COTTLE KNOB FOREST

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Awesome 314 acre parcel in the heart of New River Gorge, Gauley River and Cherry River Recreation areas while just 15 minutes to the 3000 acre Summersville Lake

Agent Contact:
Richard Grist, 304.646.8837 or 304.645.7674

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Awesome 314 acre parcel surrounded by farmland and large woodland tracts
  • 20 minutes to Summersville and all town amenities in popular Nicholas County
  • Surveyed and boundary lines painted
  • Convenient to I-77, I-79, US-19, US-60 and jet airports
  • Land legacy of outstanding wildlife management coupled with long-term forest stewardship
  • Boone and Crocket country with exceptional resident wildlife populations
  • Harvest-ready hardwood timber
  • Located near the 900,000 acre Monongahela National Forest
  • Bold blue line stream flows for over ½ mile through the property
  • Numerous seasonal branches flow during snow melts and rain events
  • Superior access provided by a paved state maintained county road
  • Nearly two miles of private forest management roads (graveled, ditched with culverts) wind through the property on gentle grades suitable for future cabin or a home site driveway
  • Miles and miles of interior trails provide access to nearly every corner of the property
  • Located in the heart of the awesome of the New River Gorge, Gauley River and Cherry River recreation areas for all water recreation enthusiasts
  • Nearby is the 3000 acre Summersville Lake
  • Spectacular long range views approaching 30 miles
  • High percentage of commercially – operable ground supporting forestry, recreation and potential for numerous future cabin sites
  • Elevations range from 2296’ to 2905’
  • Electric and phone nearby with excellent cell phone coverage and 4G
  • Potential conservation value
  • Low taxes, low population density, little or no light pollution
  • 2 hours to WVU and the Mighty Mountaineers

PROPERTY TYPE/USE SUMMARY

Timber production, recreation, wildlife conservation, carbon sequestration.

LOCATION

Google Coordinates: 38.351173°(N), -80.665824°(W)

Address: Callaghan Road RT 3/6, Craigsville, WV 26205; No 911 address is assigned to property without structures.

Elevation Range: 2296 ft. to 2905 ft. +/-

FOREST/TIMBER RESOURCES

The property has various ages of forestland, from areas of fairly recent harvest to full canopy stands. The distinguishing features of the Cottle Knob Forest timber resource is its unusually high hardwood pre-commercial and pole stocking with a solid basal area per acre. This stocking is well above average for the region. 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.

Timber Inventory and the Capital Timber value have not been assigned by the owner at this time.

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 White Oak/Chestnut Oak, Red Oak Group, Poplar/Cucumber/Basswood, Sugar Maple/Soft Maple and a host of associate species.

Forest-wide, most stands are fully stocked, providing the next ownership with a great deal of flexibility in shaping their own silvicultual legacy. Stem quality forest-wide can be considered excellent with the forest containing an abundant current and future veneer source.

The Cottle Knob Forest timber component has been professionally managed over the years and generally consists of two age classes managed under even-aged silvicultural guidelines. Part of this stand is comprised of long ago abandoned farm fields and old an old contour mine bench that have naturally been restocked with pioneer species of poplar, locust and hickory. The rest of the stand has been managed for several decades using regeneration harvests under the guidance of professional foresters. This stand contains 2-35 year old stems ranging in size of 2-12” dbh. This stand is on the cusp of graduating into higher-value sawtimber diameter classes over the next 30 years.

The second distinct stand is comprised of 80+ year old trees that represent mature forest stands scattered throughout the boundary along the creeks and streams.

Diameters are well represented across the commercial and pre-commercial spectrum with a notable mature size class, as well as abundant pole size timber and growing stock. Average diameter with all products combined has not been determined.

Some trees are well over 100 years old and classify as “Heritage Trees”. These amazing trees have withstood the test of time and lend an air of grace and permanency to the property.

The forest is healthy and there are no signs of pest infestations of Gypsy Moth. The Emerald Ash Borer and the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid is present and the majority of the Ash and Hemlock trees is severely stressed and will die out over the next decade. There have been no forest fires in the recent memory.

WILDLIFE

Cottle Knob Forest is renowned locally as a premier wildlife sanctuary in Nicholas County.

Red tail hawk, Raccoon, opossum and chipmunk have been spotted in and along Hanna Creek. The creek and its stony edge support crawdads, frogs, salamanders, newts, june bugs and all types of aquatic invertebrates.

The mixture of mature forest, abandoned farm fields, old contour mines and regenerated forest, coupled with the abundant water supply from creeks, settling ponds and springs, create the perfect wildlife habitat. The hardwood forest produces tons of acorns, hickory nuts beech nuts and black walnuts. White tail deer, wild turkey, black bear, coyote, squirrel, raccoon, bobcat, fox and many species of songbirds and raptors make up the resident wildlife population. It is hard to find a property that has a better mix of wildlife as there has been excellent wildlife management for many years. The nearly 2 mile long private access road creates a linear food plot of some 10 acres stocked with blackberry & raspberry bushes, native grasses and browse-ready herbaceous plants.

A number of bald eagles have been spotted up and down the Gauley, Cherry and New River and are a thrill to see with wingspans of 6-7 feet.

MINERAL RESOURCES

Various mineral rights have been either reserved or conveyed by prior deeds of record, and the property is being sold SURFACE ONLY.

UTILITIES

Water: City water is available nearby
Sewer: Private septic can be installed
Electricity: Available nearby
Internet: DSL through phone service or possible Satellite Internet
Cellphone Coverage: Good with 4G

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

Nearly two miles of internal graveled roads and miles trails offer excellent access to all corners of the property.  The property fronts onto Callaghan Road RT 3/6 for about 3/10 mile, providing access to the public road system.

WATER

A little over 1/10 mile of the headwaters of Hannah Run, a blue line stream, begins inside the property, Additionally, a blue line tributary stream of Hannah Run runs through the property for over ½ mile.  These headwaters would usually be active during periods of rainfall or snow melt.

MINERAL RESOURCES

Various mineral rights have been either reserved or conveyed by prior deeds of record, and the property is being sold SURFACE ONLY.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

The property has been surveyed, and a survey plat was recorded in the Nicholas County Land Records. Property boundaries are painted in red paint.  The property is being sold by the boundary and not by the acre.

DEED AND TAX INFORMATION

Deed Information: DB 502 Pg. 455

Nicholas County, West Virginia
Acreage: 314.25 acres +/-

Nicholas County (34), West Virginia
Beaver District (1)
TM 13 Parcel 43; C-7-A 317.42 ACS SUR; Class 3
2018 Real Estate Taxes: $679.60

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Nicholas County School District

Gauley River Elementary School
Summersville Middle School
Nicholas County High School
Nicholas County Career and Technical Center

ZONING

Nicholas County has no zoning regulations in effect other than that which is enacted and enforced within the city limits of Summersville and Richwood. All prospective purchasers are encouraged to contact the Nicholas County Health Department and the Nicholas County Flood Zone Administrator regarding installation of septic systems, water wells, and flood insurance requirements.

Nicholas County ordinances and contact information can be found at the following website:
http://www.nicholascountywv.org/ordinances/default.aspx

BENEFITS OF LIVING IN NICHOLAS COUNTY

  • 4 season climate, the fall of the year is spectacular and summers warm and breezy
  • Water sports: 3000 acre Summerville Lake, Gauley River, New River
  • Outdoor recreation: Hiking, rock climbing, white water rafting, snow skiing
  • Historic Route 60 is the ancient Midland Overland Trail (buffalo, Native American, Pioneers)
  • New River Gorge Bridge is the western hemisphere longest arched bridge
  • Monongahela National Forest and New River Gorge National River Park are nearby
  • Babcock and Hawks Nest State Parks
  • Nicholas County Veterans Memorial Park
  • Summersville arena and convention center
  • I-79 30 min to the north
  • I-77 40 min to the south
  • I-64 45 min to the south or 50 min to the east
  • Major shopping Beckley- 40 min, Charleston- 90 min Clarksburg- 90 min.
  • Modern schools
  • Rich logging and mining history
  • Modern hospital at Summersville

ALL ABOUT SUMMERSVILLE LAKE

Superb water quality and sheer sandstone cliffs make the 3000 acre Summersville Lake a unique place to visit. West Virginia’s largest lake; Summersville Lake has over 28,000 acres of water and 60 miles of shoreline. Boating, water-skiing, swimming, fishing for large- and smallmouth bass, walleye, panfish, and catfish, (trout are stocked below the dam in the spring and fall) scuba diving, picnicking, hunting, and biking are the favorite activities enjoyed by nearly one million visitors annually. Technical rock climbing and whitewater rafting are available year round, with scheduled whitewater releases below the dam on the world class Gauley River in September and October. Adjacent to the lake is Mountain Lake Campground with cabins, camping & RV hookups and many other conveniences for guests. Sarge’s Dive Shop and the lake’s marina are located on the lake with grocery stores, restaurants, and service stations located nearby in Summersville.

Boating

Launch ramps for the boating enthusiasts and fishermen are located at Battle Run, Salmon Run, Long Point Area and Picnic Area. There is a $3.00 Day Use fee for boat launching. Frequent boat launchers may purchase an Annual Day Use Pass. Golden Age and Golden Access passports may be used for a 50% discount at all Federally operated areas where a fee is charged.

Camping

Camping at Summersville Lake is restricted to developed camping areas only – there is not random camping. Battle Run Campground is a class A Corps operated campground which has day use facilities, a boat launching ramp, access to fishing, showers, trailer waste disposal facilities, playground, universally accessible restrooms, parking, swimming and picnic areas. Battle Run Campground is now part of the National Recreation Servation System. Reservations can be made by dialing 1-877-444-NRRS or on the web at ReserveUSA.com. For more information during recreation season call the campground at (304) 872-3459.

Handicapped Access

Universally Accessible Facilities are provided at the Project Office, Dam site and picnic area, Battle Run Area, and Long Point Area.

Hiking

Foot trails (Hiking) are located at Battle Run, Salmon Run, and Long Point.

Marina

Summersville Lake Marina is located at the Long Point Area. The marina number is (304) 872-1331. Additional information can be found at Summersville Lake Marina & Sarge’s Dive Shop. There is a $3.00 Day Use fee for boat launching.

Swimming

A swimming beach is located at the Battle Run Area. Lifeguards are not provided. Swim at your own risk. Swimming is prohibited on launch ramps.

Visitor Center

A Visitor Center is located at the Information office.

 

REGIONAL INFORMATION

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Contact Foxfire

304.645.7674