otter creek wilderness report

“brandy and I arrived at the mylius trailhead on thursday afternoon a little later than we had anticipated, so we altered our hiking plans accordingly?.we hiked up the old logging road and onto a narrow trail up the side of shaver mountain through the beautiful fall colors?.after reaching the summit, we descended through a thicket of rhododendrens to our campsite at otter creek?.that night, we were kicked back on the rocks beside the creek, enjoying our unobstructed view of the october skies, when we heard an incredible commotion and were treated to the sight of two (F-18??) fighter jets ripping through the west virginia night not far above treeline and right over our heads!!

next morning, we broke camp and headed north along otter creek?.the weatherman?s predictions were coming true as a steady drizzle slowed our progress?.we were greatly impressed by the beauty of this area, with many, many waterfalls and swimming holes in evidence?.we found a gorgeous meadow with an old trail shanty near the junction with possession camp trail?.this might be a suitable location for a future tt summer gathering?.plenty of room for everyone to spread out?.

by mid afternoon we had grown tired of slogging along in the downpour and found a suitable campsite already stocked with a large supply of firewood?.we built a big fire and warmed up with some minestrone soup and jalapeno crackers?.mmmm!! we spent the rest of the day playing on the rocks beside the creek and eating like pigs (my 2nd favorite trailside activity)?.it rained hard all night?.

we got an early start on saturday morning?.the day dawned sunny and warm?.crossed the creek and located the green mountain trail heading east?.it was tough going all morning up the (slippery) steep uphill grade?.we broke for lunch at a big open meadow just before the eastern junction with possession camp trail?.after lunch we filled our water bottles from a nearby spring and headed out?.met up with a couple of young hikers who told us that we had just missed seeing mama bear and her two cubs?.it was about this time that we first started realizing that we were not on the trail that we thought we should be on?.we had missed a trail duck and had to retrace our steps for about a mile?.continued up the mountain to the (also confusing) intersection with the shaver mountain trail?.found the trail shanty and decided to set up camp nearby....this is a beautiful location right at the edge of a steep cliff with a view forever?.i set out to find the spring that was described on page 98 of the monagahela national forest hiking guide?.severe storms have knocked trees down all through this area?.in order to reach the smallish spring, you have to crawl on your hands and knees back through a big tree that has been snapped off?.we built a big fire, enjoyed our supper, topped it off with some spiced cider, and hit the sack early?.

there is a current thread on trailtalk which asks about ?your most frightening trail experience??.mine was this particular night?.i don?t know how strong the wind was that night, but I do know that it was strong enough to scare the living crap out of brandy and me and that I didn?t get any sleep at all?.it was picking up the tent and moving it up and down and shaking it while we were in it?.trees were laying straight over?.the roaring noise sounded like one of those movies where you are in the midst of a tornado or hurricane?.we couldn?t both leave the tent at the same time for fear that it would blow away?.fierce, fierce winds?.

by morning, the wind had calmed somewhat and I set out to get water for our morning coffee?.i was tripping on down the trail in the dawn?s early light when I spied a dude all dressed in camo from head to toe, face blacked out?.i figure it?s a bow hunter (bear season just started) until I note that he is carrying a semi-automatic weapon?.?good morning, sir? says the ever friendly gonzo?.the dude just grunts and starts walking rapidly the other direction?.about this time I notice several other individuals in similar garb milling about the area, perusing topo maps?.the ever observant gonzo remarks ?i certainly do hope that you gentlemen are u.s. military!!? this comment elicited an affirmative grunt which prompted the ever helpful gonzo to inquire ?are you lost?? turns out that this intersection of trails was confusing to the united states army as well as to brandy and gonzo?.we compared maps and a consensus was reached?.they thanked me for the directions?.i thanked them for defending the free world?.then I went and made coffee?.

we broke camp and headed along the ridgetop shaver mountain trail?.it dripped rain all morning and we met several more soldiers heading up the trail toward their appointed destination?.talked with a couple of locals on horseback and several other hikers?.made it back to the trailhead by noon and changed into clean duds for our six hour drive back to the buckeye state?.all in all a very relaxing long weekend (away from the kids!!) in a most pristine setting?.highly recommended area!!”

“Tooo funny, Gonzo! Glad that you and Brandi survived the windstorm and the lost commandos. It does sound like a great place.”