The Cacapon River Water Trail Water Trail Overview As Quickly As Possible, If You Are Cold and Don’T Through Open Farmland

Home , Cacapon Mountain, Cacapon River, Edwards Run, Nathaniel Mountain, Trout Pond

The Cacapon River Water Trail Water Trail Overview as quickly as possible, if you are cold and don’t through open farmland. After a few miles the river Mileage & GPS Information (WVDNR sites) Cacapon and Lost River Valley Guide: Water Trails are routes on a stream, river or lake have dry clothing. heads left passing high rocky cliffs. After From To Miles that provide boaters a recreational, scenic, historical • Cacapon River is seasonal and is best run in this there are three river-wide ledges The Cacapon River or educational opportunity. The Cacapon River spring or fall. Please check the water that require skill and possible scouting. Capon Lake Yellow Spring Toward the end of the run, the Caudy’s Lat: 39.1582; Lat: 39.1828; 2.5 Water Trail Water Trail flows through private property where level before beginning your trip. Long: -78.5347 Long:-78.5060 riverbanks are not open to public use. We ask Castle rock formation is seen high on the left. From that you please respect the rights of these private there to the Route 127 bridge is mostly flat water. Yellow Spring Yellow Spring North CAPON LAKE TO CAPON BRIDGE Lat: 39.1828; Lat: 39.2339; landowners by not coming on shore without 5 Distance: 15 miles • 1st ledge – located at the end of a right hand Long:-78.5060 Long: -78.4651 permission. Access Point: There are two turn with a cliff on the left can be run on the Yellow Spring North Cacapon Bridge Mark Haynes Points to Remember left to center, but is best run on the far right in DNR access points between Lat: 39.2339; Lat: 39.2981; 7.5 low water. Long: -78.4651 Long: -78.4351 • Kayaks and non-aluminum canoes are the Capon Lake and Capon Bridge TIPS FOR GAUGING WATER LEVELS: • 2nd ledge – is at the end of a spectacular rock recommended vehicles for exploring. The long section of the Cacapon River from Capon Cacapon Bridge Rt. 127 Bridge • USGS South Fork of the South Branch Gauge formation called Chapel Rock. It is best run on • There are no public restroom facilities located Lake to Capon Bridge is flat water with occasional Lat: 39.2981; Lat: 39.4032; 11.5 (Moorefield, WV): Should read between 1.8 ft the left. Long: -78.4351 Long: -78.4174 along the River Trail or at the Public Access riffles during medium flows. There are nice pools for (barely runnable) and 5 ft (highly runnable). • 3rd ledge – largest – intermediate paddlers points. Human waste and toilet paper should be swimming and cliffs for viewing. Look for bald eagles Rt. 127 Bridge Cacapon Crossing • USGS Great Cacapon Gauge: Should read at should scout first best passage is on the right. disposed of in a container with a tight fitting lid and river otters. In low water this section can be Lat: 39.4032; Lat: 39.4520; 9 least 2 ft. challenging to paddle and slow going. Bass fishing is Long: -78.4174 Long: -78.4248 and taken to flush toilets. • Other Indicators: Mark Haynes • There is no public camping along the Water great at the base of rapids, in the eddies below the ROUTE 127 BRIDGE – POTOMAC RIVER Cacapon Crossing Rt. 9 Bridge large rocks, and in the slow pool areas. Lat: 39.4520; Lat: 39.5282; - The riffle viewed downriver from the US 50 Trail. However, numerous public and private Distance: 38.3 miles 18 Long: -78.4248 Long: -78.3486 bridge in Capon Bridge should look runnable Welcome to the Cacapon River Water Trail! campgrounds are located throughout the Access Point: There are five DNR access points without scraping. watershed. Please see the map for locations. between 127 and Potomac River. Rt. 9 Bridge CR7 Bridge CAPON BRIDGE – ROUTE 127 - Highest water levels occur in spring and fall. Lat: 39.5282; Lat: 39.5817; 5.5 Stretching approximately 65 miles to the Cacapon River’s confluence with the Potomac, the Cacapon • Hypothermia is a life-threatening condition in Distance: 11.5 miles This section has very little gradient and is a great Long: -78.3486 Long: -78.3088 For the most up to date information on river access which your body loses heat faster than it can Paddling Time: 4-5 hours float-fishing stream, passing through some of the River Water Trail offers paddlers a rich and varied paddling experience. Along the way you will CR7 Bridge* Cacapon Power Plant and for links to USGS water gauges in Moorefield produce it. Avoid wearing cotton and always Skill Level: Class 1-3 best bass fishing in the state. It transcribes huge see abundant wildlife, bucolic farmland, and breathtaking cliffs and rock formations. The Water Lat: 39.5817; Lat: 39.6055; 3 and Great Cacapon visit us at bring a dry bag with a change of clothes. Plan loops through the mountains and ridges with Trail passes through the most biodiverse watershed of the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay The most popular section of the river, this section Long: -78.3088 Long: -78.2827 www.cacaponguide.com. on getting wet. If the air and water temperature beautiful scenery, very few rapids, and many long, qualified for Wild and Scenic Designation in the late Cacapon Power Plant Great Cacapon tributaries, giving paddlers a rare glimpse into large intact forest blocks all but lost in many other combined is less than 100 degrees, it is not flat pools. Obstacle: Dam located about 4 miles safe to paddle. Emergency treatment for 1980’s. It contains exquisite scenery and challenging Lat: 39.6055; Lat: 39.6186; 2.8 places. Bring your binoculars to view a large variety of birds and mammals, and your fly rod to fish above Great Cacapon – portage on the left. Long: -78.2827 Long: -78.2823 TRAVEL TIME: Depending on paddling speed and hypothermia: get into dry clothes, start a fire, whitewater for the intermediate paddler. The trip one of the best bass fisheries in the state. river flow, expect float times from 1 to 3 miles per and drink warm beverages. Get off the river begins with flat water and a few riffles flowing * contains dam to be portaged on the left Cacapon River Cacapon River hour. Mark Haynes Water Trail Water Trail

Natural Resources Wildlife and Plant Species OTHER SPECIES YOU MAY SEE Stocked Trout Streams - Fishing License Required Cacapon and Lost Rivers Land Trust

was not as fully disrupted and displaced as it was CINNAMON FERN (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum) SMALLMOUTH BASS (Micropterus dolomieu) is a West Virginia Trout anglers are indebted to local Natural wonders in the Cacapon River watershed farther north. Indeed, the Central and Southern is a deciduous non-native species in the sunfish family and is very landowners. Without local landowner consent - like Ice Mountain and the wetlands on Short Appalachians support one of the highest levels of herbaceous plant popular with game fish anglers. The smallmouth and generosity, Trout fishing would be restricted Mountain, the sweep of large remote forests biological diversity in the temperate world. which produces prefers cooler water temperatures than its cousin to state and federal lands. The opportunity for around Sugar Knob and Big Schloss, the iconic separate fertile and the largemouth bass, and may be found in both continued stocking and use of private property scenery of Cacapon Mountain, and the recreational Large blocks of forestland that are relatively sterile fronds. The still and moving water. Because it is largely dependent upon appropriate angler opportunities at Trout Pond and Short Mountain unbroken by human land uses are quite important - are available as public lands for all to enjoy fertile spore-bearing is intolerant of pollution, attitudes and conduct. Most stocked stream closures for wildlife and plants. For one, they are important because somebody took action to conserve these fronds are erect and the smallmouth bass is a are the result of disrespect for private property. For for species that thrive best in remote areas, such lands. Though the privately protected lands in the become cinnamon- good natural indicator more detailed information on stocking dates and as bobcats and timber rattlesnakes. These large watershed are not open to the public, they remain colored as the season of a healthy individual access sites go to: blocks also include many of the few remaining critical in maintaining the quality of your Water progresses, which gives the species its name. environment. www.wvdnr.gov/fishing/public_access.asp. places not overrun with an overabundance of deer, Trail experience and the healthy and rural nature Cinnamon ferns often grow in clumps and are very which have greatly diminished local diversity in the Fishing License information: 304-558-2758 of this watershed for generations to come. The valuable to the ecosystem. They provide cover and ©2012 Tom Cogill ©2012 Tom Cogill Central Appalachians over the last few decades. Cacapon and Lost Rivers Land Trust has worked with shelter to many small animals, such as squirrels, WOOD DUCK (Aix sponsa) is one of the most Lilies, orchids, and other plants largely eliminated the local community to protect the forests, farms, birds, snakes, and insects. colorful of North American waterfowl. The adult rural heritage, and water quality of the Cacapon The Cacapon River Watershed, located in the elsewhere by deer can often still be found in male has distinctive Stream Trout Stocking Area Stocking Period and Lost River Valley since 1994. The primary tool Central Appalachian mountains, is a diverse and these more extensive forestlands. Invasive plants multicolored Dillions Run from Rt. 50 bridge upstream 4 miles once in February, once every two weeks March - May by which this mission is accomplished is through wondrous place, still dominated over large areas are also less common in these big forest areas, EASTERN RED COLUMBINE OR WILD COLUMBINE iridescent plumage, the use of conservation easements. Conservation by functional and largely intact natural ecosystems. in part because the absence of roads and similar (Aquilegia canadensis) is a herbaceous while the less Edwards Run from mouth upstream 3 miles once in February, once every two weeks March - May easements are voluntary legal agreements between The watershed’s forests are part of the great fragmenting features provides fewer ready routes perennial native to woodland colorful female has a Lower Cove Run from National Forest Boundary once/month: February - May a landowner and a land trust that protect the “lungs” of the East, providing oxygen, regulating of invasion. and rocky slopes in eastern North white eye-ring and a upstream 1 mile land and its conservation values permanently. The the water cycle, sequestering greenhouse gases, America. Leaves are lobed and Among the benefits forests provide are their whitish throat. Both Cacapon and Lost Rivers Land Trust, one of the and moderating climate. grouped in 3s. Flowers are 1-2 influence on stream health. Forests provide adults have crested Waites Run Rt. 55 bridge Wardensville upstream once in January, twice in February and largest land trusts in the state, has helped private inches long and have red landowners protect over 11,000 acres to date. The variety of geology, landforms, and elevation nutrients, help maintain water quality, and regulate heads. The male’s From Top Left, clockwise: 6.5 miles once/week: March – May petals with a red spur and in the Central and Southern Appalachians is much water quantity and temperature. For example, call is a rising whistle, Interrupted Fern (Osmunda claytoniana) yellow sepals. They appear Trout Run from mouth at Wardensville upstream once in January, twice in February and greater than in most of eastern North America. significant shading of forested streams has helped “jeeeeee”; the females in late spring, nodding Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 7 miles once/week: March – May For more information on conservation They combine in many different ways, creating an brook trout, the Appalachian’s only native trout, utter a drawn-out, rising easements or to support the work of the on stems above the Black Bear (Ursus americanus) array of environmental settings, which in turn can survive in some of the Cacapon River Watershed’s squeal, “oo-eek,” when Cacapon and Lost Rivers Land Trust please leaves. The round Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Lost River Lost City & Lost River bridges once in January, twice in February, visit our website at www.cacapon.org or support myriad plants and animals. Because the smaller streams. flushed, and a sharp “cr- end of the spur contains downstream to one mile above once/week: March – May and contact us at (304) 856-1010 or Route 1 Box Pleistocene glaciers 13,000 years ago never reached r-ek, cr-e-ek” for an (Source: Rodney Bartgis, State Director nectar, which is sought by butterflies and Rt. 55 bridge once/week: Columbus Day week & the next week 328, High View, WV 26808. farther south than central Pennsylvania, life here alarm call. WV Chapter The Nature Conservancy) hummingbirds.

WOOD TURTLE (Glyptemys insculpta) is a turtle Rare Habitat PAWPAW (Asimina triloba) is a patch- Images Wood Duck: George Gentry/ NEW YORK USFWS The Cacapon and Lost River Valleys forming understory tree reaching heights of 35 only found in North America and a species of Cinnamon Fern: Barbara Rodgers LAKE ERIE SHALE BARRENS - which occur in small numbers hawkweed, shale barren feet with large simple special concern in West Virginia. The top shell is Wood Turtle: Ray Culter Eastern Red Columbine: Kelly The Cacapon and Lost River lies just over 100 miles throughout the valleys of the Cacapon, Lost, goldenrod, mountain leaves and large fruits. rough, and each large scute supports an irregular Watkinson Northern River Otter: Jim Leopold/USFWS west of Washington D.C., tucked away in the and North Rivers - are very dry environments on pimpernel, shale barren The largest edible pyramid formed by a series of concentric growth PawPaw: www.public-domain- image.com Great Blue Heron: Robert Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia’s Eastern steep, south-facing slopes of shale. Because of ragwort and the fruit indigenous to ridges. Wood turtles are semi-aquatic, and Burton/USFWS Interrupted Fern: Kurt Stueber Panhandle. It is one of the area’s best kept natural PENNSYLVANIA extremely droughty conditions, they support only very unusual Kates the United States, prefer streamside habitats, marshes, wet Bald Eagle: George Gentry/ Eastern Brook Trout: Eric USFWS secrets. The 125-mile long Cacapon & Lost River a few stunted and gnarled trees and even herbs Mountain clover are pawpaws have a meadows, and forest edges. Wood Engbretson/USFWS CHESAPEAKE Black Bear: Waverly Traylor/ Valley is known for its striking scenery, excellent PITTSBURGH BAY and grass might be scarce. Naturalists prize shale all found in the sweet, custardish flavor turtles are dependent on good Smallmouth Bass: Eric USFWS WATERSHED Engbretson/USFWS fishing and hunting, diverse wildlife, and fine PHILADELPHIA barrens because of the plants that are known only Cacapon River somewhat similar to stream health and excellent water CACAPON canoeing & kayaking. As the third largest tributary WATERSHED NEW from these dry barrens. Among these endemics, Watershed. banana, or a mango. quality. When waterways harboring JERSEY ©2012 Tom Cogill of the Potomac River, the Cacapon and Lost River is MARYLAND the shale barren evening-primrose, Greene’s Fresh fruits of the turtles become degraded, wood turtles CACAPON RIVER BALTIMORE Acknowledgements: an American Heritage River. WEST WASHINGTON pawpaw are commonly lose their over wintering habitat, foraging VIRGINIA DELAWARE This Water Trail and Watershed guide was created eaten raw but they will not keep long.(2–3 days, or grounds, and preferred breeding habitat. The River is comprised of three major segments POTOMAC RIVER by the Cacapon and Lost Rivers Land Trust. Funding one week if refrigerated). Eagle, Osprey or Vulture? and many smaller streams. Its headwater stream VIRGINIA and technical support was provided by National is known as the Lost River. This 30.9-mile-long CHESAPEAKE NORTHERN RIVER OTTER (Lutra canadensis) the BAY ATLANTIC Parks Service Rails, Trails, and Conservation Eagle stretch receives its distinctive name because, during OCEAN EASTERN BROOK TROUT (Salvelinus fontinalis) are largest member of the weasel family, is a thickset Assistance Program; National Fish and Wildlife flat wing profile low water, it abruptly terminates into a one-mile the only trout native to much of the eastern United mammal with short legs, a neck no smaller than Foundation; West Virginia Stream Partners underground course starting near the town of States. Arguably the most beautiful freshwater fish, its head and webbed hind feet. River otters Program; blue moon fund; and Friends of the McCauley, WV. As the River emerges just west of brook trout survive in only the coldest and cleanest were extirpated in the state by the 1950’s due to produced by the West Virginia Chapter of The Cacapon River. Wardensville, WV, it takes the name Cacapon. The water. The mid- Atlantic region has experienced pollution and unregulated trapping. In the 1980’s, Nature Conservancy in 2006 indicated that 86 traditional Native American translation of the word Visit www.cacaponguide.com for more the largest decline in brook trout populations, and West Virginia began one of the first successful Osprey percent of the 125-mile-long watershed remained “Cacapon” means Medicine or Healing Waters. information. they are now found only in scattered headwater river otter reintroduction programs. River otters gull-like crook in its forested, leading to its 2007 designation as the streams. Brook trout have a distinctive are often blamed for the depletion of game fish, wing The River and its tributaries are solely within West most biodiverse of the Potomac River tributary sprinkling of red dots, surrounded by but this is not true. Food-habit studies have all Virginia and meander through portions of Hardy, watersheds. blue haloes, along their indicated that the bulk of the Northern River Otter Hampshire and Morgan Counties before they join Numerous federal, state, and local parks protect flank. The belly diet consists of nongame fish species. In many the Potomac River near the town of Great Cacapon. significant public acreage in the watershed, and lower circumstances river otters, are beneficial Turkey Vulture The largest tributary of the Cacapon, equal in size including the George Washington National Forest, fins are to game fish populations because wings appear as a to the Lost River segment, is the North River. reddish in they remove nongame fish that Cacapon and Lost River State Parks, as well as wide sloping V-shape Overall, the 680 square-mile watershed is one color. would otherwise Nathaniel Mountain, Short Mountain, and Edwards of the most pristine of those draining into the compete for food. Run Wildlife Management Areas. Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay. Statistics (Source: Cacapon Voices: Listening to the Land. WVU Press)

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