OVERVIEW

Black Bear Run is a true mountain gem! Let your imagination go wild with what can be accomplished on this tract of land with old fields and lots of woodlands.  Want to build your get-a-way cabin…this is it! Want to find a timber investment…this is it!  Want to find a place to raise a family off the beaten path…this is it!

ATTRIBUTES AND HIGHLIGHTS

• 88.316 +/- acre multi use property with forestland, old farm fields, creeks and riparian areas
• This property has an existing trail network throughout the property
• Interesting rock outcrops and stream beds
• A blue-line stream flow for over ½ mile through the property
• Deeded access to WV County Route 2 (Old House Branch Road) along old County Route 25/6 (Mountain Creek Road)
• Dark skies with little light pollution for star and planet gazing
• Native sedges, rushes, ferns, songbirds, frogs, turtles, crawdads all enjoy the creeks and their rocky edges
• Located in Summers County near the Mercer County line, less than 45 minutes from Pipestem State Park
• Many very ancient “Heritage” trees scattered about the forest and old fields estimated at 100-200 years old
• All minerals interest that the owner has will convey
• Electricity onsite and good cellular coverage
• Wildlife is very abundant with deer, turkey, bobcat, coyote, fox, rabbit, squirrel
• Winged wildlife includes eagles, hawks, grouse, turkey, owls, ravens, and Neotropical songbirds
• Diverse topography containing forest land, overgrown farm fields, large creeks and ancient trees create a fascinating natural setting
• The 2000 acre Bluestone Lake, Greenbrier and New Rivers are just a 45 minute drive
• The Bluestone National Scenic River and Wildlife Management are encompasses over 18,000 acres is less than 30 minutes away

LOCATION

Google Coordinates: N 37.574846, W -81.057055
Address: Approximately 2.5 miles north of Dunns, WV
Elevation Range:   2090’ to 2680’

MINERAL RESOURCES

West Virginia is one of the states in the US that has two separate ownership titles; those being SURFACE RIGHTS and MINERAL RIGHTS. The mineral rights are believed to be intact and all rights the owner has will convey with the property. A mineral title search could be conducted by a title attorney at the same time when the surface title search is being conducted.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

This property is being sold by the boundary and not the acreage.

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

The property lies approximately 2.5 mile north of the village of Dunns, WV with deeded access to WV County Route 2 (Old House Branch Road) along old County Route 25/6 (Mountain Creek Road)

UTILITIES

Water: Well may be drilled.
Sewer: Septic system may be installed
Electricity: On site and along a portion of the property line
Telephone: Not Available
Internet: Available through satellite or cellphone companies
Cellphone Coverage: Good

ZONING

Summers County is subject to some zoning and subdivision regulations. All prospective buyers should consult the Summers County Commission and also the Health Department for details regarding zoning, building codes and installation of septic systems.

PROPERTY TYPE/USE SUMMARY

This property consists of various ages of forestland with old fields interspersed throughout the tract.  A utility line runs across and along the property.  The property is well situated for timber investment and/or recreational activities.

RECREATION ON/NEAR BLACK BEAR RUN

The Black Bear Run offers many recreational opportunities. Numerous recreational activities are anchored by the proximity to the recreation mecca of Bluestone River National Recreation Area, New River Gorge National Park, numerous State Parks, State Forest and Wildlife Management Areas.

Hunting Opportunities are abundant on Black Bear Run.  Whitetail deer, turkey, squirrels and rabbits may be found throughout property.  About 5 acres of old fields provides upland habitat and acres of food plot sites.  Off property there are numerous public hunting areas within a 40 minute drive: Camp Creek State Forest, Bluestone National Scenic River, Tate Lohr WMA and Bluestone Lake WMA. These areas provide over 28,000 acres of habitat.

Cold Water Fishing can be found throughout the region.  Many of the stream in the area are stocked with trout.  Several special regulation sections of some streams offer fly-fishing only areas.

Warm Water Fishing in the Bluestone, Greenbrier and New Rivers is some of the best in the region.  Smallmouth bass and muskie are the big draws.  These rivers have an excellent population of the native Eastern Highlands walleye.  This walleye subspecies grows faster and produce quicker than their northern cousins.  Great fishing is found on both rivers for crappie, catfish, pike and bluegill.

Nature viewing – Attentive wildlife management has been geared not just too game animals. Equal consideration has been extended to increasing the numbers and diversity of species including neo-tropical songbirds, butterflies, turtles, frogs, rabbits, chipmunks, dragonflies, owls, hawks.

Stargazing-Planet Observation-Astrophotography – Complete to semi-complete darkness can be still be found on most of the property, thereby affording the opportunity to view the night sky in all its brilliant wonder.

Water-sports enthusiasts will find the nearby New River and Bluestone River/Lake ideal for swimming, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, tubing, snorkeling, paddle boarding and windsurfing.

Shooting-sports devotees find all the land and privacy needed to enjoy:

Paintball-Airsoft-Laser tag-Archery tag
Shotgun sport shooting including Skeet, Trap and Sporting Clays
Rifle & Handgun shooting: bullseye, silhouette, western, bench rest, long-range, fast draw
Archery and Crossbow competition shooting
Plain ole’ plinking: Grandpa’s old 22 single shot rifle and a few tin cans make a fun day

All Terrain Motorsports
Black Bear Run has several forest trails that are perfect for experiencing the property from an ATV or UTV. These exciting machines handle the wide variety of the forest’s terrain.  Several of the Hatfield McCoy Trails System trial heads are just an hour away should you choose to use them.

Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding and Hiking
Along with ATV riding, existing forest trails may be used for conventional and mountain biking, hiking or horseback riding.

FOREST FARMING

The most common crops are medicinal herbs and mushrooms. Other crops that can be produced include shade-loving native ornamentals, moss, fruit, nuts, other food crops, and decorative materials for crafts. These crops are often referred to as special forest products. Here are some specific examples of crops:

• Medicinal herbs: Ginseng, goldenseal, black cohosh, bloodroot, passionflower, and mayapple
• Mushrooms: Shiitake and oyster mushrooms • Native ornamentals: Rhododendrons and dogwood
• Moss: Log or sheet moss
• Fruit: Pawpaws, currants, elderberries, and lowbush blueberries
• Nuts: Black walnuts, hazelnuts, hickory nuts, and beechnuts
• Other food crops: Ramps (wild leeks), maple syrup, and honey
• Plants used for decorative purposes, dyes, and crafts: Galax, princess pine, white oak, pussy willow branches in the spring, holly, bittersweet, and bloodroot and ground pine (Lycopodium)

SELF-SUSTAINING LIFE OFF THE GRID

Just like 200 years ago, when the first mountaineers settled the area, the property would be self-sustaining in times of necessity – even without electricity.

• Fresh water for drinking and cooking would come from springs or a drilled well
• The forest would provide fresh food (deer, squirrel and turkey)
• More land could be cleared, and the land would be used to raise livestock, vegetable gardens, berry patches, fruit orchards, and row crops of corn, oats and barley
• Beehives would provide honey and beeswax for candles
• The forest would provide firewood for heating and cooking, lumber for building, maple syrup and pounds of nuts (beechnuts and hickory nuts)

WATER

North Fork is a perennial (blue line) stream that flows for over ½ mile along the western portion of the property and which all run off from the properties intermittent and ephemeral streams flow into. There are approximately 1.3 miles of intermittent and ephemeral branches on the property that feed into North Fork. There should be frequent water flow in the streams and branches, particularly during rain events and periods of snow melt. Numerous springs may be found throughout the property.

FOREST/TIMBER RESOURCES

The Property’s timber resource, 88.316 acres +/-, is composed of some very quality Appalachian hardwoods. Some of this timber may contain veneer logs for export. This timber resource can provide a great deal of flexibility to the next ownership in terms of potential harvest revenue and can be managed to provide cash flow opportunities to offset holding cost and long-term asset appreciation.

• Prudent forest management called for timed selective harvests on portions of the forest under the supervision of a registered forester. Residual timber in these areas are considered well stocked.
• Timber stands are generally fully stocked with excellent stem quality.
• Species composition: The forest’s predominately well-drained upland terrain has led to a resource dominated by hardwood species. Overall, the species composition is highly desirable and favors Appalachian hardwood types, consisting primarily of:
  • Black Cherry
  • Sugar Maple
  • Poplar/Cucumber/Basswood
  • Red Oak Group
  • White Oak/Chestnut Oak
  • Maple
  • Hickory
• As well as a host of other species
• Forest-wide, most stands are fully stocked, providing the next ownership with a great deal of flexibility in shaping their own silvicultural legacy. Many sections of the forest are ready for a selective thinning which will generate considerable income.
• Diameters are well represented across the commercial spectrum with a notable mature size class, as well as abundant pole size timber and growing stock.
• Several “Heritage Trees” are scattered throughout the forest. These ancient trees, some 100-200 years old, have withstood the test of time, weathering ice, wind, lightning strikes and fire. The forest is healthy and presently there are no signs of pest infestations of Gypsy Moth. The Emerald Ash Borer and Hemlock Wooly adelgid are present and the Ash component will be eliminated by the borer in the next decade.
• The forest floor is home to several types of mushrooms, medicinal plants, wild ginseng, ferns and cool green mosses.

DEED AND TAX INFORMATION

Deed Information: Deed Book 230 Page 529
Acreage: 88.316 +/-

Real Estate Tax ID/Acreage/Taxes:
Summers County, West Virginia
Jumping Branch District
Tax Map 22 Parcel 27

2021 Real Estate Taxes: $836.54

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The property is located in both Mercer and Summers Counties, which may permit access to the school systems of both counties.  Mercer County schools are the closest to the property.

Mercer County School District

Public Elementary School:
Spanishburg Elementary School

Public Middle School:
Pikeview Middle School

Public High School:
Pikeview High School

Colleges:
New River Community and Technical College (Princeton campus)
Concord University

Private Schools:
Mercer Christian Academy
Silver Springs Early Learning

SURROUNDING AREA

HATFIELD-McCOY TRAILS SYSTEM

The Hatfield-McCoy Trails System (HMTS) is made up of 1000 miles of trails and located in the rich mountains of southern West Virginia. The 1000 mile HMTS is second only to the 2000-mile-long Paiute ATV Trail in Central Utah.

As one of the largest off-highway vehicle trail systems in the world, HMTS is open 365 days a year and offers something for every skill level. The trail system caters to ATV, UATV, and motorbikes (dirt bikes), but hikers, mountain bikers, and horse riders can also use the trails.  The trail system is a multi-county project, including West Virginia counties Logan, Kanawha, Wyoming, McDowell, Mercer, Wayne, Lincoln, Mingo, and Boone.

The name of the trail system is derived from the names of two families, the Hatfield’s and the McCoy’s, who famously feuded near the West Virginia and Kentucky border after the Civil War.

Law enforcement officers patrol the trail to assure compliance with safety regulations. Motorized users of the trail system must wear a DOT-approved helmet and are prohibited from “doubling” (having a passenger), unless their vehicle is designed for two people. These rules, and a host of others, have allowed the trail system to enjoy a quality safety record, despite an increase in ATV-related injuries around the country.

BLUESTONE LAKE

Bluestone Dam spans the New River, forming Bluestone Lake, the third largest lake in West Virginia. With a 2,040 acre surface area, the lake provides boaters, water skiers, and fishermen with great recreational opportunities. This concrete gravity dam is used for flood control, recreation, fish and wildlife.

Bluestone Lake is a flood control reservoir located on the New River near Hinton, West Virginia. At its normal pool level, Bluestone Dam impounds a 10.7-mile stretch of the New and its tributary, the Bluestone River. Normally approximately 2,040 acres in size, the lake can grow to over 36 miles long at flood control pool. At higher water levels, the lake extends into Giles County, Virginia.

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources operates Bluestone State Park and Bluestone Wildlife Management Area, each encompassing portions of the lake. Camping and other activities are available in these facilities.

Easily accessible from I-77 and I-64, Bluestone Lake is located at Hinton, WV, on WV 3 and 20.

BLUESTONE RIVER

The lower 10 miles of the designated segment flow through an 800-foot deep gorge and offer warmwater fishing, whitewater boating when water level permits, and hiking along the river on a trail between Bluestone and Pipestem State Parks. Spectacular views of the river gorge may be seen from overlooks at Pipestem. A major portion of the lands are managed by the state to provide hunting opportunities; wild turkey is the featured species.   The Bluestone River rises along the northern flank of East River Mountain, 2.5 miles southwest of Springville, Virginia, and flows northeast 83 miles through Mercer County and Summers County in West Virginia to join the New River. Eleven miles of its lower course are protected by the National Park Service as the Bluestone National Scenic River.

BLUESTONE STATE PARK

Bluestone State Park is a 2,154-acre park is located along the western shore of Bluestone Lake. It is the perfect lakeside retreat camping spot, located along the state’s third-largest body of water. Bluestone is home to four distinct campgrounds, with a combined total of 120 campsites. Bluestone State Park has 26 cabins located in a wooded area on the mountainside above the Bluestone River. The cabins are perfect for romantic retreats or family vacations. Select cabins are pet-friendly.

The park has more than eight miles of hiking trails. Public boat launches are available on the Bluestone River and at Bluestone Lake. Fishing boats, pontoon boats, kayaks and canoes are available for rent at Bluestone marina.

BLUESTONE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

Bluestone Wildlife Management Area offers visitors a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities on 18,019 acres. Being adjacent to Bluestone Lake, the state’s second largest body of water, the area offers guests boating, canoeing and fishing opportunities. Hunting is offered due to the wildlife management area status, and Bluestone has over 330 primitive campsites and picnic sites along New River, Bluestone Lake and Indian Creek. Avid fishermen can enjoy float fishing and stocked trout fishing in Indian Creek. Hiking and equestrian trails are also popular.

Summers County Camping operates the campgrounds: “Bertha”, “The Mouth of Indian Creek”, “Cedar Branch” and “Shanklin’s Ferry” in the Bluestone Wildlife Management Area. Over 200 primitive campsites.

NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL PARK AND RESERVE

The Newest National Park in America at your back door…   Just a short 45 minute drive from the property will take you to the amazing New River National Park.  An awe inspiring visit that is sure to bring a new experience each and every time. Once you see it, it’s something you’ll never forget. Rock climbers have long prized the sandstone cliffs of West Virginia’s New River Gorge, which was designated as a national park and preserve in December 2020.  New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is known for its 53 miles of free flowing whitewater that cuts through sandstone cliffs towering as high as 1,000 feet in the air. It boasts class III through V rapids and plenty of boulders to keep even the most experienced rafters engaged. The upper part of the river is calmer and more welcoming to new rafters. The area also boasts more than 1,500 climbing routes, as well as a 12.8-mile system of mountain bike trails built by the Boy Scouts.  There are moments, as you drift through the deep canyon walls of the New River Gorge, when it feels like you’ve got the whole world to yourself. It’s just you and the river, littered with massive, prehistoric boulders that were here when the coal mining camps were built, and the fur trading posts before them, and the Shawnee and Cherokee villages before those. In a river that geologists say could be one of the world’s oldest, you can lose yourself in time. Then the current picks up, and you’re back to paddling like mad, navigating the chutes and eddies of heart-pounding white water.  Since the 1960s, West Virginia’s New River Gorge has drawn adventure seekers to its rapids and rock walls, and those rafters and climbers have long considered it a hidden gem. But the curtain is being drawn back on the canyon, because part of it has become America’s 63rd national park. New River Gorge National River’s 72,186 acres is just like its name “New”.   The Newest National Park and Preserve in America.

PIPESTEM RESORT STATE PARK

Stretches over 4,050 acres in the Bluestone River Gorge of West Virginia and boasts scenic views of steep terrains, rugged wilderness, and rushing waters against the backdrop of the Appalachian Mountains. The park derives its name from a local shrub that Native Americans and early pioneers used to create shafts for their tobacco pipes. This “pipe stem” became the namesake of Pipestem Resort State Park.   Adventure lovers and nature enthusiasts are attracted to Pipestem Resort State Park for its plentiful recreational activities. There’s no shortage of things to do at the park, whether it’s getting an adrenaline rush from zip lining, hiking, mountain biking or horseback riding through the wilderness or heading to the waters of Long Branch Lake and Bluestone River for kayaking, fishing, and swimming. And that’s not even including the Nature Center’s educational programs, open-air concerts at the amphitheater, or the 18-hole championship golf course.  Tour the treetops of West Virginia with a bird’s eye view of the Bluestone Gorge. In 2018 Bonsai Design, the country’s premier builder of ziplines, built a world class canopy tour at Pipestem Resort State Park. The course includes nine zips, a cable bridge and a belay.

For nature-lovers, our zipline tours satisfy the desire to be outdoors in the trees, communing with nature. For adrenaline junkies, the course crosses the Bluestone Gorge three times at heights of more than 300 ft. Four of the zips range from 1,000 to 1,700 ft. in length. Guests will zip from tree to tree at speeds up to 50 mph.

The final zip ends at Mountain Creek Lodge where guests are transported to the top of the mountain on Pipestem’s 3,410 ft. aerial tram.

SANDSTONE FALLS

Sandstone Falls is a wide, wide waterfall on the New River a few miles north of the town of Hinton. The New River is about 1500 feet wide at the point it encounters a sandstone ledge. The rivers breaks over and around the ledge, creating an island and a number of falls of varying heights and widths depending on the level of the river.

There is no vantage point from which you can view the entire falls. The closest is an overlook high above the falls. A series of trails and boardwalks are located on the western edge of the river and they take you to some up close and personal views of different parts of the falls. Unfortunately the eastern edge of the falls is the highest, and you can only get distant views.

Sandstone Falls is a few miles downstream of the Bluestone Dam, but the river levels still vary considerably throughout the year. Floods still happen from time to time, during which the falls are basically drowned. It had been raining for several days when I visited, so the falls had plenty of water. A downside to this is that some vantage points that may be accessible during drier times were cut off by the water.

Sandstone Falls is located about 10 miles north of Hinton along River Road. Along the way you will pass Brooks Falls, a drop of only a few feet, and several very seasonal side falls. To reach Hinton from I-64, take exit 139 (the Sandstone exit), and head south on Route 20. This is a windy road that