Trail Updates
SECTION ONE UPDATES
CHEAT CANYON HIGH WATER ROUTE.
Hikers should review the information in the Hiking Guide concerning the high water route around Cheat Canyon. Hikers are cautioned that blazes disappear on this high water route, particularly at the Southbound turn at Beech Run Rd. The Hiking Guide does not contain turn-by-turn directions for the high water route. Here they are:
High Water Route around Cheat Canyon turn by turn N-S directions: Just past the church at N-S MP 13.2 there is an intersection, the low-water route turns R on PCR 14/4 (Bull Run Rd.), the high water route continues straight on PCR 14/5 (Harmony Ridge Rd.) and follows approximately 2.8 miles. Then turn R on PCR 23/26 (Beech Run Rd.), and follow approximately 0.5 miles. Turn L to continue on PCR 23/26 (Beech Run Rd.) about 5.2 miles. The low water route will rejoin from your right at a DNR trailhead at N-S MP 25.8. Continue down Beech Run Rd. to N-S MP 25.9 where you will find Teter’s Campground on your left and Friends of Cheat (FOC) Primitive Campground on the right.
High Water Route around Cheat Canyon turn by turn S-N directions: at S-N MP 69.4 you will find Friends of Cheat (FOC) Primitive Campground on your left and Teter’s Campground on your right. To follow the High Water Route continue up the hill and past the DNR trailhead at S-N MP 69.5, and continue on PCR 23/26 (Beech Run Rd.) instead for about 5.2 miles. Turn R to continue on PCR 23/26 (Beech Run Rd.) for about 0.5 miles. Turn L on PCR 14/5 (Harmony Ridge Rd.) at the intersection, follow approximately 2.8 miles where the low water route will rejoin you from the left (Bull Run Rd.) and you will continue on PCR 14 (Mt. Nebo Rd.) to S-N MP 82.1 where the Mount Nebo Baptist Church is on your left.
SECTION TWO UPDATES
GLADY FORK HIGH WATER ROUTE
N-S MP 13.8 describes a decision point for the high water route around the washout. This decision can be delayed until N-S MP 16.9. The low water bridge over Glady Fork is found at N-S MP 17.0, where you can get an idea of whether to attempt the washout. If Glady Fork is too high, just backtrack and follow the high water route from N-S MP 16.9.
N-S MP 18.2 is the Washout. The rock steps that are described are no longer there. The washout is generally passable from May or June through November.
WEST FORK HIGH WATER ROUTE
N-S MP 2.10 Reach US-250 turn LEFT (not right). US 250 is blazed down into Durbin.
SECTION THREE UPDATES
N-S MP 0.0 There is a restaurant in the town of Cass.
N-S MP 4.6 There was a good pipe spring on the hillside here in Sept 2020. You will encounter equestrians in this area, they always have the right of way.
N-S MP 9.49 Seneca State Forest Hiker shelter does not provide much shelter due to open sides and does host mice. This shelter is adjacent to an open road. There is some evening traffic on this road, locals, and bear hunters training their dogs. Seneca Springs Shelter at N-S MP 11.49 is favorable to this shelter because it is not near a road, offers more shelter, and has water nearby.
N-S MP 11.32: Seneca Spring Shelter is on your right. This shelter was constructed by WVSTA volunteers in 2003-04 on the flagstone floor of an old CCC picnic shelter that finally collapsed. The old fireplace and chimney were incorporated into the new structure with warm results. The shelter sleeps 10 comfortably and 15 max. To the left (east side of the ridgetop) is a blue-blazed trail leading to a spring 150 yards over the hill.
N-S MP 15.29 A gravel parking area with room for 4-6 cars has been added at the intersection with Thorny Creek Mountain Rd.
N-S MP 19.19 There is a wildlife pond on the right about 100 yards from the trail, prior to the turn onto the less-traveled woods road. Wildlife pond water can be murky but works in a pinch. Just pre-filter through a bandana (must have two dirty receptacles for this method) to take out the larger particulate before treating. We like to bring tru lemon packets and sugar or drink mix for these occasions.
N-S MP 20.98 Exercise caution around the Marlin Mountain Shelter where there are known to be snakes.
SECTION FOUR UPDATES
Section 4 North N-S MP 07.50 The Boy Scouts of America and the Graham family cooperated with WVSTA to erect a shelter on Smith Knob (The shelter was the product of an Eagle Scout project by Matt Bordas in 1995). Another Eagle Scout project (Jared Pomeroy in 1997) produced quite an elegant outhouse, complete with stall-type doors.
Section 4 North From Slash Lick Road (MP 11.91) south to the Eastern Divide Sign (MP 13) you may see no trespassing signs posted. Continue following the blazes through those areas.
Section 4 Gap N-S MP 6.1 There is a nice Food Lion here, but there is no motel in WSS any longer. At the Food Lion, there is a commuter bus that will take you to Lewisburg for $1.75, where there is a Walmart. If you are hiking S-N and seem to have forgotten anything, now is the time to grab it.
Section 4 Gap N-S MP 21.4 Moncove Lake State Park campground is about 1 mile from the trail and is closed in winter.
A good place to check out when you plan a trip in the vicinity of the south disjunct portion of Section 4 is Tingler's Mill.
The outfitter advertised on that website has been known to offer shuttle service, and the Swinging Bridge Restaurant and Depot Lodge are nice places to have a little R&R when you come off the trail.