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Outdoor Adventures
Randolph County - THE HUB OF THE MID-ATLANTIC SKI REGION - is just a short drive from any of the area's three major ski resorts. Canaan Valley, Timberline and Snowshoe Mountain Resort offer excellent downhill skiing opportunities. The region offers an abundance of ungroomed cross-country trails on forest roads, mountain sides and ridges. Ski rentals are available at all resorts. Stay in Randolph County and ski one or all three of these exciting resorts. Call 1-800-422-3304. WILDLIFE ACTIVITIES HUNTING Randolph County is a mecca for hunters. The county repeatedly leads the state in deer, bear, and fall turkey harvests. Deer hunting during the bow, bucks only (gun), antlerless, and muzzleloading seasons is particularly popular. These seasons run in sequence from mid-October through the end of December. Small game hunting is also excellent. Although Randolph County lies at the southern limit of the snowshoe hare's range, hunting opportunity abounds in the large thickets of rhododendron and red spruce above 3,500 feet in elevation. The county's high elevation areas often offer good opportunities for early season grouse and woodcock hunting. The spectacular autumn and early winter scenery are a stunning complement to the abundant hunting opportunites. Hunting access is easy. The county has the largest land area of any in the eastern U.S. About one-third of the county is national forest land available for public hunting. Kumbrabow State Forest contributes another 10,000 acres of public hunting area. Two large federally designated wilderness areas, Otter Creek Wilderness and Laurel Fork Wilderness, lie within the county. These 20,000 acres, along with other remote areas of the Monongahela National Forest, contribute to the diversity of hunting opportunities available in the area. Pack-in or walk-in hunts offer a unique outdoor recreation experience as well as the opportunity to bag a true trophy animal. The price for licenses and tags won't scare you away, either. West Virginia's resident and nonresident hunting license fees are among the lowest in the nation. Current fees and regulations are available on request by calling 1-800-CALL-WVA. FISHING The area's numerous, high elevation streams and lakes offer a diversity of coldwater fishing opportunities. Within a one hour radius of Elkins lie 16 stocked trout streams and lakes and 150 wild trout streams. Whether your preference is for spin fishing or fly fishing, for trout in the pan or a wild trout released, the area is fishing heaven. Five special regulation trout fisheries offer the chance to catch and release larger fish in greater numbers. One of the newest, Blackwater Canyon, is a truly unique eastern fishery, a canyon wild trout fishery reached only by those stout of both heart and limb. The others require less athleticism, but offer no less spectacular fishing and scenery. Again, access is easy. All publicly stocked streams in West Virginia are open to public fishing. Many of the area's wild trout streams, including all specially regulated streams, lie within, or are bordered by, publicly accessible national forest lands. Trout fishing licenses are available in both three-day and seasonal versions. Current license fees are low for both residents and nonresidents and may be obtained by calling 1-800-CALL-WVA. Be sure to check the latest stocking locations by calling the hunting and fishing hotline at 1-304-558-3399. NONCONSUMPTIVE WILDLIFE RECREATION Don't fish or hunt? Coming for an out-of-season visit? Or just want to do something different? The Randolph County area has the answer for you. Within an hour's drive of Elkins lie numerous nonconsumptive wildlife recreational opportunities. In the fall, visitors may drive to Bear Rocks to watch the annual hawk migration. Literally thousands of these birds of prey use this corridor for their southern migration. On any given day, hundreds of birds and many different species may be seen. Nearby, the Allegheny Front Migration Observatory is in continuous operation from the first of August until the beginning of October. Members of the state's foremost birding organization, the Brooks Bird Club, band birds as they migrate through this area. Mist nets are opened at daylight each day and are monitored until 11:00 am. Visitors may observe the captured birds, and the banding, recording, and release process. At any time of the year, visitors may travel to Canaan Valley State Park and observe white tailed deer. In the spring and summer, groundhogs and other small mammals are very visible at this location. The central Appalachian region is one of the nation's best nesting and migration areas for warblers. From May through July, birders on the Monongahela National Forest may listen to and observe these often brilliantly plumaged songbirds. Additionally, the area's river corridors are host to other interesting species, such as scarlet tanagers, northern orioles, common yellowthroats, and little green herons. For an interesting complement during the spring, revisit these river corridors in the evening and listen to the almost deafening chorus of frogs and toads! MORE INFORMATION Visitors to the Elkins/Randolph County area may contact the local office of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources for more hunting/fishing/wildlife information. This is the largest and best staffed DNR office in the state and can provide you with any necessary printed information as well as personal recommendations for specific areas to visit. They can be reached at 304-637-0245 from 8:30-4:30 eastern time, Monday-Friday, or via E-mail at . Or you can contact us at the Randolph County Visitors Center. We will be happy to get the information for you. BIKING Randolph County and West Virginia are becoming nationally known as exciting, beautiful places for the biking enthusiast. The Allegheny Trail provides 22 miles of biking trail and off street parking is available. Casual biking and mountain biking adventures are available at nearby state and national parks, on biking trails and roads and local bike routes. Bikers can participate in the Mountain Bike Rampage, Snowshoe Mountain Bike Challenge, the Canaan Valley Mountain Series and 24 Hours of Canaan. For additional information on local bike trails for both beginner and advanced, contact the Tourist Information Center at 1-800-422-3304. CAVING West Virginia's caves have been visited by man since the Indians began roaming through the forests. Throughout history, various caves in West Virginia have been used for dwellings, barns, mining saltpeter for making gunpowder, water supply sources, moonshining, smoking meat, storing beverages, growing mushrooms, brewing beer and even for dance halls. The pace of cave exploration picked up considerably in the 1940s and continues today at a rapid rate. Over 4,000 caves are known in West Virginia. Four caves, (Smoke Hole Caverns, Seneca Caverns, Lost World Caverns and Organ Cave) are presently commercialized and offer guided tours. The rest are "wild" caves, of which 13 percent are located in Randolph county. Visitors to West Virginia's wild caves should be aware of the dangers and legalities involved. At least a dozen people have died in West Virginia caves. The most serious cave accidents have resulted from falls or from flooding. Frequently, the cavers involved had exceeded the limits of their abilities or had their reasoning power, strength and coordination reduced by fatigue. Cavers should realize that most caves in West Virginia are on private land and permission from the owner is required before visiting. The West Virginia Cave Protection Law (@20-7A) exempts cave owners from any responsibility if cavers are injured while exploring their caves. This law also imposes stiff penalties for vandalism of caves, sale of speleothems (cave formations), harming cave animals or plants, or disturbing archeological finds without a permit. Remember caves are cool and damp. Your chances of becoming wet and muddy while exploring these underground "wild caves" is a sure bet, so be prepared. High energy bars are an excellent food source to take with you while exploring as well as something to drink. But remember all trash needs to be taken back out with you. Every cave is sensitive, whether it be commercial or wild. When visiting a cave, remember that formations damaged even by accident will not regenerate. Wild caves will be more sensitive because a visitor can go anywhere. If you want to explore wild caves, check first with the local chapter of the National Speleological Society. Members will show you how to cave safely, avoiding damage to the cave and injury to yourself. The most important rule of all is never attempt maneuvers in a cave that are beyond your skill and ability level. The following precautions should be taken before entering a cave: Always advise someone of where you will be caving and when you plan to return. Never do cave exploration alone. Make sure you are properly equipped before entering a cave with hard hat, three light sources, a map of the cave, a repelling rope for the more experienced and a small first-aid kit. "Wild Caves" found in the Elkins, Randolph County area are: Alpena Cave, Bowden Cave, The Sinks of Gandy and Still House. "Wild Caves" found in neighboring counties include: Trout Cave, Hamilton Cave, Quarry Cave, Sharps Cave, Bob White, New Trout, Key's Cave and Dreen Cave. If you wish to learn more about West Virginia caves and caving in general, we suggest you contact: Mr. Ray Garton, West Virginia Speleological Survey, P.O. Box 200, Barrackville, WV 26559, (304) 366-6035. The West Virginia Speleological Survey keeps detailed records of West Virginia caves as well as selling several publications dealing with caves in West Virginia. The National Speleological Society (NSS) is the major national organization dedicated to the exploration, study and protections of caves. The NSS can direct you to other caves or to local caving groups (called "grottos") in you area. The National Speleological Society, Cave Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35810. For more information concerning cave rescues, contact the Eastern Region National Cave Rescue Commission . Besides providing resource information during cave rescues, they also schedule a week-long training period that in Daily, West Virginia in late June. HIKING Whether you prefer an hour's stroll in the woods or an all-day challenge traversing the mountains, Randolph County offers the hiking enthusiast hundreds of miles of trails. The Monongahela National Forest, Ku mbrabow State Forest and Guadineer Recreation area all offer spectacular trails for hikers of all levels. The Allegheny Trail and Greenbriar Trail are both accessible from Randolph County and High Falls is well worth the energy needed to reach it. If you prefer a total wilderness area for day hikes or extended backpacking trips, Otter Creek Wilderness area provides the perfect atmosphere. Come stay in Randolph County and spend your days on some of West Virginia's most beautiful trails. HORSEBACK RIDING Spectacular views and scenic trails await those who are interested in horseback riding in Randolph County. The Poling Ranch, located two miles south of Huttonsville on route 250 offers professionally guided 1 and 2 hour trail rides, inside arena riding in a 70 X 120 foot arena, group parties, summer day camp and riding lessons. If you are interested in making arrangements for part or all of a day, call (304) 335-2483 for additional information. Those of you looking for a new hobby or just a new outdoor experience should contact Arky's Stables, located 3.7 miles on the right past the Huttonsville Exxon on Route 219. Lessons given on safe, well-behaved horses, from beginner to advanced levels. Camp overnight and enjoy hourly or daily trail rides. Make that birthday unforgettable with a "Pony Party". Call (304) 335-4478 or log on to "www.wvhome.com/arkys". Bowden Stables and Outfitters - Horseback ride along the Shavers Fork of the Cheat River, and beautiful mountain trails of the Monongahela National Forest. Located just 9 miles east of Elkins, off Rt. 33 on Faulkner Road. Open year round, we pride ourselves in catering to all levels of riding ability. From one hour to all day rides, see spectacular mountain vistas, wildlife, and clear mountain streams. Phone: 304 636 4404 Email: [email protected] ROCK CLIMBING |
