North Fork Ridge Trail

Hike Name: North Fork Ridge Trail Location: east WV Length: 24 Submitted by: Michael Palm Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more West Virginia trail reviews West Virginia national parks West Virginia state parks
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Description
Except for the lack of water, the trail is ideal for a 2-3 day backpacking trip. Once on top of the mountain, the trail is moderately level and easy to follow. Rock outcroppings a few yards off the trail offer spectacular views both East and West and along the North-South range of the cliffs on the West side of the mountain. Vegetation is mainly hardwoods with fern beds and acres of wildflowers such as spring beauty. Deer and turkey are likely to be seen, and sometimes wild goats forage on the trail. Bears are not much if an issue, as with most of this area. Starting from US33 trailhead, the trail ascends through a grassy area and enters the woods on an old road. The first .4 of the trail is on private property (trail markings are sparse). Blue blazes start after first .4. (Be wary of spur trails that shoot to over looks). At 1.7 miles the footpath becomes a woods road and a more even treadway. Laurel, flame azaleas and wintergreen border the trail. It skirts East of a rocky knob at 5 miles and arrives at a rocky area with vistas at 5.8 miles. At the 7.5-mile mark the trail gradually ascends to an outcropping at 8.2 miles where Seneca Rocks can be seen far below. Trail then descends steeply on an old jeep trail to pipeline and gravel road swath. Somewhere near the 11-mile mark, the trail's highest point (3795 ft), the path passes a radio tower. The trail continues north, passes a large rock formation at 17. 5 miles and descends to the 18.7 mile mark where there is a sandstone formation sculpted by wind and ice into a honeycomb shape. The views here are the highlight of the trip. There is another campsite at 21-mile marker. Another tenth of a mile up the trail is a spur trail (marked by a cairn) that will lead to Chimney Top, another spectacular view. There is no camping at Chimney Rocks. After Chimney Rocks the trail descends and turns rocky for 3 miles and meets CO28/11 at 23.8 miles.

Directions to Hike
Use map to get to Seneca Rocks and Smoke Hole Caverns. The South trailhead is off of US 33 at the ridge crest of North Fork Mountain (9 miles west of Franklin, 5 miles east of Judy Gap). There is a small parking lot on the side of the road at either end of the curve. The North trailhead is .3 miles south on CO28/11 from WV28 (east of Smoke Hole Caverns). Parking is available for 5-8 cars at this trailhead, which is marked by a hiker sign. Up the trail 50 yards is a larger sign and space for a few tents.

Contact Information
Monongahela National Forest
200 Sycamore Street
Elkins, WV 26241
(304) 636-1800
www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf

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