Stone Cliff Forest is a small property with big potential and big views.  Your view from this property overlooks the Red Springs Valley – and what a view it is!  Many rock formations make a wonderful place for adventure and exploring, nature watching, bird watching or watching for the siting of the abundance of animals that live in the area. The property has numerous benefits for a family retreat and a place to get away from the hustle and bustle of a busy life, with great areas to build that get-away cabin Stone Cliff Forest awaits you.

Stone Cliff Forest is a 25 +/- acre multi-use, timber investment, recreational, and residential property located near the 3000-acre Summersville Lake, 2000-acre Bluestone Lake, New River, Winter Place Ski Resort, and just minutes to the 70,000 acre New River Gorge National River Park and Preserve, America’s newest National Park and Preserve.

HIGHLIGHTS

• 25 +/- acres multi-use, timber investment, recreational and residential property
• A tremendous amount of valuable timber is ready for immediate harvest producing a strong cash flow to offset purchase and holding costs
• Dark skies with little or no light pollution for star gazing, planet observation, star walking and astrophotography
• Several forest trails and county roads provide superior access for ATV riding, hiking, camping, hunting and nature viewing
• Right-sized to create a wonderful country retreat – very private but not remote
• 15 min to the Green Sulphur Springs exit on I-64
• Jet airport is a 40-minute drive to Lewisburg & and a 35-minute drive to Beckley
• Mature hardwood forest is comprised of Red Oak, White Oak, Hickory, Poplar and Maples
• Perfect for all water sport activities supported by the nearby Greenbrier River, New River, 3000-acre Summersville Lake and the 2000-acre Bluestone Lake
• The 70,000-acre New River Gorge National River Park and preserve is just minutes away
• City amenities are 45 minutes to Beckley and Lewisburg
• 90 minutes to Charleston, the State Capitol and WV’s largest metro area and jet service
• Amazing resident wildlife population rich in diversity and ever changing
• Fur bearing – deer, black bear, squirrel, rabbit, bobcat, raccoon, coyote, fox, chipmunk, opossum
• Area winged wildlife includes Neotropical songbirds, turkey, grouse, eagles, herons, hawks, owls, ravens, king fishers, ravens, crows, and hummingbirds
• Dynamic forest with some old growth trees estimated to be 150-200 years old
• Exceptional rock outcroppings for rock climbing, bouldering and exploring
• Forest soaks up tons of Carbon Dioxide and produces tons of life-giving oxygen
• Two or three springs on the property which potentially may be developed
• A rewarding off-grid permaculture lifestyle can be easily developed
• Cell phone coverage is good with 5G service
• An easy drive to higher population areas of Charleston, Blacksburg, Roanoke, Beckley, Princeton and Lewisburg, jet airports, and 4 major interstates
• Surrounded by timber tracts and cattle farms in a nice rural neighborhood
• Boone and Crocket country
• Elevations run from 2282 ft. to 2806 ft. +/-
• Low taxes, low population density

LOCATION

Google Coordinates: 37.806482°(N), -80.777891°(W)
Address: Duncan Branch Road, Meadow Bridge, WV 25976.  No 911 address assigned to a property without structures.
Elevation Range: 2282 ft. to 2806 ft. +/-

Interstate Highway Access/Towns/Airports
I-64 Green Sulphur Exit: 6 minutes
Beckley: 30 minutes
Lewisburg: 35 minutes
Greenbrier Valley Airport, Lewisburg: 40 minutes
Raleigh County Memorial Airport, Beckley: 35 minutes

Recreation
Bluestone Lake, Hinton: 40 minutes
Summersville Lake, Summersville: 1 hour
Babcock State Park: 35 minutes
Hawks Nest State Park: 1 hour 10 minutes
New River Gorge Bridge, Fayetteville: 1 hour
New River Gorge National Park and Visitor’s Center, Sandstone: 15 minutes

THE AREA

Stone Cliff Forest is an easy drive of higher population areas of Charleston, Roanoke, Blacksburg, Beckley, Princeton and Lewisburg.

Hinton, Beckley and Lewisburg offer big box stores, grocery stores, restaurants, banks, auto parts stores, hardware, hospital, dentists and most other city amenities. Hinton is the Summers County Seat, Beckley is the Raleigh County Seat and Lewisburg is the Greenbrier County seat and they are the economic and governmental hub of those counties.

Charleston is West Virginia’s state capitol (90 min). Charleston is West Virginia’s largest city with a population of some 50,000 and a metro area of 225,000. It is the center of government, commerce, culture and industry. There is a commercial airport with daily flights to most major hubs.

Beckley (30 min), has a population of 34,000, and is the county seat of Raleigh County. All city amenities are available in Beckley. Beckley is located at the intersection of I-80 +/-, I-64 and US 19 so easy access to Charlotte, Pittsburgh, Charleston and Cincinnati is just around the corner.

The surrounding area offers unlimited recreational activities including white water rafting, golfing, fishing, camping, hiking, bird watching and rock climbing and snow skiing.

Highlights:

• 30-60 min to Hinton, Beckley, Princeton, Lewisburg, 70,000 acre New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, 2,000 acre Bluestone Lake, Pipestem Resort, Bluestone State Park, Sandstone Falls, Winterplace Ski Resort and the 4-Star Fayette Resort
• A picturesque Amtrak train ride from Hinton or White Sulphur Springs connects the area to DC, Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, and many other locations
• Washington, DC is 5 hours and Charlotte 3 hours
• Charleston, Beckley, Lewisburg airports offer daily jet service to main hubs
• Charleston, the state capitol, is a 90-minute drive and offers all large city amenities
• Easy access to I-64, I-77, I-79, US 460, US 19
• The Bechtel Summit Reserve, the12,000 acre Boy Scouts of America’s high adventure camp is 60 minutes
• The 14,000 acre Bluestone Wildlife Management Area is just up river at Bull Falls

RECREATION

The property offers unparalleled recreational opportunities. Numerous soft recreational activities are anchored by the nearby Greenbrier River, New River, New River Gorge National River Park & Preserve, 3000-acre Summersville Lake and the 2000-acre Bluestone Lake.

Water-sports enthusiasts will find the nearby lakes and rivers ideal for swimming, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, tubing, snorkeling, paddle boarding and windsurfing. Great fishing is found for small and large mouth bass, crappie, catfish, muskie, walleye, pike and bluegill.

Nature viewing is next in line of recreational activities. Wildlife viewing is not just for larger animals. Equal consideration is given to a 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, geese, squirrel, raccoon, fox and rabbit make up the resident wildlife population.

Stargazing-Planet Observation

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. Ideal for star walking and astrophotography too.

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
• 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 being on two wheels.

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.

FOREST/TIMBER RESOURCES

The abundant timber resource of some 25 +/- acres does have a tremendous amount of nice mature timber ready for commercial harvest to generate immediate cash flow and offset holding costs.  The resource is well positioned for current timber income as well as excellent value appreciation over the coming decades. Part of the timber stand was once in fields decades ago but has regenerated into a nice young forest. Other areas of the forest contain trees that are 120 to 150 years old and have never been harvested and represent significant commercial value.  With an attractive species mix, adequate stocking levels, and favorable diameter class distribution, the timber amenity represents a strong component of value to the investor.

The 25 +/- acre forest has trees in the 20 to 150-year-old range. The forest resource is composed of upland Appalachian hardwoods. The species composition consists primarily of White Oak, Chestnut Oak, Red Maple, Sugar Maple, Poplar, Red Oak, Hickory, and a host of associated species (Sourwood, Black Walnut, Black Cherry, Basswood, Locust, Black Gum, Beech, Ironwood and Hop Hornbeam).

Several “Heritage Trees” are scattered throughout the forest and old field edges. These ancient trees, some estimated at 200 to 300 years old, and 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 may be a few fruit trees scattered about, which were part of the early homestead. Crops of black walnuts are produced each. Honeybees will do very well here.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

The sale area is a portion of a whole property that was surveyed in 2004. The plat of the whole property survey is recorded as Summers County Map Cabinet C-91. A division survey was recently performed, and the sale is shown as Tract A, containing 25.02 Acres on that survey plat. The property is being sold by the boundary and not by the acre.

UTILITIES

Electric: Nearby
Water: A water well would need to be drilled
Sewer: No public sewer system available
Landline Telephone: Nearby
Cell phone Coverage: Good in most places with 5G
Internet: Possibly telephone cable through Frontier but hardwire is not on site. Satellite, Cellphone hotspot with 4G is possible
LP Gas: Available locally for delivery
Television: Direct TV, Dish

ZONING

Summers County currently has no known zoning or subdivision regulations. 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.

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

The eastern boundary of the property is frontage on Duncan Branch Road Rt. 44/3 for about 4/10 mile.

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.

PROPERTY TYPE

The property is comprised 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.)

WILDLIFE

The nearby New River, Greenbrier River, Summersville Lake, and Bluestone Lake are major contributors 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 rivers/lake, 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” 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 lakes and rivers with small and large mouth bass, crappie, catfish, muskie, walleye, pike and bluegill present in good numbers.

The rivers, lake, and creeks, and their surrounding aquatic plant life, create a water a water-supported community with a wide variety of wildlife. Much of their 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.

DEED AND TAX INFORMATION

Deed Information: A portion of DB 277 Pg. 320

Summers County, West Virginia
Acreage: 25.02 acres +/- by recent survey

Real Estate Tax ID/Acreage/Taxes:

Summers County (45), West Virginia
Green Sulphur District (3)
Tax Map 11, part of Parcel 46; Class 3

2023 Total Real Estate Taxes: $64.10 for the whole property of which the sale area is a portion

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Summers County School District

Public Elementary School:
Hinton Area Elementary School

Public Middle School:
Summers County Middle School
Public High School:
Summers County High School

THE NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL PARK and PRESERVE

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. Established in 1978 as a national river, the NPS-protected area stretches for 53 miles from just downstream of Hinton to Hawks Nest State Park near Ansted. The park was officially named America’s 63rd national park, the U.S. government’s highest form of protection, in December of 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic as part of a relief bill.

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, over 70,000 acres of land, bordering 53 miles of the gorge, has earned the government’s protection.

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.

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 Gorge National Park and Preserve Designation Act was incorporated into the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, changing the designation to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Less than 10% of the original national river was re-designated as a national park, where hunting is no longer permitted, while the remainder is a national preserve with little change.

NEW RIVER REGION OVERVIEW

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 most narrow part of which is known as the “New River Gorge.”

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.

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 WV.

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

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.

• Solar or wind power could provide an endless supply of off grid electricity
• Fresh water for drinking and cooking would come from a drilled water well (hand drawing water from the well using a cylinder well bucket)
• Deer and turkey can supply fresh meat
• Raise 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 lumber for building, 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 possible crops:

• Medicinal herbs: Ginseng, goldenseal, black cohosh, bloodroot, passionflower, and mayapple
• Mushrooms: Shiitake and oyster mushrooms
• Native ornamentals: Rhododendrons and dogwood
• Moss: Log or sheet moss
• Fruit: Pawpaws, currants, elderberries, and lowbush blueberries
• Nuts: Black walnuts, hazelnuts, hickory nuts, and beechnuts
• Other food crops: Ramps (wild leeks), maple syrup, and honey
• Plants used for decorative purposes, dyes, and crafts: Galax, princess pine, white oak, pussy willow branches in the spring, holly, bittersweet, and bloodroot and ground pine (Lycopodium)

2000 ACRE BLUESTONE LAKE AND 3000 ACRE SUMMERSVILLE LAKE

Bluestone Lake is over 2000 acres at summer pool and is the state’s third largest body of water. Great hunting and fishing opportunities abound at the 17,632 acre Bluestone Wildlife Area adjacent to the park, Camp Creek State Forest and the 10,000 acre Beury Mountain WMA. Year after year, it produces more citation fish than any other warm water river in WV. Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, sunfish, hybrid striped bass, and muskie are all common species of fish found in the New River and Bluestone Lake.

Superb water quality and sheer sandstone cliffs make the 3000-acre Summersville Lake a unique place to visit. West Virginia’s largest lake; Summersville Lake has over 28,000 acres of water and 60 miles of shoreline.

Boating, water-skiing, swimming, fishing for large- and smallmouth bass, walleye, panfish, and catfish, (trout are stocked below the dam in the spring and fall) scuba diving, picnicking, hunting, and biking are the favorite activities enjoyed by nearly one million visitors annually.

Technical rock climbing and whitewater rafting are available year-round, with scheduled whitewater releases below the dam on the world class Gauley River in September and October. Adjacent to the lake is Mountain Lake Campground with cabins, camping & RV hookups and many other conveniences for guests.