open area to a campsite and spring. The trail to your right goes over a short rise and down to the former Shavers Mountain shelter. Shavers Mountain Trail continues straight ahead.
At the former Shavers Mountain shelter.." [Brian Beard, Harrisonburg, VA]
Map I-E-2 (p. 110)
In the middle of the page of some copies you can only see the bold contours suggesting that the area is relatively flat which contradicts the textual description. Closer examination allows one to barely make out the other contour lines. Perhaps some darkening of the ink here. [Michael.V.Juskelis@grace.com 5/21/03]
