OVERVIEW

Irish Mountain Wilderness is an 857 +/- acre multi-use timber investment, recreational and residential property located near the 3000-acre Summersville Lake, 2000-acre Bluestone Lake, New River, Winter Place Ski Resort, and adjoins the 80,000-acre New River Gorge National River Park.

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

HIGHLIGHTS

• 857 +/- acres multi-use timber investment, recreational and residential property
• Mature timber is ready for immediate harvest producing a strong cash flow to offset purchase and holding costs
• Adjoins the 80,000-acre New River Gorge National River Park for over 2 miles
• 15 minutes to the New River and the roaring Sandstone Falls
• 4000’ of frontage on a free-flowing blue line stream known as Fall Branch, which forms a Canyon where it adjoins the National Park and is inaccessible to all but those on foot
• 5 distinct intermittent dashed blue line streams total up to 15,000’ of water flow
• Dark skies with little or no light pollution for star gazing and planet observation
• Miles of forest trails for ATV riding, hiking, camping, hunting and nature viewing
• 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 45-minute drive to Lewisburg & Beckley
• 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, 3000-acre Summersville Lake, and the 2000-acre Bluestone Lake
• City amenities are 25 minutes to Beckley and 45 minutes to Lewisburg
• 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
• Exceptional 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 good with 4G service
• An easy drive to higher population areas of Charleston, Blacksburg, Roanoke, Beckley, Princeton and Lewisburg, jet airports, and 4 major interstates
• Surrounded by private and federal timber tracts in a quiet rural neighborhood
• Boone and Crocket country
• Elevations run from 1426 ft. to 2691 ft. +/-
• Low taxes, low population density
• Nearby 600+ mile long Hatfield-McCoy ATV trail makes for an active recreation area
• The entire property has been surveyed
• All mineral rights, including coal, oil and gas the owner has in title will convey
• 25 minutes to Beckley with all big box stores, restaurants, historic district and more
• 25 minutes to a jet airport with flights to Baltimore, Charlotte, Miami, Phoenix, etc.

LOCATION

Google Coordinates: 37.765988°(N), -80.941986°(W)
Address: Irish Mountain Road RT 26, Shady Spring, WV 25918
Elevation Range: 1426 ft. to 2691 ft. +/-

DIRECTIONS

From I-64 Bragg Pluto Road Exit 133: 4.2 Miles +/- (approximately 13 minutes)

From the I-64 Bragg Pluto Road Exit 133, turn onto Pluto Road RT 27 (use sign arrow pointing for Irish Mtn – Pluto Road); travel 8/10 mile; turn left onto Irish Mountain Road; travel 3.4 miles; the property begins on the right. (Destination Google Coordinates: 37.765988, -80.941986)

From Hinton, WV: 11.4 Miles +/- (approximately 25 minutes)

From the main town of Hinton, cross the Hinton New River Bridge; turn right onto Sandstone Falls River Road toward Sandstone Falls; travel 8.6 miles; just a short distance past the Sandstone Falls Boardwalk area and just past Falls View Lane, turn left onto Irish Mountain Road; travel 2.5 miles; the property begins on the right. (Destination Google Coordinates: 37.764465, -80.922966)

MINERAL RESOURCES

All rights the owner has will convey with the property. A mineral title search could be conducted by a title attorney at the same time when the surface title search is being conducted.

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: Good with 4G

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

The forest has almost a mile and a half of frontage on Irish Mountain Road RT 26. There are nearly 3 miles of roads/trails reaching the interior of the property.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

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

ZONING

Raleigh County has some zoning and subdivision regulations. All prospective buyers should consult the County Government and also the Health Department for regulations regarding zoning, building codes, and installation of water wells and septic systems.

PROPERTY TYPE/USE SUMMARY

This property has been managed as forestland.

DEED AND TAX INFORMATION

Deed Information: Portion of the property represented in DB 5000 Pg. 8449 and DB 5067 Pg. 4525
Raleigh County, West Virginia

Acreage: 856.84 acres +/- by the survey plat
Real Estate Tax ID/Acreage/Taxes:

Raleigh County (41), West Virginia
Richmond District (7)

Tax Map 11 Parcel 9; Tax Map 14 Parcels 9, 13, 14, 16; Class 3

2020 Real Estate Taxes: $4979.44

SURROUNDING AREA

The region is easy to access. As remote as the region may seem, an expressway courses through the region’s center, spanning the gorge by way of the New River Gorge Bridge. The property is conveniently located adjacent to and borders the interstate that courses through the center of the region. Interstates 77, 64, 19 and 79 are immediately available. Amtrak passenger stations on the Chicago-New York route are located a half-hour’s drive south near Beckley and an hour’s drive east and west at Charleston and White Sulphur Springs.

Jet airports are located 20 minutes to Beckley and an hour away at Charleston and Lewisburg.

One of the most exciting destinations for hiking, biking, climbing, and paddling in the eastern U.S., the New River Gorge National River was established by the National Park Service in 1978 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 south, 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 an hour west at Charleston, the state capital, and an 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 an hour’s drive, including Glade Springs and the three at The Greenbrier, home of the PGA tour, and Oakhurst Links, the first course built in the U.S.

Irish Mountain Wilderness is supported with the thriving community of Beckley. 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 surrounding area is richly blessed with a wide array of cultural events that keep life interesting and satisfying. All amenities are available in Beckley. Beckley is the Raleigh County seat. 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.

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-80 +/-, 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, home of the PGA tour, is a 90-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, daily newspaper and daily mail delivery is available at curb-side. UPS and FedEx service this area also.

Irish Mountain Wilderness 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.

Highlights:

• 30-60 min to Hinton, Beckley, Princeton, Lewisburg, 80,000-acre New River Gorge National Park, 2,000-acre Bluestone Lake, Pipestem Resort and Bluestone State Park, Sandstone Falls, Winterplace Ski Resort and the 4-Star Fayette Resort
• A picturesque Amtrak train ride from Hinton or White Sulphur Springs connects the area to DC, Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, and many other locations
• Washington, DC is 5 hours and Charlotte 3 hours
• Charleston, Beckley, Lewisburg airports offer jet service to main hubs
• Charleston, the state capitol, is 90-minute drive and offers all large city amenities
• Easy access to I-64, I-80 +/-, I-79, US 460, US 19
• The Bechtel Summit Reserve, the12,000-acre Boy Scouts of America’s high adventure camp (60 min)
• The 14,000-acre Bluestone Wildlife Management Area is just up river at Bull Falls

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.

Irish Mountain Wilderness 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 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.

RECREATION AT IRISH MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS

The Irish Mountain Wilderness offers many recreational opportunities. Numerous soft recreational activities are anchored by the proximity to the New River and the vastness of property itself.

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, hawks.

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

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

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
Irish Mountain Wilderness has several forest trails that are perfect for experiencing the property from an ATV or UTV. These exciting machines handle the wide variety of the forest’s terrain.  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.

Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding and Hiking
Along with ATV riding, existing forest trails may be used for conventional and mountain biking, hiking or horseback riding.

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.

Here are some specific examples of crops

• 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

Irish Mountain Wilderness is the ideal wildlife preserve. Management goals have promoted overall wildlife health, facilitated the harvest of game, developed wildlife viewing areas, increased carrying capacity, and increased species diversity.

The 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 the Bluestone Lake with small and large mouth bass, crappie, catfish, muskie, walleye, pike and bluegill are present in good numbers.

4,000’ of frontage on Fall Branch Canyon where it adjoins the National Park is a unique wildlife habitat since it is inaccessible to all but those on foot.
There are many animals, including raccoons, opossums, wood ducks, mallards, minnows, native fish, turtles, salamanders, newts, crayfish, muskrat, bull frogs, eagles, hawks and redwing blackbirds associated with the riparian area on and nearby the property.

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

The property has a mixture of mature hardwood species and hemlock. The diverse tree species, coupled with the abundant water supply from the nearby New River and numerous ephemeral streams and creeks, creates the perfect wildlife habitat. The miles of “edge effect” created between regeneration harvest areas, 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.

FOREST/TIMBER RESOURCES

The property has various ages of forestland, from areas of 50-year-old forest naturally regenerated in the old farm fields to full canopy stands of mature forest. The distinguishing features of Irish Mountain Wilderness’s timber resource is its unusually high hardwood 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.

Capital Timber Value and a forest-wide timber inventory have not been established 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.

The Irish Mountain Wilderness timber component has been well managed over many decades. The predominant timber stand of the forest 50to 120 year old stems ranging in size of 12” to 40”dbh. Most of this stand was selectively harvested about 25-30 years ago. Some parts of this stand are comprised of long ago abandoned farm fields that have naturally been restocked with pioneer species of poplar, locust and hickory. This stand is considered to be high-value sawtimber and veneer.

Some inaccessible areas along the Fall Branch canyon were not harvested and represent a stand of mature and old growth timber. This area adjoins the New River Gorge National River Park.

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

There are some trees well over 200 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. Emerald Ash Borer and the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid is present and the majority of the Ash and Hemlock trees are severely stressed and will continue to decline over the next decade. There have been no forest fires in the recent memory.

CARBON SEQUESTRATION

Irish Mountain Wilderness is a tremendous producer of Oxygen and Carbon Sequester. Carbon Sequestration is the act of processing carbon dioxide through sinks and stores and releasing them into the atmosphere as oxygen. With 857 acres, the vigorously growing forest is sequestering approximately 100,000 tons of Carbon Dioxide each per year.

On average, one tree produces nearly 260 pounds of oxygen each year. There could be over 300,000 tons of Oxygen being produced each year.

SELF-SUSTAINING LIFE OFF THE GRID

• Just like 150 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 mountain springs
• The forest would provide fresh food (deer, and turkey)
• The flat to rolling land could be cleared for agricultural land raise livestock, vegetable gardens, berry patches, fruit orchards, and row crops of corn, oats and barley
• Beehives would provide honey and beeswax for candles
• The forest would provide firewood for heating and cooking, lumber for building, maple syrup and pounds of nuts (walnuts, beechnuts and hickory nuts)

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Raleigh County School District
Public Elementary School:
Shady Spring Elementary School
Public Middle School:
Shady Spring Middle School
Public High School:
Shady Spring High School