OVERVIEW

The Mountain Vista Retreat includes a cozy well-maintained two-bedroom mobile home with large addition on approximately 2 acres in a farming community of Durbin, in south-central West Virginia.  This property boasts a small pond, well-maintained yard with split rail fencing, and large front and rear porches.  You can enjoy the peace and quiet of county life with the train whistle from the old steam engine in the small historic town of Durbin, West Virginia.  The enormous mountain views just add to the pleasure.

The Mountain Vista Retreat is ideally suited for seekers of peace and quiet, but it also offers the convenience of just minutes to Snowshoe Resort, Buffalo Lake, and the thousands of acres of the Monongahela National Forest.  But it doesn’t stop there, you will be in walking distance of the east fork of the trout stocked Greenbrier River.   This property is a must see for those who love nature and all it has to offer.

HIGHLIGHTS

• 2+/- acres in the heart of the Allegheny Mountains
• 5 minute walk to the east fork of the Greenbrier River
• Nearby to the thousands of unspoiled acres of the Monongahela National Forest
• Dark skies with little or no pollution for star and planet gazing
• Unrivaled long-range views of distant mountains
• Wildlife is abundant with several fur bearing species represented
• Winged wildlife includes eagles, hawks, owls, ravens, and Neotropical songbirds
• 40 minutes to Snowshoe Ski Resort, Cass Scenic Railroad and Seneca State Forest
• Nearby public access to the Greenbrier River and River Trail – perfect for anglers and water recreation enthusiasts
• Low taxes, low population density

LOCATION

Google Coordinates: 38.532984°(N), -79.774283°(W)
Address: 408 Rhinehart Rd, Durbin, WV 26264
Elevation Range: 2913 ft. to 2932 ft. +/-

ABOUT THE REGION

Mountain Vista Retreat is located in north central Pocahontas County in the mountains of southeastern West Virginia. The Pocahontas County region is renowned for its highland forests—woodlands that ascend to windswept summits more than 4,000 feet above sea level. Its highest peaks are among the highest in the Allegheny range of the Appalachian Mountain.

Though home to fewer than 9,000 residents, the county is among the largest in West Virginia at 942 square miles and includes vast areas of forest, much of which is managed by the U.S. Forest Service as part of the Monongahela National Forest.

Much of the county lies within the National Radio Quiet Zone, an area of 110 square miles in Virginia and West Virginia in which radio transmissions are heavily restricted to facilitate scientific research at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank in northern Pocahontas County.

Heavy snows in the higher elevations may render forest roads impassable through much of the winter, though the valleys along the Greenbrier enjoy moderate winter weather. Heavy snows in December, January, and February help sustain tourism when more than 400,000 skiers and winter-sports enthusiasts visit Snowshoe Mountain, Silver Creek Resort, and the Elk River Touring Center.

HOME INFORMATION

Mobile Home

Great room 19′ x 20′
Bedroom 1 -10’6″ x 13′ 6″
Living room 13′ 6″ x 14′
Kitchen & dining room 13’6″ x 11′
Utility room 5’x 5′
Master Bedroom 13’6″ x 12′
Walk in closet 5′ x 5′
Master bath 13′ 6″ x 7′
Back porch 8′ x 20′
Front porch 8′ x 22′

Buildings

Tool shed 12’x 24′
2 covered sheds 12′ x 24′
Storage shed 12’x14′
Root cellar 10′ x 10′

UTILITIES

Water: Well
Sewer: Septic
Electricity: On-site
Telephone: On-site
Internet: Landline with highspeed internet
Cellphone Coverage: None – property is in the “Quiet Zone”

WATER

The property has a 1/10 – acre pond.

MINERAL RESOURCES

West Virginia is one of the states in the US that has two ownership titles, those being SURFACE RIGHTS and MINERAL RIGHTS. A title search for mineral rights ownership has not been conducted. 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.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

The property was surveyed as two separate adjoining tracts by William E. Dilley, L.L.S. of Dunmore, WV, and shown on his plats recorded in the deeds in the chain of title for the property. Some of the property boundary is evidenced by fencing. The eastern boundary runs with RT 28/23. The property is being conveyed by the boundary and not by the acre.

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

The property has 627 feet of frontage on RT 28/23, and the driveway entrance to the property joins with RT 28/23 within that frontage.

ZONING

Pocahontas County currently has no zoning outside of corporations and flood zone areas. However, all prospective buyers should consult the County Government and also 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 home grounds sits with open field area which also contains the pond.

(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: DB 265 Pg. 93
Pocahontas County, West Virginia

Acreage: 2.0 acres.
Real Estate Tax ID/Acreage/Taxes:

Pocahontas County (38), West Virginia
Greenbank District (4)

Tax Map 23 Parcel 58.2; BARTOW 2 AC FEE; Class 2

2020 Real Estate Taxes: $196.38

RECREATION AT MOUNTAIN VISTA RETREAT

Mountain Vista Retreat offers many recreational opportunities. Numerous soft recreational activities are anchored by the proximity to the Greenbrier River, Monongahela National Forest, Buffalo Lake, and Snowshoe Resort.

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 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 Greenbrier River ideal for swimming, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, tubing, snorkeling, paddle boarding and windsurfing.

Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding and Hiking
The 76 mile long Greenbrier River Trail may be used for conventional and mountain biking, hiking or horseback riding. The Greenbrier State Forest has several miles of biking trails that are considered an 8 on a scale of 10 by biking enthusiasts.

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.

THE SURROUNDING AREA

POCAHONTAS COUNTY
Pocahontas County, West Virginia, is set deep in the Allegheny Mountains, separating West Virginia from Virginia, and called “the birthplace of rivers”. The Greenbrier, Gauley, Elk, Cherry, Cranberry, Tygart Valley, Williams, and Shavers Fork of the Cheat rivers all begin in these pristine mountains. The area is rooted in its crystal clear streams, native brook trout, roaring waterfalls, and unique history.

Pocahontas County is the “Alaska of the East”. Outdoor recreation opportunities abound from Hunting on private lands and the Monongahela National Forest, and Fishing in the Greenbrier River, Shavers Fork, Buffalo Lake and the countless native trout streams, Snow Skiing at Snowshoe, and Mountain Biking at Seneca State Forest and the Greenbrier River Trail.

In historic Durbin, WV, you have the opportunity to ride & experience the sights and sounds of one of the rarest steam locomotives in existence. The DURBIN FLYER Excursion Train is powered by a rare steam locomotive; Old #3 is one of only three operating Climax geared logging locomotives on earth!

For the water enthusiast, the property fronts the Greenbrier River for about 1500 feet. The Greenbrier is the last un-dammed river east of the Mississippi and offers a great float/canoe/kayak experience. The fishing for small mouth bass is considered excellent.

The property fronts the Greenbrier River Trail for over one mile between mile markers 78 and 79, just 7 miles from its terminus at Cass. The GRT is an 86-mile rails to trails system and offers exceptional hiking and biking opportunities along the scenic Greenbrier River.

Within a short drive are located some of the finest recreational facilities in West Virginia. Snowshoe Ski Resort, whitewater rafting / fishing on the Tygart, New River and Gauley Rivers, the 48,000 acre Cranberry Wilderness, the 80,000 acre New River National Gorge National Park, and whitewater rafting / fishing on the New River and Gauley Rivers. Five other area state parks and state forests offer unlimited hiking, horseback riding, ATV riding and rock climbing opportunities. Snowshoe Ski Resort is a 15 minute leisurely drive through some of the most scenic country on the East Coast. The world renowned Greenbrier Resort, home of the PGA tour, is just 1 ½ hour drive. Several other area golf courses are available in the area. Five other area state parks and state forests offer unlimited hiking, horseback riding, ATV riding, and rock climbing opportunities.

Spruce Knob, Seneca Rocks, The Cass Scenic Railroad in Cass and the National Radio Observatory in Green Bank are other area attractions that make this region of the state one of the most sought after to live and play.

THE MONONGAHELA NATIONAL FOREST
The Monongahela National Forest was established in 1920 and is encompasses about one million acres. Located in the north central highlands of West Virginia, the Monongahela straddles the highest ridges in the State. Elevation ranges from just under 1000′ to 4863′ above sea level. Variations in terrain and precipitation have created one of the most ecologically diverse National Forests in the country.

Visitors to this beautiful forest enjoy breathtaking vistas, peaceful country roads, gently flowing streams, and glimpses of the many species of plants and animals that inhabit the Forest. You will also see a ‘working’ forest, which produces timber, water, grazing, minerals and recreational opportunities for the region and nation.

The landscape goals for management of the Monongahela are for a largely natural appearing and diverse forest, which provides outstanding dispersed recreation opportunities and supporting developed facilities. Dispersed recreation opportunities abound for hiking, backpacking, fishing, hunting, mountain biking and so on. Developed sites provide the tourism destination facilities and base camps so important to the efforts of local Convention and Visitor Bureaus, local communities, and other non-government agencies. Forest Plan Management Prescriptions favor non-motorized recreation for ecological reasons.

The forest is noted for its rugged landscape with spectacular views, blueberry thickets, highland bogs and “sods”, and open areas with exposed rocks. In addition to the second-growth forest trees, the wide range of botanical species found includes rhododendron, laurel on the moist west side of the Allegheny Front, and cactus and endemic shale barren species on the drier eastern slopes.

There are 230 known species of birds inhabiting the MNF: 159 are known to breed there, 89 are Neotropical migrants; 71 transit the forest during migration, but do not breed there, and 17 non-breeding species are Neotropical. The Brooks Bird Club (BBC) conducts an annual bird banding and survey project in the vicinity of Dolly Sods Scenic Area during migration (August – September). The forest provides habitat for 9 federally listed endangered or threatened species: 2 bird species, 2 bat species, 1 subspecies of flying squirrel, 1 salamander species, and 3 plant species. Fifty other species of rare/sensitive plants and animals also occur in the forest.

Larger animals and game species found in the forest include black bear, wild turkey, white-tailed deer, gray and fox squirrels, rabbits, snowshoe hare, woodcock, and grouse. Limited waterfowl habitat exists in certain places. Furbearers include beaver, red and gray fox, bobcat, fisher, river otter, raccoon and mink. Other hunted species include coyotes, skunks, opossums, woodchucks, crows, and weasels. There are 12 species of game (pan) fish and 60 species of non-game or forage fish. Some 90% of the trout waters of West Virginia are within the forest.

THE GREENBRIER RIVER
The upper Greenbrier River possesses the excitement of life on one of the nation’s great wild rivers. The focus of a vast outdoor-recreation destination, it flows untamed out of the lofty Alleghenies, attracting anglers, paddlers, and naturalists from across the globe.

At 162 miles long, the Greenbrier is the longest undammed river left in the Eastern United States. It is primarily used for recreational pursuits and well known for its fishing, canoeing, kayaking and floating opportunities. Its upper reaches flow through the Monongahela National Forest, and it is paralleled for 77 miles by the Greenbrier River Trail, a rail trail which runs between the communities of Cass and North Caldwell.

It has always been a valuable water route, with the majority of the important cities in the watershed being established river ports. The river gives the receiving waters of the New River an estimated 30% of its water volume. Over three-fourths of the watershed is an extensive karstic (cavern system), which supports fine trout fishing, cave exploration and recreation. Many important festivals and public events are held along the river throughout the watershed.

The Greenbrier is formed at Durbin in northern Pocahontas County by the confluence of the East Fork Greenbrier River and the West Fork Greenbrier River, both of which are short streams rising at elevations exceeding 3,300 feet and flowing for their entire lengths in northern Pocahontas County. From Durbin the Greenbrier flows generally south-southwest through Pocahontas, Greenbrier and Summers Counties, past several communities including Cass, Marlinton, Hillsboro, Ronceverte, Fort Spring, Alderson, and Hinton, where it flows into the New River.

Along most of its course, the Greenbrier accommodated the celebrated Indian warpath known as the Seneca Trail (Great Indian Warpath). From the vicinity of present-day White Sulphur Springs the Trail followed Anthony’s Creek down to the Greenbrier near the present Pocahontas-Greenbrier County line. It then ascended the River to the vicinity of Hillsboro and Droop Mountain and made its way through present Pocahontas County by way of future Marlinton, Indian Draft Run, and Edray.

NEARBY HISTORIC GREENBRIER COUNTY
Lewisburg, which is the Greenbrier County seat, was voted the Coolest Small Town in America in 2011, 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, and two summer-season farmer’s markets. Greenbrier Valley Medical Center is a modern hospital and all attendant medical facilities, along with the many big box stores.

Lewisburg is home to 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 nearby in the sleepy little town of White Sulphur Springs. The 4-Star resort has a subterranean casino and is home to the PGA tour, the “Greenbrier Classic.” 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!

The Greenbrier County Airport with WV’s longest runway provides daily flights to Atlanta and Washington DC. A picturesque train ride from White Sulphur Springs connects the area to DC, Philadelphia, Chicago, and many other locations. By car, DC is 4 hours away and Charlotte is only 4.