Laurel Fork South Wilderness
Overlook of Laurel Fork valley along Middle Mountain Road on a foggy fall day.
Map showing the location of Laurel Fork South Wilderness
Map showing the location of Laurel Fork South Wilderness
Location of Laurel Fork South Wilderness in West Virginia
LocationWest Virginia, United States
Coordinates38°42′43″N 79°43′07″W / 38.71194°N 79.71861°W / 38.71194; -79.71861
Area5,784 acres (23.41 km2)[2]
Established1983[2]
OperatorMonongahela National Forest
WebsiteLaurel Fork Wildernesses

Laurel Fork South Wilderness is a U.S. Wilderness Area located in the Greenbrier Ranger District of Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia.[2] The Wilderness protects high-elevation lands along Laurel Fork (Cheat River) and is bordered by Middle Mountain to the west. It is a companion to Laurel Fork North Wilderness, the two being split by Randolph County Route 40. Laurel Fork South contains 9 miles (14 km) of hiking trails.[2]

History

The land that now comprises Laurel Fork South Wilderness was once private forestland owned by the Laurel River Lumber Company. The area was first logged by floating the logs down the Laurel Fork, and later by railroad. By 1921, the virgin forestland was fully logged. The U.S. Forest Service acquired the area soon thereafter, adding it to Monongahela National Forest.[2]

Laurel Fork South and Laurel Fork North Wildernesses were designated in 1983 by the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia, Land Designations law.[2] Laurel Fork South was reduced by approximately 89 acres (0.36 km2) by the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009 to allow vehicle travel on Forest Road 424 in the eastern edge of the Wilderness.[3][4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Laurel Fork Wilderness". Protected Planet. IUCN. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Laurel Fork Wilderness brochure" (PDF). Monongahela National Forest. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 28, 2010. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
  3. ↑ "Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009". Library of Congress. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
  4. ↑ "Laurel Fork South Wilderness Map" (PDF). US Forest Service. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
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