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Post by dunkard on Oct 20, 2015 6:11:51 GMT -5
Can someone inform me if they know of any camping pulloffs along the first part of the forest road, somewhere between the gate and Moore run TH preferably closer to the gate? I remember some further in near the intersection on Moore run trail and some at the end near Yellow Creek Trail head. Not looking for anything fancy just a pulloff and flat area to pitch a tent. Going to be getting a late start and need some place to call it a night near the truck. Haven't been up there this year, last I was aware they unlock the gate on Mcgowan Mnt in the fall, is this still the case? Does anyone know if its open now? Its schedule to open the middle of august but things change with the government and would like to know for sure. Thanks in advance
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vdeal
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Posts: 616
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Post by vdeal on Oct 20, 2015 9:43:23 GMT -5
Well, normally nowadays you would check the Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM) for the area in question. The is how the USFS is now posting road openings and closings. Unfortunately, the Cheat Ranger District is not listed on the Mon NF's webpage. I find this a bit disconcerting since that is how they say we will be informed. At this point your only option is to call the Ranger Office in Parsons and ask, and then give them grief for not having it posted. As for camping spots - uh, not sure. I've only driven to the Moore Run TH and don't recall any spots to camp. You could just go down Moore Run Trail a few yards and find a spot.
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Post by Admin on Oct 20, 2015 13:47:37 GMT -5
Wasn't the Potomac and Cheat districts combined a few years back? Maybe the gate openings and closures are listed under Potomac?
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vdeal
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Posts: 616
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Post by vdeal on Oct 20, 2015 14:50:54 GMT -5
Nope, the Potomac District map does not go over that far and it does show Cheat Ranger District on it. I believe I have last year's Cheat District map at home. I'll check.
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Post by dunkard on Oct 20, 2015 15:27:10 GMT -5
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Post by jnk556 on Oct 20, 2015 17:25:59 GMT -5
I have never been back on that road myself, always was gated when I got to fernow. I can tell you though do not go by their MV use maps, they are never right. Personally I know of quite a few FS roads that are on that map that are open year round. Best bet is to call the office in Parsons.
Tell you the truth, a few years ago Arfcomhkr and I hiked McGowen Mtn. trail over to Moore Run Tr, and when we hit the trail junction, we heard a vehicle, and people talking on the FS road, and this was in June. Wasn't FS folks either.
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vdeal
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Posts: 616
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Post by vdeal on Oct 20, 2015 19:10:35 GMT -5
This time of the year with hunting season I would suspect it is open but I know they used to gate it. Again, call the Ranger station at Parsons to be sure. BTW, I hiked McGowan Mt. trail a few years back on a warmish January day (came in from Moore Run TH) and it was the lushest, greenest trail I think I've ever hiked. Felt liked a hobbit world. Ended up raining on us on the way out and changing to snow on the drive home.
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Post by jnk556 on Nov 8, 2015 14:54:28 GMT -5
I know it's late now, but I drove up through there today, gate is open of course, and road is in very good shape. Trail head at moore run is in terrible shape, the signs have all been ripped down. As far as camping spots, there is a really nice spot just past the trail head, on the right, in which it looked like some hunters had a nice camp set up in today. Other than that there is one other wide spot for a camp between moore run and fernow.
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