Laurel Fork North Wilderness

{{Short description|Wilderness area in West Virginia, United States}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}

{{Infobox protected area

| name = Laurel Fork North Wilderness

| iucn_category = Ib

| iucn_ref = {{cite web|title=Laurel Fork Wilderness|url=https://www.protectedplanet.net/laurel-fork-wilderness|website=Protected Planet|publisher=IUCN|access-date=30 April 2018}}

| photo = Monongahela National Forest - Laurel Fork Wilderness Sign.jpg

| photo_caption = Sign for Laurel Fork Wilderness on Middle Mountain Road.

| map = USA West Virginia

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| map_caption = Location of Laurel Fork North Wilderness in West Virginia

| relief = 1

| location = Randolph, West Virginia, United States

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| coordinates = {{coord|38|45|27|N|79|40|23|W|display=inline,title}}

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| area_acre = 6055

| area_ref = {{cite web|url=http://fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5090669.pdf |title=Laurel Fork Wilderness brochure |publisher=Monongahela National Forest |access-date=April 13, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528153708/http://fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5090669.pdf |archive-date=May 28, 2010 }}

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| established = 1983

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| operator = Monongahela National Forest

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| website = [http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf/sp/laurel_forks_wildernesses.htm Laurel Fork Wildernesses]

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Laurel Fork North Wilderness is a U.S. Wilderness Area located in the Greenbrier Ranger District of Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. The Wilderness protects high-elevation lands along Laurel Fork (Cheat River) 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 {{convert|9.5|mi}} 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 acquired the area soon thereafter, adding it to Monongahela National Forest.

Laurel Fork South and Laurel Fork North Wildernesses were designated in 1983 by the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia, Land Designations law.

See also

References