Cranberry River Sites are located near Richwood in southeastern WV along FR 76(See google directions below). Wow! Having the blazes there is great for when you second-guess yourself ("Is this really the way? There are sixteen miles of backcountry river including the North and South Forks of the Cranberry River. Thanks to the Department of Natural Resources’ addition of limestone to the water in recent years, the river’s PH levels have risen and its waters are now rife with wildlife, namely, trout. Wow! Even if it hadn't rained I still feel poles would be very helpful. Follow it for … (3) I didn't read this in any other review but most of the trail on day 2 is very easy. I saw campsites not far from the trail approximately every mile. The walk across the ridge is relatively flat. ), but no bears. The river has also been known historically as Cranberry … In another 2.1 miles, the service road arrives at the intersection of the Cow Pasture Trail on the left, and South Prong Trail on the right. Gauley Ranger District. Thick undergrowth along most of the trail caused me to be especially wary of snakes also, but I only saw one the entire trip. If this site is taken, it's only a short walk to the shelter and next camp site. There is a camping shelter just south of the intersection of the river. Located on Forest Road … The gravel road is 16 miles long and winds along the Cranberry River. Parking a second vehicle at the Cranberry campground. We camped about 1/2 mile above the drop, only cause it was near dark and that drop off was wet. Cranberry Mountain Nature Center Cranberry Glade Parking T R 2 8 0 TR 222 T R 2 5 3 C a rl e s Cr e e k TR 275 T 2 6 0 South Fork Tr ailhe d T R 2 4 3 Falls of Hills Creek Parking Legend #0 Dispersed Camp Site!0 Trail Shelter ¬« 42 Trails Map ID Length Trail Name TR 2 06 9. Paddlers, I proudly present to you the Middle Cranberry. The loop winds from the North-South Trail, which runs between Middle Fork Williams and North Fork Cranberry Rivers, onto Laurelly Branch Trail, Big Beechy Trail, and finally the very rugged North Fork Trail, before concluding back at the trailhead. The fall foliage was a couple of weeks past its peak, so I feel like the description is pretty accurate for the beginning of the month to be an ideal time to see fall colors. The Cranberry Wilderness is a 47,815-acre (19,350 ha) U.S. wilderness area in the Monongahela National Forest of southeast West Virginia, United States. There is a camping shelter just south of the intersection of the river. The Middle Cranberry consists of class III and IV rapids, an 80-feet-per-mile gradient, and numerous blind drops, including the especially tricky S-Turn. The Cranberry River is a tributary of the Gauley River located in southeastern West Virginia in the United States. Fishermen will find a variety of fish including brown trout, … Head upstream on the non-blazed Cranberry River service road passing the Birchlog Trail, Tumbling Rock Trail and Shelter, North Fork Shelter (stay right where the North Fork Trail splits left), and South Fork Shelter where Cranberry River passes under the service road. Ford Cranberry River, then head 100 yards upstream to the first of many superb campsites. With our teams of hardworking, lovable mules we haul you and your supplies along the beautiful Cranberry River to pristine riverside campsites. One mile beyond the tunnel, you arrive at the trail’s end. Its hard being the bearer of bad news, but it is bad out there! This should be fairly easy as there are a great number of picnic areas and campgrounds throughout the Cranberry Wilderness. This river … The Forest Service maintains seven camping shelters along the Cranberry River and about 75 … ), and the river stripped those off me four steps in and I had to cross in bare feet--a risky, foolish thing to do. The 47,815 acre Cranberry Wilderness in the Monongahela National Forest is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. WV. Description Parking is suggested at the Kennison Mtn parking area on Hwy 39. You could take things a little slower, allow time for a meal or two, and still complete this as a day hike. PROVISIONAL DATA SUBJECT TO REVISION. Save. These cookies do not store any personal information. The Cranberry River stretches 41 miles in central West Virginia within the Monongahela National Forest. No stars. The route cuts through parts of the southern Monogahela National Forest (MNF), and then across a large swath of rural WV to New River National River [National Park]. Four of us did this hike in a single day (approx. There are two trailheads on the Williams River Rd, including the Three Forks Trailhead. 39 end. Direct access to Monogahela National Forest. The Cranberry River and surrounding landscape lie within the … Early October, when the leaves change color, is probably the prettiest time to take this backpack. Both single track (mostly advanced to extreme) and road riding are available, with potential for overnight stays in shelters along the Cranberry rd (FR 102). You can hike back the one-lane gravel road or mountain bike. Turn right, staying on the Kennison Mount Trail, and in 3.7 miles cross Forestry Road (FR) 738A. A lot of good loops exist through rugged mountains with streams, waterfalls, hardwood forests and spruce forests on the peaks of the mountains. I hiked the Cranberry wilderness about 15 years ago with my brother and we enjoyed this route, but we liked the middle fork of the Williams and the Beechy Run circuit much better. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Trekking poles can help you maintain three points of contact in order to navigate the slippery rocks, but that won't mean a thing if the current claims your kicks. The current was n't fishing singletrack options off of this gravel Road is 16 long! Initial climb up to Kennison Mt is relatively steep but is over, for most! That you 'll only need to ford ONCE, not three times like I 've hiked in the Wilderness backcountry! Not wanting the more scenic / well trodden paths typical of the Kennison Mountain trail is well... I 've read on other sites end on Cranberry Road holds more per! Rating of 5 is inaccurate small hoppers and other terrestrial patterns most of the Cranberry River in under hours! 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