Community: Roane County

In conjuction with the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department and Change the Future WV, o!Pam editors have been logging quite a few trail miles recently in the effort to document all the trails in the five counties of the Mid-Ohio Valley. Two recent hikes at the Wallback Wildlife Management Area(WMA) in southern Roane County really stand out however, and deserve immediate mention.

Wallback WMA has four land parcels in Roane County, all near exits 25 and 34 on I-79. These hikes are both easiest accessed off exit 34 near Wallback. Services are to be had just off exit 25 at Amma. With only a 10 minute drive between trailheads, a good day of hiking can be had by doing both of these walks in succession.

The first starts just off exit 34. Go east on SR 36 barely 200 yards to a right that leads you to a parking area. Go past the gate on foot to encounter a large barn. The watershed that encompasses the majority of this 383-acre Wallback WMA parcel is behind this structure. Mowed paths and old roads work up the east side of this drainage. Also, a steep dirt oil/gas service road ascends its western ridge.

We followed the eastern paths about two-thirds of the way up this face and turned left onto an obvious, cleared and level bench-cut road across the drainage to the western service road . Taking the road north farther uphill, we stopped at a WVDNR gate atop a high knob with partial views in all directions. When the leaves are down in the fall the views will no doubt be astounding, and likely reminiscent of highland areas normally associated with the more eastern parts of West Virginia. From there we headed south on the dirt road back towards the parking area, stopping once across from where we had originally come onto this road to take an obvious path up the southern spur of the WMA's western ridge.

We were soon gratified with a westward view from an open saddle that was stunning. We then followed the ridgeline to where the trail terminated, but we continued with a short scramble that led to the WMA boundary and another high knob that looked down upon I-79 as if from the wings of a Cessna. Retracing our steps, we again followed the dirt road south to the barn and our vehicle. Total distance: approximately 3 miles with the potential for more on the various trails that criss-crossed this parcel.

The next hike begins on a maturing timber tract that is west of the Wallback exit (34) on SR 36. Take SR 36 approximately 6 miles to a left onto CR 29. It soon passes under an I-79 overpass. Next take a quick left across a bridge onto CR 29-1. Look shortly for a blue and gray gate and small parking area on the left. Park and hike around the gate onto an at-times steep and rocky dirt road that climbs to a large field that wraps around an ascending ridge.

From here follow this decent gas-well road for the remainder of the approximately 5-mile out-and-back hike. As with the previous hike, the potential for views when the leaves are down are excellent, but it must be mentioned that the sweeping view from the wide-open shoulder at the end of the field near the beginning of this walk truly qualifies as a Sound-of-Music moment. There are also a lot of side paths and roads along this steeply-sided ridge that are likely worth exploring.

It should also be noted that the Wallback WMA is open to bicycles, and that both of these areas would provide stellar, occasionally steep/technical two-track riding for fit riders on mountain bikes.

Do yourself a favor and check these areas out. Although they both have super easy access for the I-79 interstate traveller, these Wallback WMA parcels are worth a visit for no other reason than that they are especially gorgeous MOV public lands.