Supplements:
OVERVIEW
Zion Mountain is a spectacular 683 acre "old timey-high mountain" West Virginia farm. The unspoiled hardwood forest offers a timberland investment opportunity with a ready-to-harvest timber resource. Situate in the heart of the New River Gorge recreation mecca, the property offers rural estate qualities with the upside potential for futur
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OVERVIEW
Zion Mountain is a spectacular 683 acre "old timey-high mountain" West Virginia farm. The unspoiled hardwood forest offers a timberland investment opportunity with a ready-to-harvest timber resource. Situate in the heart of the New River Gorge recreation mecca, the property offers rural estate qualities with the upside potential for future cabin site development.
Zion Mountain offers a log home, rolling hay fields and meadows. Ridges and high knobs tower above the Greenbrier River valley floor with elevations approaching 3000'. Spectacular 30 mile long distant views from the upper reaches are reminiscent of the vistas in West Virginia's northeastern highest mountains. There is little light pollution and the night sky is filled with millions stars for hours of serenity in your personal mountain retreat.
The well managed timber resource can provide a great deal of flexibility to the next ownership in terms of potential harvest revenue and can be managed to provide cash flow opportunities to offset holding cost and long-term asset appreciation. Capital value of the timber is estimated at $600,000.
Not surprising, the, forest, shrubs hay and pasture grasses are highly productive in producing tons and tons of oxygen while at the same time eliminating huge amounts of Carbon Dioxide; Nature's way of reducing our Carbon Footprint.
HIGHLIGHTS
*Large 683 acre parcel rare in this part of southeastern West Virginia.
**Estimated $600,000 in ready-to-harvest Appalachian hardwood timber on 400 +/- acres.
*2474+/- sqft log home. 4BR, 3Bath, 2 Kitchens
*200+/- acres of rich hay land, pastures and meadows.
*4 blue line clear water streams flowing for a total of 2 miles through the heart of the property.
*Over 40 ephemeral streams feeding the blue line streams creating an interesting terrain.
*Renowned locally as the premier wildlife sanctuary in Summers County.
*4 stocked ponds with 5lb smallmouth bass. Lots of catfish & bluegill.
*Land legacy of careful wildlife management coupled with outstanding long-term forest stewardship.
*Nearby is the Greenbrier River, New River, 2000 acre Bluestone Lake – the gateway to water recreation and family fun;
*Perfect for anglers and water recreation enthusiasts.
*Spectacular long range views approaching 30 miles with a 300 degree viewing shed.
*High percentage of commercially – operable ground supporting farming, forestry, recreation.
*Potential for residential/recreational development.
*Elevations range from 1760' to nearly 2660'
*Year round state maintained hard top access.
*Electric and phone available on site.
*Potential conservation value with its close proximity to New River Gorge National River Park lands.
*Low taxes, low population density,
*Little or no light pollution reveals a canopy of starts overhead.
LOCATION
Zion Mountain is one of the larger forest ownerships within this region and, therefore, represents an opportunity to create a classic family ownership legacy for the next tenure, or to carefully craft a rural residential project for future cabin sites. Terrain is typical of the region and considered rolling to mountainous, with upland hardwood flats and ridges separated by narrow hollows that flank the lower lying stream drainage.
Google Coordinates at gate: 37.6310504N -080.8270177W
AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES
The New River Gorge was a vast and largely unsettled wilderness until the C&O railroad was built on the eastern side of the river in the 1880's. The railroad opened up the rich coalfields and virgin timber stands of the region. Early "mountaineers" settled the area and soon were carving out mountain farms and raising families.
A visit to Zion Mountain, with its high meadows, is stepping back in time some 120 years. This early farmstead is an excellent example of the how the early settlers lived and is a testament to hard work, perseverance and ingenuity. Manpower and horsepower were the tools of the trade in the late 1800's. The 150 acres +/- acres of fields, is the results of countless hours of backbreaking work. The work is preserved in several stone piles found around the property.
Several tons of hay are harvested each year from the "near perfect" laying fields. These hayfields are noted for their complete lack of field stone, which is highly unusual for such a large expanse in this area of WV. Those areas that are not mown for hay are left in permanent pasture and routinely brushogged. One 5 acre area near the biggest pond has been left to grow up into a rabbit warren, to the delight of the beagles who love to give chase.
The fencing is spotty and in need of attention.
FOREST/TIMBER RESOURCES
The distinguishing features of Zion Mountain's timber resource include its unusually high hardwood sawtimber and pole stocking with a basal area/ acre of 120. This stocking is well above average for the region. This well managed timber resource can provide a great deal of flexibility to the next ownership in terms of potential harvest revenue and can be managed to provide cash flow opportunities to offset holding cost and long-term asset appreciation.
2014 Timber Inventory:
Timber data in this report are based upon a 2014 timber inventory that was conducted for the ownership by an outside consultant. 120 points were sample on a 5×7 chain grid system using a 10 factor prism resulting in a total sawlog volume property-wide of 2,387,693+/- BF Doyle scale with 25,379+/- pulpwood tons. Details of the timber inventory report, maps and are available in the Zion Mountain Timber Report under Maps and Documents section.
Capital Timber Value of the timber and pulpwood is approximately $637,773 as of November 2014.
Species composition:
The forest's predominately well-drained upland terrain has led to a resource dominated by hardwood species. Overall, the species composition is highly desirable and favors Appalachian hardwood types, consisting primarily of:
13% White Oak/Chestnut Oak
11% Red Oak Group
48% Poplar/Cucumber/Basswood
11% Sugar Maple/Soft Maple
17% A host of associate species
Stocking, Stem Quality, and Forest Structure:
Forest-wide, most stands are fully stocked, providing the next ownership with a great deal of flexibility in shaping their own silvicultual legacy. Stem quality forest-wide can be considered excellent with the forest containing an abundant current and future veneer source.
Zion Mountain's timber component has been well managed over the years and generally consists of two age classes that have been managed under even-aged silvicultural guidelines. The predominant timber stand contains 40-120 year old stems ranging in size of 10"-28" dbh. This stand was thinned some 40 years ago. This stand is on the cusp of graduating into higher-value sawtimber diameter classes over the coming decade.
The second distinct stand was established over the past 50 years when some of the farm fields and pastures were abandoned and the forest began to naturally regenerate. These stands represent a quality hardwood resource with a small pine component and will be reaching economic maturity in the next 20-40 years.
Sawlog & Veneer Value: These species dominate the sawlog and veneer value, collectively representing nearly 70% of total sawlog value.
The Red Oak group (11%)
White Oak group (13%)
Yellow Poplar/Basswood (55%)
Maples (11%)
Hickory (3%)
Black Cherry (3%)
WATER
Zion Mountain is blessed with a year-round water source. Four blue line feeder streams drain from the side hollows off the property about one mile to the Greenbrier River valley floor below. There are over 40 ephemeral streams that flow during rain events and snow melt.
There are four nice ponds stocked with bass, and kids of all ages have fun fishing and skipping stones across the pond. Several large bullfrogs enjoy the pond as well and their nightly singing is a welcome sound.
A drilled water well serves the home.
MINERAL RESOURCES
The owner has chosen not to lease out any mineral-oil and gas rights and all rights the owner has will convey with the property.
BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY
The 683 acre property was surveyed by David L. Huffman, LLS, in July and August, 1974. Tract One contains 674.32 and Tract Two contains 8.68 acres. Survey plat is recorded in the Office of the Clerk of the County Commission of Summers County, WV, in Plat Cabinet A-163.
TAXES AND ZONING
As of October 2014, there is no countywide zoning in effect in Summers County. However, all prospective buyers should contact the Summers County Assessor in Hinton regarding any issues involving zoning, developments or building codes.
OUTBUILDINGS
24′x24′ metal shop building with electric and concrete floor. Double garage doors with separate back entrance door.
CEMETERY
As is very common on old mountain farms, there is a cemetery sitting high atop a knob on the southern boundary property. The oldest marked grave is that of O.C Harvey, Born 1862, and Died 1913. The owners have granted access for families wishing to visit their ancestors' graves.
From Hinton at the intersection of WV Route 20 and WV Route 3, crossing the river travel WV Route 3 for 6/10ths mile and take a right on Zion Mountain Road (WV RT 14) and go 2.3 miles and take a left on Hartwell Road (WV RT 14/1) and go 1.8 miles and the entrance to the farm will be straight ahead in a sharp curve. Gate is locked. No admittance without an agent on site. Google Coordinates at gate: 37.6310504N –080.8270177W
Timber Inventory ›