Laurel Fork North Wilderness is a U.S.
Wilderness Area
Wilderness or wildlands (usually in the plural), are natural environments on Earth that have not been significantly modified by human activity or any nonurbanized land not under extensive agricultural cultivation. The term has traditionally re ...
located in the Greenbrier Ranger District of
Monongahela National Forest
The Monongahela National Forest is a national forest located in the Allegheny Mountains of eastern West Virginia, USA. It protects over of federally managed land within a proclamation boundary that includes much of the Potomac Highlands Regi ...
in
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian, Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States.The Census Bureau and the Association of American Geographers classify West Virginia as part of the Southern United States while the ...
.
The Wilderness protects high-elevation lands along
Laurel Fork (Cheat River)
Laurel Fork is a U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map, accessed August 15, 2011 river in eastern West Virginia, USA. It is a tributary of the Dry Fork; via the Dry Fork, the Black Fo ...
and is bordered by
Middle Mountain to the west. It is a companion to
Laurel Fork South Wilderness, the two being split by
Randolph County Route 40. Laurel Fork North contains of hiking trails.
History
The land that now comprises Laurel Fork North Wilderness was once private forestland owned by the Laurel River Lumber Company. The area was first logged by floating the logs down the
Laurel Fork, and later by railroad. By 1921, the virgin forestland was fully logged. The
U.S. Forest Service
The United States Forest Service (USFS) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands. The Forest Service manages of land. Major divisions of the agency inc ...
acquired the area soon thereafter, adding it to
Monongahela National Forest
The Monongahela National Forest is a national forest located in the Allegheny Mountains of eastern West Virginia, USA. It protects over of federally managed land within a proclamation boundary that includes much of the Potomac Highlands Regi ...
.
Laurel Fork South and Laurel Fork North Wildernesses were designated in 1983 by the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia, Land Designations law.
See also
*
Laurel Fork South Wilderness
*
Laurel Fork
*
Monongahela National Forest
The Monongahela National Forest is a national forest located in the Allegheny Mountains of eastern West Virginia, USA. It protects over of federally managed land within a proclamation boundary that includes much of the Potomac Highlands Regi ...
References
{{Protected Areas of West Virginia
IUCN Category Ib
Monongahela National Forest
Protected areas of Randolph County, West Virginia
Wilderness areas of West Virginia
Protected areas established in 1983
1983 establishments in West Virginia