Griffith Creek Forest is an awesome 151-acre recreation and timberland investment tract located in popular Summers County near Alderson and Lewisburg WV. Two residential homes offer year-round living suitable for a multiple of uses. The property has a rich history dating back to the 1800’s when the first settlers to the area cleared the bottomland, high benches and gentle hill side slopes to raise crops and create grazing boundaries. The property offers excellent building sites with 30 mile views. Old horse and mule trails are still evident today.

Two dashed blue line streams with 8 more seasonal branches create a water rich topography offering a mix of old farm fields and mature forest. Surrounded by farms and large timber tracts, Griffith Creek Forest’s recreational potential benefits from low human population density.

HIGHLIGHTS

• 151+/- exceptional acres adjoining large forest and farms in a nice rural neighborhood.
• Stick built home with 3 bedrooms & two baths built in 2005 for year round living, full basement.
• Large detached two car garage/workshop with concrete floor.
• Several more multi-purpose outbuildings in great condition.
• Immaculate Caretaker-Guest mobile home residence onsite.
• Near Alderson and Lewisburg with offering in-town amenities in a quite rural setting.
• Forest is well positioned for long-term timber production and cash flow generation.
• Nearly one mile long dashed blue-line streams forming the headwaters of Griffith Creek.
• Majestic hardwood forest with over 30 species of native trees.
• All mineral rights the owner has will convey with the property.
• 4+/- acres of pasture and cropland for livestock production growing your own food.
• Electricity and phone on site.
• Forest trails suitable for ATVing, hiking and horseback riding offer excellent access.
• Located 5 minutes to the Greenbrier River, gateway for water recreation and New River Gorge.
• Wildlife population unparalleled – Boone and Crocket country. Elevations: 2240 ft. to 2935 ft.
• Dark Skies, little or no light pollution for star gazing and planet observation.
• Diverse topography with 10+ seasonal branches creating an interesting natural setting.

LOCATION

Google Coordinates: 37.757088°(N), -80.720829°(W)
Address: 2438 Griffith Creek Road, Alderson, WV 24910
Elevation Range: 2240 ft. to 2935 ft. +/-

HOME SUMMARY

• 3 Bedrooms
• 2 Bathrooms
• Living Room
• Kitchen
• Dining Room
• Covered Front Porch
• Covered Back Porch Deck

Home Square Footage Summary
• 960 SF +/- Main Level
• 486 SF +/- Upper Level
• 960 SF +/- Full Basement
TOTAL: 2,406 SF +/-

Room Dimension Summary

Main Level:
• Living Room 18’6” X 14’
• Dining Room 11’6” X 11’4”
• Kitchen 20’8” X 9’10”
• Master Bedroom 14’ X 14’
• Bathroom (dimensions not available)
• Covered Front Porch 6’ X 32’
• Covered Back Porch Deck 12’ X 32’

Upper Level:
• Bedroom 14’ X 13’10”
• Bedroom 14’ X 13’10”
• Bathroom 10’8” X 8’10”

Kitchen appliances:
• Kenmore dishwasher
• Kenmore electric range

Full Basement 30’ X 32’ 
• Indoor and outside entrance
• Wall gas heater
• Whirlpool 40-gallon water heater (1999)
• Water softening system

CARETAKER – GUEST RESIDENCE:

• Mobile Home (YR 1999) 13’ X 46’ (Immaculate condition, move in ready).
• 8’ X 11’ open front deck.
• 10’ X 20’ covered back deck.
• Vinyl siding.
• 200 AMP electric breaker panel.

ADDITIONAL BUILDINGS:

• 2-Bay large metal building 28’ X 32’
• Storage building 12’ X 16’
• Storage building 14’ X 24’
• Storage building (Yoder buildings) 12’ X 20’

UTILITIES:

Television: Direct TV
Internet: Hughes Net
Telephone: Frontier
Water: Spring and Well
Sewer: Septic
Electricity: WVP
Heating/Cooling: Goodman heat pump

200 AMP electric breaker panel

FOREST/TIMBER RESOURCES

Griffith Creek Forest’s timber resource is composed of 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.

Species composition:

The forest’s predominately well-drained upland terrain has led to a resource dominated by hardwood species. There is also some nice White Pine scattered about. Overall, the species composition is highly desirable and favors Appalachian hardwood types, consisting primarily of:

• Poplar/Cucumber/Basswood
• Red Oak Group
• White Oak/Chestnut Oak
• Soft Maple
• Hickory
• Ash Black Cherry
• Sugar Maple
• As well as a host of associate species (black walnut, birch, beech)

Stocking, Stem Quality, and Forest Structure:

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 future sawlog source.

The forest’s timber component has been well managed over the years and generally consists of hardwood managed under even-aged silvicultural guidelines. The predominant timber stand contains 40-80 year old stems ranging in size of 10”-28” dbh. Portions of this stand have been thinned over the last several decades as prudent forest management called for. Some sections are ready for a selective thinning which could generate some income. Most stands are on the cusp of graduating into higher-value sawtimber diameter classes over the next few decades.

These stands represent a quality hardwood resource and will be reaching economic maturity in the next 10-20 years.

Diameters are well represented across the commercial spectrum with a notable mature size class, as well as abundant pole size timber and growing stock.

A few “Heritage Trees” are scattered throughout the forest. These ancient trees, some 100-150 years old, have withstood the test of time, weathering ice, wind, lightning strikes and fire.

The forest is healthy and there are no signs of pest infestations of Gypsy Moth. The Wooly Adelgid and The Emerald Ash Borer are present and it is anticipated that the Hemlock and Ash component will be in decline over the next decade. There have been no forest fires in the recent memory.

The forest floor is home to several types of mushrooms, medicinal plants, wild ginseng, ferns and cool green mosses. One could spend a lifetime getting to know this inviting environ.

Some of the forest was in fields prior to WWII and 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.

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.

AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES

There is some very nice open land of about 4 acres that is suitable for raising gardens and pasture for livestock production. The south facing fields receive sunlight most of the day.

WILDLIFE

Many species of songbirds and woodpeckers thrive in the special habitat that large older trees and younger emerging stands 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.

Baldheaded Eagles have taken up residence on the Greenbrier River just a few miles away. Hawks & owls represent the raptor population in addition to the eagles.

All major fur bearing mammals are present and this is Boone and Crockett country producing exceptional whitetail deer. Squirrel, chipmunk, fox, wild turkey, grouse and black bear are abundant.

WATER

The headwaters of Griffith Creek begin on the property and nearly one mile of the creek run through the property. Most times of the year the sound of the creek running can be heard from the house. There are also 8 more seasonal creeks on the property and a couple of springs.

Water for the home and guest residence is provided by a spring and also a drilled water well.

There are several locations to establish a good size farm pond.

MINERAL RESOURCES

All rights the owner has will convey with the property.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

The 89 acres tract is depicted on a boundary map of record. The 62 acres 117 poles tract has a description of record. The property is being sold by the boundary and not by the acre.

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

The property is accessed by Griffith Creek Road. Some sources identify the road as Santa Fe Road. However, the road is identified by state signage as Griffith Creek Road.

ZONING

Summers County has no zoning ordinance at this time. However, all prospective buyers should consult the County Commission and also the Health Department for details regarding zoning, building codes, and installation of septic systems.

PROPERTY TYPE/USE SUMMARY

The property is currently devoted to home area, fields and forestland uses. A breakdown, as determined from aerial photography is as follows:

Open area/field surrounding the home: 4 acres +/-
Homeplace field: 1.00 acre +/-
Forestland: 147 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, TAXES, LEGAL

Deed Information: Deed Book 193 Page 140, Deed Book 168 Page 271
Summers County, West Virginia

Deed Acreage: 151.73 acres +/-
Real Estate Tax ID/Acreage/Taxes:
Summers County (45), West Virginia
Talcott District (7)

TM 2 Parcel 5; 89 ACRES GRIFFITH CREEK; Class 3; 2016 Real Estate Taxes: $586.38
TM 2 Parcel 6; 62 ACRES AND 117 POLES GRIFFITH CREEK; Class 2; 2016 Real Estate Taxes: $746.76

2016 Real Estate Taxes: $1,333.14

THE NEW RIVER AND BLUESTONE LAKE

The New River Gorge was a vast and largely unsettled wilderness until the C&O railroad was built on the eastern side of the river in the 1880’s. The railroad opened up the rich coalfields and virgin timber stands of the region. Early “mountaineers” settled the area and soon were carving out mountain farms and raising families.

Griffith Creek Forest is located in the heart of the recreational mecca area encompassing the New River and 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.

Bluestone Lake is 30 minute drive with 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.

SURROUNDING AREA

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 Ski Resort is 1 hour away. In 30 minutes, you can catch the Amtrak train in Hinton or in 45 minutes at the Greenbrier Resort and travel to Chicago or New York City. The Beckley Airport is just 35 minutes away.

Hinton, the county seat of Summers County is a 30 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. Situate at the confluence of the New River, Bluestone River and Greenbrier River, adjoining the 2000 acre Bluestone Lake, Hinton is truly a gateway to water recreation. The 80,000 acre New River National River Park, Bluestone State Park, Pipestem State Park Resort and 17,000 acre Bluestone Wildlife Management Area are recreational cornerstones in the area. The new 10,000 acre Boy Scout high adventure camp is an hour’s drive. Hospital, grocery shopping, pharmacy, hardware/farm supply and dining are available.

Lewisburg, a 30 minute drive, is the county seat of Greenbrier County and home to the WV Osteopathic Medical School (800 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. 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.

In 2011, Lewisburg was named Coolest Small Town in America and has complete shopping, big box stores, churches, schools, medical-dental facilities, fine dining, and a modern hospital. The airport, with the longest runway in the state is just 40 minutes away and has daily flights to Charlotte and Washington DC.

The world renowned 4-Star Greenbrier Resort, home of the PGA tour, is a 45 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 RIVER

At 162 miles long, the Greenbrier is the longest untamed (unblocked) 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 riverports. 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.