Hampshire County Highpoint Trip Report

Nathaniel Mtn (3,020+ ft)

Date: August 20, 2006
Author: Don Desrosiers

I came at this one from the north off of U.S. 50 in Romney. Get to the intersection of U.S. 50 and Grassy Lick Road (CR 50/10) and zero your odometer. This point is 1.6 miles east of the intersection of U.S. 50 and WV 28N in the middle of Romney, or 2.0 miles west of Hampshire County High School if you are coming in from Winchester. There should be a small brown state sign for Nathaniel Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA).

Go 6.0 miles south on 50/10 to the road on the right to the WMA. This road looks like a driveway, so it is easy to miss. At 7.2 (Mike Schwartz’s 1.3) miles enter the WMA proper. We got as far as the gate at 9.4 (Mike's 3.5) which was locked and chained with four separate locks, although exactly what was being protected remains unclear.

From here we got to walk the remaining 2.7 to the HP, an act which, while pleasant enough, cut negatively into our time per HP ratio. The dirt road is wide and easy to walk and fortunately was shady. To the relief of the dogs, there was a very nice piped spring about 150 yards past the house/garage combination. Otherwise, Mike's directions will get you there easily enough. I felt the actual HP was reasonably obvious. A little over 45 minutes each way from the car plus about 5 minutes search time at the HP.

You must go back to the paved road the same way you came in, despite what the WMA map indicates. Signs at the 7.2-mile mark indicate the roads no longer go through. Camping is apparently $5 per night at their marked sites if you feel so reclined. No idea when the gate is open but during hunting season would be my guess.