Both single track (mostly advanced to extreme) and road riding are available, with potential for overnight stays in shelters along the Cranberry rd (FR 102). I had to go slow the last mile down to the river but it was manageable with my poles. There are oodles of excellent trails available throughout the Cranberry Wilderness for your day hiking and backpacking pleasure. The Cranberry Wilderness is a 47,815-acre (19,350 ha) U.S. wilderness area in the Monongahela National Forest of southeast West Virginia, United States. I spotted a couple trout in Cranberry River, although I wasn't fishing. The Cranberry River and surrounding landscape lie within the … But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. You can camp anywhere within the Monongahela National Forrest if you don't want to stay in the campground. one time the river contained so much acid that warm water species couldn't survive there. Wilderness area trailheads are located both along the Highlands Scenic Highway (WV 150) and on the Williams River Rd. It also seemed a bit more solitary than I expected: I only saw three people, and they were all on the service road as I hiked out Saturday. What flys work best? If this site is taken, it's only a short walk to the shelter and next camp site. Fishermen will find a variety of fish including brown trout, brook trout and rainbow trout here. The initial climb up to Kennison Mt is relatively steep but is over, for the most part, in about 1.2 miles. The last part of the Kennison Mountain Trail is a very steep, muddy downhill. Head west on the North-South Trail on a 4,000-foot-high ridge that winds between the Middle Fork Williams and North Fork Cranberry Rivers. Turn right onto FR76 (Black on the map). But hiking through the old-growth forest (where tall trees grow straight out of giant boulders!) Deep in the wilderness and unreachable by vehicles, the 16-mile backcountry section is well worth the hike. Continue straight on the Kennison Mount Trail as it climbs the ridge before reaching the junction of the Frosty Gap Trail in another 0.6 miles. The Fatty Factor model says avoid this river today! Turn right, staying on the Kennison Mount Trail, and in 3.7 miles cross Forestry Road (FR) 738A. Unfortunately the Cranberry River was running too high and fast to cross where we had planned on the second day so we had to alter our course. Forest, 3D The resulting hike was perfect. 304-799-4334 (Voice & TDD) Potomac Ranger District. There are oodles of excellent trails available throughout the Cranberry Wilderness for your day hiking and backpacking pleasure. We were there to trout fish the Cranberry river as were most people in the campground. Within the Cranberry River exists a steep, 6-mile section of rapids perfect for the intermediate or advanced whitewater paddler hankering for a ridiculously fun challenge. If so, I sure am glad I didn't drive 3 1/2 hours each way with a 35' camper to find it out! One mile beyond the tunnel, you arrive at the trail’s end. You’ve got countless options for day hikes, but a good start would be the 5-mile Black Mountain Trail, #412 along the Highland Scenic Highway. The river consists of two sections; the easily accessible lower section and the remote backcountry section, which is the real crown jewel for anglers. ), and the river stripped those off me four steps in and I had to cross in bare feet--a risky, foolish thing to do. We hiked a portion of this hike along the Cranberry River. Description Parking is suggested at the Kennison Mtn parking area on Hwy 39. The Cranberry River is a confluence of its North and South Forks which rise on Black Mountain and Cranberry Mountain, respectively. Employment: Jobs at Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine. Bicycles and groups of over 10 people are prohibited in the Wilderness. Current fly fishing conditions are terrible. It is a part of the Mississippi River watershed, by way of the Gauley, Kanawha, and Ohio Rivers, … The 47,815 acre Cranberry Wilderness in the Monongahela National Forest is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Head upstream on the non-blazed Cranberry River service road passing the Birchlog Trail, Tumbling Rock Trail and Shelter, North Fork Shelter (stay right where the North Fork Trail splits left), and South Fork Shelter … ), but no bears. Search for other Farms in Cowen on The Real Yellow Pages®. Types of trout include brown, brook, rainbow, and golden. The Cranberry River is a confluence of its North and South Forks which rise on Black Mountain and Cranberry Mountain, respectively. Description Parking is suggested at the Kennison Mtn parking area on Hwy 39. Within the Cranberry River exists a steep, 6-mile section of rapids perfect for the intermediate or advanced whitewater paddler hankering for a ridiculously fun challenge. At the intersection of forest road 738b I got several pictures of a large black bear before it wandered on into the woods, and while making the descent to Cranberry River I was charged by a pheasent with little ones. Thought I'd add a few things I noticed to complement what everyone else has said. The USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) publishes a set of the most commonly used topographic maps of the U.S. called US Topo that are separated into rectangular quadrants that are printed at 22.75"x29" or larger. I saw bear prints and bear scat (who knew bears could improvise?! Undeniably lovely, dark and deep, these could very well be the woods that Frost was describing. The beauty of the river was … The Middle Cranberry consists of class III and IV rapids, an 80-feet-per-mile gradient, and numerous blind drops, including the especially tricky S-Turn. The Forest Service maintains seven camping shelters along the Cranberry River and about 75 … Author greg Posted on July 9, 2015 Categories Kansas Tags cranberry, woods, wv Leave a comment on Cranberry woods … View of Route, View all 12 archived reviews for the Cranberry River hike, 2 Days: 6.0hrs-9.0mls Day1, 6.5hrs-9.9mls Day2. The Forest Service maintains seven camping shelters along the Cranberry River and about 75 miles of hiking trails throughout the back country. Author greg Posted on July 9, 2015 Categories Kansas Tags cranberry, river, wv Leave a comment on Cranberry River Queer Branch shelter. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. USGS 03187500 CRANBERRY RIVER NEAR RICHWOOD, WV. If you’d like to spend a few nights in the forest, try out a beloved. Save. It’s the largest Forest Service Wilderness Area in the eastern United States, and rather mountainous too, with elevations ranging from 2,400 to over 4,600 feet. Best backpacking trails in Cranberry Wilderness, West Virginia 129 Reviews Explore the most popular backpacking trails in Cranberry Wilderness with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well … Needless to say, always practice Leave No Trace techniques. Reviewed February 20, 2017. If you're interested in doing this hike, my advice would be read through everyone else's excellent trail reviews on this site and GO DO IT! Cranberry River, West Virginia Fishing Report. Cranberry River Fishing Reports Recently shared catches and fishing spots. Cranberry River. 102 bridge at the South Fork Shelter. I got started later in the day than I wanted, and had to hurry a little the first day. It feels like someone put in a couple switchbacks, then said, "Oh, to heck with it--let's just get up this thing!" A paddling adventure on the Middle Cranberry should take approximately 4 hours to complete, but don’t stop there; the Cranberry Wilderness has plenty more to offer after you’ve (victoriously) risen from the water. We split the second half of the loop into two days. From what I can find online, there are no shelters along Dogway, only shelters are on Cranberry … It gets its name from its proximity to the Cranberry River and the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area, a ... and there are plenty of camping options along the trails, including some AT-style shelters, found on the official Cranberry Wilderness trail map. The 47,815-acre Cranberry Wilderness located in Monongahela National Forest is not for the faint of heart. 9 hours) - it was a lovely hike, not too strenuous elevation-wise, just a lot of distance. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The loop winds from the North-South Trail, which runs between Middle Fork Williams and North Fork Cranberry Rivers, onto Laurelly Branch Trail, Big Beechy Trail, and finally the very rugged North Fork Trail, before concluding back at the trailhead. Turn right onto FR76 (Black on the map). Anybody have info? via mobile Read all 2 reviews Jason H. Newark, Ohio. 80 44. M il es Cou nty L TR 207 6.5 M il es Bg chy T R21 3. This is a low 4, almost a 3. Whether you’re baitcasting, fly fishing or spinning your chances of getting a bite here are good. In the Cranberry Backcountry, this 18.9 mile circuit hike traverses a ridge of old growth forest, and follows the banks of Cranberry River. All three forks are excellent for brook trout fishing, but the backcountry section fosters plenty of rainbow and brown trout. Shelter where Cranberry River passes under the service road. All the roads are gravel except for a short segment on Hwy 39, which has an ample shoulder. USGS 03187500 CRANBERRY RIVER NEAR RICHWOOD, WV. Leave no trace, right?) The Cranberry River stretches 41 miles in central West Virginia within the Monongahela National Forest. From this point, Cranberry River will be on the left and out of view. Cranberry Weather Forecasts. So me and my friends did this hike as a three day venture in the last weekend of October. The trip described here is a result of our failed attempt. Stocking Information Its hard being the bearer of bad news, but it is … Tweet. Head upstream on the non-blazed Cranberry River service road passing the Birchlog Trail, Tumbling Rock Trail and Shelter, North Fork Shelter (stay right where the North Fork Trail splits left), and South Fork Shelter where Cranberry River passes under the service road. 304-257-4488 (Voice & TDD) White Sulphur Springs District. Many use bicycles to get into the backcountry. Get reviews, hours, directions, coupons and more for Cranberry Forest Farm at 800 Williams River Rd, Cowen, WV 26206. Parking a second vehicle at the Cranberry campground. It’s very likely you won’t be ready to head home after just one day, so check out the shelters available along the water for overnight trips. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. From this point, Cranberry River will be on the left and out of view. It is a part of the Mississippi River watershed, by way of the Gauley, Kanawha, and Ohio Rivers, draining an area of 74 square miles (192 km2). 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