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Coordinates: 39°01′58″N 79°39′13″W / 39.03278°N 79.65361°W / 39.03278; -79.65361
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=== Vascular Flora ===
=== Vascular Flora ===
Surveys of Otter Creek Wilderness and adjacent areas, including the Fernow Experimental Forest, have documented over 460 species of vascular plants across 94 families. Dominant vegetation includes red spruce, eastern hemlock, and a variety of hardwoods such as maple and oak. The region also supports several rare and non-native species, reflecting its ecological diversity. Rich understory plants, ferns, and mosses thrive in the moist, shaded valleys, contributing to the area's high botanical value.<ref name=":0">{{Cite report |url=https://doi.org/10.2737/ne-gtr-344 |title=Vascular flora of the Fernow Experimental Forest and adjacent portions of the Otter Creek Wilderness Area |last=Coxe |first=Robert B. |last2=Stephenson |first2=Steven L. |last3=Madarish |first3=Darlene M. |last4=Miller |first4=Gary W. |date=2006 |publisher=U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station |location=Newtown Square, PA}}</ref> Approximately '''12%''' of the documented vascular plant species in the Otter Creek Wilderness and adjacent Fernow Experimental Forest are classified as '''non-native'''. These species likely established themselves through historical land use practices, including logging, farming, and roadbuilding, which disturbed the landscape and created opportunities for invasive plants to spread.<ref name=":0" />
Surveys of Otter Creek Wilderness and adjacent areas, including the [[Fernow Experimental Forest]], have documented over 460 species of [[Vascular plant|vascular plants]] across 94 families. Dominant vegetation includes [[Picea rubens|red spruce]], [[Tsuga canadensis|eastern hemlock]], and a variety of hardwoods such as [[maple]] and [[oak]]. The region also supports several rare and non-native species. Rich understory plants, ferns, and mosses thrive in the moist, shaded valleys, contributing to the area's high botanical value.<ref name=":0">{{Cite report |url=https://doi.org/10.2737/ne-gtr-344 |title=Vascular flora of the Fernow Experimental Forest and adjacent portions of the Otter Creek Wilderness Area |last=Coxe |first=Robert B. |last2=Stephenson |first2=Steven L. |last3=Madarish |first3=Darlene M. |last4=Miller |first4=Gary W. |date=2006 |publisher=U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station |location=Newtown Square, PA}}</ref> Approximately 12% of the documented vascular plant species in the Otter Creek Wilderness and adjacent Fernow Experimental Forest are classified as [[Invasive species|non-native]]. These species likely established themselves through historical land use practices, including logging, farming, and roadbuilding, which disturbed the landscape and created opportunities for invasive plants to spread.<ref name=":0" />


== Activities ==
== Activities ==

Revision as of 19:25, 21 December 2024

Otter Creek Wilderness
Otter Creek Trail (shown near Condon Run trailhead) runs the length of the Wilderness.
Map showing the location of Otter Creek Wilderness
Map showing the location of Otter Creek Wilderness
Location of Otter Creek Wilderness in West Virginia
LocationWest Virginia, United States
Coordinates39°01′58″N 79°39′13″W / 39.03278°N 79.65361°W / 39.03278; -79.65361
Area20,698 acres (83.76 km2)[2]
Established1975[3]
OperatorMonongahela National Forest
WebsiteOtter Creek Wilderness

The Otter Creek Wilderness is a U.S. Wilderness area located in the Cheat-Potomac Ranger District of Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia, USA.[2] The Wilderness sits in a bowl-shaped valley formed by Otter Creek, between McGowan Mountain and Shavers Mountain in Tucker and Randolph Counties.[3] It is crossed by 42 miles (68 km) of hiking trails. Otter Creek Trail is the longest, at 11 miles (18 km).[4]

History

Pre-Wilderness Designation

The area now known as Otter Creek Wilderness has a rich history that predates its establishment as a protected natural space. Before European settlement, the land was part of the traditional territory of Native American tribes, including the Shawnee, who used the dense forests and waterways for hunting, fishing, and travel. Early indigenous use of the region is tied to the larger Appalachian culture, which developed over thousands of years and relied on the area's abundant natural resources. Artifacts and traces of indigenous activity suggest that the area was intermittently inhabited or utilized for centuries, with the region's rich biodiversity providing ample resources for local tribes.[5]

By 1914, almost all of the virgin forest in the Otter Creek watershed had been timbered, mostly by the Otter Creek Boom and Lumber Company, but also by the owners of several small farms and homesteads.[2] In 1917 key land purchases were made by the U.S. Forest Service as part of the formation of the national forest system. The Otter Creek area was managed as a multiple use forest, including some second growth logging, until the passage of the Eastern Wilderness Act in 1975.[6] The last private in-holding was acquired the same year.

Wilderness Designation

Otter Creek was designated as a wilderness area in 1975 under the Eastern Wilderness Act, which aimed to protect the last undeveloped lands in the eastern U.S. Conservationists advocated for the area due to its rare species and remote location. Though impacted by logging in the early 20th century, Otter Creek’s rugged terrain allowed for natural recovery. The wilderness status ensured the protection of its ecosystem from further development and logging, preserving the area’s ecological value for future generations.[7]

2009 addition

The Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009 added 698 acres (282 ha) to the original 20,000 acres (8,100 ha) of the Otter Creek Wilderness.[8] This addition is situated on the northern and eastern flanks of McGowan Mountain leading down to Dry Fork. It provides much of the scenic view for this popular river which contains excellent whitewater paddling and trout fishing.

Lichen covered boulder in Otter Creek Wilderness. (The species is Umbilicaria mammulata.)

Ecology

Otter Creek Wilderness is home to a diverse array of plant and animal species, some of which are rare or threatened. The area’s varied topography, ranging from steep hillsides to flat valleys, creates a mix of habitats that support rich biodiversity. The wilderness is especially noted for its old-growth forests, including stands of red spruce, eastern hemlock, and hardwood species such as oak and maple.[9]

Vascular Flora

Surveys of Otter Creek Wilderness and adjacent areas, including the Fernow Experimental Forest, have documented over 460 species of vascular plants across 94 families. Dominant vegetation includes red spruce, eastern hemlock, and a variety of hardwoods such as maple and oak. The region also supports several rare and non-native species. Rich understory plants, ferns, and mosses thrive in the moist, shaded valleys, contributing to the area's high botanical value.[10] Approximately 12% of the documented vascular plant species in the Otter Creek Wilderness and adjacent Fernow Experimental Forest are classified as non-native. These species likely established themselves through historical land use practices, including logging, farming, and roadbuilding, which disturbed the landscape and created opportunities for invasive plants to spread.[10]

Activities

Otter Creek Wilderness, located in West Virginia, offers a plethora of activities for outdoor enthusiasts. Here are some activities you can enjoy there:[11]

  1. Hiking: Explore the numerous trails that wind through the wilderness, offering varying degrees of difficulty and stunning scenery. Popular trails include the Otter Creek Trail, which follows the creek for several miles, and the Red Creek Trail, which leads to high mountain ridges and expansive views.
  2. Backpacking: With over 40 miles of trails, Otter Creek Wilderness is a backpacker's paradise. Spend a night or more under the stars, camping along the trails and immersing yourself in the tranquility of the wilderness.
  3. Fishing: Otter Creek and its tributaries offer excellent trout fishing opportunities. Spend a day casting your line into the clear mountain streams and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
  4. Wildlife Viewing: Keep an eye out for the diverse wildlife that calls Otter Creek Wilderness home. Deer, black bear, wild turkey, and numerous bird species can often be spotted throughout the area.
  5. Photography: Capture the beauty of the wilderness with your camera as you hike along scenic trails, cross crystal-clear streams, and take in breathtaking vistas.
  6. Birdwatching: Bring your binoculars and bird guidebook to spot a variety of bird species, including warblers, thrushes, woodpeckers, and more.
  7. Nature Study: Take a leisurely stroll through the forest and observe the diverse plant life, from towering hardwood trees to delicate wildflowers.
  8. Picnicking: Pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic at one of the designated picnic areas or find a scenic spot along the trails to stop and have a meal surrounded by nature.
  9. Geocaching: Join the treasure hunt by searching for hidden geocaches scattered throughout the wilderness. It's a fun way to explore the area while adding an element of adventure to your hike.
  10. Stargazing: On clear nights, take advantage of the lack of light pollution and gaze up at the star-filled sky. The remote location of Otter Creek Wilderness makes it an ideal spot for stargazing.

References

  1. ^ "Otter Creek Wilderness". Protected Planet. IUCN. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  2. ^ a b c "Otter Creek Wilderness". Monongahela National Forest. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
  3. ^ a b Otter Creek Wilderness page, GORP web site, accessed April 15, 2008
  4. ^ Otter Creek page, Wilderness.net web site, accessed April 18, 2007
  5. ^ Drake, Richard (2001-01-01). A History of Appalachia. University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 978-0-8131-2169-7.
  6. ^ Wilderness Description page, West Virginia Highlands Conservancy web site, accessed April 18, 2008
  7. ^ "Monongahela National Forest Origins".
  8. ^ "Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009". Library of Congress. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
  9. ^ "Otter Creek Wilderness" (PDF).
  10. ^ a b Coxe, Robert B.; Stephenson, Steven L.; Madarish, Darlene M.; Miller, Gary W. (2006). Vascular flora of the Fernow Experimental Forest and adjacent portions of the Otter Creek Wilderness Area (Report). Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station.
  11. ^ "Visit Wilderness". wilderness.net. Retrieved 2024-05-06.

Further reading

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