(II-A) -- SOUTHERN CRANBERRY BACKCOUNTRY / WILDERNESS (p. 121-130)
Forks of Cranberry Trail (TR245) (p. 129)
After several attempts, I've been unable to find the "spectacular view" mentioned in Segment 1. There is a view in Segment 2 (not spectacular, but worth leaving the trail for.) There is a worn path through open wood. This view can be seen easily from the trail anytime of year. [Gary Reynolds, 304-574-1117, mail@newriverllama.com 3/30/03]
(II-B) -- NORTHERN CRANBERRY BACKCOUNTRY/ WILDERNESS (p.131-139)
North-South Trail (TR688) (p. 131)
The description of the section from Laurelly Branch to Little Fork doesn't jibe with the MNF7 map, which is correct. Both the SEGMENTS section and the related text description of North-South say Laurelly Branch Tr. and Birchlog Tr. meet North-South Trail in a 4-way intersection, which may indeed have been the case years ago (or nearly so), but not now. The mistake in the text means that the segment lengths in this section for N-S Trail) are not correct. [Gary Reynolds, 304-574-1117, mail@newriverllama.com 3/30/03]
Big Beechy Trail (TR207) (p. 134)
TR207 has been extended from its former E end ([G] (Map IV-D-1)) southward to the North Fork Trail (TR272) ([H] on Map II-A-6) a bit west of Highlands Scenic Highway. Along this extension there is a campsite on a hilltop less than 0.5mi north of the junction with TR272. As a result of the extension, TR207 is now 6.5mi long instead of 5.4mi long. [Janet Dombrowski, Washington DC]
Tumbling Rock Trail (TR214) (p. 135)
At the intersection of TR214 where it leaves the old northbound section (shown on the topo) is a tricky spot right at the stream crossing. If, heading southbound, one is distracted, it is likely that he will not cross the stream, but instead will curve around to the NW, following the other fork northward (as the old route did) along the fork that joins Tumbling Rock Run there. I've done it myself at least twice, talking with someone. It's worth noting in the Guide. "As one approaches Tumbling Rock Run, look for a large cairn on the near bank. Cross here. The trail turns to the left, where it begins to ascend." It's far less likely now that one would stray onto the trail to the old mine near the south terminus, as the Ranger has somewhat barred the way with branches, etc. [Gary Reynolds, 304-574-1117, mail@newriverllama.com 3/30/03]
Birchlog Trail (TR250) (p. 136)
TR250 is shown as heading NE, up and around the E fork of Birchlog Run, and after going SW for perhaps 0.25mi. continuing along the contour NW to an intersection with what the topo calls Birchlog Trail, and from there N to N-S Trail. In fact the official trail heads essentially due N for its entire length, following the W (main) fork of Birchlog Run until the run leaves the trail near the above-described intersection. (This, according to the topo, is the original trail routing.) I've been along the Guide route many times, and not far uphill from the stream crossing where the trail divides, the trail is overgrown to the point where a hiker might think it peters out before he/she ever gets up to the bench. In a normal year, parts of this lower section of the trail tend to be quite wet; in a wet year, a slog one would naturally walk around. Also, the last 100 yards or so of this route have vanished. One can hunt around and find faint traces of blue paint, but would naturally just pick somewhere to leave the trail and head left, cross the stream and continue uphill until striking the official trail, which is impossible to mistake, it being a Back Country trail. [Gary Reynolds, 304-574-1117, mail@newriverllama.com 3/30/03]
Spur Fork Trail (TR273) (not described)
MNF7 does not show Trail 273, I believe. It's the one that connects Forks of Cranberry with North Fork Trail not too far from the Cranberry. Gauley R.D. hired a Wilderness Ranger last year who did some impressive maintenance on several Wilderness Trails, including treadwork and building a lot of new cairns in logical places. Although I haven't walked TR273 since he worked on it, there is a new cairn at its intersection with N. Fork Tr. Based on his other work, 273 is a lot easier to trace now. [Gary Reynolds, 304-574-1117, mail@newriverllama.com 3/30/03]
North Fork Trail (TR272) (p. 139)
TR272 has two detours now, both from severe washouts. Heading downstream, the first one is along the middle section of trail where the stream is on your left. There is a little wooden sign (might be an arrow) (and perhaps also a cairn -- can't recall) directing one up a short, steep climb. At the top, follow the Cairns until the reroute turns sharply left at the beginning of its descent to the main trail. (Leave the detour up top and you're walking over terrain full of roots, holes and rocks of the worst sort. The second detour is quite a ways downstream, where you're walking with the stream on your right. It's short. Follow the Cairns. The final brief descent to the trail is steep though, and even treacherous in wet weather. [Gary Reynolds, 304-574-1117, mail@newriverllama.com 3/30/03]
(II-D) -- BISHOP KNOB AREA (p. 140-161)
Hinkle Branch Trail (TR219) (p.141)
This trail has been abandoned by the USFS [Allen de Hart, 8/1/04]
