Hiking
Cranberry Glades Wilderness Area
Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia
"Frozen Power Bars and other joys of Winter camping!"
01/2001 - by Christopher Burk, Outdoor Travels
Day l
We made a slight change of plans from our last winter hiking excursion. Paul and I decided to drive to the trail early Saturday morning, thus eliminating sleeping in the car and we added a third person, a friend of Paul's by the name of Jim Kwan. (And since Jim was new to the group, we got him to drive.)
Our hiking route was a very simple one, start at the Cranberry Glades Visitor's Center and hike along Pocahontas Trail until we found a nice place to pitch the tents. The next morning we would merely hike back from whence we came. We picked this route for two reasons; one none of us had ever hiked the route before and two the route was marked by blue diamonds. No more trying to search for cairns buried in the snow.
We got to the trailhead around 10:30 that morning. As we pulled into the Visitor's Center parking, we were seriously questioning our sanity. A light snow had started following. But what really made us wonder what the heck we were thinking was the wind. Not only was it blowing the snow sideways but it was also rocking the truck. Not exactly the kind of weather you want to start a hike in. But being guys, we changed into our hiking gear, threw on the packs and set out.
As we started out we discovered two things, once in the trees the wind was more bearable and the first part of the Pocahontas Trail is pretty easy going. But within the first half-a-mile, the characteristics of the trail changed. It went from nice and level to up hill, and it kept going up, and up, and up. It wasn't necessarily a large elevation change but the trail must have had about ten switchbacks. It was like being at Disney World, back and forth, back and forth. Needless to say, by the time we reached the top of the climb, we took a break.
After just about breaking my jaw trying to eat a Powerbar, we set off again. From here on out the Pocahontas Trail passed through a little bit of everything. It ran through hardwood forests, alpine meadows, a small pond and crossed a couple of small streams. The terrain was pretty level as well. There were a couple of uphill sections as well as downhill ones, but none as immense as the first part of the trail. The only problem we had through all this was Paul and his pack. For some reason his pack would not sit on his hips. No matter how many adjustments he made to the shoulder straps and waist belt, it kept sliding down. He must have stopped twenty times trying to get the pack to fit more comfortable.
At the start of the hike, we had made the decision that we would set up camp around the junction between the Pocahontas and Fork Mtn trails. However, we never made it to the junction. Not because we couldn't find it, but because, as we were looking for it, we noticed the trail had been steadily dropping in elevation. Since we knew what was downhill today would be uphill tomorrow, we made an administrative decision, and stopped at the next level spot we could find.
Within five minutes we were pitching our tents and unpacking our gear. The spot we found was pretty decent considering it was practically in the middle of the trail. It even had a rock outcropping next to it that provided a place to build a fire. And once camp was set up, we did exactly that. Granted it wasn't a huge roaring blaze, but after the long hike is was nice to stand around a fire enjoying a little wine and cheese. (Yes, we're guys, but we're not uncivilized.)
We enjoyed the fire for about 30 minutes until disaster struck. For some reason or another, Jim decided to move some rocks around the fire. Just as he started to move them, a pile of snow fell right on the fire. That pretty much spelled the end of the fire. So we finished our wine and cheese, created a pile of snow near the door of the tent to melt for water and climbed into our tents.
Day 2
Although none of us brought a thermometer, we guessed the temperature the night before must have dropped to around 10-15 degrees. It was cold enough that the inside walls of the tent were covered by a thin layer of frost. And here I was nice and toasty in a sleeping bag only rated to 25 degrees. There's a lot to be said about thermal underwear and polar fleece.
It was a good thing I went to all the effort to create a pile of snow next to the door for water because both Paul's and my water bottles were practically frozen. It never ceases to amaze me about how much snow you have to melt just to get half a pot of water. Anyway, we had enough snow to melt for our oatmeal, hot chocolate and pour into our water bottles to help thaw them out.
After breakfast we started to break down the tents. It was not a lot of fun because most of the joints in the poles were stuck together. Although I brought a lightweight pair of gloves this time, I had to keep taking them off because I couldn't get a good enough grip on the poles to pull them apart.
Sooner or later we got everything packed up and we started our trek back. The journey back was pretty much the same as the one out, just in reverse. What was uphill yesterday was downhill today and visa versa. The one thing that did change however was the weather. We were now greeted to a nice sunny day with little or no wind. And obviously since the weather was better, we saw more people. We pass a couple of people out cross-country skiing and several others out with their dog.
We made two small side trips on the way back as well. The first one was to follow a trail spur. We were curious to see where it led. It actually led up to a small chalet on the side of the mountain. (Someone later told us that you could rent it for weekend getaways.)
The second side trip wasn't really a side trip as much as a finale to our hike. We hiked just past the Visitor's Center to the scenic overlook. Besides the view looking out across the snow-covered valley, the best part was hiking on the section of trail that had no snow on it. You never really realize how much extra effort it takes to pick you feet up in the snow until suddenly you don't have to. After a couple of quick photos, we headed back to the truck and called it a successful hike.
Trail Snapshot
Trail(s) Hiked: (loop) In: Pocahontas Trail; Out: Pocahontas Trail
Distance Covered: 7.6 Miles
Outdoor Travels Rating: 3 out of 5 Backpacks
Thumbs Up
- Blue diamond trail markers are very easy to follow , even in six inches of snow.
- Nice variety of terrain and vegetation.
Thumbs Down
- There isn't any good way to do a true loop. Your choices are limited to either an A to B hike or a hike in and backtrack.
Lessons Learned
- Powerbars are hard enough to chew at room temperatures, trying to eat one in below freezing temperatures borders on impossible.
- If you can actually get a fire started in the snow, by all means don't move rocks that could dump snow on the fire.
- Expensive, high performance gear is rendered almost worthless if it doesn't fit or is uncomfortable.
- Liners for water bottles are a must unless you like drinking slushies (and that's assuming the water hasn't frozen solid.)
Nuts & Bolts
Location: Cranberry Wilderness is located on the Gauley Ranger District of the Monongahela National Forest in Pocahontas and Webster Counties, West Virginia.
Trails: Cranberry Wilderness has 9 trails of approximately 60 miles total, many of which follow old railroad grades, logging roads, or Forest Service roads. These trails also connect to trails in the Cranberry Backcountry, providing many opportunities for loop and long distance hikes. Wilderness trails are maintained with a narrower tread and pathway than other forest trails, and are neither signed nor blazed, although rock cairns are occasionally provided in areas that may appear confusing. Trails are marked only at trailheads and junctions and there are no bridges at stream crossings. Hikers should carry a map and compass, and be more attentive when traveling on wilderness trails.
Directions: Two state highways that combine to form the Highland Scenic Parkway provide the major vehicle access to the area. WV-150 runs N-S along the eastern edge of the Cranberry Wilderness and WV-39/55 runs E-W along the area's southern boundary. The Cranberry Visitors Center is located at the junction of WV-55/39 and WV-150. From the Washington area, take I-66 west to I-81 south to I-64 west. At Lewisburg, West Virginia take WV Route 219 north. Around Seebert, West Virginia, take 39/55 west to the Cranberry Visitor Center.
Activities: Hiking, Cross-Country Skiing, Fishing
Contact: Gauley Ranger District, HC 80, Box 117, Richwood, WV 26261
Maps & Stuff
Trail Photos
Lots of great photos to give you a good idea of what hiking here is like!
