CARAWAY WEST

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Outstanding 392 acre Multi-Use Recreational Property

Agent Contact:
Richard Grist, 304.646.8837

Outstanding 392 acre Multi-Use Recreational Property for Cabins, Farming, Hunting, Camping, ATVing, Shooting Sports, and also tremendous Timber Investment

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Large 392+/- acre parcel surrounded by farms and woodland tracts
  • Property has been surveyed and ready to convey
  • Priced right to sell this season
  • All Mineral Rights will convey
  • Nearly 40 acres of flat to rolling agricultural land
  • Land legacy of careful wildlife management coupled with outstanding long-term forest stewardship
  • Awesome rock outcrops, ledges, boulders, cliffs for a great onsite climbing experience
  • Boone and Crocket country with exceptional resident wildlife populations
  • Tremendous amount of valuable harvest-ready hardwood timber
  • 3 ponds already in place for a permanent water source for livestock and fish
  • 20 seasonal branches flow during snow melts and rain events
  • Superior access with one mile of state road frontage
  • Private farm and forest management road winds through the property for over a mile on gentle grades suitable for future cabin or home site driveway
  • Numerous interior trails provide access to nearly every corner of the property
  • Renowned locally as one of the premier wildlife sanctuaries in Summers County
  • Nearby are the New River, Greenbrier River and 2000 acre Bluestone Lake – perfect for anglers and water recreation enthusiasts
  • Hatfield and McCoy Trail is just an hour’s drive for ATV enthusiasts
  • Dark skies with little or night pollution for star and planet gazing
  • High percentage of commercially – operable ground supporting forestry, farming and recreation
  • Elevations range from 1978′ to 2600’
  • Electric and phone on site and cell coverage is excellent with 4G
  • Located in popular Summers County 20 minutes to Hinton
  • Potential for numerous cabin sites
  • Low taxes, low population density
  • Unrivaled long range views of distant mountains and valley farms below
  • Old hunting lodge at the far southwestern end of the property, in need of repairs, but redeemable – access to the hunting lodge is gained by Palleys Creek side, through adjoining property

LOCATION

Caraway West is located in the small community of Judson in Summers County, WV. Situated between the sleepy towns of Hinton and Alderson, the property lays high on the mountain in the shadow of Keeny Knob, the highest point in Summers County. Covered by forested hills and graced by the Greenbrier and New River Rivers, Alderson, Hinton and the surrounding villages offer the best of southeastern West Virginia’s natural beauty. The larger cities of Lewisburg and Beckley are a 45 minute drive.

The parcel offers those from more urban areas the opportunity for a rural retreat well within a two hour’s drive of Roanoke, VA and 4 hour drive to Washington, DC and 3.5 hours to Charlotte.

Google Coordinates: 37.678789°(N), -80.784583°(W)
Address: Bal Noble Road, Hinton, WV 25951
Elevation Range: 1978 ft. to 2600 ft. +/-

DESCRIPTION

This stunning 392 acre multi-use property is a mix of rolling a meadows and mature temperate hardwood forest. On a bright blue mountain morning, Peters Mountain in Virginia can be seen nearly 40 miles away.

Nice hiking trails wind across the meadows and through the forest. Early morning or late evening is the perfect time to enjoy a stroll along the trails and let the birds keep you company with their songs. Late summer evenings bring the night sounds of crickets, bullfrogs, cicadas, owls and doves, all within the flashing backdrop of countless lightning bugs.

The cool temperate climate and loamy soils are conducive for the production of grapes, apples and peaches. The pastures may be used for grazing horses, goats, sheep, cattle, llamas and donkeys and all do well on the native bluegrass that grows so well in the region. Pigs would do well here too and love munching on acorns, hickory nuts and crab-apples from the native trees in the fall of the year.

Beekeeping is also a very popular pastime in the area and Caraway West is well suited for the production of pure golden honey and beeswax with some well-placed hives.

A portion of the property is also suited for the production of row crops and vegetables. Several nice garden spots are available. Pumpkins will do well here too.

The legacy trees scattered about the farm are very beautiful with some old growth Walnuts and Oaks that started growing in the 1800’s. The song birds, deer, rabbits, wild turkey, and squirrels thrive here as the gentle laying land, abundant water and vegetative diversity create the perfect wildlife habitat. The night sky is filled with stars and not light pollution. Adjoining Monroe County is noted as the #1 producer of sheep and Greenbrier County is the #1 cattle producer.

For the water enthusiast the Greenbrier River, New River and 2000 acre Bluestone Lake is a 20 minute drive. The area offers unlimited soft recreational activities including white water rafting, golfing, fishing, camping, hiking, bird watching and rock climbing. Snow skiing at the Winterplace Resort is 45 minutes away. In 20 minutes you can catch the Amtrak train in Hinton and ride to the Greenbrier Resort, Chicago, Washington, DC or New York City. The Beckley Airport and Greenbrier Valley Airports are just 40 minutes away.

OLD HUNTING LODGE

There is an old hunting lodge at the far southwestern end of the property. It is in need of repairs, and very well may be redeemable. Access to the hunting lodge is gained by the Powleys Creek side of the property, through the adjoining property.

AGRICULTURE

Caraway West has about 36 acres of flat to slightly rolling agricultural land that is currently being used to grow hay and pasture cattle. Some of the property was in fields prior to WWII and large piles of field stone are found along the old field edges. These stone piles are a lasting testament of the backbreaking work the early mountaineers put in to create a homestead.

WATER

There are 3 ponds already in place on the property ranging in size from ¼ acre to over ½ acre. These ponds provide a ready source of water for livestock and resident wildlife. There may be some nice bass, catfish and bluegill to be fished for in the ponds but no one is for sure as there has not been any fishing activity for many, many years.

Some of the largest trees on the property are found along the streams. The streamside environment provides habitat for crawfish, newts and salamanders. A great place for kids of all ages to turn over some rocks and see what just might be living there.

Over 20 ephemeral streams flow during rain events and snow-melt and the presence of this large number of small streams create an interesting and engaging topography. The little streams flow to the larger “Big Creek” and “Powleys Creek” which in turn flow for another 1-2 miles before terminating at the Greenbrier River near its confluence with the New River.

TIMBER RESOURCES

Complementing the property’s scattered fields and aesthetic attributes is a 350 acre +/- timber resource that is well positioned for current timber income as well as value appreciation over the coming decades. With an attractive species mix, adequate stocking levels, and favorable diameter class distribution, the timber amenity represents a strong component of value to the investor.

The Caraway West forest’s 350+/- acre timber resource is composed of unusually high quality Appalachian hardwoods. This well managed 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.

Capital Timber Value of the timber and pulpwood has not been determined at this time. The 350+/- acres of timber is exceptionally well stocked with mature timber as well as young and vigorous growing stock. Some trees are well over 100 years old and classify as “Heritage Trees”. These wonderful trees have withstood the test of time and lend an air of grace and permanency to the property.

The 350+/- acre temperate forest has considerable timber value and the timber has not been commercially harvested in over 40 years. With excellent hardwood quality and numerous pole-sized and sawlog-sized stems, the tract’s timber resource is well-positioned for product shifts over the coming decade which will drive its long-term asset value growth. Sawlog volumes are dominated by Sugar Maple, Yellow Poplar and Red Oak, three fast-growing species with historically strong veneer and lumber market demand.

There are some nice trails in place to enjoy hiking, riding ATV’s or horses. Some of the property was in fields prior to WWII and large piles of field stone are found along the old field edges. These stone piles are a lasting testament of the backbreaking work the early mountaineers put in to create a homestead.

Each year, the forest through the process of transpiration, produces thousands of tons of Oxygen while taking in thousands of tons of Carbon Dioxide, helping to lessen mankind’s Carbon Footprint. This is an important long-term value so often overlooked when thinking about the forest.

Beechnuts, Hickory nuts, sweet White Oak and Red Oak Acorns provide a sustainable food source for the squirrels, chipmunks, whitetail deer and wild turkey that live in abundance in the forest.

The forest is healthy and there are no signs of pest infestations of Gypsy Moth. The Emerald Ash Borer is present and the small number of Ash trees is in decline and will die out over the coming decade. There have been no forest fires in the recent memory.

WILDLIFE

The mix of mature timber, ponds and meadows creates the perfect wildlife habitat. It is hard to find a property that has a better mix of wildlife as there has been little to no hunting pressure for many years. The abundance of wildlife can be fully appreciated by spending a few hours hiking, looking and listening for all the forest has to offer.

The forest produces tons and tons of acorns, hickory nuts, walnuts, wild grapes, blackberries, beechnuts, poplar and maple seeds. Because there is such an amazing food source, there is a variety of wildlife, including wild turkey, white tail deer, black bear, raccoon, opossum, rabbit, grouse, squirrel, chipmunk and bobcat.

Many species of songbirds and woodpeckers thrive in the special habitat that large older trees and younger emerging stands create and make their home in this special forest environ. It is exciting to see and hear the large and very vocal Pileated Woodpecker, with its bright red crest dressed in a black and white tuxedo, sweep through the tall canopy in search of a morning snack.

The dense forest, with its closed canopy, is home to a variety of song birds, owls, ravens, buzzards, woodpeckers and hawks. Many of these birds nest in the “den trees”, which are full of holes and cavities. The birds feed on a variety of insects, including hundreds of thousands small caterpillars that inhabit the upper reaches of the canopy.

A number of Bald Eagles have been spotted up and down the Greenbrier and New Rivers and are a thrill to see with wingspans of 6-7 feet.

MINERAL RESOURCES

The Marcellus Shale Natural Gas Field is thought to underlay the property. To the Sellers knowledge, there have been no gas wells drilled on the property and no coal mining has ever been done. The Seller is conveying all mineral rights and oil and gas rights they own and they have not leased any coal or natural gas rights to any companies. All prospective buyers are encouraged to have a mineral title report done along with the surface title report before closing.

UTILITIES

There is electric service on the property. Cell phone coverage is considered to be good. High Speed Internet connection is possible through HuhesNet Satellite or wireless mobile broadband air card. Television reception is possible through DISH or DirecTV satellite.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

The whole property of which this is a part was surveyed in January 1997 by Thompson Surveying Services, and the plat of survey was recorded in the Summers County Land Records as file B-58A. There has been an outsale of 2.5 acres +/-, and an outsale of 54 acres +/-, from the eastern side of the whole property, which have been surveyed and sold after the 1997 survey. Some of the property boundaries are evidenced by stock fencing. The property is being sold by the boundary and not by the acre.

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

This property has about 8/10 mile of frontage on the Bal Noble Road RT 8.

ZONING

Summers County currently has no known zoning or subdivision regulations. However, all prospective buyers should consult the County Government and also the Health Department for any changes and details regarding zoning, building codes, and installation of water wells and septic systems.

PROPERTY TYPE/USE SUMMARY

The property consists of several pasture fields, 3 ponds, forestland, and some cleared areas in powerline usage. A breakdown is as follows:

Pasture fields: 36 acres +/-
3 Ponds
Forestland: 355 acres +/-
(This summary is an estimation of current property use as determined from aerial photography. It is made subject to the estimation of property boundaries and any errors in the interpretation of land use type from the aerial photography utilized.)

DEED AND TAX INFORMATION

Deed Information: DB 174 Pgs. 723, 734, and 737, less an outsale, for the entire larger tract
Summers County, West Virginia

Acreage: 392 acres +/- being conveyed from the larger tract of 445.8 acres +/-
Real Estate Tax ID/Acreage/Taxes:

Summers County (45), West Virginia
Greenbrier District (2)
Being part of Tax Map 5 Parcel 28; 478.50 A. BIG CREEK; Class 2

2017 Real Estate Taxes: $805.84 for the entire larger tract.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Summers County School District
Public Elementary School:
Hinton Area Elementary School
Talcott Elementary School

Public Middle School:
Summers County Middle School

Public High School:
Summers County High School

THE SURROUNDING AREA

Caraway West is supported with a great community known for its friendly residents and laidback lifestyle. The quiet town of Hinton is the county seat of Summers County and is a 20 minute drive. Hinton has amenities including churches, elementary-middle- high school, grocery stores, hardware/farm supply store, building supply, motels, banks, Dollar General, gas/convenience stores, hospital, dentists, medical clinic and restaurants.

The largest and most popular 4th of July day parade in the state is hosted by nearby Alderson. Alderson is also home to “Camp Cupcake”, the minimum security federal prison where Martha Stewart spent her vacation.

The Greenbrier Valley and surrounding area is richly blessed with a wide array of cultural events that keep life in the valley interesting and satisfying. A year round live theatre, Carnegie Hall (one of four in the USA), fine dining, art galleries and boutiques make up the thriving downtown historic district in Lewisburg.

Lewisburg is also the county seat of Greenbrier County and home to the WV Osteopathic Medical School (600 students) and the New River Community and Technical College. The area is a strong economic generator with a solid workforce employed in county/state government, tourism, hospitality, education, retail, construction, wood products, mining and agriculture.

Lewisburg has been named Coolest Small Town in America and is just a 45 minute drive to complete shopping, churches, schools, medical-dental facilities, fine dining, and a modern hospital. The world renowned 4-Star Greenbrier Resort, home of the PGA tour, is a 50 minute drive. Several other area golf courses are available in the area. Rock climbing, ziplining, horseback riding and the 100 + mile long Hatfield-McCoy ATV trail makes for a very active recreation area.

The Greenbrier County Airport, which has WV’s longest runway, is located just 45 minutes away and has daily flights to Chicago O’Hare and Dulles. Snowshoe Ski Resort is about 2 hours’ drive. Roanoke is 90 minutes, DC is 5 hours and Charlotte is 3 hours away.

Low taxes, clean water, clean air and friendly people contribute to the areas exceptional quality of life.

Numerous and various species of migratory songbirds, blue birds and finches are found on the property. Their songs are easily heard as there is not much in the way of extraneous noises in the area. This lack of outside noise creates a very tranquil setting and is a rare find in today’s industrialized world operating at breakneck speed.

THE NEW RIVER AND BLUESTONE LAKE

Just 30 minutes to Sandstone Falls, Bluestone Lake, Bluestone State Park and Pipestem Resort, the surrounding area offers unlimited soft recreational activities including white water rafting, golfing, fishing, camping, hiking, bird watching and rock climbing. Snow skiing at the Winterplace Resort is less than an hour away. In 20 minutes you can catch the Amtrak train in Hinton and ride to the Greenbrier Resort, Chicago or New York City. The Beckley Airport is just 45 minutes away. The new 10,000 acre Boy Scout high adventure camp is an hour’s drive and the 14,000 acre Wildlife Management Area is just across the river at Bull Falls.

The New River is the second oldest river in the world, preceded only by the Nile; it is the oldest river in North America. The New River is unique because it begins in Blowing Rock, N.C. and flows north through Virginia into West Virginia. The Nile and Amazon are the only other major rivers that also flow north. Year after year, it produces more citation fish than any other warm water river in WV. Small-mouth bass, large-mouth bass, crappie, catfish, sunfish, hybrid striped bass, and muskie are all common species of fish found in the New River and Bluestone Lake.

Bluestone Lake is over 2000 acres at summer pool and is the state’s third largest body of water. Great hunting and fishing opportunities abound at the 17,632 acre Bluestone Wildlife Area adjacent to the park and nearby Camp Creek State Forest.

GREENBRIER RIVER AND RIVER TRAIL

Caraway West is a 20 minute drive to the lazy Greenbrier River. The Greenbrier River is 173 miles long is the last free flowing river east of the Mississippi. It is an excellent river to float or canoe and is well known for its large and small mouth bass fishing. It is the gateway to water recreation and fun as it is at most times lazy and easy to navigate.

The Greenbrier River is formed by the confluence of the East Fork Greenbrier River and the West Fork Greenbrier River in the town of Durbin, West Virginia. From Durbin the Greenbrier River flows southwesterly through Pocahontas, Greenbrier, Monroe, and Summers Counties. It flows through several communities including Cass, Marlinton, Hillsboro, Ronceverte, Fort Spring, Alderson, and Hinton. The Greenbrier River joins the New River in the town of Hinton, West Virginia.

The property is a 45 minute ride to the Greenbrier River Trial and is operated by the West Virginia State Parks. The trail is a 77-mile long former railroad, now used for hiking, bicycling, ski-touring, horseback-riding, and wheel-chair use. The trail passes through numerous small towns and traverses 35 bridges and 2 tunnels as it winds its way along the valley. Most of the trail is adjacent to the free-flowing Greenbrier River and is surrounded by peaks of the Allegheny Mountains.

REGIONAL INFORMATION

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304.645.7674