OVERVIEW

Creekside Acres is 97 +/- acres sitting along both sides of Sunrise Branch Creek. This property is adjacent to and just above the Sunrise Branch 49 acres also for sale by a separate owner. Creekside Acres sits above the Little Bluestone River off of Ellison Ridge Road and also has a rustic building that could be used for the basis of a camp. This building is not habitable now but does sit beside the Sunrise Branch Creek. This property is a hunter’s paradise and is only accessible by the same road that has access to Sunrise Branch 49 acres. Purchasing both properties would give you total privacy and ownership of the whole Sunrise Branch Creek Hollow or “Holler” as we say around here. This property is presently being timbered with a select cut and the present road will be greatly improved once timbering is completed. There are several benches on this property for home or cabin sites, abundant wildlife and peace and quiet. Great property for a hunting cabin, homesite or camp.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sunrise Branch Creek runs through middle of the property
• Located just above the Little Bluestone River, and not far from the Bluestone River Road for fishing and boating, hiking trails
• Summers County is home to 2 state parks Bluestone and Pipestem State Parks
• Summers County also boasts a beautiful Bluestone Lake and 3 rivers, The historic New River, Greenbrier and Bluestone Rivers
• Winterplace Ski Resort only about 30 minutes away
• Perfect for hunting camp, permanent home in the mountains
• Private, beautiful woodlands
• Close to Hinton WV  “the gateway to the New River National Park” which also has Amtrak Rail Service

LOCATION

Google Coordinates: 37.615660°(N), -80.980864°(W)
Address: Ellison Ridge Road, Jumping Branch, WV 25969. A 911 address has not yet been assigned.
Elevation Range: 1767 ft. to 2201 ft. +/-

Drive Times (approximate)

Highways / Local Towns
I-77 Ghent Exit 28: 35 minutes
Athens and Concord University: 40 minutes
Beckley: 35 minutes
Charleston: 1 hour 50 minutes
Hinton: 20 minutes
Lewisburg: 1 hour 10 minutes
Princeton: 55 minutes
Roanoke, VA: 2 hours 10 minutes
White Sulphur Springs: 1 hour 15 minutes

Airports
Beckley – Raleigh County Memorial Airport: 40 minutes
Bluefield – Mercer County Airport: 1 hour 10 minutes
Charleston – West Virginia International Yeager Airport: 1 hour 50 minutes
Lewisburg – Greenbrier Valley Airport: 1 hour 10 minutes
Roanoke – Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport: 2 hours 10 minutes

Recreation
Avian Center – Three Rivers Avian Center: 35 minutes
Golf – Willow Wood Country Club and Golf Course: 30 minutes
Golf – There are several other golf courses in the surrounding area
Historical Park – John Henry Historical Park and Monument: 30 minutes
Lake – Bluestone Lake: 20 minutes
National Park – Grandview National Park: 40 minutes
National Park – New River Gorge National Park and Preserve Visitors Center, Sandstone: 35 minutes
Resort – Glade Springs Resort: 30 minutes
Resort – Pipestem Resort State Park: 35 minutes
Report – The Greenbrier Resort: 1 hour 10 minutes
Skiing – Winterplace Ski Resort: 35 minutes
State Park – Bluestone State Park: 20 minutes
State Park – Camp Creek State Park and Forest: 50 minutes
State Park – Little Beaver State Park: 30 minutes
State Park – Pipestem Resort State Park: 35 minutes

FOREST/TIMBER RESOURCES

Recent timber harvesting has occurred on a portion of the property.

WILDLIFE

Abundant wildlife present, perfect for deer hunters, and nature lovers.

WATER

Sunrise Branch, a blueline perennial stream, flows through the property for about 6/10 mile. This stream should have regular water flow. There are also sections of 2 dashed blueline streams on the property that flow into Sunrise Branch. Those intermittent streams should have periodic water flow, especially during rain events and snow melt. Sunrise Branch flows into Little Bluestone River just a short distance away.

MINERAL RESOURCES

All rights the owner has in title will convey with the property.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

The property is being sold by the boundary and not by the acre.

UTILITIES

There are no utilities in place.

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

The property is accessed by a dirt road that connects to Ellison Ridge Road Rt. 27.

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 has been used as forestland.

(This 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 272 Pg. 618
Summers County, West Virginia

Acreage: 97 acres +/-

Real Estate Tax ID/Taxes:
Summers County (45), West Virginia
Jumping Branch District (5)
Tax Map 19 Parcel 24; Class 3
2025 Total Real Estate Taxes: $906.74

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Summers County School District

Public Elementary School:
Jumping Branch Elementary School

Public Middle School:
Summers County Middle School

Public High School:
Summers County High School

Colleges:
Concord University, New River Community, WVU Tech

SURROUNDING AREA

Hinton is the Summers County Seat and the economic and governmental hub of the county. The county’s total population is about 14,000.  Hinton has grocery stores, restaurants, banks, auto parts stores, hardware and feed supply stores, hospital, dentists and most other small town amenities.

These property is located in the quiet community of Jumping Branch  and is within a short drive of higher population areas of Blacksburg, Charleston, Beckley, Princeton and Lewisburg.

Charleston is West Virginia’s state capitol and is an easy 90 minute drive. Charleston is West Virginia’s largest city with a population of some 50,000 and a metro area of 225,000. It is the center of government, commerce, culture and industry. There is a commercial airport with daily flights to most major hubs.

Beckley is a 35 minute drive, has a population of 34,000, and is the county seat of Raleigh County. All amenities are available in Beckley. Beckley is located at the intersection of I-77, I-64 and US 19 so easy access to Charlotte, Pittsburgh, Charleston and Cincinnati is just around the corner.

The surrounding area offers unlimited recreational activities including white water rafting, golfing, fishing, camping, hiking, bird watching, rock climbing and snow skiing

• Located in the charming community of Jumping Branch, WV
• 15 -30 minutes to the 80,000 acre New River Gorge National Park and the 2,000 acre Bluestone Lake and Bluestone State Park. The Pipestem Resort , Sandstone Falls, Winterplace Ski Resort, the 4-Star Greenbrier Resort and numerous golf courses are an hour or less drive.
• A picturesque Amtrak train ride from Hinton connects the area to DC, Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, and many other locations.
• Washington, DC is 5 hours away and Charlotte only 3.
• The Charleston Airport, Beckley Airport and Lewisburg Airport all offer jet service to major hubs.
• Charleston, the state capitol, is 1.5 hours’ drive and offers all large city amenities.
• Easy access to I-64, I-77, I-79, US 460, US 19
• The Bechtel Summit Reserve, the12,000 acre Boy Scouts of America’s high adventure camp nearby in Glen Jean.
• The 14,000 acre Wildlife Management Area is nearby at Bull Falls.

Historic Summers County

Hinton, the county seat of Summers County is a 15-minute drive. Hinton, founded in 1871, grew rapidly as the hub of a growing railroad industry serving the New River coal fields, passenger travel and coast to coast freight lines. Today, Hinton serves the growing tourist and technology industries.

Summers County (2014 population—13,417) is located in the southeastern region of West Virginia, scenically placed between the beautiful Greenbrier and New River Valleys. The City of Hinton (2013 population—2,588) serves as the county seat and is the sole municipality within Summers County. The railroad boom of the early 20th century helped to build Hinton and Summers County. However, the county’s current economy is based primarily on tourism thanks to the Bluestone Dam and Lake along with the Bluestone, Greenbrier, and New Rivers which converge in Hinton. Further, the New River Gorge National River begins at Hinton and flows northward into neighboring Fayette County.

Summers County is also home to Bluestone State Park, Pipestem Resort, and a number of other facilities that provide lodging, camping, and a variety of recreational activities. The Hinton Railroad Museum, the Graham House, the Campbell Flanagan Murrell House, and other museums provide glimpses into the county’s history. The architecture of buildings in Hinton’s nationally-registered historic district is of interest to many. A solid core of retail stores and professional service providers meet the needs of residents and visitors alike.

Residents of Summers County enjoy a wonderful small town, laid back quality of life. Service clubs such as the Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary, and Ruritans support a number of community initiatives, school programs, and special events. The Summers County Library supports the county school system and provides visitors with Internet access and other services. Several denominations of churches meet the Summers County community’s spiritual needs.

Summers County is served east-west by Interstate 64 and by north and south connections to Interstate 77. The New River Parkway, when completed, will improve access to Sandstone Falls by upgrading River Road from I-64 near Exit 139 Sandstone into Hinton. West Virginia Routes 3, 12, 19, 20, and 107 are the primary highways within the county. Amtrak also provides an important transportation link to Summers County with its Cardinal line from New York to Washington DC to Chicago. Stops are made three times per week to pick up and disembark passengers at Hinton’s historic Rail Depot.

The Summers County Appalachian Regional Hospital provides a fully-staffed emergency room and a variety of medical services. Summers County Emergency Services provides ambulance service. Law enforcement is provided by the Summers County Sheriff’s Department, a detachment of the West Virginia State Police, the City of Hinton’s Police Department and park rangers with the US Army Corps of Engineers, the National Park Service, and the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources. Similarly, the City of Hinton has a new fully-manned and equipped fire station complemented by six other volunteer fire departments throughout the county.

Historic Greenbrier County

Lewisburg, (45-minute drive), which is the Greenbrier County seat, was voted the Coolest Small Town in America, combining the warmth of a close community with the sophistication of more urban locations. The thriving downtown historic district offers year-round live productions presented at the State Professional Theatre of WV, Carnegie Hall, distinctive dining venues, antique shops, award-winning galleries/boutiques, a year-round farmer’s markets. Greenbrier Valley Medical Center is a modern hospital and all attendant medical facilities, along with the many big box stores.

The county and city host several fairs & festivals throughout the year including The WV State Fair, a professional 4-weekend Renaissance Festival, Chocolate Festival, Taste of our Town Festival (TOOT), antique car shows, Jeep Rally’s, Airstream Rally, WV Barn Hunt Competition, PGA Tour @The Greenbrier, Lewisburg is also home to the modern Robert. C Byrd Medical Clinic (300 employees), 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, medical, education, retail, construction, wood products, mining and agriculture.

The world-renowned Greenbrier Resort, with 800 rooms and 1600 employees, is located in the sleepy little town of White Sulphur Springs. The 4-Star resort has a subterranean casino and is home to the PGA tour, NFL Summer Practice Event, Tennis Exhibitions (Venus Williams, John McEnroe etc.). Several other area golf courses are available in the area – including Oakhurst Links, America’s first golf course, where guests play using old style hickory-handled clubs and ground-burrowing golf balls.

A picturesque Amtrak train ride from Hinton connects the area to DC, Philadelphia, Chicago, and many other locations. By car, DC is 5 hours away and Charlotte is only 3.

Within a two-hour’s drive are located some of the finest recreational facilities in West Virginia. Winterplace Ski Resort, whitewater rafting / fishing on the New River and Gauley River, 2000-acre Bluestone Lake, Pipestem State Park and Resort and the 80,000-acre New River National Gorge National Park. Five other area state parks and state forests offer unlimited hiking, horseback riding, ATV riding and rock climbing opportunities. Snowshoe Ski Resort is 90-minute drive through some of the most scenic country on the East Coast. The new 12,000-acre Boy Scout High Adventure Camp and home to the US and World Jamboree is an hour’s drive.

THE GREENBRIER RIVER

The lower Greenbrier River possesses the excitement of life on one of the nation’s great wild rivers. The focus of a vast outdoor-recreation destination, it flows untamed out of the lofty Alleghenies, attracting anglers, paddlers, and naturalists from across the globe.

At 172 miles long, the Greenbrier drains over 1.5 million acres and is the longest undammed river left in the Eastern United States. It is primarily used for recreational pursuits and well known for its fishing, canoeing, kayaking and floating opportunities. Its upper reaches flow through the Monongahela National Forest, and it is paralleled for 77 miles by the Greenbrier River Trail, a rail trail which runs between the communities of Cass and North Caldwell.

It has always been a valuable water route, with the majority of the important cities in the watershed being established river ports. The river gives the receiving waters of the New River an estimated 30% of its water volume. Over three-fourths of the watershed is an extensive karstic (cavern system), which supports fine trout fishing, cave exploration and recreation. Many important festivals and public events are held along the river throughout the watershed.

The Greenbrier is formed at Durbin in northern Pocahontas County by the confluence of the East Fork Greenbrier River and the West Fork Greenbrier River, both of which are short streams rising at elevations exceeding 3,300 feet and flowing for their entire lengths in northern Pocahontas County. From Durbin the Greenbrier flows generally south-southwest through Pocahontas, Greenbrier and Summers Counties, past several communities including Cass, Marlinton, Hillsboro, Ronceverte, Fort Spring, Alderson, and Hinton, where it flows into the New River.

Along most of its course, the Greenbrier accommodated the celebrated Indian warpath known as the Seneca Trail (Great Indian Warpath). From the vicinity of present-day White Sulphur Springs the Trail followed Anthony’s Creek down to the Greenbrier near the present Pocahontas-Greenbrier County line. It then ascended the River to the vicinity of Hillsboro and Droop Mountain and made its way through present Pocahontas County by way of future Marlinton, Indian Draft Run, and Edray.

THE NEW RIVER AND BLUESTONE LAKE

Sunrise Branch 49 Acres is 10-15 minutes to the New River, 80,000 acre New River Gorge National River Park & Preserve and the 2000 acre Bluestone Lake at Hinton. 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. Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, sunfish, hybrid striped bass, and muskie are all common species of fish found in the New River and Bluestone Lake.

The New River Gorge National River is now our newest 63^rd National Park and Hinton sits near the beginning of this park area on the  beautiful,  rugged,  adventurous river home to white water rafters/kayakers and fisherman.  This new designation will create a 7,021-acre park around the heart of the gorge, which is already developed with trailheads and a visitor center, while the remaining 65,165 acres will be designated a national preserve to allow for backcountry hunting.

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. The historic Bluestone Dam began operation as a flood control structure in 1949. The Bluestone Lake has the largest drainage area and flood storage of any dam in WV. Extending over 10 miles up the New River.  This dam has prevented approximately 1.6 billion in flood damages since 1949.  Bluestone Lake and Bluestone Dam attract over 1.3 million visitors annually. The Bluestone Lake Wildlife Management area is one  of the most popular public hunting and fishing areas in the state.

THE BLUESTONE RIVER

Named after the blue limestone streambed, this river was instrumental in early settlements and homesteads.  American Indians called the Bluestone River  “Momongosenka” (Big Stone River).  Many native prehistoric sites dating back to Ice –Age mammoth and mastodon, through hundreds of generations of village and burial sites of the Archaic and Woodland cultures, to the Delaware, Cherokee and Shawnee tribes of the 1600 and 1700’s have been documented throughout the Bluestone River watershed.  At the confluence of the Little Bluestone River and the Bluestone Rivers in the National Scenic River near Bluestone State park, the lost community of Lilly, once flourished before its condemnation and removal prior to the structure of the Bluestone Dam. The Bluestone Turnpike , a riverbank road that evolved from the original Indian trail through the gorge, was used by those that farmed and timbered the area until the 1940’s, and still serves today as the main trail access for park visitors.

WINTERPLACE SKI RESORT

Winterplace Ski Resort is located in Ghent, West Virginia on Raleigh County’s Flat Top Mountain, just five minutes off of I-77 at Exit 28. The southernmost ski resort in West Virginia, Winterplace is a popular attraction to skiers from VA, NC, KY and OH, due to its proximity to Interstate 77. It operates in conjunction with The Resort at Glade Springs, a four-season golf resort and spa. Winterplace Ski Resort is the most accessible skiing area in West Virginia, even during heavy snowstorms. The Resort features 12 lifts, 27 trails, two terrain parks and WV’s largest snowtubing park, offering 16 lanes of fun, and much more.

The Resort at Glade Springs is located eight miles north of Winterplace in Daniels, West Virginia, near the intersection of I-77 and Interstate 64. It operates a spa and three golf courses. The Cobb Course and the Stonehaven Course have been rated among the top five courses in West Virginia by Golfweek Magazine; the Cobb Course, designed by George Cobb, was rated West Virginia’s best golf course in 1995. Glade Springs is also the home course for the WVU Tech men’s and women’s golf teams Glade Springs also offers horseback riding and whitewater rafting on the New River.

THE NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL PARK and PRESERVE

The 70,000-acre New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is a unit of the United States National Park Service (NPS) designed to protect and maintain the New River Gorge in southern West Virginia in the Appalachian Mountains. Established in 1978 as a national river, the NPS-protected area stretches for 53 miles from just downstream of Hinton to Hawks Nest State Park near Ansted. The park was officially named America’s 63rd national park, the U.S. government’s highest form of protection, in December of 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic as part of a relief bill.

West Virginia is home to parts of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, a foot path that stretches more than 2,100 miles between Maine and Georgia; the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, which cuts through 16 states for 4,900 miles; the Bluestone National Scenic River; and Harpers Ferry National Historic Park. Now, over 70,000 acres of land, bordering 53 miles of the gorge, has earned the government’s protection.

The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is rich in cultural and natural history and offers an abundance of scenic and recreational opportunities. New River Gorge is home to some of the country’s best whitewater rafting, mainly from the Cunard put-in to the Fayette Station take-out and is also one of the most popular climbing areas on the East Coast.

Home to the New River, which drops 750 feet over 66 miles, with its Class V rapids, has long drawn adventuresome rafters and kayakers to this whitewater area. The New River, which flows northward through low-cut canyons in the Appalachian Mountains, is actually one of the oldest rivers on the planet.

Rock climbing on the canyon walls, mountain biking and hiking on trails that flank the river, and wildlife viewing—bald eagles, osprey, kingfishers, great blue herons, beavers, river otters, wild turkeys, brown bats, snakes, and black bears—are all popular activities within the park.

The New River Gorge Bridge is a work of structural art. Construction of the bridge began in 1974, and was completed in 1977. The Bridge spans 3,030 feet in length and is the third highest bridge in the U.S., at 876 ft. During Bridge Day, an annual one-day festival celebrating the construction of the Bridge, BASE jumpers launch off the 876-foot bridge and parachute down to the New River. New River Gorge is the only national park in the U.S. that permits this extreme activity.

President Jimmy Carter signed legislation establishing New River Gorge National River on November 10, 1978 (Pub.L. 95–625). As stated in the legislation, the park was established as a unit of the national park system “for the purpose of conserving and interpreting outstanding natural, scenic, and historic values and objects in and around the New River Gorge, and preserving as a free-flowing stream an important segment of the New River in West Virginia for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.” The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve Designation Act was incorporated into the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, changing the designation to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Less than 10% of the original national river was re-designated as a national park, where hunting is no longer permitted, while the remainder is a national preserve with little change.

NEW RIVER REGION OVERVIEW

The New River is shared by boaters, fisherman, campers, park visitors and local neighbors. The waters of the New River system contain a mosaic of hydrologic features and aquatic habitats that support a highly productive aquatic ecosystem that includes distinct populations of native fish, mussels, crayfish, and a broad array of other aquatic life, including rare amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

The 320-mile New River rises in the Blue Ridge region of North Carolina and flows northeastward through the Appalachian uplands to Radford, Va., where it turns northwestward and passes through a series of narrow valleys and gorges into southern West Virginia. It ends where it joins the Gauley River to form the Kanawha River. In WV, the New River is entrenched in a steep and narrow valley, the narrowest part of which is known as the “New River Gorge.”

In 1998, because of historical, economical, and cultural importance, President Clinton signed into law the New River as one of the very first American Heritage Rivers. Much of the river’s course through West Virginia was designated as the New River Gorge National River. In 2021, the area was designated as the United States’ newest National Park.

The New River is recognized as the “second oldest river in the world” and is estimated to be between 10 and 360 million years old. Its headwaters begin near Blowing Rock, NC, and is one of the few rivers in North America that flows northerly.

Class I, II, III, IV and V rapids dot the entire 320 miles of New River making it a great paddling, tubing, and white rafting adventure. Beautiful cliffs, bluffs, and mountain views make it one of the most scenic rivers on the east coast.

New River Gorge National Park includes 53 miles of free-flowing New River, beginning at Bluestone Dam and ending at Hawks Nest Lake. The New River typifies big West Virginia style whitewater. Within the park it has two very different characters. The upper (southern) part of the river consists primarily of long pools, and relatively easy rapids up to Class III. It is a big powerful river, but very beautiful, always runnable, and providing excellent fishing and camping. There are a number of different river access points, and trips can run from several hours to several days.

The lower (northern) section of river is often referred to as “the Lower Gorge.” In a state that is justifiably renowned for colossal rapids, the Lower Gorge has some of the biggest of the big with rapids ranging in difficulty from Class III to Class V. The rapids are imposing and forceful, many of them obstructed by large boulders which necessitate maneuvering in very powerful currents, crosscurrents, and hydraulics. Some rapids contain hazardous undercut rocks.

BLUESTONE LAKE

Amidst the beautiful scenery of southern West Virginia lies the long, narrow 2,000-acre Bluestone Lake. This reservoir, the third largest lake in West Virginia, is popular for its fishing and other recreational activities. Bluestone Lake was formed by a concrete dam built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers across the New River to reduce flooding. Although the dam was started in 11351, its construction was delayed because of World War II, and it was not fully completed until 1952. The lake is nearly eleven miles long, with an area of 2,040 acres during summer pool, though the water level does change frequently. Water levels are drawn down four feet in winter to make room for melting snow and spring rain.

Bluestone Lake, Greenbrier River, Bluestone River, and the New River are great places for fishing, and it is said that New River is the best warm-water fishery in the state. Some of the species of fish available in the lake and river are bluegill, catfish, crappie, muskellunge, and various types of bass. New River bass have set some West Virginia state records.

In addition to fishing, Bluestone Lake is fantastic for enjoying all sorts of water activities, including boating, canoeing, water skiing, and wake boarding. The lake has several boat ramps and a commercial marina for the boater’s convenience, and there are no limits to the size of boats or motors that can be on the lake.

Bluestone Lake is part of the Bluestone Wildlife Management Area, which covers an area of 18,019 acres. The Wildlife Management Area is known for having some of the best hunting in the area, and hunters and trappers will be able to catch a variety of game including white-tail deer, turkey, fox, and other animals.

One great place to enjoy the lake is at Bluestone State Park. The park has ample accommodations for those who want to stay overnight. There are a variety of camp sites – or, if you prefer a more comfortable stay, there are 26 cabins with TV’s, showers, and other modern conveniences. Park visitors can take a walk on the hiking trails, play in the swimming pool, or rent game equipment to play croquet or horseshoes. The park also has weekly events with lots of fun activities.