Day and Overnight Hikes: West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest

by Molloy, Johnny

• ISBN13: 9780897329705
• ISBN10: 0897329708
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-08-10
• Publisher: Menasha Ridge Press

Summary

The heart and soul of wild, wonderful West Virginia, the mighty Monongahela National Forest is within a day's drive of one-third of the population of the United States. The best way to see and experience the stately forests and pristine waterfalls is by foot. Completely updated with five new hikes and a new design, Day and Overnight Hikes: West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest will guide visitors the entire way while exploring this national treasure. Picking the best of the best from the amazing trail system within the forest's 900,000 acres is no easy task, but outdoor guru Johnny Molloy has answered the call with this new edition of his classic guide. With directions to over 40 day and overnight hikes that lead to sites of exceptional beauty and solitude, Day and Overnight Hikes: West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest will help hikers discover the best that the "Mon" has to offer.

Author Biography

Johnny Molloy is an outdoor writer based in Johnson City, Tennessee. He has averaged over 100 nights in the wild per year since the early 1980’s, backpacking and canoe camping throughout our country. He has written numerous books covering much of the U.S. from Florida to Wisconsin to Colorado and articles for magazines and websites.

Table of Contents

Dedication	vii
Acknowledgments	viii
Preface	x
Introduction	1	(7)
How to Use This Guidebook	1	(1)
Weather	2	(1)
Clothing	3	(1)
Safety Concerns	3	(2)
Tips for Enjoying Monongahela National Forest	5	(1)
Backcountry Advice	6	(2)
Part I: Great Out-and-Back Day Hikes	8	(60)
DOLLY SODS-OTTER CREEK AREA
1 Blackbird Knob	10	(3)
2 Canyon Rim Trail	13	(3)
3 Chimney Top	16	(3)
4 Red Creek Plains	19	(3)
5 Rohrbaugh Overlook	22	(3)
6 Seneca Rocks	25	(3)
7 Table Rock	28	(3)
8 Upper Red Creek	31	(3)
SPRUCE KNOB-LAUREL FORK AREA
9 High Falls	34	(3)
10 Huckleberry Trail	37	(3)
11 Laurel Fork Wilderness South	40	(3)
12 Shavers Mountain via Johns Camp Run	43	(3)
13 Upper Falls of Seneca	46	(3)
CRANBERRY AREA
14 Big Beechy Run Falls	49	(3)
15 Falls of Hills Creek	52	(3)
16 Forks of Cranberry	55	(3)
17 High Rocks	58	(3)
18 Red Spruce Knob	61	(3)
19 South Fork Sampler	64	(4)
Part II: Great Day Loops	68	(50)
DOLLY SODS-OTTER CREEK AREA
20 Boars Nest Loop	70	(3)
21 Dunkenbarger Loop	73	(4)
22 Mylius Gap Loop	77	(4)
SPRUCE KNOB-LAUREL FORK AREA
23 Camp Five Run Loop	81	(4)
24 Horton—Spring Ridge Loop	85	(3)
25 North Prong Loop	88	(3)
CRANBERRY AREA
26 Black Mountain Loop	91	(3)
27 Blue Bend Loop	94	(4)
28 Cowpasture Loop	98	(4)
29 Laurel Creek Loop	102	(4)
30 Lick Branch Loop	106	(4)
31 Stateline Loop	110	(4)
32 Tea Creek Mountain Loop	114	(4)
Part III: Great Overnight Loops	118	(53)
DOLLY SODS-OTTER CREEK AREA
33 Canaan Backcountry	120	(5)
34 Lower Otter Creek Wilderness	125	(5)
35 McGowan Mountain	130	(5)
36 Dolly Sods Wilderness	135	(5)
SPRUCE KNOB-LAUREL FORK AREA
37 Big Run—Leading Ridge	140	(5)
38 Seneca Creek—High Meadows	145	(5)
CRANBERRY AREA
39 Cranberry Backcountry	150	(5)
40 Middle Fork	155	(5)
41 North-South	160	(5)
42 Tea Creek Backcountry	165	(6)
Part 4: Appendix	171	(1)
Contact Information	171	(2)
Index	173

Excerpts

Tea Creek Mountain Loop

This loop tours the Tea Creek Backcountry, a highland area of meadows, brawling streams, spruce woods, and rocky mountaintops. Begin at an altitude of over 4,000 feet, traveling through open country to enter the high elevation Right Fork Tea Creek, where beaver dams and meadows contrast with the northern hardwood-spruce forest. Then follow old railroad grades descending to the North Face Trail where level walking leads to Tea Creek Mountain Trail. Ascend Tea Creek Mountain, entering pure spruce forests and a rocky plateau with great views before completing the loop. Be aware the trails here are wet, rocky and uneven in places, slowing your travel. Add an extra mile if you want to visit the confluence of Tea Creek and Right Fork, where swimming holes and sunning rocks lie near a trail shelter.

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Excerpted from Day and Overnight Hikes in West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest by Johnny Molloy
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.