OTTER CREEK AREA
Otter Creek Valley is an isolated drainage basin of 28.1 square miles. The forest was thoroughly
cut about 70 years ago, but once again covers the land in stands of great variety, many of which now
approach impressive maturity. The basin contains no dwellings or permanent roads.
For 11 miles, Otter Creek itself forms the scenic heart of the area. From an elevation of 3050 feet it
is followed by an excellent trail as it drops over 1200 feet, often running turbulently through mazes of
boulders and ledges, down to the Dry Fork of the Cheat River. Parallel mountain ridges, rising as high
as 3800 feet, form an oval basin about 4 miles wide, with a system of small streams draining into the
main creek. Numerous bands of hard rock outcrops wind through forests. Green Mountain closes off
most of the north end of the basin. A rolling plateau slopes gently into the basin on its south side. It
abruptly drops 1700 feet on the north to Dry Fork of the Cheat River. To motorists on West Virginia 72
on the other side of Dry Fork canyon, it looms as an impressive forested wall.
The Otter Creek area is on of perhaps four areas in West Virginia wild and large enough to support
a stable breeding population of black bear.
Trailhead parking is available at several locations. Dry Fork/Otter Creek (space for 20 vehicles in a
parking lot between West Virginia 72 and the Dry Fork River) 2 miles south of Hendricks along West
Virginia 72.
OTTER CREEK TRAIL (TR131) 11.3 mi (18.2 km)
SCENERY: 1 (exceptional)
DIFFICULTY: II (moderate)
CONDITION: B (average) ELEVATION: 3050/1780
MAPS: USFS(A), Bowden, Parsons, Mozark Mountain
SEGMENTS:
(1) WV72/Dry Fork Road to TR154 (Big Springs Gap Trail) 2.5 miles
(2) TR154 to TR130 (Green Mountain Trail) 1.3 miles
(3) TR130 to TR138/TR158 (Possession Camp Trail) 3.3 miles
(4) TR138/TR158 to TR128 (Mylius Trail) 1.2 miles
(5) TR128 to TR135 (Yellow Creek Trail) 1.8 miles
(6) TR135 to FR91/TR165 (Hendrick Camp Trail) 1.2 miles
Otter Creek Trail is central to the entire trail system, tracing through the heart of the Wilderness
area from end to end. It passes through a mixture of hardwoods and conifers. Throughout its length, it
is never more than a few feet from the stream’s edge and affords surprises at every turn. Waterfalls,
gushing limestone springs, small swimming holes, and continuous rapids delight the eye and fill the ear
with a roar of white water.
The best stretch along Otter Creek is between Green Mountain Trail (TR130) and Mylius Trail
(TR128). As with any streamside hike, upstream is the preferred direction of travel, since the best views
are almost always to be had looking upstream. Waterfalls ranging up to ten feet in height are common
from 3.6 miles downstream of Condon Run to the mouth.
Throughout its length the trail follows an old Railroad grade. The spikes, rails and ties have
vanished, but rich humus, left behind, supports a lush carpet of moss. It also supports mushrooms of
remarkable variety.
The trail crosses Otter Creek three times – 3.6 miles, 4.2 miles, and 7.1 miles from Condon
entrance. One must also cross Otter Creek to get to Big Springs Gap Trail (TR154), Mylius Trail
(TR128) and Moore Run Trail (TR138). In midsummer the creek is often low enough and there are
enough rocks in the stream bed that crossings are no problem. But in the spring, when runoff is
considerably higher, or after heavy rain, it may be impossible to negotiate the crossings with dry feet. In
heavy spring flood, the creek may be too high to cross safely.
Access: For the south access see Condon Run Access in the list of access points at the start of this
section.
For the north access see the Dry Fork/Otter Creek Access in the list of access points at the start of
this section.
Segment 1: After crossing the swinging bridge over the Dry Fork of the Cheat River, Otter Creek
Trail is a wide, shady, level old railroad grade along Otter Creek. Several swimming holes are found
along the way for hikers on hot summer days. Do not camp in this section. It is relatively untrammeled,
and possible sites are too close to the trails and Otter Creek.
Segment 2: There are no good campsites between the junction with Big Springs Gap Trail (TR154)
and Green Mountain Trail (TR130).
Segment 3: Just south of Green Mountain Trail, the trail crosses Otter Creek, and excellent
stream-side campsites are on both sides of the stream. Another good site is on the west side of the
trail, half-way between Green Mountain Trail (TR130) and Moore Run Trail (TR138). A nice
swimming hole is below a waterfall in Otter Creek, 50 yards downstream of Moore Run Trail.
Segment 4: Moore Run offers a complex of small waterfalls flanked by huge flat rock slabs,
creating a fine scene. Just south of where the stream crosses the trail is another primitive campsite (no
facilities).
Segment 5: Another campsite is midway between Mylius Trail (TR128) and Yellow Creek Trail
(TR135) (1.0 miles north of Yellow Creek) at the northernmost of the two stream crossings in this
stretch. It can accommodate 3 – 4 persons. This campsite is useful when walking the circuit involving
Turkey Run -, Moore Run -, McGowan Mountian -, and Yellow Creek Trails.
Segment 6: Otter Creek Trail crosses Yellow Creek and proceeds through a boggy area before
ascending to an old railroad grade above Otter Creek. This grade can be followed 1.2 miles to the south
trailhead where a system of limestone drums helps the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources
maintain the pH (acidity) of Otter Creek. Condon Run parking lot and the west terminus of Hendrick
Camp Trail (TR165) are also located here.
GREEN MOUNTAIN TRAIL (TR130) 4.0miles (6.4 km)
SCENERY: 1 (exceptional)
DIFFICULTY: II (moderate)
CONDITION: A (good) ELEVATION: 3580/2200
MAPS: USFS(A), Parsons, Mozark Mountain
SEGMENTS:
(1) TR131 (Otter Creek Trail) to TR158 (Possession Camp Trail) 2.7 miles
(2) TR158 to TR129 1.3 miles
Green Mountain Trail, on the last 1.0 miles of its north end, descends steeply through scenic
maturing forest to Otter Creek. Its south portion offers interesting walking through high-altitude bogs.
Just before the start of the steep descent into Otter Creek Valley, the route gets confusing and blazes are
infrequent, so stay on the descending route. Bear may be seen in the area, but they have never been
known to create problems for hikers. The top 0.5 mile of climb at the north end of the trail is steep and
rocky, so good hiking boots are recommended. Rattlesnakes are more commonly seen here than
anywhere else. They could be a problem.
Access: The north end of this trail starts out from Otter Creek Trail (TR131), a short distance south
of Turkey Run.
Segment 1: Starting from the north terminus, Green Mountain Trail begins on an old grade, then
joins an old skid trail right behind the old logging camp site known as “Camp 2”. The skid trail climbs
steeply up Green Mountain. At 1.2 miles it reaches the top and levels off. An outstanding vista of the
central section of Otter Creek Wilderness may be obtained by leaving the trail at the edge of the plateau
and proceeding north along that edge for 200 yards through open woods to a conglomerate outcropping.
At 1.6 miles the trail turns right where it joins an old railroad grade, crosses a small stream, and
continues east on this old grade. At 2.0 miles the trail turns abruptly south onto a second old grade. The
trail now winds through rhododendron thickets and young groves of conifers and northern hardwoods.
At 2.7 miles Green Mountain Trail intersects Possession Camp Trail (TR158).
Segment 2: The junction with TR158 is in a small grassy opening, the remnant of an old logging
campsite. A reliable spring is located in the rhododendron thicket near this junction. Green Mountain
Trail leaves the old railroad grade system here and winds uphill through carpets of ferns and thickets of
rhododendron. At 3.25 miles a high point is reached (identified by a 2 foot high pile of rocks on each
side of the trail and the edge of a stand of spruce.) The trail bears south, then east, staying in the woods
around the south side of the open bog at the head of Shavers Lick. At 4.0 miles the trail ends at the
junction with Shavers Mountain Trail (TR129) in open woods near the east side of Shavers Mountain.
POSSESSION CAMP TRAIL (TR158) 3.3 miles (5.3 km)
SCENERY: 1 (exceptional)
DIFFICULTY: II (moderate)
CONDITION: A (good) ELEVATION: 3460/2780
MAPS: USFS (A), Bowden, Mozark Mountain
SEGMENTS:
(1) TR130 (Green Mountain Trail) to TR131 (Otter Creek Trail)/TR138 (Moore Run Trail) 3.3
miles.
Possession Camp Trail lies on an old railroad grade (a remnant of early 1900s logging operations).
The grade was created as a USFS trail in 1977. Its provides another loop hiking opportunity and a way
to get back to Shavers Mountain when hikers get isolated due to high water in Otter Creek.
Access: The north terminus is in a 0.3 –acre opening on Green Mountain at its junction with Green
Mountain Trail (TR130).
The south terminus is on Otter Creek Trail (TR131) near Moore Run Trail (TR138).
Segment 1: Starting from the north, Possession Camp Trail leaves the opening heading southwest
through a tunnel of dense rhododendron. After crossing a drain and going around a point, the woods
open up. Here the terrain is nearly flat but rocky, and the trees are cherry, maple, and birch. At 0.6 mile
is the North Fork of Possession Camp Run. Here the trail drops and winds through large sandstone
boulders as it crosses a stream. The trail soon rejoins the railroad grade and continues southwest. At
0.75 mile the trail runs along the edge of a steep drop to the west. At 1.1 miles is the South Fork of the
Possession Camp Run. The stone foundation of an old railroad bridge is still in place. The area between
the two forks of Possession Camp Run is one of the more interesting areas in Otter Creek Wilderness.
At 2.1 miles the trail crosses a ridge line dividing Possession Camp and Otter Creek drainages. At 2.6
miles the trail crosses a small side stream. A short distance before Otter Creek the trail leaves the old
railroad grade. It then drops down to Otter Creek through scattered rhododendron. The mouth of
Devil’s Gulch is seen across Otter Creek from the junction with Otter Creek Trail (TR131). Moore Run
Trail (TR138) starts nearby.
BIG SPRINGS GAP TRAIL (TR154) 0.9 miles (1.4 km)
SEGMENTS:
(1) FR701 to TR131 (Otter Creek Trail) 0.9 miles
TURKEY RUN TRAIL (TR150) 4.0 miles (6.4 km)
SEGMENTS:
(1) FR701 to TR138 (Moore Run Trail) 4.0 miles
MOORE RUN TRAIL (TR138) 4.1 miles (6.6 km)
SEGMENTS:
(1) TR131 (Otter Creek Trail) to TR150 (Turkey Run Trail) 2.9 miles
(2) TR150 to TR136 (McGowan Mountain Trail/FR324) 1.2 miles
McGOWAN MOUNTAIN TRAIL (TR136) 3.5 miles (5.6 km)
SEGMENTS:
(1) TR138 (Moore Run Trail) to TR135 (Yellow Creek Trail) 3.5 miles
MYLIUS TRAIL (TR128) 2.4 miles (3.9 km)
SEGMENTS:
(1) TR131 (Otter Creek Trail) to TR129 (Shaver’s Mountain Trail) 0.7 miles
(2) TR129 to Glady Fork (FR162) 1.7 miles
The above information was extracted from the Monongahela National Forest Hiking Guide, 7th
Edition, Allen de Hart and Bruce Sundquist for West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, with
cooperation of the Monongahela National Forest Staff and Volunteer Hikers. Published in 1999 by the
West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, P.O. Box 306, Charleston, West Virginia 25321.