Laurel Fork North Wilderness

Laurel Fork North Wilderness
Part of Monongahela National Forest
Wilderness Area
Sign for Laurel Fork Wilderness on Middle Mountain Road.
Country United States
State West Virginia
County Randolph
Coordinates 38°45′27″N 79°40′23″W / 38.75750°N 79.67306°W / 38.75750; -79.67306Coordinates: 38°45′27″N 79°40′23″W / 38.75750°N 79.67306°W / 38.75750; -79.67306
Highest point Middle Mountain
 - location south of Wymer
 - elevation 3,763 ft (1,147 m) [1]
 - coordinates 38°47′19″N 79°40′04″W / 38.78861°N 79.66778°W / 38.78861; -79.66778
Lowest point Laurel Fork (Cheat River)
 - location east of Glady
 - elevation 2,897 ft (883 m) [2]
 - coordinates 38°48′38″N 79°38′17″W / 38.81056°N 79.63806°W / 38.81056; -79.63806
Area 6,055 acres (2,450.4 ha) [3]
Established 1983 [3]
Management Monongahela National Forest
Owner USDA Forest Service
IUCN category Ib - Wilderness Area
Nearest city Harman, West Virginia
Location of Laurel Fork North Wilderness in West Virginia
Website: Laurel Fork Wildernesses

Laurel Fork North Wilderness is a U.S. Wilderness Area located in the Greenbrier Ranger District of Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia.[3] The Wilderness protects high-elevation lands along Laurel Fork (Cheat River) and is bordered by Middle Mountain to the west. It is a companion to Laurel Fork South Wilderness, the two being split by Randolph County Route 40. Laurel Fork North contains 9.5 miles (15.3 km) of hiking trails.[3]

History

The land that now comprises Laurel Fork North Wilderness was once private forestland owned by the Laurel River Lumber Company. The area was first logged by floating the logs down the Laurel Fork, and later by railroad. By 1921, the virgin forestland was fully logged. The U.S. Forest Service acquired the area soon thereafter, adding it to Monongahela National Forest.[3]

Laurel Fork South and Laurel Fork North Wildernesses were designated in 1983 by the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia, Land Designations law.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ USGS Glady Quad Topographic Map, as displayed by TopoQuest, accessed June 30, 2008
  2. ↑ USGS Glady Quad Topographic Map, as displayed by TopoQuest, accessed June 30, 2008
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Laurel Fork Wilderness brochure" (PDF). Monongahela National Forest. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
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