Mount Rogers National Recreation Area

Wilderness

What is Wilderness?

The Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, a part of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests has three federally designated wilderness areas – Lewis Fork, Little Wilson Creek, and Little Dry Run. These three very special areas are managed differently from the rest of the Mount Rogers NRA. If you are considering a trip into a wilderness, please read the following information. Are you ready for a wilderness experience?

Wilderness is a vestige of the America that was – the wild, untamed frontier that characterized this country during its settlement. Wilderness is more than a landform; it is a state of mind, which means different things to different people. To some people, wilderness is a place of solitude, recreation, contemplation, or challenge. To others, wilderness is scenic beauty, touched only by the forces of nature. However people may regard wilderness, its natural values are limitless, and its human values can be measured only by the individual.

The U.S. Congress considered the wild lands of America to be so special and invaluable – culturally and ecologically – that it legislated their protection and preservation with the 1964 Wilderness Act. This Act defines wilderness as an area:

· Where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled (uncontrolled) by man…”

· “Which generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the imprint of man’s work substantially unnoticeable…”

· “Where man himself is a visitor who does not remain…”

· “Which has outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation…”

In 1984, Congress passed the Virginia Wilderness Bill that set aside 8 additional wilderness areas on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. Lewis Fork, Little Wilson Creek, and Little Dry Run were three of these areas. Today the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests have 15 wilderness areas totaling over 87,000 acres. These Virginia wilderness areas are a part of the national wilderness preservation system of over 104,000,000 acres.

WILDERNESS MANAGEMENT

The Wilderness Act also spells out the role that the U.S. Forest Service must take to manage the area. The goal is to protect and preserve the natural resources and wilderness character, provide for public use, and reduce conflicts between this use and the values of wilderness. These values include solitude and naturalness, as well as ecological features.

Wilderness exists for its own intrinsic values. Economy, user comfort or convenience, or commercial value are not standards of wilderness management or use. Where a choice must be made between wilderness values and human use, preserving the wilderness resource is the overriding value. The guiding principle is to allow the natural processes to shape the environment.

What is Allowed:

Primitive recreation activities such as backpacking, camping, and horseback riding
Hunting, fishing, and trapping under State and Federal laws
Trail construction and maintenance to primitive standards
Primitive facilities, if critical to the protection of the resources
Outfitting and guiding services under special-use permits may be permitted
Collection of berries for personal use
Scientific research compatible with the wilderness resource
What is Prohibited:

New road construction
Timber harvesting
Structures, such as buildings and radio towers
Mechanical transport (bicycles, wagons, carts)
Travel in groups greater than 10 (George Washington & Jefferson NF rule)
Use of motorized vehicles
Commercial enterprises
Removal of plants, stone, or moss for personal or commercial use
Removal of historical or archeological artifacts by the public

The Wilderness Experience
As a visitor to the wilderness, you should be aware that you are entering a primitive environment. You will be faced with the challenge of being entirely self-sufficient for whatever time you elect to remain there. There will be no shelters, campgrounds, water spigots, restrooms, nor detailed trail signs. You will be traveling on foot or on horseback because no motorized vehicles are permitted in these areas. Before you enter the wilderness, ask yourself if you truly want a wilderness experience.

Feel free to explore and discover the natural attractions wilderness has to offer, but please tread lightly so that nature may endure and replenish. You will probably be able to locate and follow the more popular trails in the area, even though they are not marked, but you should know how to read a topographic map and use a compass.

Wilderness travel is a skill that must be learned and practiced. It is best to develop this skill by using less primitive trails in the national forest working up to a wilderness trip. Perhaps the most important part of your trip will be the time spent at home planning, provisioning, and practicing. The wilderness offers a rewarding experience to those who go fully prepared.

"Wilderness is an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain." -- Wilderness Act

There are 15 Congressionally designated Wildernesses on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. The Forest Service is charged by Congress to manage these areas to protect and enhance the natural conditions, and provide opportunities for solitude and unconfined recreation.

Wildernesses offer refuge from the bustle and stress of modern civilization. You are free to explore and discover all that Wilderness provides including solitude, challenge, scenic beauty, and natural ecosystems.

Hunting and fishing are permitted within the Wilderness in accordance with Virginia State regulations.

The Wilderness is primitive in nature. Modern facilities such as toilets, piped water, shelters or campgrounds are unavailable. Wilderness entry is by foot or horseback. Motorized vehicles and equipment such as all-terrain vehicles and chainsaws as well as mechanized equipment such as bicycles and wheeled carts are prohibited. There are few, if any, signs to guide you so you will be challenged to be self-sufficient and creative.

The Forest Service bears with great pride the stewardship of these unique lands for this and future generations. Both visitors and managers must take responsibility to ensure that the Wilderness is an enduring resource. You can help by practicing the Leave No Trace land ethic during your wilderness visit.

Leave No Trace

As more people seek to escape the mechanized world and experience nature on its own terms, the wilderness is becoming more impacted from our visits. To ensure that future visitors can have the same high quality wilderness experience, each person must take responsibility to minimize the impact of their visit.

Some important things you can do:

Carry out everything you bring in.
Don't leave trash that may spoil another person's visit.
Use a stove instead of building a fire.
If a campfire is necessary, keep it small and tend to it at all times.
Use small dead and down material for fires.
Never cut or damage live trees.
Bury human waste at least 200 feet from water sources.
Refrain from taking rocks, wildflowers, antlers, and artifacts
Trip Preparations

The most effective way to prevent mishaps is to adequately prepare for the trip. Be aware of the hazards inherent in hiking or horseback riding. Knowledge of the area, weather, terrain, and limitations of your body and equipment, plus a little common sense, can help to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. Plan your route so you won't overexert yourself or your horse. A group trip should be designed for the weakest member of the group. Let a friend or family member know your plans and estimated return time. Be sure to check back in to avoid unnecessary alarm.

Maps - Compass: Obtain, study, and carry detailed maps and a compass. Remember, outdoor skills are important. There are often no or few trails and these are likely unmarked. Terrain is often rugged and remote and help in emergencies is far away.

Drinking water is a must and should be carried in. Water is very scarce in the area most of the year. If you must use springs or streams, be sure to treat the water, preferably by boiling for at least 5 minutes to prevent various parasitic diseases such as giardiasis.

Weather - Hypothermia: Be aware of the weather and how fast and drastically it can change, particularly at higher elevations. Be alert to symptoms of hypothermia. It can and does occur at temperatures well above freezing. Look for uncontrolled shivering, incoherence, fumbling hands, stumbling, and drowsiness. Treat by quickly drying and warming the victim.

Lewis Fork Wilderness

The 5,700 acre Lewis Fork Wilderness Area is located on the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area.

Lewis Fork is one of the most heavily used wilderness areas in the Southeast. Those wanting solitude should use the area on weekdays or during low-use seasons. The following trails are heavily used and should be avoided if you desire solitude: Appalachian Trail, Mount Rogers Trail, Virginia Highlands Trail, and the Mount Rogers Spur Trail.

The trails offering the most solitude are: Grassy Branch, Helton Creek, and Sugar Maple.

All trails are open to foot and horse travel except the following foot only-trails: Appalachian Trail, Mount Rogers Trail, Mount Rogers Spur Trail, Cliffside Trail, Pine Mountain Trail, and Lewis Fork Spur Trail.

Little Dry Run Wilderness

Little Dry Run Wilderness is located on the east end of the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. It contains 2,858 acres with elevations ranging from 2,440 feet along Little Dry Run at the northeast boundary to 3,614 feet near the center of the area. The area has a number of small ridges and drainages. It is one of the most accessible wilderness areas on the Forest. Wildlife in the area is diverse and Little Dry Run is a native trout stream. This is a lightly used area with only one trail within the wilderness. Most of the recreation use in the general area is on the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail just outside the southern boundary of the area. One parking area is located on U.S. 21, about 2 miles south of Speedwell. A second parking area is on the Virginia Highlands Trail (337) near the southeast corner of the wilderness.

Little Wilson Creek Wilderness

The 3,900 acre Little Wilson Creek wilderness is located in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in Jefferson National Forest.

Sections of Little Wilson Creek Wilderness are heavily used, while other sections offer opportunities for solitude. Those wanting solitude should use the area on weekdays or during low-use seasons.

The following trails are heavily used and should be avoided if you desire solitude: Appalachian Trail, First Peak Trail and Bearpen Trail.

The trails offering the most solitude are: Little Wilson Creek Trail, Kabel Trail, and Hightree Rock Trail.

All trails are open to foot and horse travel except the Appalachian Trail and the Little Wilson Creek Trail.

USDA Forest Service - George Washington and Jefferson National Forest
Last Modified: Thursday, 02 March 2006 at 13:56:45 EST