October North Laurel Fork Trail Trip

“Buddur, Skully, HOI, Gonzo and any others. I know we talked about doing this trail again, but in the fall. I'm definately going prolly the first or 3rd weekend in October when the foilage is prime. We might be able to get some of the Michiganders as well as some east coasters along as well. It could be a great time.... sign up below and let me know what dates would be good for you.

BB”

“Are you talking about North Laurel Fork in the Mon?”

“Nope, sorry, I should be more descriptive:

It is in WVA, right across from Dolly Sods. You can actually see the Sods from some of the awsome views. I don't know where you live Gobeet, but you prolly would love this hike. We did it in Nov. or Dec last year during the Leonoid Metor Showers. It was truely an awsome experience.”

“Is that the weekend of TD's trip?”

“Td's is October 19-21, I think thats the same weekend. If you go the week before or after I would of come. Never been to that part!”

“Signing up G00SE, Sauron and myself. The first weekend in October is my birthday. I can't think of a better group of people with which to celebrate it so that's my first preference. I don't see any scheduling problems for us for any of the other weekends in October right now, though. So for us at this point it's whatever works out, works.”

“I was thinking of the North Laurel Fork Wilderness, which is some ridges and valleys away from the Sods. I hiked that trail back in the early 90s. I'm not familiar with the place you're talking about. Canaan Valley, New Creek Mtn, Otter Creek, Seneca Creek are within eyeshot of the Sods, but I don't know whether Laurel Fork would be.

I am still playing with a fall trip idea somewhere, and WVa was the first place on my list. Friends are also trying to get me to the Daks and OBX sometime in the fall, but I doubt money will allow either of those trips. I'll certainly keep this in mind. It would make a good beginning or end of a longer trip for me.”

“Buddha - Don't forget that the MI Walkindude trip is the second weekend of Oct.

How long is the trip you're talking about? I may be interested.

As of now, the first weekend is better for me. Wouldn't be able to make it on the third weekend.”

“I think Geobeet is referring to the Monongahila (sp?) forrest. If so Geo, yes that's the one.”

“Sorry it's North Fork Mtn. Trail not Wilderness. My mistake. It is near Seneca rocks.”

“Yes, the Monongahela. The trail runs along the creek valley. I've hiked from the powerline down to the campground and beyond into the South Laurel Fork Wilderness. That was part of a cross-country trek/adventure. Should be an interesting fall hike. Color me interested pending other plans.”

“This trail runs along a ridgeline. I'm not aware of the one you're talking about. There's no "Laurel" in the name of this one.”

“Aha, North Fork Mtn. Trail does have views up to the Sods. That would make a wonderful October hike. Still interested! That's the anticline capped by the Tuscarora sandstone. Seneca, Champe, and Judy rocks are the vertical western leg of the anticline and the summit of North Fork Mountain is the apex. Everything between has eroded away.

Believe it or not, I've never hiked up there, but heard the views are spectacular. Water is the main issue.”

“1st weeks awesome!”

“The laurel is in the thread title.”

“Yeah Buddha Bear, what about that "Laurel" thing in the thread title? Where did that come from? LOL!

You got the right one now Geo! And you are right on with the description and the issue. Carry it, cache it, or pray that the spring is running.”

“I screwed up, I don't know where I got "Laurel" from. ANyway, I didn't know that the cook-oof was in October! Sheesh that will mean 3 consective weekends of hiking for me.... swweeeeeeeet.

It looks like tentatively we'll schedule the 1st weekend of October as the date. Come one come all, it will be a blast.”

“I know the Mon pretty darn well, but every once in awhile somebody springs something new on me.

I was wondering, because Laurel Fork is divided into two wilderness areas separated by a gravel road and the campground. The north trail is pretty non descript and there are no views to speak of.

But North Fork Mtn is another matter entirely. I call myself the North Fork Mining and Mfg. Co., Ltd., because I usually plunder fossils off US 33 there. State trooper stopped and asked me whether I was okay one day. Little did he know ...”

“And Prowler man, if I come there's not a dam thing you can do to ruin the trip for me. It would be good to meet you.

Spring may well be running by then. With El Nino setting in we should be getting more regular rains. I think it's been pretty wet down there this summer. Always seem to be some clouds and green radar images hovering in the area on the Weather Channel.

It was wet as can be in early May. The place lived up to its name.”

“So Buddha, which dat ewill it be??”

“Now I have to convince G00SE that he really does want to drive/ride more than 400 miles just for a weekend hike. Wish me luck ¦ ) .”

“I don't have my calender in front of me, but it's the 1st weekend in October.”

“tell goose I havnt hiked with him in a long time since roan, he needs to come!!!”

“October 11-13 then !!”

“That's the second weekend in October. The first weekend is the 4-6.


I'm afraid G00SE got a little burned out on long distance driving this year. Something about putting 10,000 miles on his truck in 5 months. I don't understand how that could have happened ; )

.”

“da me!

i have 7000 in 3 1/2 weeks!!”

“Well if ya tell him I might come along and ruin the trip so he can Ban Geobeet he might want to make it.”

“Prowler, the first weekend in October is Oct 4-6.

Skullcap - which day is your bday?

Is this a one nighter? If yes...If I were to drive in late Friday, is there someplace close to the trailhead where I can camp.

Buddur - Would I be driving right by your place to get there?

Yes, I know, I'm full of questions. But, the right answers will help me to make the right choice. As of right now, I'm leaning towards going. Sounds fun. And, I'd like to meet some new people.”

“Three campgrounds nearby, all with fees.

Seneca Shadows has meadow camping in view of Seneca Rocks for about $5 a night.

Red Creek on Dolly Sods for $10 a night. But if you get up on the Sods you won't want to come down. Fair warning.

Big Bend is in Smoke Hole valley near the trail for I think $12 a night.

Depending on where BB plans to go in, I'd guess Seneca Shadows would be a good bet. It's on US 33.”

“My birthdy is the 6th. We would also be arriving rather late on Friday unless Sauron gets sick that day and has to miss school. I really don't like to do that. Right now that's not a day off on his school calendar.”

“It would make a seriously tough overnighter and turn Sunday into a very long day. I'll have to figure something out for us.”

“Ah Oh...You mean Prowler may be going on this trip???




























Just kidding!

I'd like to go but logistics dictate that I walk to the place, so I'll just have to read the post trip report and experience the hike vicariously.”

“Somebody HAD BETTER give you a ride or we'll chip in for a bus ticket. You're going!”

“Buddur - did you read my post above... If I go, I don't think it would be too far out of the way to pick your @ss up along w/ that cute dog of yers.”

“And if you can't get a ride, I could meet you in Bedford if you could get a bus to that spot.”

“hell ya Im going !!!”

“I checked MapQuest (I know I really shouldn't trust it). Looks like only 30 miles difference if I swing by your place.”

“GoBeet - we will drop off a car at the end of the trail (the bottom), and start at the top. We will also stash water at the midpoint. Friday night, if folks get in late, there is a campsite about a mile or two into the trail. I don't know how you folks feel about night hiking, so we might want to go to a pay site on Fri. night, hike about 13 miles on Saturday, and the remainder on Sunday.

Tara, depending on when you get off work, and if other Michiganders plan on going, we could meet at my place in C-Town and head out from there. It is about a 6 hour drive (tops), but well worth it.”

“Sounds like a plan. I will rearrange some vaca time to get down there on Friday.

Buddur, if you can't get there any other way and can get a bus to Bedford, the offer stands to snarf you up there and drop you off there on the return. Sure would be good to meet you.”

“I'm definitley interested in goin on this trip. I live in Huntington, WV which is about 4 hours away. I did Cranberry Wilderness back in Feb. which is part of the Monongahela forest and it was awsome, escpecially the Big Beechy trail.”

“DD is going, ive hiked with you once!!!!! Cool maybee more time to chat!”

“Count me in. I have a map of all the Sods. I'll have to check this area out. Not sure if its on there or not. Sounds like a good trip.”

“BB - Sounds good. And, I'm gonna check my schedule and see if taking a half day or whole day off is an option.

Also, I'm not opposed to night hiking as long as I'm with someone who has made the hike before.”

“Keep me posted iffin ya do any emails about this trip. I'm very interested.Being in my profession I sometimes have to cancel at the last minute.”

“We may end up doing a bit of night hiking also, although I'd rather not. As I remember the trail is rather rocky although it is easy to follow.”

“TD is the night hikin king!!!!”

“Id really like to go on this one, if Prowler doesnt mind dragging me along....”

“I aint gettin sick of you again!!


I may make enemies!”

“what are the distances like? will it be the 4th - 6th for sure? running girl, boy and i may make it. either of those weekends would probably be good. please put me on any email lists. mccracdb_1@msn.com”

“Well then...It looks like I'll'a be'a hikin' it too!”