OVERVIEW

Highlands Forest a 439 +/- acre multi-use timber investment, recreational and residential property located near the 3000-acre Summersville Lake, 2000-acre Bluestone Lake, and the 80,000-acre New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.

This high elevation mountain range represents an opportunity to create a classic family ownership legacy for the next tenure.

A recent forest inventory estimates the standing timber value to be $200,000. The timber is ready for immediate harvest, thereby producing a strong cash flow to offset purchase and holding costs

HIGHLIGHTS

• 439 +/- acres multi-use timber investment, recreational and residential property
• A recent forest inventory estimates the timber value to be $200,000 and is ready for immediate harvest, producing a strong cash flow to offset purchase and holding costs
• The entire property has been surveyed and a survey plat is on record at the courthouse
• One of the area’s highest mountain ranges with elevations ranging from 2807’ to 3815’
• Headwaters of Beaver Creek, a dashed blue line stream runs thru the property for 8/10 mile
• Near America’s newest national park, the 80,000-acre New River Gorge National Park & Preserve
• Excellent access with extensive frontage on year-round state-maintained roads
• Miles of forest trails for ATV riding, hiking, camping, hunting and nature viewing
• Electric and phone service available at roadside
• Dark skies with little or no light pollution for star gazing and planet observation
• Large size lends itself to create a wonderful country retreat – very private but not remote
• Jet airport with service to Chicago, Dulles, Orlando is a 25-minute drive to Lewisburg
• The mature forest is comprised of Red Oak, White Oak, Hickory, Poplar and Maple
• Perfect for all water sport activities supported by the nearby Greenbrier River, New River, Gauley River, 3000-acre Summersville Lake, and the 2000-acre Bluestone Lake
• City amenities are 25 minutes to Lewisburg and 45 minutes to Beckley
• 90 minutes to Charleston, the State Capitol and WV’s largest metro area and jet service
• Amazing resident wildlife population rich in diversity and ever changing
• Fur bearing – deer, black bear, squirrel, rabbit, bobcat, raccoon, fox, chipmunk, opossum
• Area winged wildlife includes Neotropical songbirds, turkey, grouse, eagles, herons, hawks, owls, ravens, king fishers, ravens, crows, and hummingbirds
• Dynamic forest with some old growth trees estimated to be 150-200 years old
• Rock outcroppings for rock climbing, bouldering and exploring
• Forest soaks up tons of Carbon Dioxide and produces tons of life-giving oxygen
• A rewarding off-grid permaculture lifestyle can be easily developed
• Cell phone coverage is excellent with 5G service
• An easy drive to higher population areas of Charleston, Blacksburg, Roanoke, Beckley, Princeton and Lewisburg, jet airports, and 4 major interstates
• Surrounded by high mountain farms and large timber tracts in a quiet rural neighborhood
• Low taxes, low population density
• The 600+ mile long Hatfield-McCoy ATV trail creates an active recreation area – 1 ½ hour drive
• All mineral rights are reserved in prior deeds and the property is being sold SURFACE ONLY

LOCATION

Google Coordinates: 37.949954°(N), -80.591383°(W)
Address: Molly Road, Crawley, WV 24931. No 911 address is assigned to property without structures.
Elevation Range: 2807 ft. to 3815 ft. +/-

An intermittent headwaters branch of Beaver Creek is located on the property for about 8/10 mile. An intermittent tributary branch of Hugart Creek is located on the property for about 2/10 mile. There should be water flow during rain events and snow melt.

MINERAL RESOURCES

The mineral rights were reserved in previous deeds and the property is being sold SURFACE ONLY.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

The original larger property was surveyed in 2009 and is shown on a recorded survey plat. The metes and bounds description prepared from that survey is shown in the owner’s deed. A plat for an out sale was prepared in 2019 and is attached to the out sale deed. The property is being sold by the boundary and not by the acre.

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

Both Molly Road Rt. 8/1 and Cornstalk Road Rt. 60/7 run through the property having a combined frontage of about 2 miles.

ZONING

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

Information can be found at the county website: http://greenbriercounty.net/ordinances.

PROPERTY TYPE/USE SUMMARY

The property has been used as all forestland.

DEED and TAX INFORMATION

Deed Information: Part of DB 532 Pg. 95
Greenbrier County, West Virginia
Acreage: 438.913 acres +/-

Real Estate Tax ID/Acreage/Taxes:
Greenbrier County (13), West Virginia
Meadow Bluff District (11)
Tax Map 65 Parcel 19; Class 3

2021 Real Estate Taxes: $1072.04

SCHOOLS

Greenbrier County School District
Public Elementary School:
Rupert Elementary School

Public Middle School:
Western Greenbrier Middle School

Public High School:
Greenbrier West High School

Colleges:
New River Community and Technical College (Lewisburg campus)
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

Private Schools:
Greenbrier Community School (PK-8)
Greenbrier Valley Academy (2-8)
Lewisburg Baptist Academy (PK-12)
Renick Christian School (2-7)
Seneca Trail Christian Academy (PK-12)

DIRECTIONS

From I-64 Sam Black Church Exit 156: 6.8 miles +/- (approximately 15 minutes)

At the end of the exit ramps, turn onto US 60 West; travel 2.6 miles; turn right onto Kieffer Road Rt. 8; travel 1 mile; turn left to continue on Kieffer Road; travel 1.9 miles; continue onto Beaver Creek Road / Hawkins Road; travel 6/10 mile; turn left onto Sheppard Road; travel ½ mile to the intersection of Sheppard Road and Molly Road Rt. 8/1; at this location, the property lies on the other side (northeastern side) of Molly Road.

• 15 minutes to I-64
• 30 minutes to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Sandstone
• 30 minutes to Lewisburg
• 35 minutes to Greenbrier Valley Airport, Lewisburg, WV
• 45 minutes to Beckley
• 45 minutes to Raleigh County Memorial Airport, Beckley
• 35 minutes to The Greenbrier Resort and White Sulphur Springs
• 50 minutes to Bluestone Lake, Hinton
• 60 minutes to New River Gorge Bridge, Fayetteville
• 1 hour 10 minutes to Summersville Lake, Summersville

CARBON SEQUESTRATION & CARBON CREDITS

The 439+/- acres forest is a tremendous producer of Oxygen and sequester of Carbon Dioxide. Carbon Sequestration is the act of processing carbon dioxide through sinks and stores and releasing them into the atmosphere as oxygen. With some 439 acres, the vigorously growing forest is sequestering thousands of tons of Carbon Dioxide each per year and producing tons and tons of life giving Oxygen.

This natural process allows the owner (and family/friends) the opportunity to potentially enjoy a carbon neutral footprint.

The leasing of “Carbon Credits” to environmental mitigation companies is a rapidly emerging financial opportunity for the property owner to receive income without placing any burden on the land. The leases can be for as little as one year.

FOREST AND TIMBER RESOURCES

The 439 acre +/- timber resource 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 forest resource is composed of quality Appalachian hardwoods. This timber resource can provide a great deal of flexibility to the next ownership in terms of potential harvest revenue and could be managed to provide cash flow opportunities to offset holding cost and long-term asset appreciation.

TIMBER INVENTORY OVERVIEW

******Details of the timber inventory report are available in the Highland Forest Timber Inventory Report under the Maps and Documents section on this site.

A forest-wide timber inventory was conducted in May of 2022.  The current Capital Timber Value is estimated to be $200,000.00. The last timber harvest (very selective thinning) was conducted about 20 years ago in the early 2000’s and the timber has been growing and increasing in volume and value ever since.

The total property-wide sawlog volume was estimated to be 814,000 +/- Board Feet Doyle scale with 23,478 +/- pulpwood tons.

Species composition:
The forest’s predominately well-drained upland terrain has led to a resource dominated by hardwood species, hemlock and white pine. Overall, the species composition is highly desirable and favors Appalachian hardwood types, consisting primarily of:

• 49% Sugar Maple/Soft Maple
• 15% Hickory
• 12% Poplar/Cucumber/Basswood
• 10% Red Oak Group
• 9% White Oak/Chestnut Oak
• 4% A host of associate species (Cherry, Walnut, Birch, Sassafras, Gum, Beech, Buckeye)

Timber data in this report is based upon a 2022 timber inventory conducted for the ownership by an outside professional forestry consultant on 439 acres.

This timber inventory was is based on 179 points that were sampled throughout the forest on a 4×4 grid system using a 15 factor prism. Property boundaries and stand lines were field verified and acreages were determined from GIS mapping software and aerial imagery to the best of my abilities. All values are based on regional timber sales, pulpwood markets, and the most recent edition of the Hardwood Market Report. Prices are subject to change due in part to local and global market demand, fuel, and weather fluctuations. This forest evaluation is only an estimate at the date of its production.

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 Walnut, Sugar Maple, Poplar/Basswood, Red Oak Group, White Oak/Chestnut Oak, Soft Maple, Hickory, and a host of associated species (ash, cedar, birch, sourwood, black gum, beech).

Forest-wide, most stands are fully stocked, providing the next ownership with a great deal of flexibility in shaping their own silvicultural legacy. Stem quality forest-wide can be considered excellent.

The property’s timber component has been well managed over the years and consists of stands of differing age classes. The predominant timber stand contains 30-140-year-old stems ranging in size of 10”-30” dbh.

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 and old field edges. These ancient trees, some 200-300 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 Emerald Ash Borer, which has inundated the entire Northeast US, is present and the Ash component will significantly decline over the next decade. The Eastern Hemlock species is under siege by the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid and the hemlock will significantly decline over the coming decade. There have been no forest fires in recent memory.

The forest floor is home to several types of mushrooms, medicinal plants, wild ginseng, ferns and cool green mosses.

There are a few fruit trees scattered about, some of which were part of the early homestead. Crops of black walnuts and hickory nuts are produced each year from the abundant black walnut and hickory trees scattered about.

Honeybees would do well here.

The high percentage of sugar maple and red maple trees growing on the property would most certainly lend itself to the production of Maple Syrup.

RECREATION AT HIGHLANDS FOREST

Highlands Forest offers outstanding recreational opportunities. Numerous soft recreational activities are anchored by the proximity to the area’s 5 rivers and two lakes.

Nature viewing is first in line of recreational activities. Attentive wildlife management has been geared not to just 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 and hawks.

Stargazing-Planet Observation
Complete or near darkness can be still be found on areas of the property, thereby affording the opportunity to view the night sky in all its brilliant wonder.

Water-sports enthusiasts will find the nearby rivers and lakes ideal for swimming, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, tubing, snorkeling, paddle boarding and windsurfing.

Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding and Hiking
The property has miles of trails that may be used for mountain biking, hiking or horseback riding

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

• Paintball-Airsoft-Laser Tag-Archery tag
• Shotgun sport shooting including Skeet, Trap, Double 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
Internal roads and several forest trails that are perfect for experiencing the property from an ATV or UTV. These exciting machines handle the wide variety terrain.

Rock Crawling & Rock Bouncing
Areas of the property afford a topographic opportunity for the Extreme Off-Road adventurist to enjoy the increasingly popular Motorsport of Rock Crawling and Rock Bouncing.

Dirt bikes can also be a lot of fun and they come in all sizes and horsepower to fit anyone who enjoys being on two wheels.

Hunting is a first-class experience. White tail deer, black bear, red/gray fox, bobcat, wild turkey, grouse, duck, squirrel, raccoon, fox and rabbit make up the resident wildlife population. It is hard to find a property that has a better mix of wildlife.

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.

Some specific examples of crops which could possibly be cultivated:

• 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)

WILDLIFE

Years of wildlife management practices have created the ideal wildlife preserve. Early on, management goals promoted overall wildlife health, facilitated the harvest of game, developed wildlife viewing areas, increased carrying capacity, and increased species diversity.

The Greenbrier River and New River are major contributors to the local ecosystem richness and diversity for both plants and animals. The headwaters of Beaver Creek flow through the property for nearly one mile and the surrounding aquatic plant life create a water supported community with a wide variety of wildlife. Some of the margins of the creek are fringed by wetlands, and these wetlands support the aquatic food web, provide shelter for wildlife, and stabilize the shore of the streambanks. The plant life associated with the wetland includes rushes, sedges, cattails, duckweed and algae.

There are many animals that live year round and at other times in the water and around the edges of the areas lakes, rivers, ponds, creeks and streams including raccoons, opossums, blue herons, Canada geese, wood ducks, mallards, minnows, native fish, turtles, salamanders, newts, crayfish, muskrats, bull frogs, eagles, hawks and redwing blackbirds.

There is the insect and microscopic world including butterflies, dragonflies, pond skaters, water beetles, damselflies, tadpoles and various insect larvae.

The diverse tree species, coupled with the abundant water supply from the creeks, creates the perfect wildlife habitat. The miles of “edge effect” created between adjoiners fields, creeks, hollows, ridges, and rock outcrops benefit all the resident wildlife. Bald eagles, white tail deer, black bear, wild turkey, squirrel, rabbit, bobcat, raccoon, fox and many species of songbirds, owls and raptors make up the resident wildlife population.

The hardwood forest provides the essential nutrient source and produces tons of hard mast including acorns, hickory nuts, beech nuts and black walnuts. Soft mast includes stag horn sumac, black cherry, tulip poplar seeds, maple seeds, autumn olive berries and blackberries.

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 and drilled water wells (hand drawing water from the wells using a cylinder well bucket).
• The forest would provide fresh food of deer and turkey.
• Land could with flat to rolling topography could be cleared to be used to raise livestock of all kinds (chickens, pigs, cows, sheep, goats, rabbits etc.) and could be farmed with horse drawn equipment. The land would support vegetable gardens, berry patches, fruit orchards, sugar bushes, and row crops of corn, oats, wheat and barley.
• Beehives would provide honey and beeswax for candles.
• The forest would provide firewood for heating and cooking, lumber for building, basket splints, maple syrup and pounds of nuts (walnuts, beechnuts and hickory nuts)

UTILITIES

• Water: Water well could be drilled
• Sewer: A private septic system could be installed
• Electricity: Available on the property
• Telephone: Available on the property
• Internet: Maybe available through cable, satellite or mobile hotspot
• Cellphone Coverage: Excellent with 5G

SURROUNDING AREA

The region is easy to access. As remote as the region may seem, the property is conveniently located and Interstates 77 and 64 are immediately available. Amtrak passenger stations on the Chicago-New York route are located a half-hour’s drive to White Sulphur Springs.

Jet airports are located 30 minutes to Beckley and 30 minutes at Lewisburg.

One of the most exciting destinations for hiking, biking, climbing, and paddling in the eastern U.S., the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve was recently named America’s newest national park, and includes more than 80,000 acres in and adjacent to the New River Gorge and the valley of the New River. More than a million visitors annually climb rocks along the rim of the gorge near Fayetteville and paddle its whitewater runs on the New and its tributaries. Countless miles of hiking and biking trails wander the park and climb into the surrounding mountains. The nearby Gauley River National Recreation Area likewise attracts thousands of tourists annually, notably rafters during “Gauley Season” in autumn when the river runs strong.

As a result of unrivaled access to recreation, the Boy Scouts of America established its 12,000-acre World and National Jamborees site here, hosting upwards of 50,000 scouts and leaders for these events.

Winter in the mountains nearby attracts yet another recreational clientele — skiers bound for the slopes at Winterplace, a drive of 40 minutes to the southeast, and Snowshoe Mountain, a drive of two-and-a-half hours to the northeast.

Nearby is Adventures on the Gorge, one of the most enduring and popular adventure resorts in the U.S., a pioneer in the whitewater rafting industry that has helped set the stage for high-end economic development in the region.

As a result of its burgeoning tourism market, the area also enjoys more than its share of singular shops and restaurants, many of which cluster around Lewisburg and Fayetteville. Other exceptional eateries and retail destinations are located a 1.5 hours west at Charleston, the state capital, and a ½ hour east at Lewisburg, one of the most livable small towns in the U.S., according to National Geographic. The region is also renowned for great golf, and more than a score of courses are located within a 1/2 hour’s drive, including three courses at Glade Springs Village, three courses at The Greenbrier, and Oakhurst Links, the first course built in the U.S.

Highland Forest is supported with the thriving community of Lewisburg (30 min). Lewisburg has a population of around 3,000 and is the county seat of Greenbrier County.  The Lewisburg 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 surrounding area is richly blessed with a wide array of cultural events that keep life interesting and satisfying.  All city amenities are available in Lewisburg.  Lewisburg was recently voted “Coolest Small Town in America”.

Beckley (45 min), has a population of 34,000, and is the county seat of Raleigh County. All city 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.

Charleston is West Virginia’s state capitol and is an easy 90-minute Interstate 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.

The world renowned 4-Star Greenbrier Resort is a 35-minute drive. Several other area golf courses are available in the area. The nearby and very popular 600+ mile long Hatfield-McCoy ATV trail makes for a very active recreation area.

Year round, state maintained paved roads provide easy access. Weekly trash pickup, newspaper and daily mail delivery is available at curb-side. UPS and FedEx service this area also.

Highland Forest is an easy drive of higher population areas of Charleston, Roanoke, Blacksburg, Beckley, Princeton and Lewisburg.

Hinton, Beckley & Lewisburg offer grocery stores, restaurants, banks, auto parts stores, hardware, hospital, dentists and most other city amenities. Hinton is the Summers County seat.

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

SIX RIVERS AND TWO LAKES

The 439 acre Highland Forest is located in the heart of a biological, historic, and recreational mecca.

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.

All rivers and lakes are within an easy one hour’s drive from the property: area encompassing the New River, Greenbrier River, Gauley River, Cherry River, Meadow River and Bluestone River. Within this vast watershed lies the 2000-acre Bluestone Lake and 3000-acre Summersville Lake.

The adjoining Meadow River, and nearby New River, Greenbrier River, Summersville Lake, and Bluestone Lake are major contributors to the local ecosystem richness and diversity for both plants and animals. There are many animals that live year round and at other times in the water and around the edges of the rivers/lake, including beavers, otters, minks, raccoons, opossums, blue herons, Canada geese, wood ducks, mallards, king fishers, minnows, native fish, turtles, salamanders, newts, crayfish, muskrats, bull frogs, eagles, owls, hawks and redwing blackbirds.

Great fishing is found in the Greenbrier River, New River, and both Lakes with small and large mouth bass, crappie, catfish, muskie, walleye, pike and bluegill present in good numbers.

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 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. Summersville Lake is over 3000 acres at summer pool and is the state’s largest body of water.