Was with a large group and some of the canoes portaged or had trouble on both Landslide and Royal Glen dam rapids. Did you mean to type Discover trails like Potomac Highlands Loop Seneca Rocks and Smoke Hole Canyon West Virginia, find information like trail length, elevation, difficulty, activities, and nearby businesses. Questions? The_Steve_from_NY. Streams are stocked with rainbow and golden trout by the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources from January through June and then again in October. Other violets along with the buttercups follow. The only gauge on the South Branch of the Potomac River above Smoke Hole Canyon is at Franklin, WV, which is about 19 . Passing on down the river, one encounters Fishing Rock and Fishing Rock Ford and finally comes, at 3.8 miles from the entrance, to an intersection near Shreve's Store, the Smoke Hole Campground and the old Palestine Church ("Old Log Church"). The Smoke Hole region has become a primary protection project of The Nature Conservancy, which purchased an 1,126-acre (456ha) easement there in April 2004. where did you put in and about how long was the float? I would imagine that once it warms up we would have done pretty good in there.Take Out,We took out just past the big bridge in Petersburg, on the river left, So back to the title of this post, getting a raft down the smoke hole canyon. [31], A number of small shelter caves in the Canyon are developed in the Oriskany Sandstone. Book Now Smoke Hole Resort 8290 N Fork Hwy Cabins, WV 26855 304-257-4442 [email protected] The understory of the Canyon woodland includes such low-lying, fruit-bearing vegetation as huckleberry, blackberry, raspberry, teaberry, and wild grape. All I have to go from is American Whitewater recommendations from the Franklin Gauge, minimum of 2.5 feet. This cave (not to be confused with the commercially developed Smoke Hole Caverns, just outside the Canyon, or with Smoke Hole Cave in the Canyon itself) is now better known as Cave Mountain Cave. If walking up an drains on the left to smoke hole road be careful of rattlers. Birds | We had two boaters come all the way from Tennessee! Turn left onto the Smoke Hole Road, Route 28/11, and travel for 13 miles to County Route 2. Electric and gas service was provided to the few remaining residents only in 1949.[25]. According to Peter Fischer, MNF Fire Management Officer, it was the largest wildfire in the Monongahela National Forest since the 1950s. Was generally not impressed with the fishing but the scenery is stunning. Pricing is economical and we even offer free delivery to some Highway 60 access points such as Canoe Lake and Smoke Lake. Paddling through the Barron Canyon is one of those canoe trips that is on everyone's bucket list due to the sheer natural wonder that it is. [8] The parents of Revolutionary War veteran William Eagle (17611848)[9] arrived shortly afterward. Smoke Hole Canyon is a hidden gem that offers a breathtaking hiking experience in the heart of the Monongahela National Forest,. Vacation home developments have already spread across four of North Fork Mountains eight highest peaks. Smoke Hole Canyon is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including black bears, bobcats, and bald eagles. | (The narrow ridge between the riverbanks here was traditionally known as "Arm Ridge".). A notable Tonoloway Limestone "fin" is "Blue Rock" in the lower gorge. Yes, but are required to be kept on a leash in the area. The canyon is very remote for most of its length after Big Bend Campground until you get close to Petersburg. Drinking water is not available so remember to bring your own. Makes for a very long second day of paddling, especially if you are going all the way down to Eagles Nest to take out. Here also, at river level, is a very prominent crag Eagle Rock. However, the landslide rapid and the old dam rapid made me gladder I was in a raft. Together, we can each do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19 so we can continue to do the important work needed in West Virginia. Popular activities in Smoke Hole Canyon include fishing (rainbow and golden trout; largemouth and smallmouth bass), hunting (squirrel, grouse, turkey, deer, rabbit and bear), hiking, rock climbing, caving, canoeing and camping (Big Bend Campground). [23], During the Great Depression, many of the few people then living in the Canyon left to find better jobs, and their homesteads were consolidated among a smaller number of landholders. The Cave Mountain anticline is asymmetric to the northwest with a slightly overturned northwest limb. Copyright 2023 VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved. Another dozen or so smaller caves have also been documented. Located at the end of Smoke Hole River Road, the Big Bend Campground contains 46 campsites in three loops. To review your email preferences, please visit nature.org/emailpreferences. The rapids are consistent class I-II with It is defined by North Fork Mountain to the west and Cave Mountain to the east. At places the Canyon is over 1,000 feet (300m) deep with nearly vertical walls. Camping in Smoke Hole Canyon is a great option for those who love the outdoors. This package of rocks is bounded on the lower and upper ends by two fairly competent sandstones: the Silurian Tuscarora and the Devonian Oriskany (Ridgeley), respectively. Sometimes called "Lewis flax", it was originally discovered during the Lewis and Clark Expedition (18041806), and not known wild east of the Great Plains until it was found in the Smoke Hole. The Forest Service and The Nature Conservancy are coordinating to find ways to stop the spread of both stiltgrass and the adelgid. The driver of the shuttle was actually a member of this forum (Stickbow maybe??). Canoeing, fishing and hiking are popular activities. 21 miles. (There is also a possible take out about 12 miles below Big Bend, but that increases the shuttle time.) Best North to South trip Brent to Canoe - heart of Algonquin Another classic- through the heart of Algonquin- my favorite. A man named Steele (given name now lost) was the first Smoke Holer, arriving sometime in the 1750s. This trip is made up of two 7 day trips, the first featuring the big lakes and wildlife between Kawawaymog and Cedar lake. Wood thrushes, scarlet tanagers and various warblers have all been in decline recently because of habitat loss on both continents, but can find sanctuary within the secluded Canyon. From here a steep Forest Service road switchbacks 5.4 miles up to the former site of the North Fork Mountain Lookout Tower. [18] One result of this was that the Smoke Holers, previously staunch Democrats (along with most antebellum Virginians), became inveterate Republicans afterward. Take a camera. The first seven miles of the run are beside Smoke Hole Rd, so short trips are possible. Smoke Hole, West Virginia Trip Report. Bald eagles also nest in the surrounding mountainsides and great blue heron can be seen hunting at river level. [29]. Is there a problem with information on this location? Title VI Notice of Nondiscrimination Peculiarly free from modern slang, their vocabulary includes such a familiar term as 'budget' to signify a bag, wallet, or bundle. It was truly a remarkable section that should most definitely be treated with respect. Difficulty ranges from Class I to Class III+. Traveling with other campers and adventurous treasure seekers, the film takes the viewer through raging rapids, unexplored mountain caves, and encounters with wilderness and wildlife native to the region. Can you help me? We had rain most of Saturday afternoon and during the night, but it did not bring the river up very much. The canyon is steep sided and 11-12 miles long. Despite all the rain, I think everyone had a good time and I never heard anyone complain about the weather. Maple sugar, maple syrup and wild honey were all available with a minimum of effort. a couple class II + (Landslide Rapid upstream of Blue Rock and an old dam soon after joining the North Fork. One thing I plan on doing different next time in a canoe,if lowwater is present, will be to use (X-Large)portage styledry bags. National Archives and Records Administration. He served in the 3rd, 4th, 8th and 12th Virginia Regiments and was present at, Calhoun, H.M. Sr. (13 November 1930), "Tales of Historic Smoke Hole and Seneca Rocks Interestingly Told", from a column in. Charitable Solicitation Disclosures Forty percent of all the endangered Virginia big-eared bats remaining on Earth and the largest colony of endangered Indiana bats left in the East reside here. It lies in the Allegheny Mountains and was created by the flow of the South Branch Potomac River. [34] The fruit-bearing common pawpaw (Asimina triloba) grows at river level in great profusion, especially in the lower gorge. LockA locked padlock Then, switch to whitewater mode and paddle down to the whitewater of the Petawawa river. Class I-II+, Camping (Big Bend), Camping (Jess Judy), Fishing,Whitewater, https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/3329/, Book A Canoeing and Kayaking Guide to West Virginia. Special bait and tackle regulations apply. With its rugged terrain, cascading waterfalls, and stunning vistas, this trail is a must-visit for any outdoor enthusiast. The canyon offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, with opportunities for panoramic vistas from various overlooks. Lantz, Abraham Kile, and Isaac Ault. Swiger, C.W. About 1.3 million visitors come to the Monongahela National Forest each year, and it's no surprise why. it would really be nice to run that rapid versus portaging gear.there were a couple other rapids that had some nice wave trains that were fun in the canoes but took on a lot of water. Smoke Hole Canyon, West Virginia, May 11 and 12, 2019, This topic has 0 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated. [citation needed] Virginia nailwort (Paronychia virginica var. The Civilian Conservation Corps stationed a battalion in Smoke Hole between 1934 and 1936 and constructed a popular recreation area there. Chelsey and I went first down the river while Ray fished and followed us along the road. The takeout is in Petersburg, WV. The section is mostly class I and II rapids with two class III rapids that can be carried. To get to the put-in's, take 220 south for about 16 miles to Smoke Hole Rd (cr 2). The Smoke Holer is most precise: 'Is that a bushel basket?' Directions: Had not many problems with shoals but there is a LOT of flatwater on the stretch between Blue Rock and Petersburg that made us wish we had a canoe to paddle instead. Production on a small scale had been a local tradition long before the institution of Prohibition (1919) and continued to be so long after its repeal (1933). As you leave the Smoke Hole Campgrounds, you will enter the most scenic, most historic, and most famous run in West Virginia. It was a great time filled with swift waters, beautiful scenery, and big smiles. Smoke Hole Canyon is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including black bears, bobcats, and bald eagles. Follow this road for 5-10 miles along the river to many put-in alternatives. Help the community if you have a paddling trip to share! Canoe and Kayak trip down the South Branch Potomac, just upriver of Smoke Hole Canyon, WV in April, 2015. I feel like 250 CFS would definitely be a minimal for raft, especially for a multi day trip when you are definitely going to drop water overnight. Photos? "I Discover the Smoke Hole". It was a great time filled with swift waters, beautiful scenery, and big smiles. Flickr photos, groups, and tags related to the "smokeholecanyon" Flickr tag. (NB: Both Grant County Route 28/11 and Pendleton County Route 2 are indicated on maps as "Smoke Hole Road". Large images may take a few minutes to appear. We put the Silverbirch Broadland 15 and 16 to work on our two day canoe trip down Smoke Hole Canyon. long, wide, still, flat pools well over a mile long that take some effort to move through. Smoke Hole Canyon. Smoke Hole Canyon - South Fork, Potomac River - Find info about paddling launch sites including directions, ammenities, & fees to plan your next paddling trip! A smoke hole ( smokehole, smoke-hole) is a hole in a roof for the smoke from a fire to vent. The oldest explanation appears to be the story that Native Americans used a well-known cave in the gorge (Smoke Hole Cave) for smoking meat; this cave has a room shaped like an inverted funnel with a hole at the apex through which smoke could escape and be seen from some distance. The major Smoke Hole Fire effort came under the unified command of the West Virginia Division of Forestry and the USFS. Directions: Smoke Hole Canyon is located in eastern WV, near Petersburg. I want to canoe big bend, smoke hole canyon. A variety of tiger beetle lives in the sandy, cobblestone habitats along the banks of the South Branch. hudson valley. Map showing recreational areas. White-tail deer were also exterminated from the area, as they were from the entire state, by about 1900. Group camping is also available at the Jess Judy Camping Area along the river. The plant species mix is unique: common Appalachian plants along with prairie species such as prairie rocket, Indian grass and little bluestem. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ), From the Shreve's Store intersection, CR 2 continues north another two miles along the river (past Old Mines Cave Rocks, mile 4.1 and Old Mines Cave, mile 5.8) to the abandoned town of Ketterman (mile 6.3) also site of an erstwhile post office and then a final mile to Big Bend Campground (mile 7.3) where the motorable roadway ends. United States. virginica) is another rare plant known from the Smoke Hole. Both of those places have good portage access if you want to avoid trouble. Wind and water wore away the softer layers, wearing down the mountains, and creating a region of rolling plains. Thank you for helping us in our efforts to protect our visitors health and well-being. A variety of frogs include the wood, bronze, leopard, and green frog, along with spring peepers. The scenery is spectacular with steep canyon walls and tall rock spires and cliffs. The only real hitch we had was that the vehicle we left up at the put-in had a flat tire when we returned on our way out of the canyon. Together, we can each do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19 so we can continue to do the important work needed in West Virginia. [3] (The spring issues from the base of Cave Mountain and is situated about 1,000 feet directly downhill of Cave Mountain Cave [formerly, "Big Cave"]. The takeout is in Petersburg, WV. Last updated on September 24, 2021. The summits also support virgin red pine and spruce forests, dramatic tundra-like communities of boreal plants, and a wonderful wealth of rare Appalachian and boreal species. The South Branch in Smoke Hole is home to rainbow trout, black and rock bass and other sunfish as well as eels. You can take a short walk on the one-third mile trail that runs along the turn in the river that gives the campground its name. Don't forget your Bilge pump on this trip, we only had one in the group and spent time passingit around after most of the significant rapids. Adkins 220, Grant 4 would have been who your shuttle driver was. See all. You will have to carry all your camping gear, etc., in your boat. This website uses cookies to enhance your experience and analyze performance and traffic on our website. The political situation in the Smoke Hole is certainly unusual; until a few years ago it was said the Smoke Hole had "only one Democrat and lightnin' killed him", but recently there has been some swing of political allegiances. A visitor in the late 1930s observed that: Their speech is quaint, containing many archaic forms handed down from the first settlers of the eighteenth century. Definitely on my list to do again. If you put on at 7-8am and dont paddle but dont stop (just go with the water), youll pop out at Petersburg around 5-7pm depending on how many Eddys you stopped in (I cant not stop on at least a few good looking holes lol). In recent years, the Canyon has been overwhelmed with this invasive species, first introduced into the state in 1980. We didn't have to get out any but did scrape on one little riffle not too far after Bluerock where we camped. The excess fabric at the top of the structure is the smoke hole and smoke flaps. Please enter a valid email address (formatted as [email protected]). Some old timers used to refer to the area as the "Smoke Holes". The South Branch of the Potomac River is sandwiched between North Mountain and Cave Mountain, creating a half-mile deep canyon with nearly vertical walls. Unchecked, the plant can spread in a manner almost impossible to abate. Smoke Hole Canyon traditionally called The Smoke Holes[1] and later simply Smoke Hole is a rugged 20 miles (32km) long gorge carved by the South Branch Potomac River in the Allegheny Mountains of eastern West Virginia, United States. No description has been added yet for this paddling location. The gauge at Franklin was 264 cfs and 3.00 feet on Sunday at noon. In 1965, much of the Smoke Hole gorge was included in the MNF's new Spruce KnobSeneca Rocks National Recreation Area. Look on the inner side of the bend for gold hung up in plant roots or cracks in. Anthony Creek (Neola to Greenbrier River), Bluestone River (Spanishburg to Eads Mill), Bluestone River (Eads Mill to Bluestone SP), Dry Fork of the Cheat(CR 26 to Hendricks), Gauley River (Curtin Bridge to Persinger Creek), Meadow River (East Rainelle to Russellville), New River (Glen Lyn, VA to Bull Falls, WV), North Branch of the Potomac (Styer to Shalamar), North Branch of the Potomac (Barnum to Bloomington), North Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac (Judy Gap to Seneca Rocks), North Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac (Seneca to Hopeville), North Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac (Hopeville Canyon), Shavers Fork (Stuart Rec. This is a landscape in which surprises seem to lie beyond each ridge. I looked at my notes and we did a three day float back in 2015. , Footage From 1972! Do you know the mile markers for those two obstacles? 2023 The Nature Conservancy The first Smoke Hole settlers followed quickly on the heels of the first in the South Branch valley, which arrived in the late 1740s. The rivers that had previously rolled gently over the plains turned into raging torrents that cut deep gorges and canyons. It is recommended to camp at least 200 feet from streams, roads, and trails. I took my 14ft NRS with rowing framed packed with gear and the levels ranged from 3.0 to 3.25 on that trip. The network of mountain roads formerly connecting homesteads and farms throughout the Canyon is now largely abandoned. Turn left onto the Smoke Hole Road, County Route 2. Canoes in our group flipped both places. All the water goes left, which is where you run it, and the rebar is usually a couple of feet deep there so usually dont have to worry. The Smoke Hole bergamot (Monarda fistulosa var. The bug coats and then kills the tree branches.