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STUART MEMORIAL
DRIVE
Stuart Memorial Drive, Forest Road
91, is a 10.7 mile scenic, graveled road starting in Shavers Fork
Valley at the Stuart
Recreation Area (elevation
2240 ft). It is located just north of the entrance to the Stuart
Recreation Area and ends on Shavers Mountain at US Route 33. The
narrow road climbs steadily through the eastern deciduous forest
to over 4000 ft. along Middle Point Mountain before gradually
descending to Alpena Gap (elevation 3020ft.). Spur roads lead
to Bickle Knob and the Otter
Creek Wilderness. Access
to trailheads for the Otter Creek Trail, Middle Point trail, and
Shavers Mountain trail are possible from this road.
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Travel the drive to see the National
Forest's multiple-use management at work. There are excellent
examples of recreation, grazing, wildlife habitats, wilderness,
energy development and watershed protection. The
road can be driven in a passenger car in good weather. During
winter there is no maintenance or snow removal so it can be used
for cross-country skiing.
HISTORY
The Civilian Conservation
Corps (CCC), commonly known as President Roosevelt's tree
army, built the Robert V. Stuart Memorial Drive in 1936.
Mr. Stuart was the National Forest's fourth Chief Forester,
1928-33. His foresight and planning were the basis for much
of the CCC work in the National Forests.
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Along the drive, CCC stone work is
still visible: the entrance gate on old US Route 33, culverts,
the spring on Bickle Knob spur road, picnic shelter foundations
on Bickle Knob and the Alpena Gap CCC memorial. Also, much of the
stone work and structures in the Stuart
Recreation Area are still
being used today, testifying to sound construction.
DIRECTIONS
From Elkins take US Route 33 East
for approximately 4 miles. Turn north on WV 33/8 (old US Route
33) and follow signs to Stuart
Recreation Area. Turn
north on State Route 6 and drive one half mile. Stuart Memorial
Drive will be a right hand turn.
For more information contact the
Cheat Ranger District, PO Box 368, Parsons WV (304) 478-2000.
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