Tucked away and surrounded by 64 acres+/- of open space and woods. This spacious retreat blends timeless charm with elevated mountain living.

The main residence, Bunk House, and a private cottage, combine to create about six thousand square feet of heated living space. This heated space is intertwined with some six thousand square feet of covered and open-air decks, creating a true retreat.  Outdoors, experience a personal slice of mountain paradise. The open acres surrounding the complex invite you to cultivate beauty or bounty. Nighttime brings its own kind of solitude and enjoyment under starry skies at the end of the day.

Figure 1. Aerial view of the land surrounding residence

Figure 2. Aerial view of Meadows Retreat

Figure 3. The Meadows Retreat has a long and proud patriotic history

Figure 4. The Meadows Retreat complex. Bunkhouse right, covered porch straight ahead, residence left

Figure 5. Bunk House

Figure 6. Inviting Bunk House porch

The expansive two story “Bunk House”, bathed in natural light with large windows that frame panoramic views.  A welcoming full length front porch is linked to a sprawling covered deck, offering multiple vantage points to enjoy the sights and serenity of the West Virginia Mountains.

Figure 7. Bunk House first floor interior

Figure 8. Bunk House first floor interior

Figure 9. Second Floor Bunk House with 2 bathrooms

Figure 10. Side view of covered deck, Bunk House, and Cottage

Figure 11. Inside the covered deck

Figure 12. A large open deck with Rhododendron in bloom

THE MAIN  HOUSE

Figure 13. Foyer main floor

Figure 14. Foyer main floor – Family room on right

Figure 15. Foyer showing the steps to the upper floor bedrooms and the steps leading to the lower level with kitchen, laundry room, and bedroom

Figure 16. Entertainment and reading room

Figure 17. Retro style den with native stone fireplace

Figure 18. Dining room

Figure 19. Galley kitchen

Figure 20. One of four upstairs bedrooms

Figure 21. Second bedroom on upper level

Figure 22. Full Bathroom

Figure 23. Master suite

Figure 24. Master Bathroom

Figure 25. Lower level kitchen

Figure 26. Lower level Laundry Room

Figure 27. Private Cottage

The main residence, Bunk House, and a private cottage, combine to create about six thousand square feet of heated living space. This heated space is intertwined with some six thousand square feet of covered and open-air decks, creating a true retreat.  Outdoors, experience a personal slice of mountain paradise. The open acres surrounding the complex invite you to cultivate beauty or bounty. Nighttime brings its own kind of solitude and enjoyment under starry skies at the end of the day.

HIGHLIGHTS

• 64 acres+/- multi-use parcel surrounded by woodland tracts offers complete privacy
• Two story home, two story Bunk House, and private cottage contain 6 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms
• 6,000 sq. ft. +/- heated living space and 6,000 sq. ft. +/- covered porches, decks and patios
• Easy access to I-77, I-64, US Route 19 and US 460
• Jet flights offered from the nearby airports including Charleston, Beckley and Lewisburg
• Proximate to the New River, the East Coast’s whitewater rafting and fishing mecca
• Land legacy of wildlife management and forest stewardship
• An intermittent seasonal stream forms the southeastern boundary of the property for about ½ mile
• Nearby are the Greenbrier, Bluestone, and New River and 2000 acre Bluestone Lake –
• Spectacular long-range views and an abundance of peace and quite
• Elevations range from 2432 ft. to 2948 ft. +/-
• Potential conservation value
• Low taxes, low population density
• Little or no light pollution offers unparalleled star gazing opportunities
• The Hatfield-McCoy Trail is nearby
• Exceptional regional wildlife populations of white tail deer, wild turkey, black bear, eagles, beaver, otter, mink, heron, duck raccoon, butterflies, muskie, bass & pike
• Some interior hiking trails and many established wildlife trails

OVERVIEW

The 64-acre +/- Meadows Retreat represents an opportunity to create a classic family ownership legacy for the next tenure. Terrain is typical of the region and considered rolling to mountainous, with upland hardwood flats and ridges separated by narrow hollows that flank the lower lying drainage of the stream.

Meadows Retreat is near the heart of a recreation mecca of the Greenbrier River and New River Gorge, the property offers rural estate qualities with the upside potential for future residential development.

Mountain wildflowers can be enjoyed every spring and summer including the spectrum of mountain irises to daffodils. Spectacular 40-mile-long views from the upper reaches rival any in West Virginia.  There is little light pollution, and the night sky is filled with millions of stars for hours of serenity in your personal mountain retreat.

The trees, shrubs, and pasture grasses are highly productive in producing tons and tons of oxygen while at the same time eliminating huge amounts of Carbon Dioxide; Nature’s way of reducing our Carbon Footprint.

DIRECTIONS

Contact Foxfire Realty Agent to visit this property.

From I-77 Ghent Exit 28: 6.8 Miles +/- (approximately 15 minutes)

At the end of the exit ramps, turn toward the Marathon Station visible in the distance, travel 2/10 mile passing the Marathon Station; turn right onto US-19 South; travel 2.5 miles: turn left onto Ellison Ridge Road; travel Ellison Ridge Road for 3.4 miles; turn right onto North Fork Road Rt 25/6 (gravel road); travel Rt. 25/6 for ½ mile; stay left going uphill to be with the right-of-way road; travel 4/10 mile to the home.

LOCATION

Google Coordinates: 37.594755°(N), -81.053480°(W)
Address: 480 North Fork, Jumping Branch, WV 25969
Elevation Range: 2432 ft. to 2948 ft. +/-

Beckley: 35 minutes
Charleston: 1 hour 25 minutes
Lewisburg: 1 hour 15 minutes
Princeton: 35 minutes
Roanoke, VA: 2 hours

HOME INFORMATION

ROOMDIMENSIONS
[All measurements are approximate]

Main Residence

Main Level – 1,072 Sq. Ft. Living Area
Living Room – 20’11” x 15’1”
Dining Room – 12’9” x 13’9”
Foyer – 16’5” x 14’
Kitchen – 15’ x 9’10”
Breakfast Nook – 13’10” x 10’2”
Family Room – 20’11” x 16’5”
Entry Porch – 8’3” x 15’5”
Rear Deck – 20’6” x 62’5”
Front Deck – 12’10” x 22’3”
Expansive Side Covered Deck – 77’2” x 39’

Upper Level – 1200 Sq. Ft. Living Area
Primary Bedroom – 13’2” x 16’8”
Primary Bath – 7’7” x 9’7”; 3’2” x 7’4”
Bedroom 2 – 13’ x 11’
Bedroom 3 – 9’7” x 15’4”
Bedroom 4 – 9’4” x 11’4”
Bath – 7’4” x 8’
Deck – 34’3” x 3’7”

Lower Level – 1200 Sq.Ft. Living Area
Bedroom – 15’10” x 12’2”
Laundry – 15’10” x 13’5”
Garage – 30’2” x 25’10”
Covered Patio – 21’2” x 4’10”
Patio – 30’8” x 35’9”

Bunk House (2 Levels and underground garage)

Main Level – 1,000 Sq. Ft. Living Area
Recreation Room – 48’10” x 19’2”
Covered Deck Entrance to Bunk House – 54’3” x 24’1”

Upper Level – 1,000 Sq. Ft. Living Area
Bedroom – 48’10” x 19’2”
Bath 1  – 7’9” x 7’
Bath 2 – 8’1” x 7’

Below Grade Level – partially excavated.
Garage – 48’10” x 19’2”

Private cottage
496 Sq. Ft. Living Area
Bedroom – 30’11’ x 15’9” ‘
Bath – 7’6” x 7’9”
Entry Deck – 25’8” x 16’2”

DEED and TAX INFORMATION

Deed Information: DB 275 Pg. 370
Summers County, West Virginia

Acreage: 64 acres +/-

Real Estate Tax ID/Taxes: 
Summers County (45), West Virginia
Jumping Branch District (5)
Tax Map 22 Parcels 30, 30.2, 30.3; Class 3

2024 Total Real Estate: Taxes: $4508.30

WATER

A dashed blueline stream forms the southeastern boundary of the property for about ½ mile. That intermittent stream should have water flow, especially during rain events and periods of snow melt.

MINERAL RESOURCES

This is a SURFACE property. Minerals have been reserved in a prior deed. Any rights the owner has will convey with the property.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

Figure 28. Map showing property boundary outlined in black and deeded right of way as dashed line

Figure 29. Property has been surveyed and recorded in the courthouse

A map showing the property boundaries was prepared October 7, 1982, by James E. Cook, PE. That map is recorded in the County Clerk’s Office as Hanging File A-21-B. A dashed blueline stream forms the southeastern boundary of the property for about ½ mile. The property is being sold by the boundary and not by the acre.

UTILITIES

Water: Private well
Sewer: Private septic system
Electricity: On site
Internet:  Starlink or other satellite service provider
Cellphone Coverage:  Good

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

Figure 30. Paved Route 26/5 on left and deeded gravel right of way to Meadows Retreat property on right

The property is accessed by a deeded right-of-way from Route 25/6.

Figure 31. Access to Meadows Retreat is tightly controlled with two locked gates

Figure 32. Deeded right of way road leading from paved Route 26/5 to Meadows Retreat

ZONING

Summers County currently has no known zoning or subdivision regulations. However, all prospective buyers should consult the County Government and the Health Department for any changes and details regarding zoning, building codes, and installation of water wells and septic systems.

PROPERTY TYPE/USE SUMMARY

The property is comprised of about 8 acres in the home-grounds fields/open area, and about 56 acres of forestland.

(This 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.)

Airports

Beckley – Raleigh County Memorial Airport
Bluefield – Mercer County Airport: 50 minutes
Charleston – West Virginia International Yeager Airport: 1 hour 25 minutes
Lewisburg – Greenbrier Valley Airport: 1 hour 15 minutes
Roanoke – Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport: 2 hours

NATURE’S RESOURCES

Figure 33. Abundant wildlife is part of the retreat experience

Wildlife management practices have created an exceptional wildlife preserve. Management goals promoted overall wildlife health, facilitated the harvest of game, developed wildlife viewing areas, increased carrying capacity, and increased species diversity.

Figure 34. Bear scat

Figure 35. About 58 acres of forest. Healthy and productive

The forest’s predominately well-drained upland terrain has led to a resource dominated by hardwood species, consisting primarily of White Oak/Chestnut Oak, Red Oak Group, Poplar/Cucumber/Basswood, Sugar Maple/Soft Maple and a host of associate species.

Figure 36. About 8 acres of cleared land

There are about 8 acres of cleared land surrounding the home.  Some of the land is suitable for row crops such as corn, oats, wheat, pumpkins, hay and all kinds of vegetables. A fruit orchard would also flourish here.

Figure 37. A forest trail with Mountain Laurel in bloom

The diverse tree species create the perfect wildlife habitat. The miles of “edge effect” created between farm fields, creeks, hollows, ridges, and rock outcrops benefit all the resident wildlife. White tail deer, black bear, wild turkey, squirrel, rabbit, bobcat, raccoon, and fox. Many species of songbirds, hummingbirds, bats, owls, ruffed grouse, and raptors make up the resident wildlife population.

Figure 38. The forest produces hard and soft mast for animals to eat

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.

Figure 39. Age-old Mountain Laurel root growing across sandstone rock

The state also has many native wildflowers such as Black-Eyed Susan’s, Joe Pie Weed, bluebells, buttonweed, Virginia potato (which has edible roots), and wild strawberry.

ON-PROPERTY RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

The property offers unparalleled recreational opportunities. Numerous soft recreational activities are anchored by the proximity to the Greenbrier River, New River, Bluestone Lake, Lake Moomaw, Lake Anna, Bluestone River, and Summersville Lake.

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 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 Greenbrier River and 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
The property is perfect for experiencing the property from an ATV or UTV. Riders are welcome to ride all public roads that do not have a painted dividing line and there are miles and miles of open roads in the area. 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 the adrenaline rush offered on forest trails.

Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding and Hiking
The land may be used for mountain biking, hiking or horseback riding and the area offers several state and national parks geared for these activities.

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.

WINTERPLACE SKI RESORT

Winterplace Ski Resort is located in Ghent, West Virginia on Raleigh County’s Flat Top Mountain, just five minutes off of I-77 at Exit 28. The southernmost ski resort in West Virginia, Winterplace is a popular attraction to skiers from VA, NC, KY and OH, due to its proximity to Interstate 77. It operates in conjunction with The Resort at Glade Springs, a four-season golf resort and spa. Winterplace Ski Resort is the most accessible skiing area in West Virginia, even during heavy snowstorms. The Resort features 12 lifts, 27 trails, two terrain parks and WV’s largest snowtubing park, offering 16 lanes of fun, and much more.

The Resort at Glade Springs is located eight miles north of Winterplace in Daniels, West Virginia, near the intersection of I-77 and Interstate 64. It operates a spa and three golf courses. The Cobb Course and the Stonehaven Course have been rated among the top five courses in West Virginia by Golf Week Magazine; the Cobb Course, designed by George Cobb, was rated West Virginia’s best golf course in 1995. Glade Springs is also the home course for the WVU Tech men’s and women’s golf teams. Glade Springs also offers horseback riding and whitewater rafting on the New River.

THE NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL PARK and PRESERVE

The sign at entrance to Canyon Rim Visitor Center at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve near Fayetteville, West Virginia.

The 70,000-acre New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is a unit of the United States National Park Service (NPS) designed to protect and maintain the New River Gorge in southern West Virginia in the Appalachian Mountains.

The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is rich in cultural and natural history and offers an abundance of scenic and recreational opportunities. New River Gorge is home to some of the country’s best whitewater rafting, mainly from the Cunard put-in to the Fayette Station take-out and is also one of the most popular climbing areas on the East Coast.

West Virginia is home to parts of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, a foot path that stretches more than 2,100 miles between Maine and Georgia; the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, which cuts through 16 states for 4,900 miles; the Bluestone National Scenic River; and Harpers Ferry National Historic Park. Now, with over 70,000 acres of land, bordering 53 miles of the gorge, the New River Gorge has earned the government’s protection.

Home to the New River, which drops 750 feet over 66 miles, with its Class V rapids, has long drawn adventuresome rafters and kayakers to this whitewater area. The New River, which flows northward through low-cut canyons in the Appalachian Mountains, is actually one of the oldest rivers on the planet.

Rock climbing on the canyon walls, mountain biking and hiking on trails that flank the river, and wildlife viewing—bald eagles, osprey, kingfishers, great blue herons, beavers, river otters, wild turkeys, brown bats, snakes, and black bears—are all popular activities within the park.

The New River Gorge Bridge is a work of structural art. Construction of the bridge began in 1974, and was completed in 1977. The Bridge spans 3,030 feet in length and is the third highest bridge in the U.S., at 876 ft. During Bridge Day, an annual one-day festival celebrating the construction of the Bridge, BASE jumpers launch off the 876-foot bridge and parachute down to the New River. New River Gorge is the only national park in the U.S. that permits this extreme activity.

THE NEW RIVER

The New River is shared by boaters, fisherman, campers, park visitors and local neighbors. The waters of the New River system contain a mosaic of hydrologic features and aquatic habitats that support a highly productive aquatic ecosystem that includes distinct populations of native fish, mussels, crayfish, and a broad array of other aquatic life, including rare amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

The 320-mile New River rises in the Blue Ridge region of North Carolina and flows northeastward through the Appalachian uplands to Radford, Va., where it turns northwestward and passes through a series of narrow valleys and gorges into southern West Virginia. It ends where it joins the Gauley River to form the Kanawha River. In WV, the New River is entrenched in a steep and narrow valley, the narrowest part of which is known as the “New River Gorge.”

In 1998, because of historical, economical, and cultural importance, President Clinton signed into law the New River as one of the very first American Heritage Rivers. Much of the river’s course through West Virginia was designated as the New River Gorge National River. In 2021, the area was designated as the United States’ newest National Park.

The New River is recognized as the “second oldest river in the world” and is estimated to be between 10 and 360 million years old. Its headwaters begin near Blowing Rock, NC, and is one of the few rivers in North America that flows northerly.

Class I, II, III, IV and V rapids dot the entire 320 miles of New River making it a great paddling, tubing, and white rafting adventure. Beautiful cliffs, bluffs, and mountain views make it one of the most scenic rivers on the east coast.

New River Gorge National Park includes 53 miles of free-flowing New River, beginning at Bluestone Dam and ending at Hawks Nest Lake. The New River typifies big West Virginia style whitewater. Within the park it has two very different characters. The upper (southern) part of the river consists primarily of long pools, and relatively easy rapids up to Class III. It is a big powerful river, but very beautiful, always runnable, and providing excellent fishing and camping. There are a number of different river access points, and trips can run from several hours to several days.

The lower (northern) section of river is often referred to as “the Lower Gorge.” In a state that is justifiably renowned for colossal rapids, the Lower Gorge has some of the biggest of the big with rapids ranging in difficulty from Class III to Class V. The rapids are imposing and forceful, many of them obstructed by large boulders which necessitate maneuvering in very powerful currents, crosscurrents, and hydraulics. Some rapids contain hazardous undercut rocks.

Prior to the rise of the Appalachian Mountains, the New River cut its bed at a time when the land sloped to the northwest. Amazingly so, as the Appalachians gradually rose around the river, the New River wore away the bedrock at the same rate the mountains formed, leaving behind towering cliffs and prominences that hover hundreds of feet about the water level.

Accounts claim that Indians referred to the New River as the “river of death,” however this origin story is likely legend. Native Americans and early European settlers regarded the New and Kanawha rivers as being one single waterway. The name “New” may have been derived when the river upstream was discovered by European explorers as the first “new” river found flowing westward.

Native American Indians used the New River as they traveled west years before the pioneers arrived. In the 1600s explorers navigating the New River thought they were close to the Pacific Ocean because of its westerly flow.

In 1671 the Batts-Fallam expedition, by way of the New River, came through to the Lurich area and ended there because the Indian guides refused to take them any farther. They carved their initials in a tree and claimed the territory for King Charles II of England. This was the first proclamation of English territory west of the Alleghenies making the New River the first gateway into the west.

Fast water, big rocks and lazy/slow stretches are features of the New River. Water sports enthusiasts will find the New River ideal for swimming, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, tubing, snorkeling, paddle boarding and windsurfing. Great fishing is found in the New River with bass (largemouth, smallmouth and rock), flathead catfish, channel catfish, muskie, walleye and bluegill present in good numbers. Year after year, it produces more citation fish than any other warm water river in West Virginia.

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.

The gorge was practically impassible before completion of the New River Gorge Bridge, near Fayetteville, WV, in 1978. The river within its gorge is one of the most popular whitewater rafting destinations in the eastern U.S. Much of the New between Hinton and Gauley Bridge is managed by the National Park Service as the New River Gorge National River.

Principal tributaries of the New in West Virginia include, from south to north, the East River, the Bluestone River, and the Greenbrier River.

Many former mining communities located on the New River in its gorge have since become ghost towns. These include Sewell, Nuttalburg, Kaymoor, Fayette, South Fayette, Hawks Nest, Cotton Hill, and Gauley, Beury and Claremont.

BLUESTONE LAKE

Amidst the beautiful scenery of southern West Virginia lies the long, narrow 2,000-acre Bluestone Lake. This reservoir, the third largest lake in West Virginia, is popular for its fishing and other recreational activities. Bluestone Lake was formed by a concrete dam built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers across the New River to reduce flooding. Although the dam was started in 1941, its construction was delayed because of World War II, and it was not fully completed until 1952. The lake is nearly eleven miles long, with an area of 2,040 acres during summer pool, though the water level does change frequently. Water levels are drawn down four feet in winter to make room for melting snow and spring rain.

Bluestone Lake, Greenbrier River, Bluestone River, and the New River are great places for fishing, and it is said that New River is the best warm-water fishery in the state. Some of the species of fish available in the lake and river are bluegill, catfish, crappie, muskellunge, and various types of bass. New River bass have set some West Virginia state records.

In addition to fishing, Bluestone Lake is fantastic for enjoying all sorts of water activities, including boating, canoeing, water skiing, and wake boarding. The lake has several boat ramps and a commercial marina for the boater’s convenience, and there are no limits to the size of boats or motors that can be on the lake.

Bluestone Lake is part of the Bluestone Wildlife Management Area, which covers an area of 18,019 acres. The Wildlife Management Area is known for having some of the best hunting in the area, and hunters and trappers will be able to catch a variety of game including white-tail deer, turkey, fox, and other animals.

One great place to enjoy the lake is at Bluestone State Park. The park has ample accommodations for those who want to stay overnight. There are a variety of camp sites – or, if you prefer a more comfortable stay, there are 26 cabins with TV’s, showers, and other modern conveniences. Park visitors can take a walk on the hiking trails, play in the swimming pool, or rent game equipment to play croquet or horseshoes. The park also has weekly events with lots of fun activities.

In addition to all the fun activities on the lake, there’s plenty more to do in the surrounding area. There are several other parks nearby, where you can enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities. You can experience some great whitewater on the New River. And the New River Gorge is well-known as a great place for rock climbing, with its many hard sandstone cliffs. If you want a break from outdoor activities, the nearby town of Hinton has many attractions. There are a variety of restaurants, shops and antique stores to browse, and museums to visit.

Historical and recreational interest located in the Bluestone – Flat Top area includes the outdoor musical dramas “Hatfields and McCoys” and others shows performed at Grandview Park, near Beckley. Pipestem Resort with its myriad recreational facilities is only nine miles to the south and the 70,000 acres New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, center of some of the state’s best whitewater rafting and canoeing plays an integral part of the area. Of special note are Sandstone Falls and the Visitor Center, just north of Hinton; and Bluestone National Wild and Scenic River, which flows into Bluestone Lake within the park boundaries.

HATFIELD-MCCOY TRAILS

The Hatfield-McCoy Trails System (HMTS) is made up of over 600+ miles of trails and located in the rich mountains of southern West Virginia. The 600+ mile HMTS is second only to the 2000 mile long Paiute ATV Trail in Central Utah.

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 ATV, UATV, and motorbikes (dirt bikes), 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 name of the trail system is derived from the names of two families, the Hatfields and McCoys, who famously feuded near the West Virginia and Kentucky border after the Civil War.

Law enforcement officers patrol the trail to assure 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, and a host of others, have allowed the trail system to enjoy a quality safety record, despite an increase in ATV-related injuries around the country.

LOCAL COUNTY OVERVIEW

Historic Summers County
Hinton, the county seat of Summers County is a 45-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.

Hinton, West Virginia

Summers County (2014 population—13,417) is located in the southeastern region of West Virginia, scenically placed between the beautiful Greenbrier and New River Valleys. The City of Hinton (2013 population—2,588) serves as the county seat and is the sole municipality within Summers County.

The railroad boom of the early 20th century helped to build Hinton and Summers County. However, the county’s current economy is based primarily on tourism thanks to the Bluestone Dam and Lake along with the Bluestone, Greenbrier, and New Rivers which converge in Hinton. Further, the New River Gorge National River begins at Hinton and flows northward into neighboring Fayette County.

Summers County is also home to Bluestone State Park, Pipestem Resort, and a number of other facilities that provide lodging, camping, and a variety of recreational activities. The Hinton Railroad Museum, the Graham House, the Campbell Flanagan Murrell House, and other museums provide glimpses into the county’s history. The architecture of buildings in Hinton’s nationally registered historic district is of interest to many. A solid core of retail stores and professional service providers meet the needs of residents and visitors alike.

Residents of Summers County enjoy a wonderful small town, laid back quality of life. Service clubs such as the Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary, and Ruritans support a number of community initiatives, school programs, and special events. The Summers County Library supports the county school system and provides visitors with Internet access and other services. There are several denominations of churches in the area.

Summers County is served east-west by Interstate 64 and by north and south connections to Interstate 77. The New River Parkway, when completed, will improve access to Sandstone Falls by upgrading River Road from I-64 near Exit 139 Sandstone into Hinton. West Virginia Routes 3, 12, 19, 20, and 107 are the primary highways within the county. Amtrak also provides an important transportation link to Summers County with its Cardinal line from New York to Washington DC to Chicago. Stops are made three times per week to pick up and disembark passengers at Hinton’s historic Rail Depot.

The Summers County Appalachian Regional Hospital provides a fully-staffed emergency room and a variety of medical services. Summers County Emergency Services provides ambulance service. Law enforcement is provided by the Summers County Sheriff’s Department, a detachment of the West Virginia State Police, the City of Hinton’s Police Department and park rangers with the US Army Corps of Engineers, the National Park Service, and the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources. Similarly, the City of Hinton has a new fully-manned and equipped fire station complemented by six other volunteer fire departments throughout the county.

A picturesque Amtrak train ride from Hinton connects the area to DC, Philadelphia, Chicago, and many other locations. By car, DC is 5 hours away and Charlotte is only 3.

Historic Greenbrier County

Lewisburg, Greenbrier County seat, has been voted the Coolest Small Town in America, combining the warmth of a close community with the sophistication of more urban locations. The thriving downtown historic district offers year-round live productions presented at the State Professional Theatre of WV, Carnegie Hall, distinctive dining venues, antique shops, award-winning galleries/boutiques, a year-round farmer’s markets. Greenbrier Valley Medical Center of Charleston Area Medical Center is a modern hospital and all attendant medical facilities, along with the many big box stores.

The county and city host several fairs & festivals throughout the year including The WV State Fair, a professional 4-weekend Renaissance Festival, Chocolate Festival, Taste of our Town Festival (TOOT), antique car shows, Jeep Rally’s, Airstream Rally, and WV Barn Hunt Competition.

Lewisburg is also home to the modern Robert. C Byrd Medical Clinic (300 employees), the WV Osteopathic Medical School (600 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, medical, education, retail, construction, wood products, mining and agriculture.

The world-renowned Greenbrier Resort, with 800 rooms and 1600 employees, is located in the sleepy little town of White Sulphur Springs. The 4-Star resort has a subterranean casino and a 55,000 sq. ft. Greenbrier Sports Performance Center which has hosted several NFL teams’ practice events.  The Resort will also host a college basketball tournament in its Greenbrier Tip-Off event.  The Greenbrier Resort features four championship-caliber golf courses.  Several other area golf courses are available in the area – including Oakhurst Links, America’s first golf course, where guests play using old style hickory-handled clubs and ground-burrowing golf balls.

CARBON SEQUESTRATION

The property is a tremendous producer of Oxygen and a the capturing Carbon.  Carbon Sequestration is the act of processing carbon dioxide through sinks and stores and releasing them into the atmosphere as oxygen. The vigorously growing forest is sequestering thousands of tons of Carbon Dioxide each per year and producing thousands of tons of Oxygen as well. The grasses in the pastures offer the same benefits as the forest do.

SELF-SUSTAINING LIFE OFF THE GRID

Just like 200 years ago, when the first mountaineers settled the area, the property can be self-sustaining in times of necessity – even without on-grid electricity.

• Fresh water for drinking and cooking could come from drilling a well (hand drawing water from the well using a cylinder well bucket) and developing mountain springs.
• Solar or wind could also be a source of off grid electricity.
• The nearby rivers, creeks and forest would provide fresh food (fish, deer, and turkey).
• There is plenty of land that could be cleared up and 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, and row crops of corn, oats and barley.
• Beehives would provide honey and beeswax for candles.
• The forest would provide building lumber, firewood for heating-cooking, and pounds of nuts and mushrooms.

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 in each category:

• 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: Pawpaw’s, 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)

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Summers County School District
Due to the property’s location, Raleigh County Schools may be available.

Public Elementary School:
Hinton Area Elementary School
Ghent Elementary School, Raleigh County

Public Middle School:
Summers County Middle School
Shady Spring Middle School, Raleigh County

Public High School:
Summers County High School
Shady Spring High School, Raleigh County

Colleges:
Concord University, New River Community, WVU Tech