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The Highland Scenic Highway: A Million Acres of Backcountry Action
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West Virginia's Highland Scenic Highway just may be the perfect Blue Ridge road. Another backcountry adventure awaits around virtually every curve on this quiet stretch of highway.
The 43-mile corridor through the Monongahela National Forest features more than a million acres of hiking and biking possibilities (as well as cross-country skiing in winter). First, the National Forest Scenic Byway follows State Route 39/55 for 21 miles from Richwood to the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center (a great place to contact or stop) and then turns onto State Route 150 for the 22-mile Parkway section.
The Highway traverses the mountainous terrain of the Allegheny Highlands and Plateau, rising from Richwood's elevation of 2,325 feet to more than 4,500 feet along the Parkway. The Highway itself is a paved two-lane road with speed limits of 55 mph on the first half and 45 mph on the Parkway section. It's not maintained for winter travel and is normally closed from early-December to March.
After leaving Richwood, highlights on the first portion of the drive include the 42-acre reservoir, Summit Lake, as well as the Falls of Hills Creek Scenic Area. In this vicinity, three waterfalls cascade over rock layers of sandstone and shale. A 3/4-mile trail provides access to the falls. It's an easy introduction to the adventures ahead.
The Cranberry Mountain Nature Center is at the 21-mile point of the Highway. They offer information about the national forest, nearby attractions, and hiking and biking possibilities. An exhibit hall and audio visual programs provide interpretation of forest ecosystems and local history. Special programs and guided tours are available with advance notice.
Next, the Parkway portion of the drive features many overlooks, as well as Cranberry Glades Botanical Area. The largest area of bogs in West Virginia occurs within this 750-acre National Natural Landmark. Bogs are acidic wetlands typically found in Canada and the northern U.S. to protect this fragile area, a half-mile boardwalk has been constructed.
It's what you do after you stop driving that makes the Highland Scenic Highway so special. There are more than 150 miles of hiking and biking trails available from the Highway (the Highway itself is also great for biking). Mountain biking is permitted on most of the trails, but not in the actual Cranberry Wilderness. This special 35,864 acre area is managed for its wilderness attributes of solitude and natural conditions. Thus, biking is prohibited and there is minimal trail signing and a more primitive standard of trails.
But hikers and bikers will find more than enough to keep them busy for many days of two-foot or two-wheel exploration. Along with many scenic overlooks, there are dozens of excellent trails. Scenic overlooks provide spectacular views of the Allegheny Highlands and a hint of the trails to come.
The best scenic overlooks are Falls of Hills Creek, Cranberry Glades, Williams River Valley, Big Spruce, Little Laurel, and Red Lick. Some top hiking or biking picks include: Cowpasture Trail (6 level miles circling Cranberry Glades); Kennison Mountain Trail (20 stunning miles, with 80% above 4,000 feet); Cranberry River Loop (35 miles, with many side trails); Cranberry Dogway (28 miles); the popular Pocahontas Trail (20 miles, with eight different loops of varying mileage); and many, many more.
The remoteness of this area means you need to spend one or more nights there. The camping possibilities are excellent, with three options located a short drive from the Highway. Summit Lake Campground is two miles from State Route 39/55 and is near a beautiful 42-acre reservoir. Tea Creek Campground is two miles from the Parkway portion of the Highway and Day Run Campground is four miles away--both are located on the scenic Williams River.
All three campgrounds have rustic campsites equipped with a picnic table, fire grates, and space for a tent or trailer. They are available on a first-come/first-served basis (small fee) and are typically open from mid-March to early-December. Backcountry camping is also allowed in popular spots like the Cranberry Backcountry, the Williams River, and Tea Creek areas, with a pack-it-in/pack-it-out policy (just don't camp near trails or streams).
If camping isn't your sleeping bag, then you're still in luck. Just a 1 1/2-mile hike from the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center on the Pocahontas Trail, Cranberry Mountain Lodge is the perfect Highland Scenic Highway base. The seven-bedroom and four-bath lodge is located at 4,000 feet on Cranberry Mountain. The views off the deck are spectacular and often exceed 40 miles. The stunning structure was built by Wheeling residents John and Linda Grindley and they handle all arrangements.
A stay at Cranberry Mountain Lodge gives you an entire lodge and mountain to yourself. Except for the Nature Center, the nearest neighbor is four miles away. When you rent the lodge, you get the entire thing. Rates are based on the number of people and the length of their stay. Though it's obviously less expensive for larger numbers of people (maximum of 16), the rates aren't at all ridiculous for small groups of two or so. It's all spelled out on their website (see below). The longer you stay and the more biking and hiking friends you bring, the less expensive your Highland Scenic Highway base (and you also save money by cooking most meals in their kitchen).
The Highway is your road to Blue Ridge adventures. Whether you're hiking, biking, camping, or just enjoying the Lodge, the Highland Scenic Highway is the perfect Blue Ridge road.
RESOURCES
For planning a trip, contact the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center at PO Box 110, Richwood, WV 26261 (304/653-4826). The Pocahontas County Tourism Commission (800/336-7009, website: www.pocahontas.org) can also help with specific planning, accommodations, and more. Contact Cranberry Mountain Lodge at 125 Elm Street, Wheeling, WV 26003 (800/CALL WVA or 304/242-6070, website: www.cranberrymountainlodge.com. Nearby, Blue Ridge Outdoors favorite Elk River Touring Center (304/572-3771, website: www.ertc.com) can also help with advice, shuttle, food, accommodations, and more.
Article reproduced by permission from W. Lynn Seldon Jr.
"W. Lynn Seldon Jr. has spent the past fifteen years covering all aspects of travel writing and photography. His specialities include travel within the Southeast US and the Caribbean, outdoor and adventure travel, eco-tourism, cruise ship travel, boating, scuba diving, hiking, mountain biking, golf, beaches, resorts, cities and countryside. From complete travel information, including sightseeing, lodging and dining to outdoor adventures to hidden locales, he can cover the world or your backyard. Author of the Country Road Series of books and numerous others.
©Copyright 2001 W. Lynn Seldon Jr. Richmond, Virginia, All Rights Reserved.
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