The Hungry Beech Preserve is open to the public for hiking and nature study. A main attraction at the preserve is its 40 acres of outstanding cove hardwood and oak hickory forests, including American Beech and White Oaks over 13 feet in circumference and some trees exceeding 56 inches in diameter. There is a purported 14-acre tract of virgin forest! This is an amazing,verdant place with many deep hollows to explore. Magical!
Southwest Roane County
Contact: Mike Powell
Paxton Ridge Road
Near Walton,WV 25286
Email: dpowell@tnc.org
Website: http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/westvirginia/placesweprotect/hungry-beech-preserve.xml
The preserve will always be open.
Free
Why You Should Visit: The Hungry Beech Preserve ranges from level to rolling meadowland on Paxton Ridge and along Green Creek, to a steep-sided cove, about 300 feet deep, lying between two ridges protruding off of Paxton Ridge. The primary feature of the preserve is the nearly 30 acres of outstanding cove hardwood and oak-hickory forests. While likely not virgin forest, they have high natural value, with no signs of recent disturbances. Many of the large American Beech and White Oaks in the cove are over 13 feet in circumference. A few trees exceed 56 inches in diameter. An 80-acre buffer zone of second growth forest and ridgetop meadows secures this primeval forest. There are over 80 species of spring flowering plants and many neotropical migrant birds.
Things To Do What to See: Plants The diversity of herbaceous species throughout the cove is outstanding. Three species occurring in the cove hardwood forest are noteworthy, as they are extremely localized in distribution and found only in well-developed, nutrient rich habitats. They are Goldie's Shield Fern, Glade Fern, and Shining Clubmoss.
What to See: Animals Native deer, turkey, squirrel, and chipmunks make the area their home. Numerous neotropical migrant birds nest on the preserve in the spring and summer months.
Plan Your Visit: The Nature Conservancy's Hungry Beech Preserve is open to the public for hiking and nature study. Please wear appropriate hiking shoes and take plenty of water when exploring the preserve.
Directions •Head north on I-79 from Charleston. •Talk the Elkview exit and turn left across the interstate. •Go approximately .60 miles to Y, go right at Y for approximately 3.8 miles. •Turn left after Edens Garage and country store, go approximately 3.6 miles to another Y shortly after you cross the Roane/Kanawha County line and go left, the road is called Robinson Ridge. •Follow the main gravel road down into the valley till you come to a creek crossing (approximately 1.7 miles). •Cross the creek and immediately turn left, follow the road up the hill for approximately 1 mile. •Shortly after you pass Paxton cemetery the TNC gate will be on the left hand side of the road.
What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing: Volunteers have played a special role on this preserve. Several volunteers from the Charleston area have helped map trails and design maps for the property. Students from West Virginia University have also volunteered, and worked to improve the trails. The Conservancy continues to seek a corps of regular volunteers to carry out projects on the preserve.
This information has been verified.
Signage: none.
Mr. Pelurie was instrumental in the organization of Hungry Beech Preserve. Hungry Beech is a habitat of 124 acres of forested hillside and meadows, the primary feature is nearly 40 acres of cove hardwood and oak hickory forests. There are large American Beech and White Oaks over 13 feet in circumference. An 80 acre buffer zone of second growth forest and ridge top meadows protect the area. There are also over 80 species of spring flowering plants and hiking trails viewing sandstone outcrops. (http://kanawhagardenclub.homestead.com/AwardFPelurie.htm)
