Possible trail closures
Jun 4, 2015 13:10:12 GMT -5
Post by vdeal on Jun 4, 2015 13:10:12 GMT -5
I just ran across a note from Allen de Hart on his work for the upcoming 9th Edition of the Mon National Forest Hiker's Guide:
I think what is happening is that the majority of users are concentrating on popular areas like Dolly Sods and Otter Creek and the FS is working with a limited budget and figures very few people use these other trails. Many of the trails are in the Laurel Fork Wilderness in WV or slightly outside of it. I know Mike has some hikes that use the Beulah Trail and McCray Run trail I believe and they are crucial connectors between Laurel Fork and the West Fork Trail and by extension the Allegheny Trail. Now closure doesn't mean trails are unuseable as I have personally used trails abandoned decades ago but some become nearly impassible due to lack of clearing (ask me about the old Little Black Fork Trail at Seneca). It might be nice for folks to check out some of these other trails and disperse usage and let the FS know that they are used. Unfortunately there aren't that many trail registers any more. I've seen this happen in the Horseshoe Run area and now it looks like they're aiming at Laurel Fork and Cheat Mountain and isolated trails.
Other assistance from past readers is to comment on changes they have noticed in trail conditions. My research shows only a few new trails, a few renewable trails from past closures, and a number of trails being considered by the forest service to drop. An example for closures in the Greenbrier District are South Branch Loop Trail, Grants Branch Trail, Middle Mountain Trail, Beulah Trail, Forks Trail, McCray Run Trail, County Line Trail, Little Mountain Trail, North Fork Deer Trail, Spring Box Loop Trail, and Strip Mine Trail.
The forest service has also listed some trails as “in the grey” meaning more public involvement is needed before deciding what to do about closure. Examples in the Shavers Area are Stonecoal Ridge Trail, Whitmeadow Ridge Trail and Crouch Ridge Trail.
Among the new trails is the unique Honeycomb Rocks Trail on the Highland Scenic Highway in the Marlinton Ranger District.
The forest service has also listed some trails as “in the grey” meaning more public involvement is needed before deciding what to do about closure. Examples in the Shavers Area are Stonecoal Ridge Trail, Whitmeadow Ridge Trail and Crouch Ridge Trail.
Among the new trails is the unique Honeycomb Rocks Trail on the Highland Scenic Highway in the Marlinton Ranger District.
I think what is happening is that the majority of users are concentrating on popular areas like Dolly Sods and Otter Creek and the FS is working with a limited budget and figures very few people use these other trails. Many of the trails are in the Laurel Fork Wilderness in WV or slightly outside of it. I know Mike has some hikes that use the Beulah Trail and McCray Run trail I believe and they are crucial connectors between Laurel Fork and the West Fork Trail and by extension the Allegheny Trail. Now closure doesn't mean trails are unuseable as I have personally used trails abandoned decades ago but some become nearly impassible due to lack of clearing (ask me about the old Little Black Fork Trail at Seneca). It might be nice for folks to check out some of these other trails and disperse usage and let the FS know that they are used. Unfortunately there aren't that many trail registers any more. I've seen this happen in the Horseshoe Run area and now it looks like they're aiming at Laurel Fork and Cheat Mountain and isolated trails.
