Backpacking - Roaring Plains
Description
This area includes 12,376 acres of land with 17.2 miles of trails. Much of this area is a high elevation windswept plateau with spruce forests, heath/laurel thickets and some spectacular vistas. The highest point in the area is Mt. Port Crayon at 4770. With the North Fork valley below at less than 2000 ft. in elevation, this is the area with the most vertical releif in WV. Solitude is more common here than nearby Dolly Sods. Trail Map Link (Highlands Conservancy), Map (Forest Service)
Directions from Morgantown
To access Roaring Plains, go through Canaan Valley (see Canaan Mtn directions) south on rt 32 to the Laneville Road (WV 45). Turn left and go approximately 6 miles to Lainville and FR 19. Continue on FR 19 for one mile to the Boars Nest /South Prong Parking area on the right and the other end of the South Prong trail at the top of the mtn 2.6 miles from the Laneville bridge. For the Flatrock Run Trail, travel 4.5 miles on Lainville Rd. and turn right onto cr. 45-1. Go 1.5 miles and park on the left just after the bridge (sign for the trail).
Travel Time: 2 hr
Activities: Backpacking, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Cross Country Skiing
Address: Potomac Ranger District, HC 59, Box 240, Petersburg, WV 26847, 1.5 miles south of Petersburg off Rt. 28/55
Phone/Email: 304-257-4488 (Voice & TDD), 304-636-1800 - Mon. National Forest
Web resources: US Forest Service Site
ORC Resources: Brochure, Books - "Monongahelia National Forest Hiking Guide", "Out There West Virginia A Guide to Backcountry Travel and Adventure", "West Virginia Hiking Trails"
