Fortney Branch Trail
Posted by Chris | Filed under Western Virginia
Description:
Fortney Branch Trail is located in the Morris Hill Campground north of Covington.
Total Distance: 1.3 miles
Location/Directions: From Covington take State Route 220 north. Turn left onto Route 687 and then turn left onto Route 641, Indian Draft Road. Then stay to the right, which will be Route 666. Next, go straight at recreation area entrance on Route 605. Morris Hill Campground will be located one mile up Route 605 on the left.
Difficulty:
More Difficult
Finding the Trail:
Parking is available just south of the dump station in the campground and next to site 33. This trail begins in two places, either just south of the dump station or the west side of the road, or next to site 33. The trail ends at the lake shore at Fortney Branch.
The Hike:
The trail begins in two places. They both begin in Morris Hill Campground. One begins just south of the dump station and shares the first two tenths of a mile with the Morris Hill Trail. This short section is well maintained, well marked and fairly level. This section is marked with yellow plastic diamonds. At mile 0.2 the two trails split and Fortney Branch Trail turns southwest. This section is marked in orange plastic diamonds.
The second starting point is next to site 33. This section follows an old roadbed. It is marked in orange plastic diamonds and well maintained.
The two sections join at an intersection with the old road and continue southwest. There is a sign post at the intersection, but it does not direct the hiker to Fortney Branch. The trail markers change again to yellow plastic diamonds at the intersection then change again to gray plastic diamonds as you continue down the trail. About 0.3 miles down the old road the trail turns off to the right. This turn is marked with a sideways gray diamond and the trail markers are again yellow plastic diamonds. The trail now winds down the steep mountain to Fortney Branch. The trail is steep in places and has a rocky uneven tread. There are many switchbacks on the way to the lake. This hike should take about 45 minutes to 1.5 hours round trip.
At Fortney Branch fishing is not permitted on the dock or from the boat launching ramp. Fishing from anywhere along the shore in the area, however, is encouraged. Virginia game laws apply and a fishing license is required for angler’s sixteen years of age and older.
