“Spice Run” is a 12 acre country estate that takes full advantage of the powerful presence of the Greenbrier River and surrounding mountain vistas of the adjoining National Forest.  Spice Run is in Pocahontas County, The “Alaska of the East”.

OVERVIEW

“Spice Run” is a 12-acre country estate located in the Spice Run community with private access to the Greenbrier River and River Trail. The 3,024 sq. ft. home has 4 acres of  meadows and 8 acres of pristine forest.

This easy living property is within an easy drive or jet flight of higher population areas of Lewisburg, DC, Chicago, Atlanta, Snowshoe and Roanoke. Spice Run provide exceptional quality of life values for every generation.

HIGHLIGHTS

• 12 acres with private access to the Greenbrier River and Greenbrier River Trail
• Part of the Spice Run on the Greenbrier River Development with protective covenants in place to retain and increase value
• Property accesses 10-acre common area adjoining the Greenbrier River
• Located in Pocahontas County, The “Alaska of the East”
• 4 acres of meadows have rich soils planted in native pasture grasses
• 3,024 sq.ft. ranch-style home is meticulously maintained and overlooks the river and the Monongahela National Forest
• Built in 2001
• Main floor has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, dining area, living room, kitchen, pantry, covered front porch and back deck
• Downstairs is a partially finished basement a 2-car garage, laundry room, ½ bath, game room, 4 guest beds, furnace room and two convenient outside entrances
• Private master bedroom with full bath
• New floating vinyl flooring installed on the main floor.
• Back deck for grilling and lounging
• Covered front porch with amazing vistas of the National Forest’s mountain ranges
• 4 acres of meadows and 8 acres of pristine forest
• Excellent access with a private road leading to the home and river
• Very private and secluded – but not remote
• All city amenities are 45 minutes away in Lewisburg, the Greenbrier County Seat
• Convenience store and fuel are 25 minutes’ drive
• Excellent river fishing with a mix of deep holes, rapids and still water
• The property’s topography is interesting, diverse and aesthetically pleasing all year round – framed naturally by the river and mountain ranges
• All mineral rights in title will convey
• Quality infrastructure includes canning/crafts building, large two-story barn, metal Quonset storage building
• An unrivaled resident wildlife population rich in diversity and ever changing
• Fur bearing – deer, black bear, squirrel, rabbit, bobcat, raccoon, fox, chipmunk, opossum
• Neotropical songbirds, frogs, turtles, crawdads populate the riverbank, and wetlands
• Winged wildlife includes turkey, eagles, herons, hawks, owls, ravens, king fishers, ravens, crows, and hummingbirds
• 45 minutes to historic Lewisburg a jet airport and  major interstate
• Dynamic forest with some old growth trees estimated to be 200-300 years old
• A rewarding off-grid permaculture lifestyle can be easily developed
• Darkest of skies with little or no light pollution for star gazing and planet observation
• Perfect for all water sport activities as well as shooting sports, ATV riding, horseback riding, hiking, camping, hunting and nature viewing
• Low taxes, low population density

LOCATION

Google Coordinates: 38.051172°(N), -80.237121°(W)
Address: Denmar Road, Hillsboro, WV 24946
Elevation Range: 2035 ft. to 2193 ft. +/-

RECREATION AT SPICE RUN

Spice Run offers unparalleled recreational opportunities.  Numerous soft recreational activities are anchored by the adjoining Greenbrier River.

Water-sports enthusiasts will find the Greenbrier River ideal for swimming, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, tubing, snorkeling, paddle boarding and windsurfing. Great fishing is found in the Greenbrier River with small mouth bass, crappie, catfish, muskie and bluegill present in good numbers. Ice skating is occasionally a fun activity during the winter months.

Nature viewing is first in line of recreational activities. Attentive wildlife management has been geared not to just larger 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, eagles and hawks. 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.

Stargazing-Planet Observation Total or near total darkness can be still be found on the property, thereby affording the opportunity to view the night sky in all its brilliant wonder.

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 Spice Run 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 being on two wheels.

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

FOREST RESOURCES

The timber resource consists of about 10 acres of mature trees. The forest resource is composed of Appalachian hardwoods with a species composition consisting primarily of Black Walnut, American Sycamore, Birch, Red Maple, Poplar, Red Oak, White Oak, Hickory, and a host of associated species (Ash, Red Pine, Eastern Cedar, Sourwood, Black Gum, Beech, Ironwood and Hop Hornbeam).

Several “Heritage Trees” are scattered about. These ancient trees, some 200-300 years old, have withstood the test of time, weathering flood, ice, wind, lightning strikes and fire. The forest floor is home to several types of mushrooms, medicinal plants, wild ginseng, ferns and cool green mosses.

There are a few fruit trees scattered about, some of which were part of the early homestead. Crops of black walnuts are produced each year from the abundant black walnut trees scattered about.

The amazing Spice Run forest provides an essential nutrient source for wildlife 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.

AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES

The agricultural land consists of about 4 acres of fairly very level meadows. Gardens and row crops will do well here. The well-maintained meadows conserve water and filter out manure and nutrients, keeping them from entering the nearby river, protecting water quality, human health, and animal health.

WILDLIFE

The river is a major contributor 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 river and pond, 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.

The miles of “edge effect” created between the river, forest, and fields benefit all the resident wildlife. In addition to those listed above, white tail deer, black bear, wild turkey, squirrel, rabbit, bobcat, fox, chipmunk, and many species of songbirds make up the resident wildlife population. Of equal importance, there is the insect and microscopic world including butterflies, dragonflies, water skaters, water beetles, damselflies, hellgrammites, tadpoles and various insect larve.

Great fishing is found in the Greenbrier River with small mouth bass, crappie, catfish, muskie and bluegill present in good numbers. The river’s surrounding aquatic plant life creates a water a water-supported community with a wide variety of wildlife. Some of the river’s margins are fringed by wetlands, and these wetlands support the aquatic food web, provide shelter for wildlife, and stabilize their shores. The plant life associated with the wetland includes rushes, sedges, cattails, duckweed, bee balm and algae.

The hardwood forest of the surrounding mountains 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. Wildlife management practices have created an informal wildlife preserve amd promoted overall wildlife health, facilitated the observation of game, developed wildlife viewing areas, increased carrying capacity, and increased species diversity

THE HOME AND GROUNDS

The “Spice Run” homesite was chosen so as to take full advantage of the powerful presence of the Greenbrier River and surrounding mountain vistas of the National Forest. The home sits on a bluff overlooking the meadows, the national forest mountain ranges and the river. The home’s design accommodates the lifestyles of an active household and the daily life associated with river-recreation properties. The kitchen is the hub of the home where everyone naturally gathers.

• The home was built in 2001
• 3,024 sq.ft. home has 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, kitchen, living room, dining area, laundry/mudroom, storage, covered front porch, back deck
• Downstairs has a partially finished basement with attached 2 car garage and storage
• HVAC – High Efficiency Heat Pump
• Drilled water well supplies water for home

Room Dimensions

• Kitchen/Dining
• Master Bedroom
• Master Bath
• Full Bath
• Living Room
• Bedroom #1
• Bedroom #2
• Covered front porch

Total sq. ft.  = 1,512

Partially Finished Basement 

• • Concrete Floor
  • Mudroom/Laundry Room
  • 2 Car Garage
  • ½ Bath
  • Area finished with 4 guest beds
  • Basement and Garage total sq. ft. = 1,512

• Large storage area under the front porch

TOTAL SQ. FT. = 3,024

BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS

• Two story barn
• Metal Quonset Storage
• Canning/Crafts building
• 500’ Gravel Driveway
• Septic system for home

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.

• Hydro-power from the river could provide an endless supply of off grid electricity.
• Fresh water for drinking and cooking would come from the drilled water well (hand drawing water from the well using a cylinder well bucket).
• The river, pond and forest would provide fresh food (fish, deer, and turkey).
• The fertile bottomland would be 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 firewood for heating and cooking and pounds of walnuts.

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: 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)

THE DYNAMIC WETLAND

In earlier times, before the environmental and societal value of wetlands was discovered, Spice Run’s little, but dynamic wetland, was commonly called a “swamp”. This enchanting area is biologically rich and wildlife diverse, being akin to the world’s largest swamps found in the Florida Everglades and the Amazon River Basin. This small, but mighty wetland works to provide “ecosystem services”—non-monetary benefits like clean water, clean air, carbon sequestration, hunting, and eco-recreation.

ARCHEOLOGY AND GEOLOGY

Spice Run is nestled between the folded Ridge and Valley Province to the east and the younger Allegheny Plateau to the west.  The Greenbrier River flows 162 miles southwest through numerous mountain valleys and empties into the world’s third oldest river, the New River, just a few miles downstream.

The rich farmland is made fertile by nutrient rich topsoil being deposited by eons of flood waters laidened with limestone leached from the Greenbrier Limestones, known locally as the “Big Lime”. These limestones were formed from shallow seas some 350 million years ago during the Mississippian geological period. The quarrying of limestone for dimension stone, fill-rock, construction aggregate, riprap, sand, and agricultural lime is an important industry in the area.

The area has many interesting “riches from the earth” in the form of sandstone, limestone, agates, fossils, geodes, caves and curious rock outcrops. The river’s bottom and banks have numerous types, ages and classes of rocks that originate from several diverse geological regions along the 172 mile long river basin draining about 1.5 million acres. The Droop Sandstone, a very hard, quartz-rich rock originally deposited as sand beaches along an ancient shoreline, is especially prominent in the area.

Numerous sheer rock cliff formations are created by the erosion-resistant Droop Sandstone. Locally, the Muddy Creek Mountain quarry produces decorative sandstone from the Droop that is known worldwide for its beauty and durability. The area is well known for the healing waters of the numerous “Sulphur Springs”. During the 1800’s and early 1900’s, several “Sulphur Springs Resorts” flourished in the area. Most notably and still in existence are White Sulphur Springs, Warm Springs, and Hot Springs. Others included, Sweet Springs, Blue Sulphur Springs, Red Sulphur Springs, Green Sulphur Springs, Salt Sulphur Springs, Pence Springs and, Sweet Chalybeate Springs.

FOREST/TIMBER RESOURCES

The timber resource consists of a small patch of forest along the river as well as an area surrounding the pond and down the creek. The forest resource is composed of Appalachian hardwoods and pine.

The species composition consists primarily of Black Walnut, American Sycamore, Birch, Red Maple, Poplar, Red Oak, White Oak, Hickory, and a host of associated species (Ash, Red Pine, Eastern Cedar, Sourwood, Black Gum, Beech, Ironwood and Hop Hornbeam). Several “Heritage Trees” are scattered along the riverbank. These ancient trees, some 200-300 years old, have withstood the test of time, weathering flood, ice, wind, lightning strikes and fire. The forest floor is home to several types of mushrooms, medicinal plants, wild ginseng, ferns and cool green mosses.

There are a few fruit trees scattered about, some of which were part of the early homestead. Crops of black walnuts are produced each year from the abundant black walnut trees scattered about. Honeybees will do very well here.

THE AREA

Pocahontas County

Spice Run is located in Pocahontas County, “The Alaska of the East”, 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 a Mountain Playground. 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 along the Greenbrier River Trail. 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.

Historic Greenbrier County

Lewisburg, (45-minute drive), which is the Greenbrier County seat, was 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 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, WV Barn Hunt Competition, PGA Tour @The Greenbrier, 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 is home to the PGA tour, NFL Summer Practice Event, Tennis Exhibitions (Venus Williams, John McEnroe etc.). 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.

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. Within a two-hour’s drive are located some of the finest recreational facilities in West Virginia. Winterplace Ski Resort, whitewater rafting / fishing on the New River and Gauley River, 2000-acre Bluestone Lake, Pipestem State Park and Resort and the 80,000-acre New River National Gorge National Park.

Five other area state parks and state forests offer unlimited hiking, horseback riding, ATV riding and rock climbing opportunities. Snowshoe Ski Resort is 90-minute drive through some of the most scenic country on the East Coast. The new 12,000-acre Boy Scout High Adventure Camp and home to the US and World Jamboree is an hour’s drive.

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 lower 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 172 miles long, the Greenbrier drains over 1.5 million acres and 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.

GREENBRIER RIVER TRAIL

The 77 mile long Greenbrier River Trail is operated by the West Virginia State Parks and is a former railroad grade now used for hiking, bicycling, ski-touring, horseback-riding, and wheel-chair use. The trail passes through numerous small towns and traverses 35 bridges and 2 tunnels as it winds its way along the valley. Most of the trail is adjacent to the free-flowing Greenbrier River and is surrounded by peaks of the Allegheny Mountains.

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

According to the survey plat, the property has frontage with old secondary Route 31/6 and with a subdivision road. The driveway to the home connects to the road identified as old secondary Route 31/6 within the section of frontage. Route 31/16 is now a private road maintained by the owners of Spice Run on the Greenbrier River development.

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.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

The property was surveyed in 2007 as part of creating a subdivision and is shown on a plat prepared for that subdivision and recorded in Plat Book 15 at page 11. Portions of the boundary run with road. The property is being sold by the boundary and not by the acre.

DEED AND TAX INFORMATION

Deed Information: DB 312 Pg. 58
Pocahontas County, West Virginia
Acreage: 12 acres

Real Estate Tax ID/Acreage/ Taxes:
Pocahontas County (38), West Virginia
Little Levels District (7) Tax Map 61A Parcels 8 and 12; Class 2

2019 Real Estate Taxes: $696.20

UTILITIES

Water: drilled water well onsite
Sewer: septic onsite
Electricity: onsite
Telephone: Landline onsite
Internet:  Satellite
Cellphone Coverage: None: The property lays in the “Quite Zone” of the Greenbank National Radio Astronomy Research Facility. Satellite phones or landline phones work well in this area.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Pocahontas County School District
Public Elementary Schools:
Hillsboro Elementary School
Marlinton Elementary School

Public Middle Schools:
Marlinton Middle School

Public High School:
Pocahontas County High School