Monongahela National Forest Hiking Guide

West Virginia, the Mountain State, lies completely within the Appalachian Mountain system of peaks, knobs, hills, glades and valleys. In the state's east are parallel mountain ridges from the southwest to the northeast. On these ridges and in the gorges and valleys between them are nearly a million acres of the magnificent Monongahela National Forest. The purchase of this land began in 1915, and each day since, the "Mon" has become more of a natural treasure. It's wild and scenic expanse is enhanced with its eastern boundary adjoining the Jefferson and George Washington National Forests.

In this preistine domain are spectacular landmarks that include waterfalls, windswept but wildflowering balds, precipitous cliffsides, black bear sanctuaries, caverns, bogs with wild orchids, dark green groves of conifers, streams and rivers.

Throughout this natural heritage are many hiking trails, all described in this 7th edition of Monongahela National Forest Hiking Guide, the Mon's most comprehensive guide on the market. It covers:

- instructions on how to use the guide,

- hiking and backpacking safely,

- more than 200 trails covering over 700 miles,

- trail scenery, difficulty, condition, distance, elevation, access points, streams, and skiing potential,

- detailed topographic maps, more than 50 photographs,

- 5 Wilderness Areas with a total of 77,965 acres and 21,300 acres of backcountry,

- developed campgrounds and recreation areas,

- nearly 700 miles of streams stocked with trout and bass,

- 1,400 miles of scenic forest roads, and

- nearly 160 miles of the Allegheny Trail.

The Monongahela National Forest Hiking Guide is researched and edited by two experienced hikers who have a combined total of 88 years of trail knowledge. Allen de Hart is author of 12 guidebooks on all the southeastern states from West Virginia to Florida. Bruce Sundquist has authored 7 guidebooks on western Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia.