ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, April 14, 1996 TAG: 9604120007
SECTION: TRAVEL PAGE: 8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: THOMAS R. FLETCHER SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES
he breeze chills the face. Spring arrives just a little later here in the mountains. There is a briskness to the air, but the sun's warmth is soothing. As far as the eye can see, mountain ridge is stacked against mountain ridge. It is not in vain that Webster County is called "The Mountain Park." Taking in the view atop Elk Mountain, one may be inclined to believe it is a park for mountains. There are no signs of civilization from this vantage point. Far below, on the valley floor is the famed Elk River.
Elk Mountain is just one beautiful area covered by the annual Webster County Nature Tour. Held the first weekend of May, the tour is put on by the Webster Springs Garden Club in conjunction with the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture. The weekend activity is centered at Camp Caesar. The camp has been open since 1922 and encompasses 300 wooded acres. It is located beside West Virginia 20 a few miles north of Cowen. It is here that guests will stay in the rustic cabins. Sleeping arrangements for the weekend are dormitory-style and guests need to bring pillows and sleeping bags.
Guests begin arriving on Friday afternoon, this year, May 3. Registration begins at 3 p.m. Dinner is served family style at 5:30. An evening program, held in Burton Hall, begins at 7. A presentation on Appalachian wildflowers, by Jay Shaner, will be made during the program. Information on the various tours being offered will be presented and guests may make their preliminary selection as to which tour to take.
There are four featured tours. The Backfork of Elk Tour begins at a huge old sycamore tree (a local landmark) and follows the river for about a two-mile hike. The terrain is relatively flat (well, as flat as it gets in this part of West Virginia). Hikers will view waterfalls and several species of wildflowers along the way. This is an easy hike.
The Leatherwood Tour follows an old railroad grade to the large and beautiful Leatherwood Falls. The falls are 30-plus feet in height with a beautiful aqua pool at the base. This is one of the larger waterfalls in the area. This, too, is a relatively easy hike.
The Elk Mountain Tour is only for the rugged in mind and body. One hiker described it as being "straight up and straight down, you could even slide all the way down on your bum if you wanted." This tour is a difficult climb to the top of Elk Mountain. The mountain ridge divides the Elk and the Holly River Valleys. The rock outcrop at the top offers a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding hills and valleys. This tour is definitely not for those out of shape nor unaccustomed to vigorous outdoor activity. However, for those up to the adventure, the view from the top is their reward.
The fourth tour is the Middle Fork of Williams River Tour. This hike follows Middle Fork back into the Cranberry Wilderness. The Cranberry Wilderness is a congressionally designated wilderness area encompassing 38,864 acres within Monongahela National Forest. The Wilderness is managed to perpetuate the intrinsic beauty and solitude for future generations. This hike traverses hardwood forests typical of the area. Along the way one may encounter several species of wildlife native to the area such as deer, snowshoe hare, cottontail rabbit, or wild turkey. The trail is lined with early spring wildflowers at this time of year.
Saturday morning at Camp Caesar finds coffee in the kitchen at daybreak. Breakfast is served at 8 a.m. Packed lunches are prepared for the guests to take along on their chosen tour. Departure for the tours is at 9 a.m. Guests carpool to the tour locations throughout the county. Returning from the tours, guests find refreshments awaiting them in Burton Hall. Dinner is served at 5 p.m. and the evening program, at the Council Circle, begins at 7 p.m. This year, a nature program will be presented by Chris Dotson. Afterward, bluegrass music will be provided by Olen Selman and The Bluegrass Express around the roaring campfire.
Sunday morning breakfast is served at 8. Visitors may linger for a casual stroll around the grounds, attend a local church service, or be on their way home.
The cost for the weekend event is merely $55 per person. That fee covers accommodations, the tours, refreshments, five meals served over the three days, and the entertainment. This is certainly a down-home country experience in the beautiful mountains of Webster County. In my opinion, the price is ridiculously low for such an event.
If you plan to go:
Take Interstate 81 north from Roanoke to Interstate 64 west. Follow I-64 to the Sam Black Church exit at U.S. 60 a few miles past Lewisburg, W.Va. Take U.S. 60 west (turn right after the I-64 exit) to Charmco. At Charmco take West Virginia 20 north. This road passes through some beautiful mountain scenery. It also makes some twists and turns, but the route is well-marked. Stay on West Virginia 20 north until you pass through Cowen. Camp Caesar is located about four miles north of Cowen on the left. You will know you are there when you see a swimming pool (a rare sight in the area) and the cut-stone buildings on the left of the highway.
Be sure to bring sturdy hiking shoes and comfortable clothing. Dress in layers because the weather frequently goes from cool mornings to very warm afternoons. Don't forget sleeping bags and pillows, towels and wash cloths. Contact the Webster Springs Garden Club no later than April 20 to reserve your spot. Prepare for a wonderful weekend in the mountains.
Contacts: Webster County Nature Tour, P.O. Box 43, Webster Springs, WV 26288; Stella Riffle, (Garden Club Member), (304) 847-2735; Camp Caesar, (304) 226-3888.
LENGTH: Long : 102 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: THOMAS R. FLETCHER. 1. The Backfork of Elk Tour followsby CNBthe river for about two miles. Hikers will view waterfalls such as
this one at a tributary of the Backfork of Elk River. 2. The sunset
lights up clouds of Webster County, W.Va. 3. Hiking tours include
several species of wildflowers, such as blue phlox (above). color.