Post by GaliWalker on May 17, 2021 10:57:13 GMT -8
A wet day in Otter Creek Wilderness
The Otter Creek Wilderness area comprises a pretty valley, surrounded by lush mountains, and centered on cascading Otter Creek, in West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest. In order to access the heart of the wilderness one can either walk in alongside the creek or drop in from one of the surrounding mountains. My past few visits have basically followed, or attempted to follow, the same itinerary:
Take the Mylius Trail up to the spine of Shaver's Mountain, then head along the ridge on the Shaver's Mountain and Green Mountain Trails, and then drop down to Otter Creek via the Possession Camp Trail. After enjoying Otter Creek's waterworks for a bit by utilizing the Otter Creek Trail, close the loop by picking up the far end of the Mylius Trail and taking that back to the trailhead.
There are two potential problems with the above route: The first one is a stretch of extremely overgrown rhododendron thickets on the Green Mountain trail. When wet, such as after or during a rainstorm, fighting one's way through it can be a miserable experience. The second is that the two fords of Otter Creek can be problematic to impossible if the stream is running high. On my last time attempting this route a late spring snowstorm that had deposited wet/heavy snow, had made the rhododendron thickets a nightmare to fight through. It was difficult enough that I deemed the reward not worth the effort and turned around. I made myself a promise never to hike the Green Mountain Trail after/during a snowstorm or rainstorm.
"Never attempt the Green Mountain Trail after or during a rainstorm."
That was the rule I'd made for myself, and I was determined to stick to it. I usually prefer to visit the Otter Creek area in April when the trees are beginning to push out new leaves. It was to be no different this year, but three straight weekends of iffy forecasts for hike-day had me selecting other trips. “Never attempt the Green Mountain Trail after or during a rainstorm.” Finally, for most of this past week the forecast for Sunday, hike-day, looked good, so I decided to pull the trigger. On Saturday, the forecast became less good, but it still looked fine. As I left Pittsburgh on Sunday morning (3:15am) the skies were mostly clear. Unfortunately, as I crossed the state line into West Virginia it began to rain, and quite heavily. It wasn't looking good anymore.
Around 6:30am, as I began my hike up the Mylius Trail, it was raining lightly. I knew that I was going to face issues later on, but it was too late to change my plans. I was committed. I compartmentalized my impending trouble and focused on enjoying the hike. The Mylius Trail as well as the Shaver's Mountain Trails were a delight to hike. The greenery was lush and the moss gardens velvety. I had brought an umbrella with me, which I made good use of to keep my camera dry and clicking away.
I picked up the Green Mountain Trail and began to encounter rhododendron corridors. In the early going passage was generally clear, thanks to some recent pruning work. Unfortunately, with a mile to go to the Possession Camp Trail, all fun and games were over. Water laden rhododendron bushes had decided that they were so done with social distancing. Progress ground to a crawl. With my rolled-up umbrella I would give a whack to the bushes in front of me to clear them of most of their water, then step up. Despite that my legs were totally soaked. Step by squelching step I painfully worked my way down the muddy trail. What should have taken me 20min to walk, took 1hr 5min.
It got worse
Spot the trail
Finally, I was done with the Green Mountain Trail. A few water loaded rhododendron corridors kept me entertained for a quarter mile or, but these weren't as bad as the ones earlier. I was soon back to enjoying myself. Halfway down to Otter Creek, even the rain finally stopped.
Painted trillium
Otter Creek was beautiful, as always. I found a new set of cascades that I hadn't photographed on earlier trips, so that was a nice surprise. It was as if nature had decided to take pity on me and had decided to cooperate once more. The rest of the hike back to the car was uneventful.
Luscious Mylius Trail
Stats: 12.8mi, 2250ft elevation gain, 9hr
The Otter Creek Wilderness area comprises a pretty valley, surrounded by lush mountains, and centered on cascading Otter Creek, in West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest. In order to access the heart of the wilderness one can either walk in alongside the creek or drop in from one of the surrounding mountains. My past few visits have basically followed, or attempted to follow, the same itinerary:
Take the Mylius Trail up to the spine of Shaver's Mountain, then head along the ridge on the Shaver's Mountain and Green Mountain Trails, and then drop down to Otter Creek via the Possession Camp Trail. After enjoying Otter Creek's waterworks for a bit by utilizing the Otter Creek Trail, close the loop by picking up the far end of the Mylius Trail and taking that back to the trailhead.
There are two potential problems with the above route: The first one is a stretch of extremely overgrown rhododendron thickets on the Green Mountain trail. When wet, such as after or during a rainstorm, fighting one's way through it can be a miserable experience. The second is that the two fords of Otter Creek can be problematic to impossible if the stream is running high. On my last time attempting this route a late spring snowstorm that had deposited wet/heavy snow, had made the rhododendron thickets a nightmare to fight through. It was difficult enough that I deemed the reward not worth the effort and turned around. I made myself a promise never to hike the Green Mountain Trail after/during a snowstorm or rainstorm.
"Never attempt the Green Mountain Trail after or during a rainstorm."
That was the rule I'd made for myself, and I was determined to stick to it. I usually prefer to visit the Otter Creek area in April when the trees are beginning to push out new leaves. It was to be no different this year, but three straight weekends of iffy forecasts for hike-day had me selecting other trips. “Never attempt the Green Mountain Trail after or during a rainstorm.” Finally, for most of this past week the forecast for Sunday, hike-day, looked good, so I decided to pull the trigger. On Saturday, the forecast became less good, but it still looked fine. As I left Pittsburgh on Sunday morning (3:15am) the skies were mostly clear. Unfortunately, as I crossed the state line into West Virginia it began to rain, and quite heavily. It wasn't looking good anymore.
Around 6:30am, as I began my hike up the Mylius Trail, it was raining lightly. I knew that I was going to face issues later on, but it was too late to change my plans. I was committed. I compartmentalized my impending trouble and focused on enjoying the hike. The Mylius Trail as well as the Shaver's Mountain Trails were a delight to hike. The greenery was lush and the moss gardens velvety. I had brought an umbrella with me, which I made good use of to keep my camera dry and clicking away.
I picked up the Green Mountain Trail and began to encounter rhododendron corridors. In the early going passage was generally clear, thanks to some recent pruning work. Unfortunately, with a mile to go to the Possession Camp Trail, all fun and games were over. Water laden rhododendron bushes had decided that they were so done with social distancing. Progress ground to a crawl. With my rolled-up umbrella I would give a whack to the bushes in front of me to clear them of most of their water, then step up. Despite that my legs were totally soaked. Step by squelching step I painfully worked my way down the muddy trail. What should have taken me 20min to walk, took 1hr 5min.
It got worse
Spot the trail
Finally, I was done with the Green Mountain Trail. A few water loaded rhododendron corridors kept me entertained for a quarter mile or, but these weren't as bad as the ones earlier. I was soon back to enjoying myself. Halfway down to Otter Creek, even the rain finally stopped.
Painted trillium
Otter Creek was beautiful, as always. I found a new set of cascades that I hadn't photographed on earlier trips, so that was a nice surprise. It was as if nature had decided to take pity on me and had decided to cooperate once more. The rest of the hike back to the car was uneventful.
Luscious Mylius Trail
Stats: 12.8mi, 2250ft elevation gain, 9hr