Canaan Valley

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Permitted: Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge Hiking, cross-country skiing, 6263 Appalachian Highway snowshoeing, horseback riding Davis, WV 26260 Canaan Valley and bicycling are allowed on 304/866 3858 designated routes. E-mail: [email protected] National Wildlife http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Canaan_Valley/ Hunting is permitted in accordance with state and To report emergencies or violations call Refuge refuge regulations. A refuge 304/815 3000 hunt permit is required. Federal Relay Service Persons possessing, for the deaf and hard-of-hearing transporting or carrying 1 800/877 8339 firearms on national wildlife refuges must comply with all U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service provisions of state and local law. 1 800/344 WILD Firearms are not allowed in any http://www.fws.gov Federal buildings. Dogs must be on a leash, not left January 2016 unattended, and are restricted to designated pedestrian routes except when used for hunting in accordance with refuge regulations.

Prohibited:

Camping Open fires Cutting firewood Littering Off-road vehicles including snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles Feeding wildlife Abandoning wild or domestic animals on the refuge Collecting plants, animals or other natural, historical or archeological items Overnight parking in parking lots except in designated lots Permanent structures such as tree stands, stairways or rope swings Bobolink Steve Maslowski/USFWS Tracking an enormous black bear one morning in the mid- 1700s, George Casey Harness came to a spot, “on the western slope of the Alleghenies which overlooked a wide, well-watered, wooded and grassy valley. The breathtaking beauty of the wild valley so impressed young Harness that he involuntarily cried out, ‘Behold! The Land of Canaan!’” *This story is but one of the ways that the valley may have gotten its name.

Quoted from Jack Preble’s book Land of Canaan, Balsam snow in fog * K. Sturm/USFWS Canaan Valley in mist (1960, McClain Printing Company, p. 1) Kent Mason Conserving the Welcome to Canaan Valley National species including Cheat Mountain Nature of the Wildlife Refuge! Canaan Valley salamander and Indiana bat. Mountains is one of over 560 refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System The area supports over 40 distinct administered by the US Fish and plant communities with more than Wildlife Service, a Federal Agency. 580 species of plants. This rich The National Wildlife Refuge and varied habitat is home to an System is a network of lands and USFWS estimated 290 species of mammals, waters managed speciﬁcally for the Indiana bat birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. protection of wildlife and wildlife habitat for the continuing beneﬁt of History During the last ice age, 10,000- the American people. It represents 18,000 years ago, northern species the most comprehensive wildlife died out as the glaciers moved resource managment program in southward. The glaciers did not the world. reach Canaan Valley, but the cold did. The plants and animals here The refuge was established in adapted to a cold climate. At the August 1994, with a purchase of 86 end of the ice age, as the climate acres. Today, the refuge has grown warmed, many moved northward to around 17,000 acres. with the retreating ice, repopulating the newly uncovered earth. The refuge conserves the largest shrub and bog wetland complex in These cold tolerant plants and the southern Appalachians. This animals also found niches high in complex has a mixture of wetland the mountains where they could types, including muskeg, alder, survive far south of what is now wet meadow, swamp forest and their normal range. Northern plant spiraea thicket. Upland areas species, typical of Canada and the provide grass and shrublands far reaches of New England, can important for migratory birds. High still be found in Canaan Valley elevation woodlands provide habitat at their the southernmost known

for threatened and endangered Sturm/USFWSKen location. Balsam fir is found Pink Lady throughout wetlands in Canaan slippers Valley. No wonder Canaan Valley is often described as “a bit of Canada, gone astray.”

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, while railroads delivered products to market, the area’s timber industry boomed. Forests of spruce, birch, cherry, beech and other trees were harvested, leaving branches and tree tops (slash) on the ground. Without the shade the soils, rich with decaying plants and slash, began to dry. Fires began, ignited by lightning, people or sparks from trains. In some uplands even the decaying plants in the soil burned,

Ken Sturm/USFWSKen leaving inorganic soils exposed to Beaver dam the forces of erosion. The logging and fires opened up of West Virginia, and is a regionally what had been an impenetrable significant wetland complex forest. With the soils burned within the southern Appalachians. and eroded, forests were slow to Currently, 5,573 acres of these regenerate. Drier, open areas grew wetlands are part of the refuge. into grasslands and farming and grazing became important to the The ecological functions of wetlands local economy. provide valuable services to people. Wetlands absorb water like a Ron Gaskins Today, the rugged and beautiful sponge, slowing it down during Bluebird nestbox valley holds a variety of wetlands, heavy storms, thereby reducing forests and grasslands. downstream flooding. During times of drought, wetlands slowly The combination of habitat types release water. Along rivers they throughout the valley provides buffer the shoreline, reducing a home for a diversity of wildlife. the erosive effects of the water. Animals such as deer, raccoon, Wetlands also filter sediment, trash geese and squirrel are easy to see. and pollutants. Others such as mink, bobcat and barred owls stay hidden most of the Forests Forests of beech, cherry, birch time. Beavers use trees to build and maple cover the slopes of the dams, altering water levels to suit mountains and add color to the fall. their needs. Woodcock treat us to Scattered stands of spruce, balsam their breeding display in spring. fir and hemlock remind us of the Elusive turkey and ruffed grouse boreal forest that once dominated provide a challenge for hunters. the valley. Squirrels, ruffed grouse, Along with native brook trout, you turkey, deer and bear make their will also find other species of trout homes in these woodlands. Hermit and bass in the Blackwater River thrush, ovenbirds and woodland and its tributaries. warblers also find their place here. A large diversity of salamanders Wetlands There are relatively few places in find their niches in these and other West Virginia where ducks call, Appalachian woodlands. herons fly, and shorebirds probe the earth for food. Canaan Valley is such a place. Mallards, black ducks and wood ducks nest in the marshes. Solitary and spotted sandpipers are found wherever a small pocket of wetlands exist. Timid herons and snipe squawk in alarm and fly when encountered. Frogs and salamanders mate in the vernal pools. These are among the many animals you may find in Canaan Valley’s wetlands.

A patchwork of 23 wetland types, including bogs, shrub swamps and Beaver wet meadows carpet the valley floor. Bob Hines At around 8,500 acres, this is the Kent Mason Kent largest wetland complex in the state Red spruce forest Canaan Valley’s forests harbor those labeled “pedestrian only” are the threatened Cheat Mountain open for cross-country skiing and salamander, found in areas with snowshoeing in winter. Refuge spruce forest cover. Endangered roads are typically not plowed Indiana bats may be found along the during the winter. stream corridors. Wildlife Viewing and Photography Grasslands Grasslands are important in all seasons for the wildlife that they Wildlife can be viewed closely by hold, particularly birds. Savannah, using binoculars, a spotting scope, field and grasshopper sparrows, David Seals or a long camera lens. The refuge bobolink and meadowlark are a few Beall Trail hike has binoculars and a library of of the species using the refuge’s reference books to loan to visitors grassland areas. Flowering plants during their stay. Sitting quietly provide food during Canaan will increase your chances of seeing Valley’s short growing season for wildlife. Dawn and dusk are the hummingbirds and a diversity best times to observe wildlife. Use of butterflies. all of your senses. Rustling plants can often tell you where to look

David Seals Grasslands are also important for wildlife. Smell can bring your Monarch during the winter months. They attention to interesting plant life. butterfly provide hunting areas for rough- on milkweed legged hawks and migrating Hunting northern harriers. The short vegetation allows raptors access to A special hunt permit must be the small mammals who also call obtained to hunt on the refuge. grasslands their home. This permit, along with a valid West Virginia state hunting license Grassland habitat is in decline and valid photo identification, must nationwide. This has led to a decline be carried by the hunter while in grassland bird populations on refuge property. Hunting is including those along the eastern permitted on the refuge from migratory path. The U.S. Fish and September through February Wildlife Service works to conserve and during spring gobbler season. these birds, in accordance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, here and at other refuges.

A Refuge for We encourage wildlife-dependent People Too! forms of recreation. The refuge is open for wildlife observation and photography, hunting, fishing, environmental education and interpretive programs.

The trail system provides opportunities for visitors to watch and learn about wildlife, photograph nature and engage in nature study. Parking and trail maps are

available at most trail heads. All Konchar Mary refuge roads and trails, including White-tail deer in autumn Environmental Education and Interpretation

The refuge has library resources about wildlife and nature along with supplemental curriculum guides and field study equipment. These resources are available for both formal classroom educators and leaders of youth groups.

A regular schedule of interpretive programs and tours are offered. A calendar of events is available at the

Cindy Phillips/USFWS visitor center and trail head kiosks, Refuge tour at White Grass on the refuge website, and through social media posts.

Check state regulations for specific Friends, volunteers and partners seasons and allowable uses. During hunt seasons bright colored Public support and involvement are clothing such as blaze orange is essential elements for a successful recommended for all visitors. refuge. Volunteer and friends groups play a vital role in the USFWS Fishing American ongoing success of refuge projects woodcock and programs. Fishing is allowed subject to state regulations. Walking access is The Friends of the 500th is a non- available from designated routes profit citizen’s group devoted to and parking lots. Consult the refuge conserving the unique natural and trail map for fishing access points. cultural resources of the refuge An ADA compliant accessible and promoting nature-oriented fishing pier provides access to education. The Friends work the Blackwater River along with refuge staff and partners to Timberline Road. promote awareness of the refuge, recruit volunteers, lead special Hunt and Photograpy Blinds programs such as bird walks, conduct natural history tours and During the hunting season, two organize and lead Master Naturalist accessible blinds are available by and teacher trainings. reservation for disabled hunters. Outside the hunting season, these Refuge contacts We hope you enjoy your visit to blinds are available by reservation Canaan Valley National Wildlife for wildlife observation and Refuge. If you would like more photography. information about the refuge, the National Wildlife Refuge System or

Mary Konchar In any season cars make if you would like to volunteer, please Freeland view good wildlife observation and contact the refuge manager using photography blinds. Drive slowly, the contacts on the back of this stopping to scan places wildlife brochure. might hide. Your patience might pay off. 3 9 e t u o A R -Fra m 18 e R o a 17 d

16 7.4 miles to A-Frame Road from the intersection of 15 Routes 32 and 93.

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REFUGE TRAILS AND TRAIL MILES WITH BLAZES Freeland Trail 0.4 (Including Loop) Cabin Mountain Trail 2.2 (One way) Idleman's Run Trail 0.4 (One way) Cabin Mountain Spur 0.8 (One way) Idleman’s Run Trail Sand Run Trail 0.9 (One way) and Road Loop 0.9 (Loop) Beall Trails 4.7 (Total) South Glade Run Crossing 0.8 (One way) Beall North Trail 1.9 (Loop) Middle Valley Trail 6 (One way) Blackwater View trail 0.6 (One way) Blackwater View Trail Not shown Beall Connector 0.2 (One way) Valley Overlook 0.5 (One way) Beall Bridge Trail 0.3 (One way) 15 Canaan Mountain Trail 1 (One way) Beall South Loop 1.4 (Round trip) 16 Hellbender’s Tail Trail 0.1 (One way) Shortcut 0.2 (One way) 17 Shady Hollow Trail 0.03 (One way) Bog Overlook 0.1 (One way) 18 Blackwater River Fishing Rivers Edge Trail 0.06 (One way) Access Trail at Camp 70 0.2 (One way) Brown Mountain Trail 2.1 (One way) 19 Wilderness Way Trail 0.3 (One way) Brown Mountain Overlook 2 (Loop) 20 Fishing Hook Trail 0.2 (One way) Camp 70 Loop (Including Old Road) 2.4 (Round trip) 3 9 e t u o A R -Fra m 18 e R o a 17 d