Wood County High Point Trip Report
USGS BM 1 mile NNE of Volcano (1,328 ft) and one area 1/4 further NNE (1,320+ ft)
Date: December 4, 2001
Author: Mike Schwartz
This is a rare WV highpoint in a public, county park. Unfortunately, the access road was gated for the season,
turning a virtual drive-up into a hike.
From US 50, 1.1 miles east of its western junction with WV 31, or 2.2 miles west of the Wood/Ritchie
County line, go southeast on Volcano Road/CR 5, signed for Mountainwood Park. Reach a gate for
Mountainwood Park, opposite the parking lot for a school for delinquents, at 1.9 miles. If the gate is open,
drive the paved road to the base of the 1328-foot knob, recognized by tanks and towers on top.
I verified that there is no objection to hiking or biking the road past the gate, if it is locked. Walk the jeep
road to the 1328-foot knob, with disturbed ground at the summit, and no sign of the BM. From the summit,
see the double topped knob to the north-northeast.
The smaller, western (left) knob is on the county line, difficult to spot on topozone, but clearer on
Terraserver with magnification. Hike over to the second area and bushwhack up to the knob through open woods.
The greenbrier on this knob has been heavily browsed by deer, the first time I had seen that.
It certainly made the hiking easier. No county line markings.