BEARTOWN WILDERNESS
April 18 - 20 2009
The United States Congress designated the Beartown Wilderness in 1984 and it now has a total of 5,609 acres.
Some of Virginia's most remote territory is nestled in Beartown Wilderness. No improved roads lead here, and the old dirt roads are being reclaimed by native vegetation. It ranges in elevation from 2,400 to almost 5,000 feet.This country is steep and rugged, particularly at the heads of the drainages. The principal waterways are Roaring Fork Creek, Bark Camp Creek, and Cove Branch, which runs off Beartown Ridge. The creeks feed several beaver ponds. For native trout, fish Roaring Fork. The vegetation is diverse, featuring Appalachian hardwoods, northern spruce-fir, northern hardwoods, hemlock, a sphagnum bog, and a few rare plants. You may see bears, you may see deer, and you're certain to see many smaller mammals and a great variety of birds.
The Appalachian Trail (AT) traces the southern boundary for about four miles, providing access for backpackers. There are about two miles of system trail within the wilderness. The Appalachian Trail is adjacent to the southern boundary for about four miles.
The region is characterized by long, straight and winding sandstone ridges that close back on themselves to form features such as Burke's Garden, a 3100 foot (945 m) high agricultural valley composed largely of Ordovician limestones.
Regional precipitation falls in the range of 40 inches. The rather broad summit area of the Beartown Wilderness on Beartown Mountain, which has the highest elevations, is occupied by Red Spruce (Picea rubens) forest and northern hardwoods, and the latter also dominate some deep valleys such as that of Roaring Fork, which are subject to cold air drainage from the adjacent highlands. Great Rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum) is at all elevations in these forests, indicating a general abundance of moisture. However, high, narrow-topped ridges surrounding the Wilderness area, such as Chestnut Ridge, have milder, dryer climates, although they range above 4000 feet. It is likely that cold air originating on these ridges, as a consequence of radiation cooling, is readily shed to the valleys below, as there is nothing to trap it at the higher elevations.
New River Valley Ranger District
110 Southpark Drive
BLACKSBURG, VA 24060
Phone: 540-552-4641
From Marion Virginia , Take rt. 16 west through Hungry Mother State Park continuing on 16. Rt 16 will intersect rt 42, becoming rt 16- 42 for less than a half mile then rt 16 takes a left. Continue on rt 16 through the Jefferson National Forest passing rt 601 on your left continue on 16 for several more miles. Rt 222 will be on your right. Take Forest service rd 222 for several miles. Make a left on 631. Continue for just over a mile to the Gate We will camp friday night near the road so you will have no problem finding us.
I have a map outline I can e mail you if your interested in this trip.
Refrigeratorfridge@gmail.com Meet on friday night the 17th at rd 631, Roaring Fork trail head and Camp here.
Park at Trail Head #42 rd 631 Gate. Take trail # 42 Roaring Fork Trail 2.3 miles, then start our accent at 3,100 ft. just staying to the right side of Roaring Fork. We will need to cross Roaring fork several time picking the best route to climb to 4,600 approx 1 1/2 mile. Then backpacking along the ridge to Hutchinson Rock for approx 4 1/2 mi, at 4,406 ft. Return (Back track) back to parking lot, estimated distance at 12 miles. Exact camp spots will be determined by our progress throughout our hike in the wilderness. If Possible we will try to get to Hutchinson Rock.
Please Note:
This trip envolves some stream crossings and map and compass, GPS navagation. There are virtually no maintained trails in this wilderness area. If you want a true wilderness experience right here in Virginia, then this trip is for you.
