October North Laurel Fork Trail Trip

“I'm only riding along but, I believe the plan is to leave my house at 3am, Friday. I'm not too sure how long it'll take to drive six hundred miles....I imagine we'll be arriving around 4 or 5?”

“I might have a complication. I wanted to haul a$$ out there on Thursday night, but I just remembered (checked my work schedule) and found that I have an arbitration case to argue on Thursday. Normally, they take about 3-4 hours, but this one is a harrassment case, which means it will be much longer, and, possibly, could boil over to FRIDAY. I'll do my best to Johnny Cochran out of it early, and will go no matter what, I just may be arriving much later then I thought.”

“bb....

try playing the race card....







tell them you must race over to roaring plains and check out the gorgeous views, breathe in that clean west virginia air, gaze at the evening's starry splendor, etc, etc....

they'll have to let you out of there early after a presentation like that!!!


i will be getting over there in the very early afternoon....oneish??

i can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

“oh, i'm so jealous. i wish i could go, and meet all of you.

damn people getting married.”

“Buddha - I want to believe you're still coming... But, I keep having visions of the trip YOU planned to Zaleski. :-)”

“Some of you coming from the west may be unfamiliar with the approaches to Roaring Plains.

I like to take I70/I68 to far western Maryland and Route 219 south through Oakland, Md to Thomas, WVa.

From there its Rt 32 south through Davis to Dry Fork just south of Red Creek and left(east) on the road to Laneville(not sure of its name).

About 3-4 miles on the right is the Flat Rock Run trailhead.
It is right by a gas wellhead and goes through Donnie's horse farm.
Access to this trailhead is totally paved and in a valley and is thus good in winter, by the way.

Another few miles along the Laneville road takes you to where FR 19 exits the Monogahela NF.

It is only a few miles up FR 19(gravel) to the Roaring Plains trailhead and not too hairy.

The approach to the RP trail from the east(Rt 28....Petersburg) is 6-7 miles UP a gravel road that is hairy in places.

From Parkersburg, WVa it is Rt 33 east through Elkins to Harmon.
From Harmon it is just a few miles north on Rt 32 to the Laneville road on the right.

Some may take Route 50 east into West Virginia and south on Rt 219, etc.

Going by way of Laneville would make for a "one stroke" shuttle drop.......no scootin' back and forth those gravel roads.
The round trip from trailhead to trailhead and back could take an hour.

I hope that helps someone.
Check out Buddur's map links.

I might be arriving there late Thursday or early Friday.
Anyone else?”

“That would be HARMAN, WVa”

“Thanks, Tom. MS Streets had me coming in from the east. You saved me 50 miles each way, and the "hairy in places" part. I don't like driving the huge van on "hairy".”

“Have a "Roaring" time.

And burn one for me.”

“Bowl-a-rama!!!”

“You're welcome, le Subtil.

Those who are coming from the west to Laneville take note.

There is a road, also to Laneville, that joins Rt 32 NORTH of Red Creek.

DO NOT GO THAT WAY!!!

THIS ROAD IS VERY NARROW WITH DROP-OFFS!!!

Take a good look at the TOPO map on Buddur's link.
This road roughly parallels the road I described as "Laneville Road" and joins with it just past the Flat Rock Run trailhead.
From the junction it is just a couple of miles to where FR 19 exits the Natl Forest.

The proper road goes east from Rt 32 South of Red Creek and the "village" of Dry Fork.

Also be careful on Routes 219, 32, 33, etc.
These roads are no picnic, especially at night.
Hopefully, the pertinent road signs will not have been too badly shot up by local gunners.

Good luck, and keep all four on the road.”

“Ill be there late Thursday or early on Friday so if you want to get a bite to eat, maybee a short hike let me know!”

“how's everyone going feel about dogs?”

“Good news maybe! The slimey attourney repping the Board call to offer me a deal today. if my client takes it, it'll save me about 100 hours of work from now til' 10/3. I hope she takes it, eventhough we're gonna win the case anyway.”

“dogs dont bother me as long as there under control! I have been with dogs that hike on my heels then I end up short stepping because Im kicking them in the jaw the whole time.LOL

I have a dog a MAY bring but doubt it. She is TO calm for me thow.”

“My dog is coming with me come he!! or high water!”

“dogs are A-OK w/ me.”

“Local Weather Link for the area.
Radar Link showing precipitation.
Satellite Link showing cloud cover.”

“Wow, it's cooler there than it is here in Michigan!

So, tell me about W. Virginnie...will there be ticks and other nasty ol' bugs? Gaitors necessary?

I'm glad to have a doggy or two along. If mine were calmer they'd be coming along too.”

“Prowler-
Where you at?

I can be there Thursday only if I can get off my arse and get my $hit together.
It could happen.

A Thursday night commando hike would be cool, unless its raining.

Hmmmmmm, Elkins has a Tex-Mex joint that was pretty good a couple of years ago......its a college town.
Otherwise its diner food, some of which are good, and the dreaded fast food.

Sassafras-
I don't think we will run into any biting bugs and about ticks, there are deer and maybe ticks.

There may be wet grass and brush to walk through.

The temperatures in October could go from highs of 70 to lows of 25 with snow possible in the highlands.

The Allegheny Front gets lake effect precipitation and clouds right on top of you at times.
The growth is way more lush than the mountains east of there.
If we are lucky we'll get clear skys and 30 mile views.

The trip DOWN Flat Rock Run Trail descends from the alpine plateau through New England type hardwoods(maple, beech, black cherry...)

It is usually very wet there, even in the highest places.
I keep my boots well waxed.

Dogs, dogs???

Bring on the dogs!”

“Thanky Tom! I'll pack accordingly.”

“I'm watchin' the ten-day forecast.

More'n likely we'll see temperatures down to 35 and up to 60.

Sooooo, ya handin' off the little one?”

“Birch is staying home with her. He is taking one of his three remaining vacation days so I can go.”

“Release the hooooooonds!”

“What the heck's a hond? Some sort of crazy W. Virginia mountain monster? Do you relaese them only when Northerners come to visit? Is there a repelant we can purchase?”

“Oh, just thinkin' about havin' all those dogs along for the walk.
Pity the wild animal that tries to intrude on camp!

Stayin' home with the babby, what a guy!”

“I had planned on this trip at first but have decided to go mid Oct, for 4 days. I liked it so well up there last month I'm goin back. Sounds like a good trip ya all have goin. If its your first time at the Sods you will plan a longer trip next time. I started at the blackbird knob trailhead the last time and spent 3 days out in the wilderness section and was overwelmed by the structure of land. Hell, I'm goin back for 4 days. I did a day hike on the South prong trail on my way out. Nice but the northern section was my favorite.If ya get there early for a day hike. Rohrbaugh plains trail to Fisher Spring Run up to FS75 is killer. Later”

“i put myself down for a maybe but im out.”

“If you are coming from the west make sure you turn left at Mcdonalds in Elkins. Easy to miss this.”

“lets vote: duct tape sucks - 1”

“It sticks, don't it?”

“This trip still on right!!??”

“It is, but they're posting on the Roaring Plains Oct. 4, 5, & 6 thread Prowler.”

“hey prowler, go here. this is the other thread for this trip. see you friday.”

“AHHH!! what a trip!! I met up with everyone friday morning at the trailhead. Waited untill 3pm for Goose and Scully which didnt showed up untill that night.

I decided to bail around 2:45 since I was there since 8am. Saterday I blasted out early and decided to disapear for the rest of the trip. Of course letting everyone know that they probably wouldnt see me again for the rest of the trip, so dont worry.


I think I just wanted some time alone for this trip. Things have been crazy lately and needed some time away, solo time, to get my head straight.

West Virginia is in FULL bloom and definetly worth going, im shure a few will have some better trip reports on the hike. ALL IN ALL it was AWESOME!!!! One hell of a rain storm!!!!!!”

“wrong thread......”