trips - ROARING PLAINS - TheBackpacker.com

Trip Info

Dates: 10/5 - 10/8/12
Trip Organizer: Refrigerator
Location: Monongahela National Forest

Number of Attendees: (view all)
1 yes
0 maybe

Description

Approx 6 of team members are heading to Roaring Plains and will ascend Haystack Knob... this is a rare GEM to see. Very few backpacker go here each year. If you think you have what it takes then come on and join us.

Meet up at the Gate at the END of FS road 70. FS Rangers have confirmed this road will be open.

First night....Park at the end of FS 70 at the gate. Cross the pipe line and just to the right you will see Roaring Plains Trail sign. Continue for approx 3 miles on Roaring Plains Trail. First night camp will be in the pines on the right. There are several camp rings on the left side of the trail we will be on the right side of trail approx 1 tenth mile into the pines. Roaring Plains trail intersects with the Canyon Rim as this is where we will be.

Day 2....We head to Haystack Knob approx 7 miles but we may bushwhack up along an old jeep trail cutting off a couple miles. Water is scarce along this route. There is a water hole approx 1 mile from Haystack. Tank up here.

Day 3....head back to our original first night camp and drop down into the Canyon Rim Trail. There are a couple water holes along this route. Camp will be near the TEE PEE Trail.

Day 4... continue along the Rim Trail back to the pipe line and our vehicles. We should be out by noon on Monday.

A special note...WATER is scarce along this entire route. You might want to bring along a couple extra Nalgene or water bladders so as to tank up at the few water holes available.

This is Black Bear country so be Bear wise.

I have detailed map if you need it.

[email protected]

DIRECTIONS>>>>

From Canaan Valley, West Virginia: Take 32 south. Stay on 32 past the state park intersection then begin your descent out of the valley. Take a hard left onto Laneville Road. Laneville Road is very curvy and precarious in spots and ends at Laneville and Forest Road 19. Before Laneville turn right onto Bonner Mountain Road to reach the Flatrock Run Trail head on the left (not far after the bridge over Red Creek at a small gas pumping station). At Laneville, Forest Road 19 starts up the mountain. There are two trail heads on FR19 for South Prong Trail on the right hand side. The first trail head is closer to the bottom of the mountain where the parking is off the road. The second trail head is near the top of the mountain just beyond the FS70 (FS70 is gated). Take a RIGHT on FS 70 and drive to the gate at the pipe line.

From the east: From Petersburg, West Virginia take 55 West. Pass Smoke Hole Caverns on your right, and then pass a small gas station on your left. Soon after you�ll reach Jordan Run Road, a right-only turn. Turn right onto Jordan Run Road. Go 1 mile up the mountain and then turn left onto FR19. Go about six more miles to the top of the mountain. You are almost there. At the top stay left and then pass the picnic area on your left. There will be a signed trail head with roughly eight parking spaces on the left hand side for the first trail head for South Prong Trail. FS road 70 is just 2 tenths mile past this Trail head. Take a LEFTt on FS 70 and drive to the gate at the pipe line.