Lost Branch Forest and Retreat in Almost Heaven, Wyoming County, West Virginia, is a 138.68-acre +/- mountain big timber and recreational tract with extensive roads and trails throughout, providing strong support for Outdoor Recreation, wildlife habitat, and numerous long-range building sites for cabins, homes, and yurts.

HIGHLIGHTS

The 138.68-acre +/- Bearwallow Ridge property strongly supports outdoor recreation, wildlife habitat, and the conservation of fresh air.

• Hatfield and McCoy Trail is nearby for off-road enthusiasts
• Extensive road and trails throughout the property
• Excellent location for ATV and dirt bike riding
• Wonderful building sites
• Minutes away from the new 4-lane Coalfields Expressway Route. 121
• Large 138.68+/- acre parcel surrounded by woodland tracts

• Close to the crown jewel of southern West Virginia state parks, Twin Falls Resort State Park, Golf course, lodge, cabins, restaurant, pool, gift shop, ATV nearby, camping, geocaching, hiking, museum, and historical sites, indoor climbing, and more.

• Short drive to Winterplace Ski and tubing resort
• Short drive to the historic Itmann Company Store, soon to be restored
• Great local restaurants in Mullens and nearby Pineville
• Located in popular Wyoming County, 20 minutes to Beckley and 30 minutes to Princeton
• Land legacy of careful wildlife management coupled with outstanding long-term forest stewardship
• Pope and Young whitetail deer country with exceptional resident wildlife populations
• Harvest-ready hardwood timber
• Premier wildlife habitat
• Nearby is the Guyandotte River, numerous catch-and-release trout streams, R.D. Bailey Lake, and more – perfect for anglers and water recreation enthusiasts
• Tomblin, Big Ugly, and Bluestone Wildlife Management Areas are nearby for the outdoorsmen
• Spectacular long-range views approaching 20+ miles
• High percentage of commercially operable ground supporting forestry, recreation, and potential for numerous future cabin sites
• Elevations range from 1610’ to 2335.’
• Cell coverage is excellent in most areas
• Public water and sewer are nearby, in proximity to the land tract
• Low taxes, low population density, little or no light pollution
• Property lies entirely within the city limits of Mullens
• Hatfield and McCoy Trail is nearby for off-road enthusiasts

Fantastic Multi-Use Recreational Property for Hunting, Camping, Off-Road Trails, Shooting Sports, and Timber Investment near the Hatfield-McCoy Trail

LOCATION

Google Coordinates: 37.582608°(N), -81.396775°(W)
Address: Mullens, WV 25882; A 911 address has not yet been assigned.
Elevation Range: 1632 ft. to 2338 ft. +/-

RECREATION

The property offers fantastic recreational opportunities. Numerous recreational activities are anchored by the nearby Guyandotte River, New River, Greenbrier River, New River Gorge National Park, and the 2000-acre Bluestone Lake, as well as the Tomblin, Big Ugly, and Bluestone Wildlife Management Areas.  For the Off-Road adventurer, you have the Hatfield-McCoy Trails nearby.

HATFIELD-MCCOY TRAILS

The Hatfield-McCoy Trails System (HMTS) comprises over 600 miles of trails and is located in the rich mountains of southern West Virginia. The 800+ mile HMTS is second only to the 2000-mile-long Paiute ATV Trail in Central Utah.  This property is within minutes of two trailheads of the Hatfield-McCoy Trails system.

As one of the largest off-highway vehicle trail systems in the world, HMTS is open 365 days a year and offers something for every skill level. The trail system caters to ATVs, UATVs, and dirt bikes (motorbikes), but hikers, mountain bikers, and horse riders can also use the trails. The trail system is a multi-county project, including West Virginia counties Logan, Kanawha, Wyoming, McDowell, Mercer, Wayne, Lincoln, Mingo, and Boone.

The trail system is named after two families, the Hatfields and the McCoys, who famously feuded near the West Virginia-Kentucky border after the Civil War.

Law enforcement officers patrol the trail to ensure compliance with safety regulations. Motorized users of the trail system must wear a DOT-approved helmet and are prohibited from “doubling” (having a passenger), unless their vehicle is designed for two people. These rules, along with a host of others, have enabled the trail system to maintain a high safety record, despite an increase in ATV-related injuries nationwide.

HUNTING

With acres of wide-open public lands, West Virginia makes an excellent destination for hitting the trails on a hunt. From whitetail deer and native black bear to turkey and gray squirrels, the game is as diverse as the mountain landscape behind it. West Virginia’s hunting seasons start early in the spring and transition throughout the fall months. If you’re looking to connect with nature through a hunt, this is the place for you.

Wyoming County is one of four counties that allow only archery hunting for whitetail deer. These four counties produce Pope and Young quality bucks annually.  This past year, the new state record whitetail buck was harvested in Wyoming County.  This buck scored a gross of 195” and a final score of 191 2/8”!  If you are an archery hunter, this is the place to be in West Virginia!  You may hunt with firearms for all other game species in these counties.

Wildlife Management Areas in West Virginia provide a one-of-a-kind opportunity to disconnect and reconnect with nature in its purest form. Discover the state’s native wildlife and explore the scenic vistas that call these areas home.

There are four Wildlife Management Areas within a two-hour drive: Tomblin, Bluestone Lake, Tug Fork, and Big Ugly.  These areas provide over 65,000 acres of public land to enjoy.  Elk have been introduced to the Tomblin Wildlife Management area, hunting is prohibited at this time.

FISHING

An angler’s paradise, West Virginia is home to wide-open lakes, expansive rivers, and babbling brooks just waiting for you to cast a line. From fly fishing our famous brook trout to trolling the river for prized smallmouth bass, there’s plenty to reel in from our network of more than 20,000 miles of streams and 100 lakes. Locally, there are several rivers and lakes to wet a line on any day of the week.

Warm Water Fishing in the R.D. Bailey Lake, Horse Creek Lake, Guyandotte River, Greenbrier River, and New River is some of the best in the region.  Great fishing is found on both rivers for largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, catfish, tiger musky, walleye, and bluegill.

Cold-water trout fishing can be found throughout the eastern part of the state.  Locally, there are several streams within an hour’s drive: Elkhorn Creek, Clear Fork, Pinnacle Creek, Dry Fork, and Panther Creek.

WATER-SPORTS

Water-sports enthusiasts will find the nearby Guyandotte, Greenbrier, New Rivers, R.D. Bailey, and Bluestone Lakes are ideal for swimming, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, tubing, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and windsurfing.

Drive Times (approximate)

Towns, Highways

I-77 Camp Creek Exit 20: 45 minutes
I-77 Ghent Exit 28: 45 minutes
Athens & Concord University: 1 hour
Beckley: 30 minutes
Blacksburg, VA and Virginia Tech: 2 hours
Bluefield: 1 hour 10 minutes
Charleston: 1 hour 30 minutes
Matoaka: 35 minutes
Mullins: 5 minutes
Pineville: 25 minutes
Princeton: 50 minutes
Roanoke, VA: 2 hours 30 minutes

Beckley: Raleigh County Memorial Airport: 40 minutes
Bluefield: Mercer County Airport: 1 hour 20 minutes
Charleston: West Virginia International Yeager Airport: 1 hour 30 minutes
Roanoke, VA: Roanoke-Blacksburg Airport: 2 hours 30 minutes

Recreation:

Lake – Bluestone Lake: 1 hour 15 minutes, RD Baily Lake 1 hour 15 minutes
Golf – Twin Falls State Park: 20 minutes
Golf – There are additional golf courses in the surrounding area
Resort – Pipestem Resort State Park: 1 hour 20 minutes
Resort – Twin Falls Resort State Park; 20 minutes
Skiing – Winterplace Ski Resort: 40 minutes
State Park – Bluestone State Park: 1 hour 15 minutes
State Park – Camp Creek State Park and Forest: 55 minutes
State Park – Pipestem Resort State Park: 1 hour 20 minutes
State Park – Twin Falls Resort State Park: 20 minutes

FOREST/TIMBER RESOURCES

The forest’s predominantly 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, including White Oak/Chestnut Oak, Red Oak Group, Poplar/Cucumber/Basswood, Sugar Maple/Soft Maple, and a host of associate species.

Stocking, Stem Quality, and Forest Structure:

Forest-wide, most stands are fully stocked, providing the next ownership with considerable flexibility to shape their own silvicultural legacy. Stem quality forest-wide can be considered excellent with the forest containing an abundant current and future veneer source.

Diameters are well represented across the commercial spectrum, with a notable mature size class and abundant pole-size timber and growing stock. Several “Heritage Trees” are scattered throughout the forest and field edges. These ancient trees, some 100-200 years old, have withstood the test of time, weathering ice, wind, lightning strikes, and fire.

The forest is generally 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 few years, and 100% mortality is eventually expected in the Ash species statewide. 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. One could spend a lifetime getting to know this inviting environment.

The property’s timber component has been well managed over the years. The predominant timber stand contains 40-90-year-old stems ranging in size from 10” to 36” dbh. Many sections of this stand are ready for a selective thinning, which will generate considerable income.

Capital Timber Value of the timber and pulpwood has not been determined at this time, but is considered to be substantial. Potential buyers should have an inventory conducted by a registered professional forester to determine the forest’s commercial value.

WILDLIFE

The hardwood forest produces tons of acorns, hickory nuts, beech nuts, and black walnuts. White-tailed deer, wild turkeys, squirrels, raccoons, bobcats, foxes, and a diversity of species, including neotropical songbirds, butterflies, turtles, frogs, rabbits, chipmunks, dragonflies, owls, eagles, and hawks, make up the resident wildlife population. It is hard to find a property that has a better mix of wildlife, as there has been excellent wildlife management for many years

WATER

A portion of Lost Branch, a dashed blueline stream, flows near a portion of the western property boundary. There should be periodic water flow, especially during rain events and snow melt.

MINERAL RESOURCES

Various minerals have been reserved and conveyed by prior deeds of record.  A title search for actual mineral ownership rights is recommended. All rights the owner has will convey with the property.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

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

UTILITIES

Water: None, a well would need to be drilled
Sewer: None, septic systems are common in the area
Electricity: Only high voltage. Black Diamond Power
Telephone: None
Internet:  Starlink and cellular
Cellphone Coverage: Good in most areas

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

From Mullens, West Virginia: Property is located on the northwestern portion of the city limits; the property may be accessed from Green Street by foot travel at this time.

From the intersection of Poplar Street and RT 16 on the western end of Mullens, turn onto Poplar Street; travel 100 feet, maintain a right turn to continue on Poplar Street; travel 400 feet, turn left onto Green Street; travel 800 feet on Green Street, just past Mullens Salvage & Towing Company. Park the vehicle at the right turn-off.  The road is currently blocked and can only be accessed on foot.  Walk approximately 1,000 feet to where the right-of-way crosses Lost Branch, and you are at the property line.

ZONING

Wyoming 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.

PROPERTY TYPE/USE SUMMARY

This is a forestland property.

(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 and TAX INFORMATION

Deed Information: Part of DB 509 Pg. 71
Wyoming County, West Virginia
Acreage: 138.68 acres +/-

Real Estate Tax ID/Taxes:
Wyoming County (55), West Virginia
Mullens Corp (6)
Tax Map 4 Parcel 21, Tax Map 14 Parcel 1, Tax Map 15 Parcel 1; all Class 4

2025 Real Estate Taxes: $3425.16

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Wyoming County School District

Public Elementary School:
Mullens Elementary School

Public Middle School:
Mullens Middle School

Public High School:
Wyoming East High School

Colleges:
Wyoming County Career & Technical Center
Southern West Virginia Community College
West Virginia University Institute of Technology
New River Community and Technical College
Bluefield State College