2008 BACKPACKING
About Backpackin: Fred's tent away from home is OTTER CREEK WILDERNESS , nestled beautifully in the Monongahela National Forest. This is a frequent location for Calleva School Programs and Fred. The trails within this wilderness are some of the best in WV, dropping and gaining elevation, stream crossings galore, and beautiful camping. Campers now hone the skills into a multi-day trek with food and water on their backs. Map reading and LNT skills are constantly developed, while enjoying a trip with friends. The topography lends itself to great loops, and along with the natural growth hikers enjoy the science of the Fernow Experimental Forest.
Itinerary: The loop that Fred has deemed "the best" starts at the Big Springs Gap Trailhead and heads south along Otter Creek on the Otter Creek Trail. Group will loop either the Moore Run or McGowan Mountain Trail depending on group strengths. Please download Map for a layout of proposed hike. This is a 4 hour drive one-way and campers will be returning at 6:00pm on Friday afternoon.
The Land: "Otter Creek Wilderness lies in a bowl formed by Shavers Mountain and McGowan Mountain. Most of the streams flow into Otter Creek and then to the Dry Fork River. Vegetation consists of second-growth timber, rhododendron, and a variety of mosses and lichens. Elevations range from 1800 feet at the mouth of Otter Creek to 3900 feet on McGowan Mountain. There are few open vistas in Otter Creek Wilderness, and rarely are they along trails. Finding them on your own lends a sense of discovery. Because the area is managed for natural conditions, vistas will be allowed to grow closed by vegetation and visitors are asked not to try to keep them open."
Trail: Big Springs Gap - Otter Creek - Moore Run - Turkey Run - FR 701
Or if you prefer numbers: 151 - 131 - 138 - 150 - 701
Starts at: Big Springs Gap trailhead
Length of loop: 13 miles
Fords: 4 on Otter Creek, 2 on Moore Run
Difficulty: Moderate. Halfway down Big Springs Gap, take to reroute to the right, which stays on the bench - don't follow the stream the whole way down. Steep narrow section on Otter Creek; Turkey Run has some steep uphill and downhill sections. In late summer, the nettles on the road part of the Turkey Run Trail can be tall and nasty. If you take this loop in the opposite direction (starting on FR 701 thence to Turkey Run trail), make sure that you leave the old logging road where the footpath leaves it and crosses Turkey Run itself (should be marked with a rock cairn). Don't continue on the road to the top of the mountain.
Otter Creek Wilderness has 45 miles of trails, many of which follow old railroad grades, logging roads, or farm roads. Many people like to hike loops through the area. Fords indicate streams that may be a problem to cross during high water events. Difficulty is for people in average condition.
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