Getting Oriented
Middle Mountain is a long ridge in the eastern Monongahela, along the Randolph and Pocahontas county line. Forest Road 14 follows the crest for roughly 18 miles between US Route 33 near Wymer, about 15 miles east of Elkins, and the Middle Mountain Cabins at the south end. The Laurel Fork North and South wilderness areas flank the road, with Laurel Fork Campground about 11 miles in at the junction with Forest Road 423.
Trail Overview
Graded gravel, generally in good shape, on a route that stays high and remote. There are no obstacles that trouble a stock high-clearance vehicle; the challenge is distance and isolation, not the surface. Traffic is light. Plan on a slow hour and a half to run it end to end, longer with stops at the campground or the wilderness trailheads.
Points of Interest
- Laurel Fork Campground sits partway down the road, next to the Laurel Fork of the Cheat.
- The Laurel Fork North and South wilderness areas offer trail access off the road.
- The Middle Mountain Cabins at the south end are rustic Forest Service rentals booked through Recreation.gov.
Where to Camp
Laurel Fork Campground provides developed sites along the road. The Middle Mountain Cabins anchor the south end for a roofed option. Dispersed sites exist where pullouts allow, with no facilities.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Fuel up in Elkins. There is nothing on the road, and it is a long way in and out.
- The road is not maintained for winter travel and can hold snow late into spring.
- Cell service is absent along the ridge. Carry a map and tell someone your plan.
- Watch for the wilderness boundaries; motorized travel stays on the road.
Fuel and Water
Fuel, food, and water are in Elkins before the turn at Wymer. There is nothing along Forest Road 14. Laurel Fork Campground water is seasonal at best; carry your own.
Nearby
The Laurel Fork wilderness areas border the road for hiking and trout fishing. Spruce Knob, the highest point in West Virginia, is to the southeast. The Monongahela National Forest guide covers campgrounds and trails across the forest. Elkins has fuel, food, and lodging.
