38° 16' 35.6" N 80° 14' 15.7" W

Route Type: Out and Back

Distance: 15 miles

Elevation Gain: 1538 ft

Max Elevation: 4493 ft

Trailhead: North-South Trailhead, Richwood WV

Permits Required: No

Recommended Duration: 3 days/2 nights

The Hike:

The North Fork Trail is and out and back route that covers 15 miles in total. The trail follows an old Forest Service road that parallels the North Fork of the Cranberry river before terminating at the North Fork Shelter at the confluence of the North and South Forks of the Cranberry river. From the terminus of the trail you can continue on Forest Service Road 76 (closed to motorized traffic) to explore more of the Cranberry River.

Logistics:

The North-South Trailhead in the Cranberry Wilderness is a 40 minute drive from the town of Richwood, WV which has a few shops and restaurants. To reach the trailhead from Richwood, continue on WV-39 for approximately 22 miles before turning left onto WV-150 (Highland Scenic Highway) at the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center. As you’re driving along the scenic highway you will pass two scenic overlooks that can serve as landmarks. Follow Highland Scenic Highway for ~6.5 miles and you will pass the first scenic overlook on your right, the Williams River Valley Overlook. After another 1.5 miles you’ll pass the second scenic overlook (Big Spruce Overlook) which serves as a notice that you are quickly approaching the trailhead. After another 0.5 miles you will find the small parking lot for the North-South Trailhead on the right. It is very easy to miss as it is only marked by a small sign depicting 2 hikers. The actual trailhead is across the highway and is clearly marked.

Breakdown

Day 1 (7.5 miles)

The hike begins atop Black Mountain with a short flat section through a spruce forest that leads to the trail junction for the North-South Trail (TR 688) and the North Fork Trail (TR 272). Stay to the left to continue on the North Fork Trail which will begin your descent towards the North Fork of the Cranberry River. After 2.4 miles you will make a sharp right turn which leads to a gentler grade of descent. During this section it is easy to see the evidence that the North Fork Trail follows the route of an old Forest Service road due to the width of and smooth grade of the path. Continuing for another 0.4 miles will bring you to a small creek crossing (Left Fork Creek, a feeder stream to the North Fork of the Cranberry River). After 0.8 miles you will be within earshot of the North Fork River and begin to pass several stream-side campsites. From these campsites the river is very easy to access and provides entry points for trying your hand at catching some (very skittish) native brook trout.

At the 4.5 mile mark you will have to divert off the official trail due to a large washout. Follow the re-route on the right side of the original trail and make a short but steep climb up to the ridge above. This short section of the trail is in a mossy forest that looks as if it is out of a fairy tale and is arguably the prettiest section of the entire hike. After a short distance the diversion trail will steeply descend back down to the original trail leading to a stream crossing where the remnants of an old bridge for the forest road is still visible.

After crossing the stream you will encounter a straight stretch of trail that leads to a second trail washout after ~0.25 miles. It’s best to carefully descend down to the stream and cross over to the rocky bank on the opposite side and follow the river for a short distance (~150 feet) before crossing back over the stream and re-joining the trail.

From here, simply follow the trail for 1.9 miles (the trail can be very muddy in this section) until you reach a large building with a parking lot. The building is a Forest Service liming station which helps regulate the pH levels of the Cranberry River in order to make it more suitable for trout to survive.

*Air pollution has contributed to acid rain in the area which has harmful effects on trout populations

Once you reach the liming station, follow the gravel road until you reach a fork in road. Stay to the right and you will quickly reach a bridge that spans the North Fork of the Cranberry River and leads to a recently built Appalachian Trail style shelter (North Fork Shelter). This is an ideal site to setup camp as it is at the confluence of the North and South Forks of the Cranberry. There are additional primitive campsites on the banks of the Cranberry River that can be reached by following FR 76, which is closed to motorized traffic.

Day 2 (varies)

FR 76 follows the Cranberry River for 11.25 miles before reaching Cranberry Campground, all of which is fish-able and closed to motorized traffic. A fly fishing only section, Dogway Fork, is 4.60 miles from the North Fork shelter. Along the road there are 5 shelters and numerous primitive campsites.

• Tumbling Rock Shelter: 1.6 miles*

• House Log Shelter: 3.0 miles*

• Dogway Shelter: 4.6 miles*

• Pheasant Hollow Shelter: 6.4 miles*

• Queer Branch Shelter : 9.0 miles*

  *Distances from North Fork Shelter

Day 3 (7.5 miles)

As this is an out-and-back route, simply retrace your route back to the trailhead, taking note of the distances to the various landmarks passed on the way down. The return is all uphill but is not especially strenuous.

Best Time to Go:

The best time to go is spring to fall, as this is when the best fishing opportunities exist. The flow of the river is significantly impacted by recent rainfall totals and should be monitored to ensure ideal conditions.

Good to Know:

Water

Water is plentiful on this hike as the route follows the path of the river. All water should be treated before consumption.

Bear Safety

This hike takes place in bear country and it is important to be prepared for all possibilities. The National Park Service provides a good resource for traveling safely in bear country. The following guidelines can serve as a general safety plan:

• Carry bear spray. Bear spray has been proven to be very effective in deterring bears in the chance of an encounter.

• Don’t hike alone. If you are hiking alone be sure to make plenty of noise while hiking by clapping your hands, talking loudly to yourself, etc. This is especially important when traversing areas with obstructed views such as cresting hills, going around blind corners or passing through thick vegetation.

• Bring a bear bag and know how to use it. There are an abundance of trees that provide good enough access for hanging a bear bag. Keep all food, toiletries, trash, etc. in the bag when not in use.

Ticks

Ticks are very common in the Cranberry Wilderness area during the warmer months. It is recommended to wear bug spray while hiking in the area and to inspect yourself thoroughly for the presence of any ticks.

Fishing License

A fishing license is required and can be purchased online through the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources website. In order to fish for trout you must purchase both a Trout Fishing permit ($16.00) and a One Day Fishing permit ($3.00/day).