OVERVIEW

Leatherwood Creek Woodland is a great timber investment with lots of recreational value located on Leatherwood Creek in Clay and Nicholas County. The land has been managed for timber products for years. Timber trails throughout the property make for great recreational activities. Less than a 50 minute drive from New River Gorge National Park and Gauley River National Recreation Area.

ATTRIBUTES AND HIGHLIGHTS

• 6,683.27+/- acre multi-use parcel suitable for recreation, residential, timber investment and excels as a wildlife paradise
• 4 rivers and three lakes are within an average one hour’s drive. These include the New River, Gauley River, Elk River, Kanawha River 3,000 acre Summersville Lake, 1,500 acre Sutton Lake and 250 acre Hawks Nest Lake
• Close to proximity to National and State Parks, Wildlife Management Areas and National Forest properties
• 20 minutes to Clay, county seat of Clay County
• Just over a one hour drive 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
• 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, Pittsburgh, DC, Blacksburg, Roanoke, Beckley, Princeton and Lewisburg, jet airports, and major interstates
• Convenient to I-64, I-77, I-79, US-60 and jet airports
• The vigorous forest is a steady producer of life-giving Oxygen and silently works to sequester carbon dioxide
• Over 40 years of professional forest and wildlife management
• Harvest-ready hardwood timber available to offset holding costs
• Several seasonal branches flow during snow melts and rain events
• State and County-maintained roads for superior access
• Several interior roads and trails provide access to nearly every corner of the property
• High percentage of commercially – operable ground supporting forestry, recreation and a potential for numerous future cabin sites
• Perfect for shooting sports, ATV riding, horseback riding, hiking, camping, hunting and nature viewing
• Elevations range from 760′ to 1680′
• Potential conservation value
• Low population density, little or no light pollution
• Nearby rivers and lakes are ideal for swimming, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, tubing, snorkeling, paddle boarding and windsurfing
• Great fishing is found in the lakes and rivers. Species include small and large mouth bass, crappie, catfish, muskie, walleye, pike and bluegill

LOCATION

Google Coordinates: N 38.391061, W -81.069619
Address: Pisgah Ridge Road, Bickmore, WV 25019 (WV does not have 911 address’ for properties without a residence)
Elevation Range: 760′ to 1608′

MINERAL RESOURCES

West Virginia is one of the states in the US that has two separate ownership titles; those being SURFACE RIGHTS and MINERAL RIGHTS. The SURFACE RIGHTS are intact and all rights the owner has will convey with the property. Mineral rights are not conveyed with this tract.

WATER

Leatherwood Creek, a perennial (blue line) stream, flows through and beside the property for about 9 miles. Devils Den Branch, a perennial (blue line) and intermittent stream (dashed blue line) flows through the property for approximately 4 miles.

There are over 5 miles intermittent (dashed blue line) streams that flow into Leatherwood Creek from the property. There are numerous ephemeral branches on the property that feed into Leatherwood Creek either directly or by the intermittent streams. There should be frequent water flow in the streams and branches, particularly during rain events and periods of snow melt. Numerous springs may be found throughout the property.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

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

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

The property starts 2.6 mile east of Bickmore, West Virginia on County Route 17 Leatherwood Road. The tract is on east side of County Route 17 at this point for another 0.3 miles. At this point Leatherwood Road spits with County Route 17 continuing to the east and County Route 16/3, also called Leatherwood Road, to the north. The property is on both sides of County Route 17 for approximately 6 miles. There numerous private tracts along this road also. The property on the east side of County Route 16/3 for approximately 3 miles.

The central portion of the property may be accessed on County Route 28 Pisgah Ridge Road.

The property has over 5 miles of direct frontage on County Routes 17 & 16/3.

UTILITIES

Water: Private well may be drilled
Sewer: Private septic tank may be installed
Electricity: Along County Route 17
Telephone: Along County Route 17
Internet: Available through satellite companies
Cellphone Coverage: very good throughout property

ZONING

Clay County has no zoning regulations in effect. Prior to any construction contact with the Clay County Building and Health Departments is required.

Nicholas County has no zoning regulations in effect other than that which is enacted and enforced within the city limits of Summersville and Richwood.

As of April 1994 Nicholas County was reinstated into the National Flood Insurance Program. Therefore, any person undertaking new construction, substantial improvement, the placement of relocation of any structure (including manufactured homes), will need to apply for a permit with the Nicholas County’s Flood Plain Administrator to decide if location is within a flood plain.

A permit is also required from the Nicholas County Health Department for septic systems.

PROPERTY TYPE/USE SUMMARY

The property consists of various ages of forestland. A power lines run across the property at various points There has been surface mining on the eastern portion of the property, this area has been reclaimed with grasses and shrubs.

DEED and TAX INFORMATION

Deed Information: Clay County Book 219 Page 6 & Nicholas County Book 507 Page 129
Acreage: 6,683.27 +/-

Real Estate Tax ID/Acreage/Taxes:

Clay County, West Virginia
Henry District
Tax Map 40 Parcel 1, 2, 4.2
Tax Map 46 Parcel 1

Pleasant District
Tax Map 6 Parcel 23

Nicholas County, West Virginia
Grant District
Tax Map 4 Parcel 1

2021 Real Estate Taxes: $36,956.90

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Clay County School District

Public Elementary School:
Clay Elementary School

Public Middle School:
Clay Middle School

Public High School:
Clay County High School

Colleges:
Bridge Valley Community and Technical College
New River Community and Technical College

RECREATION AT LEATHERWOOD CREEK

Leatherwood Creek Woodland offers many recreational opportunities. Numerous soft recreational activities are anchored by the proximity to the recreation mecca of the Gauley and Elk Rivers and Gauley River National Recreation Area.

Nature viewing – Attentive wildlife management has been geared not just too 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-Astrophotography
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, Gauley River, Kanawha River and Elk River ideal for swimming, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, tubing, snorkeling, paddle boarding and windsurfing. These rivers and the 2700 acre Summersville Lake, 1500 acre Sutton Lake and 250 acre Hawks Nest Lake are all within an easy one hour’s drive. Great fishing is found in these rivers and lakes. Species include small and large mouth bass, crappie, catfish, muskie, walleye, pike and bluegill.

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
Leatherwood Creek Woodland has several forest trails that are perfect for experiencing the property from an ATV or UTV, and Rock Crawlers. 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/TIMBER RESOURCES

The Property’s timber resource, 4,400 acres +/-, is composed of a mixed size, high 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.

• 2004 to 2019 the timber has been selectively harvested on +/- 3,400 acres of the property under the supervision of a registered forester.
• The remaining +/- 1000 acres of mature forest has not be harvested since the late 1990’s. No capital value on this area has been established but is considered to be substantial.
• Timber stands are generally fully stocked with excellent stem quality

Species composition: 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:

• Sugar Maple
• Poplar/Cucumber/Basswood
• Red Oak Group
• White Oak/Chestnut Oak
• Soft Maple
• Hickory
• As well as a host of other species (birch, beech, black gum, sycamore, hemlock)

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 with the forest containing an abundant current and future veneer source.

The timber component has been well managed over the years and generally consists of 30-100-year-old stems ranging in size of 10”-32” dbh. Many sections of the forest are ready for a selective thinning which will generate considerable income.

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 creekside 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 presently there are no signs of pest infestations of Gypsy Moth. The Emerald Ash Borer and Hemlock Wooly adelgid are present and the Ash component will be eliminated by the borer in the next decade.

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

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)

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 or a drilled well
• The forest would provide fresh food (deer, squirrel and turkey)
• More land could be cleared, and the land would be used to 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 (beechnuts and hickory nuts)

SURROUNDING AREA

GAULEY RIVER NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
The Gauley River was added to the National Park System in 1988. The 25 miles of free-flowing Gauley River and the six miles of the Meadow River pass through scenic gorges and valleys containing a wide variety of natural and cultural features. Dropping 26 feet per mile through a gorge that averages 500 feet in depth, the Gauley is noted for its outstanding whitewater and is one of the most technical rivers in the nation, contains several class V+ rapids.

The Meadow River gradient averages 71 feet per mile. The Gauley River and its gorge have been a barrier as well as a corridor for human activity. The area was used for fishing and hunting by Native Americans for 10,000 years and was populated by Europeans in the late 1700s near the mouth of Peters Creek. The confluence of the Gauley and Meadow rivers was the site of an 1861 Civil War battle. Union troops forced Confederate forces from their position overlooking the Gauley. The site is part of Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park. In the late 1800s railroads and lumber companies came to the gorge to harvest its vast supply of timber.

Coal and gas development followed shortly after are still economic powers in the area. Vegetation is diverse and abundant. Extremes in topography, elevation and microclimate have caused tremendous variation in plant life. Most of the recreation area is below 2,000 feet and contains the central hardwood forest type. Tree species found in this timber type include the red and white oak, American beech, yellow poplar, hemlock and dogwood. Such vegetation supports a wide variety of wildlife species.

NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL PARK AND RESERVE
The Newest National Park in America at your back door… Just a short 35 minute drive from the property will take you to the amazing New River National Park. An awe inspiring visit that is sure to bring a new experience each and every time. Once you see it, it’s something you’ll never forget.

Rock climbers have long prized the sandstone cliffs of West Virginia’s New River Gorge, which was designated as a national park and preserve in December 2020.

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is known for its 53 miles of free flowing whitewater that cuts through sandstone cliffs towering as high as 1,000 feet in the air. It boasts class III through V rapids and plenty of boulders to keep even the most experienced rafters engaged. The upper part of the river is calmer and more welcoming to new rafters.

The area also boasts more than 1,500 climbing routes, as well as a 12.8-mile system of mountain bike trails built by the Boy Scouts. There are moments, as you drift through the deep canyon walls of the New River Gorge, when it feels like you’ve got the whole world to yourself. It’s just you and the river, littered with massive, prehistoric boulders that were here when the coal mining camps were built, and the fur trading posts before them, and the Shawnee and Cherokee villages before those.

In a river that geologists say could be one of the world’s oldest, you can lose yourself in time. Then the current picks up, and you’re back to paddling like mad, navigating the chutes and eddies of heart-pounding white water. Since the 1960s, West Virginia’s New River Gorge has drawn adventure seekers to its rapids and rock walls, and those rafters and climbers have long considered it a hidden gem. But the curtain is being drawn back on the canyon, because part of it has become America’s 63rd national park. New River Gorge National River’s 72,186 acres is just like its name “New”. The Newest National Park and Preserve in America.

SUMMERSVILLE LAKE AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Superb water quality and sheer sandstone cliffs make Summersville Lake a unique place to visit. West Virginia’s largest lake; Summersville Lake has over 2,700 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.

The 5,974-acre Summersville Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) ranges across tableland forests and towering cliffs that famously overlook Summersville Lake. Game traditionally hunted in the management area includes bear, deer, grouse, squirrel, and turkey, though the lake is its principal attraction.

HAWKS NEST STATE PARK AND LAKE
Nestled in the heart of whitewater rafting country near the town of Anstead, Hawks Nest State Park is a 270-acre recreational area with a nature museum, aerial tramway, jetboat rides, hiking trails and one of the most challenging whitewater boating waterways in the nation. Located just 10 miles north of the New River Gorge Bridge, Hawks Nest is known for its scenic overlook, which provides a bird’s eye view of the rugged New River Gorge National Park and Preserve below.

Hawks Nest Lake is located in the New River Gorge. The lake is 250 acres, surrounded by the steep New River Gorge walls. It is possible to paddle a good ways upstream as the backwaters of the lake stretch a few miles into the gorge. The lake provides excellent fishing opportunities for other species, including carp, catfish, hybrid striped bass, sunfish, rock bass, channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, and flathead catfish.

ELK RIVER WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA & SUTTON LAKE
The 19,646-acre Elk River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Braxton County is beautiful, peaceful and secluded. It has mature forests full of old growth timber, partially timbered areas and well-maintained hunting trails. With more than 19,600 acres to explore, Elk River WMA has plenty of space for hunters and game alike. When hunting season isn’t in, the Elk River Wildlife Management Area is a perfect place to hike and enjoy the scenic beauty of West Virginia.

Sutton Lake, at 1,440 acres, A beautiful lake, winding 14 miles along the Elk River, with many coves along its 40 miles of shoreline. The lake is 125 feet deep at the dam. Sutton Dam is located just above the Town of Sutton. The lake is equipped with five boat ramps with wheelchair access and accommodates fishing for trout, bass, walleye, bluegill, catfish, and muskellunge. The Sutton Lake tailwaters are stocked with trout from February through May and during Columbus Day week. More than 240 tent and trailer campsites have been developed in the management area, as well as 12 primitive campsites. A 100-yard and 175-yard shooting range are on site.

CARNIFEX FERRY BATTLEFIELD STATE PARK
Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park is located on the rim of the Gauley River Canyon, minutes from Summersville Lake. This Park offers picnicking, reservable picnic shelters, hiking trails, three overlooks of the Gauley River, softball field, volleyball court, horseshoe pits, and the Patterson House Museum. The park is seasonal in nature.

The 156-acre Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park is an important Civil War battle site. It is part of the Civil War Discovery Trail, which links more than 300 historical sites in 16 states, and commemorates the 1861 Battle of Carnifex Ferry, a major Union victory that led to the eventual Confederate withdrawal from western Virginia. Carnifex Ferry is one of the oldest state parks in the United States and is a popular site for Civil War reenactments.