By Stephen Smoot
“THERE IS NO PARKING ON 33,” reads a review written in AllTrails.com about the increasingly popular North Fork Mountain Trail which commences at the cell tower on the top of the mountain, off U.S. Route 33. It went on to state that “we were sure we saw a parking spot on Google Earth, but there was no sign of either a pull off or access to the trail.”
The reviewer then described driving to Seneca Rocks to ask a forest ranger who sent them back to the barely visible trailhead. They then gave up on the southern end, saying, “I don’t know if it’s permanently closed off, but we had to make our way to the northern terminus and hike southward, which was beautiful, but it meant another hour of driving.”
In the official description on AllTrails.com, the site explains that “users have reported that parking at the trailhead on U.S. Route 33 indicated on this map is difficult. There is supposedly a turnout, but expect parking at the southern trailhead to be rough.”
Also, no sign marks the presence of a trail at all. The frustrations of trail hikers and those trying to access the tower, pass illegally parked vehicles, however, may soon see a reprieve.
North Fork Mountain Trail runs from U.S. Route 33 in the south to State Route 28 in the north. It extends for 18.6 miles. It serves as a way “to enjoy a spectacular backpacking trip without too much difficulty,” according to AllTrails.com.
The southern trailhead is located near two small parking areas on either side of the cell tower. One is clearly marked “No Parking” with multiple signs. The approved parking area has no sign indicating that it is for that purpose. There is a fallen gate on the path that has been overtaken by vegetation. It sports an old and faded “private property” sign.
The subject recently came up during the initial county commission meeting this month. Rick Gillespie, Pendleton County emergency services coordinator, noted that “people park and block access” to the cell tower, but also discussed a proposal to correct the situation.
Laura Brown, Pendleton and Grant Economic and Community Development director, stated that now “is the time to request projects” for the Monongahela National Forest area because the region is under an “order entry project” for 2023 and 24. This means that the forest service can expedite projects through the review process to take “the guesswork out of planning and provides opportunities for aligning projects with stakeholders.”
The Upper South Branch, Lower North Fork of the Potomac River is listed as the third priority of the North Zone behind the Upper Cheat River and Deer Creek in Greenbrier County.
Brown explained that “it’s even an issue in Grant County too as you begin at Chimney Rock trail.”
Gillespie explained to the commission that he had reached out to the U.S. Forest Service and the new private landowner at the trailhead, Daniel Taylor. Both Taylor and the forest service expressed interest, though some issues would need to be hammered out.
Most likely, the forest service would need to purchase sufficient land to construct a parking lot and a trail connector. The West Virginia Department of Highways may also need to be involved because they also own property and have rights of way in the discussed area.
Safety concerns about the present condition have also been expressed. The parking area is on a blind 55 mile per hour curve. Though cars could park at small pull offs farther down the west side of the mountain, they would have to walk perilously close to passing cars to reach the trail.