I have always wanted to canoe it, good whitewater when the river is up. This 24-mile trail has countless views of the Smoke Hole canyon and North Fork valley. The only gauge on the South Branch of the Potomac River above Smoke Hole Canyon is at Franklin, WV, which is about 19 . Before the early-20th-century chestnut blight, the American chestnut was also common here. The former was previously called FR 74. Smoke Hole Canyon often referred to as just Smoke Hole, is an awe-inspiring gorge spanning 20 mi (32 km) in West Virginia. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Adkins 220, Grant 4 would have been who your shuttle driver was. This run is perfect for an intermediate paddlers first try at a small river/creek experience that includes fairly continuous rapids. [13], The earliest settler families were followed, a generation or two later, by a second wave the Kimbles, Alts, Stumps, Judys, Helmicks, and Kettermans. Two paddlers and heavy on the camping gear. Views of the Canyon can be had along the 24-mile (39km) long North Fork Mountain Trail to the west where sods and cedar barrens can be visited. With most local men of military age away for the duration of the War, the depredations of local Confederate partisans known as the "Rebel Raiders" included a number of ambushes and killings. Never done overnight, only ever done it in one day. Drinking water is not available so remember to bring your own. Kids who enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and camping may also find Smoke Hole Canyon to be an exciting destination. It was wonderful! A cave with the largest concentration of wild mammals in the Central Appalachians. Canyon Road, Pembroke, ON; 613-637-5508; DIRECTIONS; Madawaska. Passing on down the river, one encounters Fishing Rock and Fishing Rock Ford and finally comes, at 3.8 miles from the entrance, to an intersection near Shreve's Store, the Smoke Hole Campground and the old Palestine Church ("Old Log Church"). United States. Did not see a trout after the put in at Big Bend. South Fork of the Potomac River near Petersburg, WV. Maple sugar, maple syrup and wild honey were all available with a minimum of effort. Other trailheads for NFMT, which looks down upon Smoke Hole from the west, are also located along Smoke Hole Road. The river continued to come up after we took off about noon on Sunday. Post here so everyone can benefit. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please enter a valid email address (formatted as name@company.com). The Canyon is a prime area for neotropical migrant birds i.e., those that spend their summers in the US but migrate to South America for the winter. maybe 2)and made it out with *just* enough water. The canyon is a popular destination for fishing, with the South Branch of the Potomac River offering opportunities to catch trout, bass, and other species. Vivamus id nisl ligula. Email:alex.kew@mail.wvu.edu. Smoke Lake to Ragged Lake. In 1965, much of the Smoke Hole gorge was included in the MNF's new Spruce KnobSeneca Rocks National Recreation Area. It was here, at cave and spring, that Confederates operated a salt petre works during the Civil War. Area to Parsons), South Branch of the Potomac(US 220 to Smoke Hole Picnic Area), South Branch of the Potomac(Smoke Hole Picnic Area to Petersburg), South Branch of the Potomac (Petersburg to Sector), Williams River (Tea Creek to Three Forks). Anyone have any experience with water levels and rafts? what is the best place to park at the take out, for overnight? Keep in mind that because this is one of the more popular places to embark on a paddling trip . Be sure to watch in HD. The take-out is at a public river access site in Petersburg on the north side of the 220 bridge. He served in the 3rd, 4th, 8th and 12th Virginia Regiments and was present at, Calhoun, H.M. Sr. (13 November 1930), "Tales of Historic Smoke Hole and Seneca Rocks Interestingly Told", from a column in. Camping in Smoke Hole Canyon is a great option for those who love the outdoors. The main and traditional entrance into the Smoke Hole is from the south through a water gap between Big Mountain and Cave Mountain about two miles north of the community of Upper Tract. I recall him being big into recurves. [35], The prairie-like regions and associated cedar glades around the Smoke Hole Canyon are the largest groupings of such habitats in the Central Appalachians, and a number of unusual disjunct or regionally endemic plant species are known from the Smoke Hole. The Civilian Conservation Corps stationed a battalion in Smoke Hole between 1934 and 1936 and constructed a popular recreation area there. Trees (Other locations rumored to contain the booty include Mercer, Wisconsin[39] and a farm in northeastern Ohio.[40]). Turn left onto the Smoke Hole Road, Route 28/11, and travel for 13 miles to County Route 2. West Virginia provides. Many exist nowhere else on Earth. The stratigraphic column exposed in this region contains Lower Silurian to Middle Devonian sandstones, limestones, and shales. We parked at Eagles Nest Outfitters and arranged a shuttle with them. Reply. Sunday morning we considered putting in at Big Bend and paddling down to Petersburg through the canyon as a day trip, but that would have involved running at least 3-hours of shuttle and paddling 15 miles from Big Bend to Petersburg. Sep 2020. This species is so uncommon that the few small patches found among the rocks of the Canyon walls are thought to be the largest population in the world. We had two boaters come all the way from Tennessee! The takeout is in Petersburg, WV. Rapids..Landslide was a fun rapid, even had some brand-new boaters that made it through just fine. Be aware of private land and do not trespass. It included the Canyon as part of the greater Smoke Hole-North Mountain Bioreserve during its "Last Great Places" campaign. Coastal plain pine barrens atop Panther Knob. My trip was the last weekend of April in 2017 and we had 90 degree weather so it was dropping fast. Address Example: 1550 University Ave, Morgantown, WV 26506. There are many opportunities for rock climbing in the canyon, from the walls just inside the Route 220 entrance, to soaring Eagle Rocks, to the shaded walls of Long Branch, the steep stiff routes of Sanctuary and the miles of cliffs lining the west face of North Fork Mountain which can be accessed from trailheads on the canyon rim. No description has been added yet for this paddling location. Smoke Hole Caverns and wonderful gift shop, Seneca Rocks and Seneca Caverns, Explore Nelson Rock's rock . The fire grew through the first night, despite rapid response efforts by the Franklin, Seneca Rocks, and Upper Tract Volunteer Fire Departments, as well as crews from the USFS. Level Contributor . Most of the land in the Smoke Hole is managed by the Forest Service and is open to hunting and subject to West Virginia hunting regulations. We had rain most of Saturday afternoon and during the night, but it did not bring the river up very much. The staff and guides aren't overly welcoming, but it shouldn't keep you from visiting the caverns. The Smoke Hole region has become a primary protection project of The Nature Conservancy, which purchased an 1,126-acre (456ha) easement there in April 2004. A variety of tiger beetle lives in the sandy, cobblestone habitats along the banks of the South Branch. A 2010 documentary film The Search for Dillinger's Gold, directed by Cam Lemley alleged that infamous gangster John Dillinger (19031934) buried three boxes of gold bullion in a cave somewhere in the Canyon. Another dozen or so smaller caves have also been documented. Hey wooden nickel. Some old timers call the canyon "Smoke Holes" and claim Native Americans used the caves for smoking meat. (Eagle returned after the war and is buried near the 300-foot-high crag that bears his name. The prairies support a wealth of species, such as prairie flax and side oats gramma, that are otherwise found west of the Mississippi. a couple class II + (Landslide Rapid upstream of Blue Rock and an old dam soon after joining the North Fork. brevis), a member of the mint family, has some of its few worldwide occurrences within the Smoke Hole area. After the morning paddle trip, some people went sight-seeing in Seneca Rocks, some took a nap, and at one went fishing. Please enter a valid email address (formatted as name@company.com). Be aware of private land and do not trespass. A third popular story is that the fires of moonshiner's stills during prohibition days (and before) gave the gorge its name. Looked like the was a rock at the entrance that could wrap a canoe if you got sideways on it. Some old timers used to refer to the area as the "Smoke Holes". Resources from 18 other states provided personnel and equipment. (NB: Both Grant County Route 28/11 and Pendleton County Route 2 are indicated on maps as "Smoke Hole Road". No one is certain where Smoke Hole got its name. One winter gathering of over 100,000 bats of several species constitutes the regions largest concentration of wild mammals. The canyon is steep sided and 11-12 miles long. Bartow: (304) 456-3335, Marlinton-White Sulphur District It lies in the Allegheny Mountains and was created by the flow of the South Branch Potomac River. [38] Lemley travels no fewer than eight times into the Canyon in search of the swag, estimated to be worth about $10 million. Defined to the east by Cave Mountain and to the west by North Fork Mountain, Smoke Hole has been part of the Monongahela National Forest's Spruce KnobSeneca Rocks National Recreation Area since 1965, although some of it is still private land. The 1996 flood in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia spread the seed throughout Smoke Hole, and now it is the most abundantly growing plant in the area. Additional avifauna include bobwhites, robins, cardinals, kingfishers, turkey vultures, and various owls, hawks, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, swallows, and wrens. The only maintained trail strictly within the Smoke Hole gorge is the 3.5-mile South Branch Trail, a loop trail starting at river level from the FS picnic area (now abandoned). Big Bend Campground is located on a peninsula in the river and features 46 sites with hot and cold water and flush toilets from April 15 to Oct. 1. rock formations and great camping spots. All I have to go from is American Whitewater recommendations from the Franklin Gauge, minimum of 2.5 feet. Its caves are therefore protected during critical months. Big Bend constitutes an unusual "peninsula" in the river; the river here loops for about 1.3 miles back to a point just 350 feet from itself. This is an overnight trip on the Smoke Hole Canyon section of the South Branch of the Potomac River. Over the next 12 days, more than 190 personnel were dedicated to fire suppression efforts. Despite its distance from the GTA area (about a 6-hour drive), it is a very popular area of Algonquin Park and can be quite difficult to book during the summer months. Ive never had an issue with the rebar BUT it could also change with any high water event. Don't forget your Bilge pump on this trip, we only had one in the group and spent time passingit around after most of the significant rapids. Petersburg: (304) 257-4488, Gauley District Fishing is extremely popular along the river throughout the canyon. I am getting ready to take a overnight from Big Bend down to Petersburg and I'm trying to decide canoe or 12' raft with oar frame. Report inappropriate content . (Not uncommonly, an offender would serve his term, be released, and promptly resume production.) In this article, well take a closer look at what makes this hike so special and why it should be on your bucket list. Did it last year in a 4-man shredder and camped near Blue Rock. In addition to moving forward with traditional acquisition and protection of core parcels, our plan includes researching and restoring key ecological processes such as fire, reducing competition from non-native weeds, and creating a deeper public understanding of this landscapes ecological values and conservation needs. Inbox. Smoke Hole Canyon Photo Jim Hopkins Tucked away in the Monongahela National Forest, Smoke Hole Canyon is unlike any place you've ever visited. About 3 miles on (mile 20.7), the river debouches from the Canyon. One such gorge is the Smoke Hole, where the South Branch of the Potomac River squeezes between North Mountain and Cave Mountain. Bat guano and other organic debris support an array of invertebrates specially adapted to this bizarre ecosystem. [citation needed] The prairie flax (Linum lewisii) is a widespread western species quite rare in the east. Bald eagles also nest in the surrounding mountainsides and great blue heron can be seen hunting at river level. On Saturday at noon the Franklin gauge was reading 2.64 ft and 68 cfs. Despite all the rain, I think everyone had a good time and I never heard anyone complain about the weather. The Cave Mountain anticline is asymmetric to the northwest with a slightly overturned northwest limb. [31], Overall, this region reveals the interior of this thrusted anticlinal-synclinal structure and presents a phenomenal exposure of complex central Appalachian macroscale structures involving the Silurian-Devonian package of rocks. Geologically, the Smoke Holes are the most uniquely exposed region within the westernmost central Appalachians and they have served as a surface model for complex subsurface structures shown and/or suspected by seismic and exploratory drilling. West Virginia University Trip Details Trip Dates: 5/29/2022-5/31/2022 Difficulty ranges from Class I to Class III+. A man from Oklahoma, claiming to have been a member of Dillinger's gang, hired a local in 1965 to help him locate the legendary loot. The marvels even extend underground, into extensive limestone caves. We ended up taking 3 canoes with Wingman Cooler stabilizers. This area was the center of the "town of Smoke Hole" proper, site of an official post office for a time. Smoke Hole Canyon is also home to a variety of plant life, including rare species such as the Virginia spiraea and the Allegheny monkeyflower. At this period, local grade school children could attend a long-established local, one-room schoolhouse, but those few who were ambitious enough to try and attend high school had to walk seven miles (each way) to catch a school bus. The anticline appears to divide into several plunging folds upsection, at the Lower Devonian strata level, toward each end of the fold. [23], During the Great Depression, many of the few people then living in the Canyon left to find better jobs, and their homesteads were consolidated among a smaller number of landholders. Grouse and turkey hunting is popular. Here's the deal, 250 CFs is at Franklin, which is a solid ten plus miles upstream. on official, secure websites. About 185 million years ago, a seven-mile thick sheet of sedimentary rocks began to buckle and fold. Popular activities in Smoke Hole Canyon include fishing (rainbow and golden trout; largemouth and smallmouth bass), hunting (squirrel, grouse, turkey, deer, rabbit and bear), hiking, rock climbing, caving, canoeing and camping (Big Bend Campground). This package of rocks is bounded on the lower and upper ends by two fairly competent sandstones: the Silurian Tuscarora and the Devonian Oriskany (Ridgeley), respectively. We will plan to meet Friday afternoon in Petersburg at the take out and set shuttles. Many stories centered on the production of the illicit homemade liquor known as "moonshine". Yes, but are required to be kept on a leash in the area. Parking may be limited at many of our preserves. This is one of the most recommended routes for beginners. However, the landslide rapid and the old dam rapid made me gladder I was in a raft. We had nine boaters for the trip on May 11 and 12, 2019, including one kayak, one tandem canoe, one ducky, and five solo canoes. by Matt Dumoulin, Awesome Canoe trip down the Smoke Hole Canyon in West Virginia! Keep an eye out for eagles here. Midwest prairies nestled within the Smoke Hole canyon. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Hot showers are also provided. The area is rather isolated and remote with parts accessible only by boat or on foot. If walking up an drains on the left to smoke hole road be careful of rattlers. With its rugged terrain, cascading waterfalls, and stunning vistas, this trail is a must-visit for any outdoor enthusiast. | Fruit of common pawpaw (Asimina triloba) in the lower Canyon. Shreve, D. Bardon, with Estyl C. Shreve (1997), The first trustees were Alfred Kimble, Jacob L. Kimble, J.H. The network of mountain roads formerly connecting homesteads and farms throughout the Canyon is now largely abandoned. (304) 636-1800, Cheat-Potomac District The dry, prairie-like areas along the upper knobs and ridges of the Canyon are home to a variety of typically western plants such as prairie flax. This situation continued to prevail for several generations. From here a steep Forest Service road switchbacks 5.4 miles up to the former site of the North Fork Mountain Lookout Tower. I usually float with the water until I get to the confluence of the North Fork then gauge whether I need to paddle some or slow down and fish more based on what time I get to that point. Smaller game animals include red and grey foxes, raccoons, opossums, beavers, mink, wild turkey, cottontails, squirrels, and quail. Help the paddling community! it was a lot of fun but next time I would really like to take the raft for ease of packing along gear and getting to fish more efficiently. Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings. Search our site to find more information about your next trip. Canoeing, fishing and hiking are popular activities. You must be logged in to reply to this topic. I would not have enjoyed running those areas in anything other than a raft. Livestock, especially swine and sheep, were typically free-ranging and huckleberries and chestnuts were harvested from the wooded mountainsides in quantity. ? Was generally not impressed with the fishing but the scenery is stunning. 21 miles. Map showing recreational areas. I looked at my notes and we did a three day float back in 2015. 'No, I reckon not,' is the reply, 'but hit'll hold nigh onto a bushel.'[22]. For those Tom Thomson fans, the area . Published on April 11th, 2017 | website belongs to an official government organization in the The plant species mix is unique: common Appalachian plants along with prairie species such as prairie rocket, Indian grass and little bluestem. Today, The Nature Conservancy considers Smoke Hole and the surrounding mountains to be "one of the most biologically rich places in the East", especially as regards its rare plant communities. Its not a difficult float. These plants are more commonly found west of the Mississippi River. in Smoke Hole Canyon, WV Phasellus cursus rutrum est nec suscipit. [16] Confederates again mined there during the American Civil War. The variety is compelling, even to the most casual observer. Be aware of private land and do not trespass. Large and smallmouth bass are also plentiful. The understory of the Canyon woodland includes such low-lying, fruit-bearing vegetation as huckleberry, blackberry, raspberry, teaberry, and wild grape. No trips have been created that use this paddling location. Fishing is good for trout and small mouth bass. Located at the end of Smoke Hole River Road, the Big Bend Campground contains 46 campsites in three loops. An official website of the |. Then the plains themselves were violently uplifted and broken. This cave (not to be confused with the commercially developed Smoke Hole Caverns, just outside the Canyon, or with Smoke Hole Cave in the Canyon itself) is now better known as Cave Mountain Cave. The populations of bison, elk and cougar that attracted the earliest settlers to Smoke Hole have long since gone. Local constables sometimes cooperated with the "revenuers" in busting up the stills, but at other times were themselves participants in moonshine production and distribution. I took my 14ft NRS with rowing framed packed with gear and the levels ranged from 3.0 to 3.25 on that trip. Smoke Hole Canyon Canoe Trip - YouTube Smoke Hole Canyon Smoke Hole Canyon AboutPressCopyrightContact usCreatorsAdvertiseDevelopersTermsPrivacyPolicy & SafetyHow YouTube worksTest new. Grant County Route 28/11 also proceeds from this intersection and traverses the northern half of the Canyon well above the river level for about 12 miles (19km) where it exits the Canyon at WV Route 55/28. White-tail deer were also exterminated from the area, as they were from the entire state, by about 1900. If parking areas are full, or if you find you cant social distance at any trail or preserve, it may be best to visit the area at another time. Follow 28/55 from Petersburg, WV, for 8 miles. Elkins, WV 26241 [10]) Another Revolutionary War veteran settled there in the years after the conflict, but he Charles Bleachynden had been one of the enemy: he was one of the Hessian soldiers (German mercenaries) surrendered at Yorktown in 1781 with Lord Cornwallis' forces.[11]. Hopefully someone local decides to cut it outwhen the water levels drop this summer. It was truly a remarkable section that should most definitely be treated with respect. Petersburg ; Hotels ; Things to do ; Restaurants ; Flights ; . Campsite List [8] The parents of Revolutionary War veteran William Eagle (17611848)[9] arrived shortly afterward. A bit further on, Cat Path Rocks, a perpendicular cliff, has been partially cut through by the roadbed and is followed by another outcropping known as High Rocks. Smoke Hole Canyon, West Virginia, May 11 and 12, 2019, This topic has 0 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated. Formerly, a primitive wagon road threaded its way through the lower Canyon, but most traces of this are long gone. (This is about 1.5 miles along Pendleton County Route 2 beyond the bridge where US Route 220 crosses the South Branch.) From the picnic area bridge to Petersburg is 21 miles, while the trip from Big Bend Campground to Petersburg is 15 miles. Unfortunately, the forecast was calling for up to an inch of rain Saturday night and we did not want to run the risk of getting caught in the canyon with really high water on Sunday. But he said he jumped at the chance because, besides offering him a new adventure, it gives him a chance to further his environmental work in the Arctic region. According to Peter Fischer, MNF Fire Management Officer, it was the largest wildfire in the Monongahela National Forest since the 1950s. Enter a search term like, Seneca Rocks, or Coopers Rock State Forest., Adventure WV Along with occasional Saturday night jaunts to Petersburg or Franklin, one of his choicest entertainments consists of gathering in jeans-clad groups on Saturday and Sunday afternoons in Shreve's store, there to discuss crops, hunting, and politics. The anticline trends N 34 degrees E, and is faulted along the southeast-dipping Cave Mountain thrust against the southeast limb of the Wills Mountain anticline (North Fork Mountain). General regulations apply June 1 through February 28. Ut et ultrices nisi. [12] But it has also been suggested that a misty fog often lies along the river and ascends, thus evoking a "smoky hole", and that this is possibly the origin. If you are planning a trip to Smoke Hole Canyon, be sure to consider some of the following: Are dogs allowed? West Virginia kayaking, The International Stand Up paddling Magazine, The International All Paddlesports Magazine. The forest is a drivable distance from cities like Washington D.C. and Pittsburgh, yet the density of flora, fauna and picturesque mountains seem like a world away from any city. Remember: Using others' images on the web without their permission may be bad manners, or worse, copyright infringement. Smoke Hole Canyon is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including black bears, bobcats, and bald eagles. Caves are common in the area. Visitors can explore the canyon on foot via hiking trails, or by water via kayaking or canoeing on the river. After another half mile, the South Branch collects the North Fork South Branch just below Cabins. Again, the worst issue I had with the raft was pushing through all the flat water on the lower end of the run. The Cave Mountain anticline is further structurally bounded to the northeast and southwest by major cross-strike structural discontinuities: the nearly east-west trending Petersburg lineament and an extension of the northwest-southeast trending Parsons lineament, respectively. Wind and water wore away the softer layers, wearing down the mountains, and creating a region of rolling plains. To manage or opt-out of receiving cookies, please visit our. Can you help me? A remote canyon lined with cliffs and caves, mountain lore, and pioneer haunts, join us as we explore the Smoke Hole Canyon to learn of its history and of it. Global sites represent either regional branches of The Nature Conservancy or local affiliates of The Nature Conservancy that are separate entities. The big-eared bat is highly sensitive and needs exacting conditions to hibernate. where did you put in and about how long was the float? [32][33], Unnamed cliff (part of the Alt Cabin Anticline) along Smoke Hole Road, Exposed rock layers near Big Bend Campground, Blue Rock, composed of the Late Silurian Tonoloway Formation limestone, in the lower Smoke Hole Canyon, Bottomland in the lower Canyon (looking upstream). The canyon offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, with opportunities for panoramic vistas from various overlooks. Some are home to the endangered Virginia big-eared bat and are therefore closed to visitors during critical nesting or hibernation periods. By this time about 50 families resided in the Canyon in 1941 there were 260 residents associated with the post office at Smoke Hole and another 49 around the one at Ketterman, three miles downstream[24] but World War II accelerated the out-migration and long-term population decline. The excess fabric at the top of the structure is the smoke hole and smoke flaps. [31], A number of small shelter caves in the Canyon are developed in the Oriskany Sandstone. The oldest explanation appears to be the story that Native Americans used a well-known cave in the gorge (Smoke Hole Cave) for smoking meat; this cave has a room shaped like an inverted funnel with a hole at the apex through which smoke could escape and be seen from some distance. I guess he just could'nt hold it!! Anthony Creek (Neola to Greenbrier River), Bluestone River (Spanishburg to Eads Mill), Bluestone River (Eads Mill to Bluestone SP), Dry Fork of the Cheat(CR 26 to Hendricks), Gauley River (Curtin Bridge to Persinger Creek), Meadow River (East Rainelle to Russellville), New River (Glen Lyn, VA to Bull Falls, WV), North Branch of the Potomac (Styer to Shalamar), North Branch of the Potomac (Barnum to Bloomington), North Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac (Judy Gap to Seneca Rocks), North Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac (Seneca to Hopeville), North Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac (Hopeville Canyon), Shavers Fork (Stuart Rec. We will camp Friday night near the put in at Jess Judy Group Campground and then Saturday night on the river. Smoke Hole Canyon traditionally called The Smoke Holes [1] and later simply Smoke Hole is a rugged 20 miles (32 km) long gorge carved by the South Branch Potomac River in the Allegheny Mountains of eastern West Virginia, United States. The blue-blazed trail follows the river upstream, ascends part way up Cave Mountain, passes fields and old farms on its way back downstream, and then drops back down to the river nearly opposite Shreve's Store. [28], The canyon offers excellent class II - III whitewater paddling for several months in the spring when the water levels are high enough. Discover trails like Potomac Highlands Loop Seneca Rocks and Smoke Hole Canyon West Virginia, find information like trail length, elevation, difficulty, activities, and nearby businesses. Stop at blue rock as it might be the best camping spot in wv. This is an overnight trip on the Smoke Hole Canyon section of the South Branch of the Potomac River. Forty percent of all the endangered Virginia big-eared bats remaining on Earth and the largest colony of endangered Indiana bats left in the East reside here.
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