|
|
Post by arfcomhkr on Feb 11, 2015 15:21:44 GMT -5
Do you get to that by crossing the low water bridge and FR 810?
|
|
vdeal
Forum Elder
Posts: 616
|
Post by vdeal on Feb 11, 2015 17:28:46 GMT -5
The South Branch Trail begins at the S end of the Smoke Hole Picnic Area and ends at the N forming a loop by going up around Cave Mt. You do indeed cross the low water bridge on FR810 and drive it to the end. I've never done the trail though I've thought about it a few times. It's only 3.5 miles long and out of the way for me.
|
|
|
|
Post by arfcomhkr on Feb 11, 2015 18:52:49 GMT -5
OK, that's what I thought by looking at my topo. I took a look at it the other day, but the gate was locked right across the river from the bridge.
I'll hike it the next trip in here. This little area between Petersburg and Franklin is still a little new to me as I've only had this place for a little less than a year.
|
|
WoolyBully
Full Member
Walking slow.....
Posts: 32 
|
Post by WoolyBully on Feb 11, 2015 20:05:29 GMT -5
As of around 2009 or so, the section on the other side of the low water bridge was piled with debris and certainly not driveable. But it looked walkable. As I remember, when driving north, the low water bridge is just past Eagle Rock. This is a real nice section of the Monongahela NF, with Big Bend Campground, Smoke Hole Canyon, and the North Fork Trail to the west. It looks like parts of the South Branch Trail would be visible from the North Fork Trail. I want to go back.
|
|
|
|
Post by arfcomhkr on Feb 11, 2015 21:46:45 GMT -5
As of around 2009 or so, the section on the other side of the low water bridge was piled with debris and certainly not driveable. But it looked walkable. As I remember, when driving north, the low water bridge is just past Eagle Rock. This is a real nice section of the Monongahela NF, with Big Bend Campground, Smoke Hole Canyon, and the North Fork Trail to the west. It looks like parts of the South Branch Trail would be visible from the North Fork Trail. I want to go back. It was pretty well cleared of debris the other day. I imagine they have to get after it quite a bit as often as the river comes up in there. There wasn't even a stick of driftwood anywhere. |
|
|
|
Post by jnk556 on Feb 12, 2015 11:42:21 GMT -5
I'll hike it with you next time over. I had seen it on a list of trails, but never really knew the area enough to search for it. I'll look it up in the hiking guide.
|
|
|
|
Post by arfcomhkr on Feb 12, 2015 14:30:44 GMT -5
You have to cross the river just to see the FR#. There isn't any on the Smoke Hole road side of the bridge (that I can remember).   |
|
|
|
Post by jnk556 on Feb 12, 2015 17:32:17 GMT -5
You know, I think that is the low water bridge that all the hillbillies were hanging out on back in july when we went fishing up there ain't it? I always figured it was a private road, don't think you can see that sign in the summer with weeds.
You take the truck across?? What's over there?
|
|
|
|
Post by arfcomhkr on Feb 12, 2015 17:47:51 GMT -5
You know, I think that is the low water bridge that all the hillbillies were hanging out on back in july when we went fishing up there ain't it? I always figured it was a private road, don't think you can see that sign in the summer with weeds. You take the truck across?? What's over there? A Gate.  Just out of the picture to the left. |
|
|
|
Post by jnk556 on Feb 12, 2015 18:19:09 GMT -5
Go figure a gate. I think there is a picnic area over there, so maybe they open it in summer?
|
|
|
|
Post by panhandler on Feb 13, 2015 18:01:51 GMT -5
Go figure a gate. I think there is a picnic area over there, so maybe they open it in summer? I thought I remember reading that it was closed/destroyed after the big flood? |
|
|
|
Post by jnk556 on Feb 13, 2015 19:34:47 GMT -5
Which flood, there's been so many?
I can't find hardly anything on the place, guess we'll just have to walk back in...
|
|
|
|
Post by arfcomhkr on Feb 14, 2015 12:09:52 GMT -5
Go figure a gate. I think there is a picnic area over there, so maybe they open it in summer? I thought I remember reading that it was closed/destroyed after the big flood? That's possible. It's about impossible to drive that road and gawk at the same time. If you try that, you're going to end up in the river or swapping paint with someone. So I don't recall catching any glimpses of any sort of structures across the river. Just have to walk it next time. |
|
Just out of the picture to the left.