Name: MO: W1 Pocahontas - Fork Mountain Loop (33 miles)
Start: 2025-12-12T16:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-12-14T18:00:00-05:00
Location: Vienna Metro North Bay B

\*\* Maddie here - I’m typing on my phone so this is 99% plagiarized from [the last DCUL trip here in 2020](https://www.meetup.com/dc-ul-backpacking/events/266562082/) with some updates based on their trip report. This was one of the last trips before Covid so hopefully repeating it does not unlock any dark powers. This is a really long drive but the photos from the [trip report](https://dculbackpacking.com/2020/01/14/trip-report-all-the-colors-of-the-wind/) really sell it so hopefully we have some takers. Since there’s already a trip posted and this is a busy time of year for people, I do reserve the right if there are only like 2-3 of us signed up, or spots open up on Mark’s Tuscarora trip, to move this to a later date and just go on that trip instead. \*\*

DC UL is no stranger to Fork Mountain in the Gauley Ranger District of the Monongahela National Forest. But it doesn't look like we get out to the Pocahontas Trail too often. And we're not alone -- the Pocahontas Trail is one of the least visited trails in this area. In this 33-mile loop, we'll cover sections of these two relatively remote trails which feature dense coniferous forests, fortressy boulder fields, the falls of Hill Creek, and many opportunities for tasteful Pocahontas jokes.

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-THE PLAN\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-
We'll meet up on Friday evening at 4 PM at the Vienna Northern Park & Ride lot and drive to the Summit Lake parking area (https://goo.gl/maps/Y3zGudVjaFFckRyd8). On the way, we'll grab a quick dinner at Sheetz along I-81. It'll be the dead of the night when we arrive at the parking lot, so we'll camp at the AT-style shelter near the trailhead.

After sleeping in a bit, we'll start our Saturday journey clockwise along the Pocahontas Trail. We'll arrive at the Falls of Hill Creek around lunchtime, and then camp at the sites around Bearwallow knob (dry camp). A water source should be less than a mile down Big Run Trail, so factor that in.

In the morning, we'll continue clockwise along Fork Mountain Trail and onto the North Bend Trail, which will take us along a 2.5-mile roadwalk back to our cars. Afterwards, we'll head to somewhere in Richwood, WV, possibly THE OAKFORD POOL HALL LLC? before going back to vienna.

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-THE DETAILS\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-

All of this amounts to a 1/22/10 split. Elevation gain is pretty minimal, but the boulder fields will surely slow us down. For more granular directions, check out this Midatlantic Hikes post: http://www.midatlantichikes.com/cbc-2.htm

DC ULers always bring maps. Get them here:
Printable map (click through to JPG, which can't be linked here for some reason): http://www.midatlantichikes.com/cbc-2.htm

-GPX (Thanks to Bryan): https://caltopo.com/m/N3KM

Expect the weather to be standard W1, with micro-spikes possibly coming in handy. Historical weather data for North Bend puts the temp range between 25-45\*F.

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-THE FINE PRINT\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-
It's going to be December, y'all. And so be prepared to hike 22 miles in about 8 hours of daylight. And then there's always the possibility of snow. If you're not sure if you have the appropriate gear or experience winter camping, talk to me after you sign up.

By RSVPing to this trip or any other DC UL trip, you agree to DC UL's liability waiver (http://www.meetup.com/DC-UL-Backpacking/pages/Liability_Waiver/).

As per our carpool policy, riders should plan to pay drivers $0.10/mile. This is a long drive, at nearly 500 miles round trip. If $50 is too steep for a weekend of fun, talk to me and we'll figure something out so that you can still come.

To pay your dues via PayPal, use this link: https://www.paypal.me/JenniferAdach/10. $15 ($10 + recommended $5 donation to city kids wilderness project)

Maddie Beaudry

DC UL Backpacking

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MO: W1 Pocahontas - Fork Mountain Loop (33 miles)

Vienna Metro North Bay B

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MO: W1 Pocahontas - Fork Mountain Loop (33 miles)

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