Differing Opinions of Foot Trails for the "Plains"
Reactions to Bruce Sundquist’s Proposal in the July Voice
First a reprint of the descriptive parts of Bruce’s proposal article.
...Relative to the uniqueness and scenery of the Plains, the foot trail system is clearly inadequate, though in recent years the Forest Service (USFS) has invested heavily in improving the area’s four foot trails. There are exceptionally scenic places on the Plains that visitors can get to only via the area’s Forest road (FR70) and its pipeline swath. Numerous other exceptional areas are, for all intents and purposes, totally inaccessible and largely unknown to all but the most dedicated explorers. In any other part of the MNF or the West Virginia Highlands, scenery of similar quality would have received the attention of at least one foot trail and would be highlighted on visitor maps ...
The most glaring inadequacy of the foot-trail system on the Plains is the lack of a "backbone" trail running along or near the eastern continental divide that runs north to south through the area. Were such a trail in place, opportunities would be created for other trails that could connect with the backbone trail to form a logical trail system covering the entire Plains to a degree worthy of the area’s attributes. A backbone trail would run through much of the most outstanding scenery of the Plains -- right along the rims of the valleys of the North Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac, Roaring Creek and Long Run (ending on the overlooks on historic Haystack Knob). It would run through the Plains’ two largest campsite areas. Despite its high elevation, the route has adequate water supplies close to the trail. Also, because of the severe climate along the eastern continental divide, vegetation tends to not be the dense type that makes trail construction and maintenance hard -- and that limits views. In fact, a backbone trail could be built largely by volunteers.
North Fork Mountain Trail has been named West Virginia’s most outstanding foot trail by Outside Magazine. It would probably keep that title even if several adjoining states were thrown into the running. Views along the Plains’ backbone trail would be as spectacular as those along North Fork Mountain Trail -- and would be far more varied despite being somewhat fewer in number. The local scenery, environment and opportunities for exploration would also be more varied and interesting along the backbone trail. Also there would be more campsite opportunities. Also the North Fork Mountain Trail has no water sources, and has problems with private ownership on parts of its route. Steep climbs along a backbone trail would be less severe and less numerous than those on North Fork Mountain Trail despite the ruggedness of the Plains in general. Traffic noises and mining noises that are present on parts of North Mountain Trail are absent from the "Plains." All in all, a backbone trail on the Plains would very likely take the "most outstanding" title away from North Fork Mountain Trail -- and probably be the most popular trail on the MNF by a wide margin. It also would have the potential for being extended a relatively short distance south, joining the trail systems of Dolly Sods and the "Plains" to that on the Spruce Knob NRA. Just purchase (or gain easements to) McIntosh Run, an extremely steep, wild, scenic, undeveloped (and undevelopable) stream valley that runs down to the major switch-back on a scenic section of US33 and into the Spruce Knob NRA.
A detailed description of possible routes for a Plains backbone trail and all of its scenic and other attributes is probably beyond the range of interests of the average Voice reader. But anyone interested can obtain such a description from the author at <
bsundquist1@juno.com> or 724-327-8737 or 210 College Park Drive, Monroeville, PA 15146-1532. ªPeter Shoenfeld’s View of the Proposal
This would be a wonderful project.
However, I like things pretty much the way they are. I’d hate to see the Plains go all the way from under-utilized to crowded. Perhaps a middle ground could be considered. This would be to document some cross-country or "informal trail" routes (including this one) in the next issue of the hiking guide. This would be a valuable service and would increase the accessibility of the area. However, it would continue to attract only the more adventurous.
If USFS got behind this to the extent of acquiring right-of-way for a through trail connecting into Spruce Knob NRA, as you suggest, then I’d be for it.
No More Trails on the "Plains"
By David McMahon
I write to differ, in part, with Bruce Sundquist’s article in the July 2001 Voice entitled "Foot Trail on the Plains."
I agree with Bruce about user fees, that "over time, recreational users must start paying their share of the costs of national forest management." In the foreseeable political climate it is the only way to raise the funds needed. A two dollar a day fee would raise lots of money. That daily fee would be a pittance compared to pleasure gained, compared to the cost of backpacking equipment, and compared to what users of public swimming pools, golf courses and picnic areas pay. I disagree with Bruce about the need to create new trails in Dolly Sods North and Roaring Plains.
I like orienteering style hiking/ backpacking. Get a topo map. Study it. Decide where a good camp site, natural point of interest, or scenic view might just be found. Plan a way to get there by a compass reading or two. Or figure out how to orienteer there just by reading the contours – that’s how I get from the turn of Red Creek Plains Trail to the great campsite on the eastern shoulder of Roaring Plains. Go to an access point. Orient the map. Try to find the place without a trail. Maybe you’ll find an unexpected interesting place.
Orienteering is difficult to do anywhere else in West Virginia. In the rest of West Virginia the vegetation is too dense to see through or even, in places, too dense to get a person through with their pack still attached. In Roaring Plains and Dolly Sods North, the vegetation is less dense so trails are not a must. And since there are more views, a trail is not necessary to be sure that the hiker gets to the few views available. The views in these two areas vary between interesting to great just about everywhere you can hike.
Bruce also makes the point that trails in other areas are overused. I agree. It would have to be proven to me, however, that the volume of trails to be added would make a difference and not them- selves become over used. And I think the trails that are overused are in the popular areas. It is the best-known trails that are overused. Bruce’s fine hiking guide has lots and lots of other trails that I’ll bet are not overused. We need strategies to make those trails more popular.
Anybody can backpack these days who can read a trail sign, light a Coleman Stove, and put up a nylon tent complete with a waterproof floor already sewn in. The days when a backpacker had to know how to make a hot fire in order to get dinner cooked are gone. I accept much of that as necessary, but I miss the days when more advanced wilderness skills were needed to enjoy the wilderness.
If you must do something for hikers in the area, simply mark on the maps in the Hiking Guide the points of interest worth orienteering to. There are lots of trails for those who want to use them. Leave some places for those who would like a break from trails. Leave two places that can be enjoyed by someone with more wilderness savvy, or someone willing to learn and try more wilderness savvy -- places where a more pristine experience can still be found. _