Shannondale Springs Area - The Other Side

[Moss Man]

Having just joined the forum, it has been interesting to review the various postings. One thing leads to another - if this subject has already been covered, please accept my apology...
Mr. Rosati's 12/30/04 posting was followed by a posting from Mr. Nowell which led to The Shannondale Alumni Site and eventually to a DNR brochure which included a map of the Shannondale Springs area.

On comes the lightbulb: While I have hiked around the area of the old resort many times over the years, I never paid any attention to the more recent land addition on the east side of Mission Rd. until this past fall. Hiking back in this area a few times was a real pleasure. My only concern was to watch my turns as there are so many different paths, each leading to more paths. There are few landmarks; just one signed trail, an outhouse (the most important landmark) and a couple of piles of junk.
You don't meet up with many people back in there, just one hiker had much knowledge of the area, Is it possible to hike to the top of the mountain from there? Meeting up with this one hiker, I posed the question, got a positive reply with directions. Needless to say, I only went so far not wishing to get too badly lost.With the hill to the east and the road to the west, one should not get totally lost back in there, but the going could get tough especially if it was getting dark.
Now for the question: Has anybody ever mapped those trails so the casual user could plot his intended path?
My first start would be a topo map from the US Geological Survey but I have no idea of where to find one without going to Reston. Sometimes these maps will show old roads or trails. If I could get one, is there a hunter or somebody that has good knowledge of the area that could sketch in the various trails? ATV riders would know the main trails, but there are just so many offshoots that they do not use.[?]
It would be great to park in the designated area along Mission Rd. and be able to hike to the Appalachian Trail without getting lost or chased off private property. I was told that you would cross some private property when you got up on the mountain but apparently the owners wer not adverse to hikers.
If, perchance, you have not hiked this area, it is beautiful. Enjoy - enjoy.
Any better ideas that could lead to a map on the website? (as Mr. Rosati did under the road discussion)

[surfergirl]

I have been back in that new section of Shannondale Springs many times on my mountain bike. There is a way to the AT from there. But no way to explain it here. I have a GPS that I took with me at first so I could explore without being worried about getting lost. But I don't have any topo software of this area to overlay my route on. I think that's what your're looking for.

You can look at topo maps online here:
http://www.maptech.com/onlinemaps/index.cfm?CFID=1521899&CFTOKEN=28870981&

And yes, there is some junk back there. I think the ATV riders toss soda cans and oil containers while they're riding. I try to pick up a few of these items each time I'm there. Hopefully others do the same and it will be a much more beautiful place.

[surfergirl]

I have been back in that new section of Shannondale Springs many times on my mountain bike. There is a way to the AT from there. But no way to explain it here. I have a GPS that I took with me at first so I could explore without being worried about getting lost. But I don't have any topo software of this area to overlay my route on. I think that's what your're looking for.

You can look at topo maps online here:
http://www.maptech.com/onlinemaps/index.cfm?CFID=1521899&CFTOKEN=28870981&

And yes, there is some junk back there. I think the ATV riders toss soda cans and oil containers while they're riding. I try to pick up a few of these items each time I'm there. Hopefully others do the same and it will be a much more beautiful place.

[Willis]

MM, I have a 1997 usgs topo(Round Hill Quadrangle)of which I could scan and send a portion to you, just ask- Surfer Girl's stuff is to High Tek for an old F*rt like me, but sounds good for a "young dog". The quad does show a "jeep trail" up to "Wilson's Gap" on the AT from the old Campfire(once it was a campfire girls campground) property entrance across from Mt. Mission Park. The DNR will probably not be of much help as they are promoting hunting and not hiking. Tony R. also mentioned Rolling Ridge who might have some info in the hiking/nature vein. With a modicum of good fortune we(FOSS) should be making a trip back to the Springs to clean up some vegetation and any trash in early March. All are welcome. Notice will be in the FOSS Forum.

[Willis]

MM, I have a 1997 usgs topo(Round Hill Quadrangle)of which I could scan and send a portion to you, just ask- Surfer Girl's stuff is to High Tek for an old F*rt like me, but sounds good for a "young dog". The quad does show a "jeep trail" up to "Wilson's Gap" on the AT from the old Campfire(once it was a campfire girls campground) property entrance across from Mt. Mission Park. The DNR will probably not be of much help as they are promoting hunting and not hiking. Tony R. also mentioned Rolling Ridge who might have some info in the hiking/nature vein. With a modicum of good fortune we(FOSS) should be making a trip back to the Springs to clean up some vegetation and any trash in early March. All are welcome. Notice will be in the FOSS Forum.

[Tony Rosati]

FYI, text for Rolling Ridge hiking trail is here http://www.rollingridge.net/index.cfm?action=hikes.history_loop.

This goes with the Rolling Ridge topo map, both of which are under the hikes pulldown menu. This is a lot further south than Shannondale Springs, but the historical information in the hiking text is a good semi-related topic.

[Tony Rosati]

FYI, text for Rolling Ridge hiking trail is here http://www.rollingridge.net/index.cfm?action=hikes.history_loop.

This goes with the Rolling Ridge topo map, both of which are under the hikes pulldown menu. This is a lot further south than Shannondale Springs, but the historical information in the hiking text is a good semi-related topic.

[Moss Man]

Thank you all for your replies. Surfergirl had provided a web site that could provide the quadrangle on line. The specific page would not open for me.
Having been to that site in the past, printing on my printer would not give as large of an area as would probably be needed. Thanks to Willis for his offer to copy his map, but again it would probably take some piecing and this would be a bit awkward.
Doing some searching, I found a retailer called Mapspost that sells them for $6.95 postpaid. Https://mapspost.com is the web site. I got on line and have ordered a map.
If anybody can provide the name and address of somebody that has good knowledge of the area and can sketch in the trails, I would be happy to send the map to the person (once it arrives) to sketch in the trails and note any landmarks that may be available. That person may have friends that could help. The perhaps the web master could post it on the web site.
From going out on the trails, often you can take off on a side trail that was obviously an old road. You get so far and that is the end. Probably the road led to an old farm or residence that is long gone. Other trails are just wide enough to hike and again you come to a dead end. An ATV owner would have knowledge of the larger trails that they use. Several times I have encountered groups riding ATV's, all were very considerate when operating their machines. Most of the junk that I saw back in there was nothing an ATV rider would leave, one would need a truck to get rid of some of it. There was some old metal roofing at one place if my memory is correct. It looks like the state left their share of old culverts where you cross the stream at the foot of the grade shortly after entering.
Too bad somebody has not published a book of area hikes. (other than the Appalachian Trail) I have one book title "Hikes of N. Central PA" and it gives precise instructions - distances, hazards, what to look for, etc. etc.
In closing, should anybody find that person with knowledge, please let me know and I will mail the map. Per Mr. Willis posting, it was the Round Hill quadrangle that I ordered.
$6.95 is a loooooooooooong way from that 15 cents when I bought my first map when the map office (now in Reston) was on Spring St. in Silver Spring. Don't ask me how many years ago that was....

[Moss Man]

Thank you all for your replies. Surfergirl had provided a web site that could provide the quadrangle on line. The specific page would not open for me.
Having been to that site in the past, printing on my printer would not give as large of an area as would probably be needed. Thanks to Willis for his offer to copy his map, but again it would probably take some piecing and this would be a bit awkward.
Doing some searching, I found a retailer called Mapspost that sells them for $6.95 postpaid. Https://mapspost.com is the web site. I got on line and have ordered a map.
If anybody can provide the name and address of somebody that has good knowledge of the area and can sketch in the trails, I would be happy to send the map to the person (once it arrives) to sketch in the trails and note any landmarks that may be available. That person may have friends that could help. The perhaps the web master could post it on the web site.
From going out on the trails, often you can take off on a side trail that was obviously an old road. You get so far and that is the end. Probably the road led to an old farm or residence that is long gone. Other trails are just wide enough to hike and again you come to a dead end. An ATV owner would have knowledge of the larger trails that they use. Several times I have encountered groups riding ATV's, all were very considerate when operating their machines. Most of the junk that I saw back in there was nothing an ATV rider would leave, one would need a truck to get rid of some of it. There was some old metal roofing at one place if my memory is correct. It looks like the state left their share of old culverts where you cross the stream at the foot of the grade shortly after entering.
Too bad somebody has not published a book of area hikes. (other than the Appalachian Trail) I have one book title "Hikes of N. Central PA" and it gives precise instructions - distances, hazards, what to look for, etc. etc.
In closing, should anybody find that person with knowledge, please let me know and I will mail the map. Per Mr. Willis posting, it was the Round Hill quadrangle that I ordered.
$6.95 is a loooooooooooong way from that 15 cents when I bought my first map when the map office (now in Reston) was on Spring St. in Silver Spring. Don't ask me how many years ago that was....

[Moss Man]

Follow Up:
I have received the Round Hill W VA - VA quadrangle from a company named Map Sport in Texas. (www.MapSport.com) The cost, including postage was $6.95. From an acknowledgment received from them apparently they have the information on computer and print out a fresh map on receipt of an order. This sure beats stocking hundreds of thousands of maps. The order was sent in via internet Late on Friday Jan 14th. The map was in my mail box on Tuesday Jan 18th, not bad considering no mail service on Jan. 17th.

After looking at the map, Mr. Nowell's input is most helpful. Parking in the designated area along Mission Rd., it appears you walk on what was an old road that leads back to what was once a farm. From Mission Rd. you drop about 100 ft. to Furnace Run (which feeds the lake) before starting up hill again. In a prior posting, I had mentioned that one trail is named. (name on sign escapes me) My best bet is that this leads to Moonshine Lane, will find out in a few weeks. The "Jeep Trail" that Mr. Newell mentions does not appear to connect to the road leading back to the old farm. Looking closely, this trail is the same trail leading to Moonshine Lane. As Mr. Nowell mentions, it goes to Wilson's Gap on top of the hill and then goes on to connect with roads on the VA side of the hill.
Interestingly, the elevation at the top just north of Wilson's Gap is recorded at 1682 ft. and 1713 ft. south of the Gap. At the Gap the elevation is about 1440 ft. which translates to about 860 ft. of climbing from Furnace Run.
The Rolling Ridge Hike site provided by Mr. Rosati is a historical gem well worth reading.
It would be nice if the trail to the top could be marked if even only by surveyor's tape around some small trees. This could violate property rights of a private owner or lead to residency at Moundsville if some state official takes a dim view.

Here is my bottom line: I now have the map. If somebody knows somebody that has good knowledge of the area, please e mail me the name and address of that person if he or she will mark in the numerous trails and pass the map along to the webmaster assuming he agrees. Hopefully, this will lead to more confident use of the area and perhaps keep somebody out of trouble.

[Moss Man]

Follow Up:
I have received the Round Hill W VA - VA quadrangle from a company named Map Sport in Texas. (www.MapSport.com) The cost, including postage was $6.95. From an acknowledgment received from them apparently they have the information on computer and print out a fresh map on receipt of an order. This sure beats stocking hundreds of thousands of maps. The order was sent in via internet Late on Friday Jan 14th. The map was in my mail box on Tuesday Jan 18th, not bad considering no mail service on Jan. 17th.

After looking at the map, Mr. Nowell's input is most helpful. Parking in the designated area along Mission Rd., it appears you walk on what was an old road that leads back to what was once a farm. From Mission Rd. you drop about 100 ft. to Furnace Run (which feeds the lake) before starting up hill again. In a prior posting, I had mentioned that one trail is named. (name on sign escapes me) My best bet is that this leads to Moonshine Lane, will find out in a few weeks. The "Jeep Trail" that Mr. Newell mentions does not appear to connect to the road leading back to the old farm. Looking closely, this trail is the same trail leading to Moonshine Lane. As Mr. Nowell mentions, it goes to Wilson's Gap on top of the hill and then goes on to connect with roads on the VA side of the hill.
Interestingly, the elevation at the top just north of Wilson's Gap is recorded at 1682 ft. and 1713 ft. south of the Gap. At the Gap the elevation is about 1440 ft. which translates to about 860 ft. of climbing from Furnace Run.
The Rolling Ridge Hike site provided by Mr. Rosati is a historical gem well worth reading.
It would be nice if the trail to the top could be marked if even only by surveyor's tape around some small trees. This could violate property rights of a private owner or lead to residency at Moundsville if some state official takes a dim view.

Here is my bottom line: I now have the map. If somebody knows somebody that has good knowledge of the area, please e mail me the name and address of that person if he or she will mark in the numerous trails and pass the map along to the webmaster assuming he agrees. Hopefully, this will lead to more confident use of the area and perhaps keep somebody out of trouble.

[Willis]

Mossman, You might enjoy your trip to Moundsville - it's open for TOURS. (http://www.wvpentours.com/) The new State Pen is in Mount Olive !!!

[Willis]

Mossman, You might enjoy your trip to Moundsville - it's open for TOURS. (http://www.wvpentours.com/) The new State Pen is in Mount Olive !!!

[Tony Rosati]

My first suggestion would be to talk to some of the regular hunters in the area. 2 names that come to mind are Nat Hughes and Dale Manuel.

The trail to from Mission road extension through Rolling Ridge to Raven Rocks is actually fairly easy to find. Just follow the power lines for most of the way and in some places it looks a lot like a dry creek bed (round rocks). The Rolling Ridge and power company folks have put up a gate, and try to discourage motor vehicles. There is a right of way that is actually is owned by a family that created much of the development at Raven Rocks. I'm not sure if it's the same single one that the power line uses or if there are two but the powerline path is pretty easy to follow, keeping in mind, just like the previous comment, you are 'climbing' about 800 feet (from about 600 foot to 1400 elevations). The gate at Mission Road extension has obviously been driven arround on occasion. I actually took my jeep up to about the 1100 foot elevation a few years ago, as well as doing a little exploring from the top, but it's not like I spent a lot of time tramping arround the area in general.

[Tony Rosati]

My first suggestion would be to talk to some of the regular hunters in the area. 2 names that come to mind are Nat Hughes and Dale Manuel.

The trail to from Mission road extension through Rolling Ridge to Raven Rocks is actually fairly easy to find. Just follow the power lines for most of the way and in some places it looks a lot like a dry creek bed (round rocks). The Rolling Ridge and power company folks have put up a gate, and try to discourage motor vehicles. There is a right of way that is actually is owned by a family that created much of the development at Raven Rocks. I'm not sure if it's the same single one that the power line uses or if there are two but the powerline path is pretty easy to follow, keeping in mind, just like the previous comment, you are 'climbing' about 800 feet (from about 600 foot to 1400 elevations). The gate at Mission Road extension has obviously been driven arround on occasion. I actually took my jeep up to about the 1100 foot elevation a few years ago, as well as doing a little exploring from the top, but it's not like I spent a lot of time tramping arround the area in general.

[Moss Man]

Thanks, Willis. I was not aware of the new facility. I viewed the wvpentours website you passed along; thank you. A tour at Moundsville would be better than a free one to Mt. Olive. One Sat. night years ago (at about Christmas time) I can recall the WWVA Jamboree being broadcast from the pen at Moundsville; the show was hosted by Gov. Moore.

[Moss Man]

Thanks, Willis. I was not aware of the new facility. I viewed the wvpentours website you passed along; thank you. A tour at Moundsville would be better than a free one to Mt. Olive. One Sat. night years ago (at about Christmas time) I can recall the WWVA Jamboree being broadcast from the pen at Moundsville; the show was hosted by Gov. Moore.