The Bear Cub Cabin
Sightseeing
We live in a sightseeing paradise, from scenic postcard drives, to spectacular mountain overlooks. Wildlife abounds.
We like to say there is nothing to do around here, unless...
- you like to hike
- or bike
- or fly fish
- or rock climb
- or view wildlife
- or cruise scenic roads
- or enjoy wineries or cideries
- or cross-country ski
- or browse through small-town shops.
You get the picture. This is a place to unwind from the fast pace and enjoy nature's beauty in a cozy and comfortable cabin in the woods. We hope you will enjoy the area.
• Seneca Rocks – Seneca Rocks is one of West Virginia’s gems. It is heavily visited by tourists and rock climbers, and rightly so. The US Forest Service operates a very nice visitors’ center on the property. The trail to the top of Seneca Rocks is a fairly steep 1.5-mile hike, but is well worth it for the views from the top. After your hike, you can visit a super swimming hole on the North Branch Potomac. To get to the swimming hole: From the parking area for the Seneca Rocks trail, take the access road that leads to several additional parking areas downriver. Continue to the 3rd parking lot and follow a well-traveled path to the river.
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Seneca Rocks
• Seneca Rocks – Seneca Rocks is one of West Virginia’s gems. It is heavily visited by tourists and rock climbers, and rightly so. The US Forest Service operates a very nice visitors’ center on the property. The trail to the top of Seneca Rocks is a fairly steep 1.5-mile hike, but is well worth it for the views from the top. After your hike, you can visit a super swimming hole on the North Branch Potomac. To get to the swimming hole: From the parking area for the Seneca Rocks trail, take the access road that leads to several additional parking areas downriver. Continue to the 3rd parking lot and follow a well-traveled path to the river.
Spruce Knob. West Virginia’s highest point at over 4,800 feet. It’s truly another world, and even though you can drive all the way to the top, you will soon be in wilderness if you get on the trails. Plan on temperatures to be about 10 degrees cooler and note that weather can change suddenly on the mountain. The drive from the cabin to Spruce Knob is about an hour. Take Rte 33W from Franklin to Riverton, continue a couple more miles to the Gateway Restaurant and turn left and follow the signs to the top of Spruce Knob. Some great trails on the mountain include
o Seneca Creek Trail – This trail is beautiful and starts near the top of the mountain and follows Seneca Creek. It is not strenuous, and is well-marked as it passes through spruce groves and hardwood forest, all the while along a beautiful stream. We usually hike it as an out-and-back hike. At 3 miles you will reach Judy Springs, a huge spring adding lots of water to the creek. It’s worth a visit. You can take a side trail to the right from this point to join the Lumberjack trail and loop back to the Seneca Creek parking area (about 8 miles total). Or continue down Seneca Creek to scenic waterfalls several miles beyond Judy Springs. But remember that the hike back to the parking area is all uphill.
o Huckleberry Trail – begins at the parking area at the e summit of Spruce Knob. Nice trail for out-and-back hikes or can also connect to other trails for loop hikes. See map of Spruce Knob area for trail connections.
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Spruce Knob
Spruce Knob. West Virginia’s highest point at over 4,800 feet. It’s truly another world, and even though you can drive all the way to the top, you will soon be in wilderness if you get on the trails. Plan on temperatures to be about 10 degrees cooler and note that weather can change suddenly on the mountain. The drive from the cabin to Spruce Knob is about an hour. Take Rte 33W from Franklin to Riverton, continue a couple more miles to the Gateway Restaurant and turn left and follow the signs to the top of Spruce Knob. Some great trails on the mountain include
o Seneca Creek Trail – This trail is beautiful and starts near the top of the mountain and follows Seneca Creek. It is not strenuous, and is well-marked as it passes through spruce groves and hardwood forest, all the while along a beautiful stream. We usually hike it as an out-and-back hike. At 3 miles you will reach Judy Springs, a huge spring adding lots of water to the creek. It’s worth a visit. You can take a side trail to the right from this point to join the Lumberjack trail and loop back to the Seneca Creek parking area (about 8 miles total). Or continue down Seneca Creek to scenic waterfalls several miles beyond Judy Springs. But remember that the hike back to the parking area is all uphill.
o Huckleberry Trail – begins at the parking area at the e summit of Spruce Knob. Nice trail for out-and-back hikes or can also connect to other trails for loop hikes. See map of Spruce Knob area for trail connections.
North Fork Mountain is only about 30 minutes from the cabin. The trail follows a ridge and includes amazing view of the valley below. Take Rte 33W about 10-15 minutes from Franklin to the top of North Fork Mountain. You will see a large radio tower on the right at the top of the mountain where the road curves to the left. Park either just before or just after the radio tower fenced area and look for a well-traveled path to the trail. The trail follows the ridge to the north for many miles and is a nice out-and-back hike with a number of spots having great views to the left (west) over Germany Valley. This hike is fairly easy and is suitable for all skill levels.
North Fork Mountain
North Fork Mountain is only about 30 minutes from the cabin. The trail follows a ridge and includes amazing view of the valley below. Take Rte 33W about 10-15 minutes from Franklin to the top of North Fork Mountain. You will see a large radio tower on the right at the top of the mountain where the road curves to the left. Park either just before or just after the radio tower fenced area and look for a well-traveled path to the trail. The trail follows the ridge to the north for many miles and is a nice out-and-back hike with a number of spots having great views to the left (west) over Germany Valley. This hike is fairly easy and is suitable for all skill levels.
This hike is about 45 minutes away. From the cabin, turn to the right from the driveway, go 4 miles on Dry Run Road to a stop sign, then turn left onto Moyers Gap Rd. Go 2 miles to Sugar Grove to stop sign. Go straight and follow this road for about 12-15 miles to the community of Brandywine. Turn right on Rte 33E towards Harrisonburg. Go to the top of the mountain (right at the Virginia line) to a parking area and overlook on the right. Park here. The trail heads up the mountain to an historic lookout tower, used for spotting forest fires in the old days. You can climb to the top of the tower for amazing 360-degree views. The hike to the tower is moderately strenuous and takes about 40 minutes. Well worth it.
On the drive back towards Brandywine, as you get to the bottom of the mountain you will see a road leading to Brandywine Lake Campground and Recreation Area (US Forest Service). A swim at the beach (fee area) along the lake may be just the ticket on hot days after your hike.
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High Knob Fire Tower Lookout
High Knob TrailThis hike is about 45 minutes away. From the cabin, turn to the right from the driveway, go 4 miles on Dry Run Road to a stop sign, then turn left onto Moyers Gap Rd. Go 2 miles to Sugar Grove to stop sign. Go straight and follow this road for about 12-15 miles to the community of Brandywine. Turn right on Rte 33E towards Harrisonburg. Go to the top of the mountain (right at the Virginia line) to a parking area and overlook on the right. Park here. The trail heads up the mountain to an historic lookout tower, used for spotting forest fires in the old days. You can climb to the top of the tower for amazing 360-degree views. The hike to the tower is moderately strenuous and takes about 40 minutes. Well worth it.
On the drive back towards Brandywine, as you get to the bottom of the mountain you will see a road leading to Brandywine Lake Campground and Recreation Area (US Forest Service). A swim at the beach (fee area) along the lake may be just the ticket on hot days after your hike.
Dolly Sods is a unique natural area with a climate and setting more like that of Canada than West Virginia. See information in the notebook that describes this area better than we can. Our favorite part of Dolly Sods is the Bear Rocks area, although there are many trails there we have not yet visited. In late July and early August you can pick wild blueberries all day long at Bear Rocks. From the cabin, follow the directions to Seneca Rocks, then take Rte 28 north for another 10 minutes or so before turning left on the road into Dolly Sods. See brochure in notebook for local roads in the area. The drive to Dolly Sods takes a little over an hour, but it’s worth it.
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Dolly Sods Wilderness
Dolly Sods is a unique natural area with a climate and setting more like that of Canada than West Virginia. See information in the notebook that describes this area better than we can. Our favorite part of Dolly Sods is the Bear Rocks area, although there are many trails there we have not yet visited. In late July and early August you can pick wild blueberries all day long at Bear Rocks. From the cabin, follow the directions to Seneca Rocks, then take Rte 28 north for another 10 minutes or so before turning left on the road into Dolly Sods. See brochure in notebook for local roads in the area. The drive to Dolly Sods takes a little over an hour, but it’s worth it.
o Blue Grass Valley Road – This is a great tour by either bike or car and is a good trip to combine with a trip to the Town of Monterey, VA, home of Virginia’s annual Maple Festival. It is about a 30 minute drive from the cabin. From the cabin, follow Dry Run Rd to Thorn Creek Rd to Rte 220. Turn left on 220, heading south. Less than a mile after crossing the Virginia line on 220, turn right on Rte 642, Blue Grass Valley Road. Drive about 2 miles into the community of Blue Grass. Park and unload bikes at the Ruritan Building (formerly an elementary school). Continue on this road by bike, going 7-8 miles to Rte 250 at Hightown. You can reverse and ride back on the same road, or you can turn left on Rte 250, go a mile or so, then turn left again on Maple Sugar Road and follow Maple Sugar Road back to Blue Grass. The entire ride is in a picture postcard setting – beautiful!
After your ride, stop in the Blue Grass Mercantile, a Vermont-style country store, for deli sandwiches or a burger.
Blue Grass
o Blue Grass Valley Road – This is a great tour by either bike or car and is a good trip to combine with a trip to the Town of Monterey, VA, home of Virginia’s annual Maple Festival. It is about a 30 minute drive from the cabin. From the cabin, follow Dry Run Rd to Thorn Creek Rd to Rte 220. Turn left on 220, heading south. Less than a mile after crossing the Virginia line on 220, turn right on Rte 642, Blue Grass Valley Road. Drive about 2 miles into the community of Blue Grass. Park and unload bikes at the Ruritan Building (formerly an elementary school). Continue on this road by bike, going 7-8 miles to Rte 250 at Hightown. You can reverse and ride back on the same road, or you can turn left on Rte 250, go a mile or so, then turn left again on Maple Sugar Road and follow Maple Sugar Road back to Blue Grass. The entire ride is in a picture postcard setting – beautiful!
After your ride, stop in the Blue Grass Mercantile, a Vermont-style country store, for deli sandwiches or a burger.
Monterey, a lovely small town in the heart of Virginia's "Little Switzerland," is a 30-minute drive from the Bear Cub Cabin. The Highland Maple Festival is held in the this area during the 2nd and 3rd weekends in March each year. Details are on the web. You should include Monterey in at least one road trip during your stay. Several eateries are listed below.
• The Highland Inn, Monterey. We think this historic inn and restaurant (opened in 1904) provides the finest dining in the area. The inn is undergoing restoration as of fall 2019, so check online for current status. They specialize in Highland County trout and also have steak, chicken, and seafood dinners and a good wine and beer selection. A nice place to spend a special evening. Drive from the cabin to Route 220, turn left and go 20 miles to Monterey, turn right at Rte 250 and go a couple of blocks. Can’t miss it on your right. Open Thu, Fri, and Sat evenings. (STILL UNDERGOING RENOVATIONS)
• Big Fish Cidery. Also in Monterey. Follow directions above (Highland Inn) but go another block or so on Rte 250, then turn left on Spruce St. Great locally-produced hard cider and a very nice tasting room.
- The Curly Maple is another nice stop in Monterey. This former general store has been restored and sells many local products . They also have a light lunch and dinner menu. They are located on Rte 250 a couple of blocks west of the intersection of Routes 220 and 250.
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Monterey
Monterey, a lovely small town in the heart of Virginia's "Little Switzerland," is a 30-minute drive from the Bear Cub Cabin. The Highland Maple Festival is held in the this area during the 2nd and 3rd weekends in March each year. Details are on the web. You should include Monterey in at least one road trip during your stay. Several eateries are listed below.
• The Highland Inn, Monterey. We think this historic inn and restaurant (opened in 1904) provides the finest dining in the area. The inn is undergoing restoration as of fall 2019, so check online for current status. They specialize in Highland County trout and also have steak, chicken, and seafood dinners and a good wine and beer selection. A nice place to spend a special evening. Drive from the cabin to Route 220, turn left and go 20 miles to Monterey, turn right at Rte 250 and go a couple of blocks. Can’t miss it on your right. Open Thu, Fri, and Sat evenings. (STILL UNDERGOING RENOVATIONS)
• Big Fish Cidery. Also in Monterey. Follow directions above (Highland Inn) but go another block or so on Rte 250, then turn left on Spruce St. Great locally-produced hard cider and a very nice tasting room.
- The Curly Maple is another nice stop in Monterey. This former general store has been restored and sells many local products . They also have a light lunch and dinner menu. They are located on Rte 250 a couple of blocks west of the intersection of Routes 220 and 250.
o Greenbrier River Rail Trail – This is the ride for those looking for scenic beauty, a well-maintained, nearly flat trail, and multiple other area attractions. The trail begins in Cass, Pocahontas County, one county to our south, and continues for nearly 80 miles, all along the beautiful Greenbrier River. Although it takes over an hour to get there, the drive is part of the adventure, taking you past Spruce Knob, Green Bank Observatory, Cass Scenic Railroad, and several outdoor recreation and camping areas. Lots of interesting places to stop on this drive! We highly recommend this bike trail.
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Greenbrier River Trail Trailhead
Greenbrier River Trailo Greenbrier River Rail Trail – This is the ride for those looking for scenic beauty, a well-maintained, nearly flat trail, and multiple other area attractions. The trail begins in Cass, Pocahontas County, one county to our south, and continues for nearly 80 miles, all along the beautiful Greenbrier River. Although it takes over an hour to get there, the drive is part of the adventure, taking you past Spruce Knob, Green Bank Observatory, Cass Scenic Railroad, and several outdoor recreation and camping areas. Lots of interesting places to stop on this drive! We highly recommend this bike trail.
Food scene
Several small food places in Franklin: At the BP and Exxon stations you can get locally baked pepperoni rolls. They are a WV specialty and are great to carry along on a hike or eat on the spot (a few seconds in the store’s microwave makes them even better). In a hurry? Try the local Subway in Franklin. They have breakfast and all the usual subway sandwiches. Also try the Korner Kitchen restaurant in downtown Franklin, particularly for breakfast.
AGK Restaurant is right near the grocery store on 220/33. It is fairly new and offers pizza and sandwiches.
For groceries there is T&K Market just past Subway on the right.
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Franklin
Several small food places in Franklin: At the BP and Exxon stations you can get locally baked pepperoni rolls. They are a WV specialty and are great to carry along on a hike or eat on the spot (a few seconds in the store’s microwave makes them even better). In a hurry? Try the local Subway in Franklin. They have breakfast and all the usual subway sandwiches. Also try the Korner Kitchen restaurant in downtown Franklin, particularly for breakfast.
AGK Restaurant is right near the grocery store on 220/33. It is fairly new and offers pizza and sandwiches.
For groceries there is T&K Market just past Subway on the right.
Moe Fatz
54 North Main StreetIn downtown Franklin
The Star Hotel Restaurant, Franklin. Located downtown on Main St., across from the Ace Hardware. Open for breakfast and lunch. Open for dinner Friday evenings. Good food and good prices.
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Star Hotel and Restaurant
76 N Main StThe Star Hotel Restaurant, Franklin. Located downtown on Main St., across from the Ace Hardware. Open for breakfast and lunch. Open for dinner Friday evenings. Good food and good prices.
• The Highland Inn, Monterey. We think this historic inn and restaurant (opened in 1904) provides the finest dining in the area. It’s a little more than 30 minutes away, but worth the scenic drive to Monterey. They specialize in Highland County trout and also have steak, chicken, and seafood dinners and a good wine and beer selection. A nice place to spend a special evening. Drive from the cabin to Route 220, turn left and go 20 miles to Monterey, turn right at Rte 250 and go a couple of blocks. Can’t miss it on your right. Open Thu, Fri, and Sat evenings. Note: Currently under renovation. Will re-open sometime!
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The Highland Inn (historic Monterey Hotel)
32 W Main St• The Highland Inn, Monterey. We think this historic inn and restaurant (opened in 1904) provides the finest dining in the area. It’s a little more than 30 minutes away, but worth the scenic drive to Monterey. They specialize in Highland County trout and also have steak, chicken, and seafood dinners and a good wine and beer selection. A nice place to spend a special evening. Drive from the cabin to Route 220, turn left and go 20 miles to Monterey, turn right at Rte 250 and go a couple of blocks. Can’t miss it on your right. Open Thu, Fri, and Sat evenings. Note: Currently under renovation. Will re-open sometime!
Swilled Dog originated a few years ago right here in Franklin. The tasting room opened in spring 2019. The indoor space is warehouse-like, and casual and comfortable, with darts, pool table and a bar and tables. In addition to a wide variety of hard ciders, they also sell craft beers and light snacks. Just follow Rte. 220 north from Franklin for 6-7 miles and you’ll see a sign on the left at a big, blue warehouse. Open weekends til 8 or so.
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Swilled Dog Hard Cider
28 Pendleton County Industrial Park RdSwilled Dog originated a few years ago right here in Franklin. The tasting room opened in spring 2019. The indoor space is warehouse-like, and casual and comfortable, with darts, pool table and a bar and tables. In addition to a wide variety of hard ciders, they also sell craft beers and light snacks. Just follow Rte. 220 north from Franklin for 6-7 miles and you’ll see a sign on the left at a big, blue warehouse. Open weekends til 8 or so.
Fishing
• Trout. There are many stocked trout waters in the area and fish are stocked frequently in spring and fall. Locally, the South Branch Potomac River is stocked where the river enters Franklin (upstream end of town). It is also stocked in several upstream areas along Rte 220 between here and Monterey. The spots are obvious by gravel pull-off areas along the road. Also, the Smoke Hole area of the South Branch Potomac is very popular and has some special regulations water. It is about 35 minutes away, off Rte 220 north, just past Upper Tract. Local lakes that are stocked include Brandywine Lake and Brushy Fork Lake. Spruce Knob Lake, nearly at the top of Spruce Knob is also very popular. Complete regulations and stocked waters can be found on WV DNR’s web site.
Wild, brook trout waters can be found in a number of areas in the National Forest, including Upper Seneca Creek (off Spruce Knob), Big Run (near Cherry Grove), and other blue lines on USGS topo maps in remote mountain areas. Nearby, Thorn Creek has miles of water that support wild brook trout, but nearly all of the stream flows through privately-owned land and is not open to public. There is a ½-mile section of Thorn Creek that is open to public fishing and it seems to receive only light pressure. This is special regulation water (catch-and-release, fly-fishing only). From the cabin, drive 4.4 miles to Thorn Creek Road, turn left and follow the stream for 2-3 miles and look for the signs.
• Other great fishing and canoeing. The South Branch of the Potomac River has great fishing for smallmouth bass, sunfish, and catfish from the Smoke Hole area and all points downstream. For those comfortable in a canoe or kayak in moderate rapids, great float trips with beautiful scenery can be found, beginning in the Smoke Hole area (through a remote, rugged canyon with some challenging rapids). Below Petersburg, the river is more open and less challenging as it flows through a scenic farming valley. Smallmouth fishing is great throughout all sections. A great resource for floating the South Branch, including canoe and kayak rentals, is Eagles Nest Outfitters in Petersburg (304-257-2393).
Area lakes are also great fishing spots for species other than trout and are nice places to paddle a canoe or kayak and see wildlife. Brandywine and Brushy Fork Lakes are both within a half-hour or so, and Spruce Knob Lake is about an hour’s drive from the cabin.
Smoke Hole
Smoke Hole• Trout. There are many stocked trout waters in the area and fish are stocked frequently in spring and fall. Locally, the South Branch Potomac River is stocked where the river enters Franklin (upstream end of town). It is also stocked in several upstream areas along Rte 220 between here and Monterey. The spots are obvious by gravel pull-off areas along the road. Also, the Smoke Hole area of the South Branch Potomac is very popular and has some special regulations water. It is about 35 minutes away, off Rte 220 north, just past Upper Tract. Local lakes that are stocked include Brandywine Lake and Brushy Fork Lake. Spruce Knob Lake, nearly at the top of Spruce Knob is also very popular. Complete regulations and stocked waters can be found on WV DNR’s web site.
Wild, brook trout waters can be found in a number of areas in the National Forest, including Upper Seneca Creek (off Spruce Knob), Big Run (near Cherry Grove), and other blue lines on USGS topo maps in remote mountain areas. Nearby, Thorn Creek has miles of water that support wild brook trout, but nearly all of the stream flows through privately-owned land and is not open to public. There is a ½-mile section of Thorn Creek that is open to public fishing and it seems to receive only light pressure. This is special regulation water (catch-and-release, fly-fishing only). From the cabin, drive 4.4 miles to Thorn Creek Road, turn left and follow the stream for 2-3 miles and look for the signs.
• Other great fishing and canoeing. The South Branch of the Potomac River has great fishing for smallmouth bass, sunfish, and catfish from the Smoke Hole area and all points downstream. For those comfortable in a canoe or kayak in moderate rapids, great float trips with beautiful scenery can be found, beginning in the Smoke Hole area (through a remote, rugged canyon with some challenging rapids). Below Petersburg, the river is more open and less challenging as it flows through a scenic farming valley. Smallmouth fishing is great throughout all sections. A great resource for floating the South Branch, including canoe and kayak rentals, is Eagles Nest Outfitters in Petersburg (304-257-2393).
Area lakes are also great fishing spots for species other than trout and are nice places to paddle a canoe or kayak and see wildlife. Brandywine and Brushy Fork Lakes are both within a half-hour or so, and Spruce Knob Lake is about an hour’s drive from the cabin.