North Fork Mountain Trail (WV) March 19- 20

“we should definitely get the cars shuttled and the water dropped Saturday night. Hopefully the road conditions will be good so that we can successfully drop the water at the mid trail point.”

“My cabin is in that area...if any of my family members are there that weekend they'll have no problem moving a couple of our cars.”

“thanks Dub”

“There are good camp spots in the first few miles that are sheltered on the west by rock walls.

I've camped about a half-mile in.”

“that should work”

“Just signed up as a maybe. The mileage is a bit agressive for me for a 2-dayer. I assume you meant to shuttle cars and stash water on Friday night, EarthNsky?”

“yeah that's the plan. We may night hike a mile or so in on Friday to get a little head start, but we're still looking at 10-12 miles each day for Saturday and Sunday.

Hope you can make it TNT. This be a good'un.”

“It's fairly level hiking so 10-12 per day isn't too much to consider imho. If I go along I might just meet you half way. The southern half is so-so and I've done it already.”

“What he said.

Starting in the middle and going north would be more reasonable for a 2-dayer.

That would give more time to horse around on the rocks and take pictures.”

“Since its level it might be doable. I just know I start to really feel the trail in my feet by mile 11.

What about the snow that time of year? I can deal with the cold, but I don't have anything to deal with deep snow (snowshoes).”

“we may see some snow, but I wouldn't expect much. I don't think any special gear will be necessary.”

“It's no more or less "level" than the AT in Maryland.

I think it's between 2,400 and 3,800 with ups and downs.

From the north parking area it is a long steady climb for the first mile when headed south.
Going down that grade gave my knees a hard time.

We ran into some drifts, but mostly little or no snow.”

“I'd really like to do the whole trail, but I'll go with the group decision on that.”

“If I get to go, I'll meet folks at the middle. I'll prolly come on down Friday, set up camp and relax while the gaggle troops north. Bring those cameras.”

“I never go hiking with out! I sure hope we get clear visibility. Gosh, I bet the views are tremendous.”

“Where will you likely camp Jo? Somewhere around the halfway mark? If so, I'll go as planned and hike until I find your camp.”

“Yeah, treemendous!”

“as in the trees block the views? It looks like a lot of it is exposed ridge and rock outcroppings.”

“Just kiddin'

The views are a poem!@!”

“I thought so. Looks like the trail pretty much follows a cliff. Which means I need to be extra careful.
last edited: 1/19/05 3:25:30 PM”

“This trip is looking cooler by the minute. ENS, is your plan to night hike 12 miles?”

“no 2 at the most”

“Oh ok, I was thinking, if we get an early start, we could do like 5 miles on Fri. I don't know where the campsites are though.”

“I suppose we could go as far as we can. From what I have read, there are a lot of campsites along the trail. I'll be leaving straight from work. I don't think I'll get down there until 9 and by the time water is dropped and cars are shuttled it will be getting late.”

“Yea your prolly right, I was thinkin' 'bout taking the day off, or at least a half day, to get down there at a decent hour. Depends on the Soul Man, I don't think he has any time left? Mr. P Whata ya say?”

“I'll probably try and leave work a little early that day.”

“as i recall this trail, trees and rocks do block the views from the trail a good part of the way....but at almost any point on the trail, you can walk off to the side a few feet and get tremendous views....

also, i don't remember skirting the edge of cliffs or anything like that....”

“sticks to the middle of the ridge line? It doesn't look like a very wide ridge though. Are you coming with us Gonzo?”

“BS...

See, if you were on IM, this would've been done and overwith already...

Anywhoo, I'm planning on taking 2/18 off of work for Red River Gorge down in KY, so I think I would need to work at least a partial day. What do you say I skip the office 'round about 2 PM so we can get out by about 3 or so?”

“I would prefer to hike this as a two-nighter.

That would leave more time to enjoy the views.

23.8 miles is quite a scamper is just two days.”

“I would but I can't get off that friday and neither can Phantom Soul. That's the only problem.”

“I have Fri-Sat off anyway and would have to take off Sunday.....not a huge problem.

Maybe I could do some water droppin' on Friday and get started From Route 33/south end and you race horses could catch me from behind.

The way into the middle parts for the water drop is miles of gravel roads.....slow going.”

“if we cut the southern end of the trail off, will we miss any of the good scenery?”

“Yea, that works, put us there 'bout 9pm.”

“that would only leave 6 miles each day to hike. Which isn't a whole lot. But would give us more time to see the views and play on the rocks like you said.”

“maybe what we could do is, start at the middle part of the trail, I hear it's tough getting up there though. Friday night maybe we could night hike south from the middle and then camp a couple miles south of the center. Saturday, get up and then proceed north. Hike 8 miles Saturday and 6 miles Sunday, considering we do a 2 mile night hike friday.

We wouldn't have to worry about water as much then.
last edited: 1/19/05 8:12:24 PM”

“I'm down with what ever you want to do. Just being "out there" is amazing enough for me.”

“hiking 10-12 miles on Sunday could mean a latenight driving home. The northern section has the best views too.”

“The south half is not nearly as nice.

The huge cliffs are in the north half and there is a good place to car camp Friday night in the middle.

Nailing the whole thing is cool for braggin' rights, but the north is much nicer.

Giddy yap on the late night driving home.

There are nice places to camp near the cliffs in the north half.

It would be good to leave a relatively short hike out on Sunday.
last edited: 1/19/05 8:24:23 PM”

“yeah, I'm down. I want to enjoy the trail and enjoy the views. that takes a bunch of weight off. We'll do the northern half of the trail.”

“....and still arrive Friday night, huh?”

“yeah. friday night is still on.”

“Friday night it is. Now, I'll be guessin' that BS and I will be a-gittin' thar 'round 9 P M”

“i'll prolly be rollin in that time too.”

“Party Friday night somewhere in the middle of North Fork, then lather rinse repeat on Saturady night...oh nevermind.”

“Good morning. I'll volunteer to bring several gallons of water along and cache it half way for y'all. I'll park half way, MarkO will know the spot and meet y'all on those cliffs Saturday night.”

“if we do just the northern half of the trail, do you think we should still cashe water? I guess there wouldn't be any springs to fill up on.”

“.....it looks like i'll be joining you boys...I've been keeping an eye on this trip and initially it seemed way too aggressive for 2 days and when someone came to there senses and chopped it half....I said "now were talkin'"....”

“ENS....nope no need and no way to do it. Just lug a jug and you'll be fine. Th eoffer stands. I'll bring along some water and leave it for y'all.”

“thanks JO! I think we'll stick with the northern half of the trail and go with quality over quantity this time around.”