Shavers Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shavers Mountain |
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Shavers Mountain (in distance) at Cheat Bridge, West Virginia
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Gaudineer Knob (Pocahontas and Randolph Counties, West Virginia) |
| Elevation | 4,432 ft (1,351 m) |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 35 mi (56 km) |
| Geography | |
 Location in West Virginia
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| Country | United States |
| Range coordinates | 38°54′22″N 79°40′21″W / 38.90611°N 79.67250°W |
| Parent range | Allegheny Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS
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Shavers Mountain is a tall, rugged ridge in the Allegheny Mountains of eastern West Virginia. It stretches about 35 miles from north to south. Several of its peaks are taller than 4,000 feet.
At its ends, Shavers Mountain has two special natural areas: the Otter Creek Wilderness and the Gaudineer Scenic Area. These areas protect small parts of very old forests on the mountain.
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Shavers Mountain: Location and Features
Most of Shavers Mountain is in eastern Randolph County. For its southern third, the top of the mountain forms the border between Randolph and Pocahontas Counties.
To the west, Shavers Mountain is bordered by the Shavers Fork valley. To the east, it's bordered by the valleys of Glady Fork, West Fork of Glady Fork, and the West Fork Greenbrier River.
Part of a Mountain Complex
Shavers Mountain is part of a larger group called the Shavers Fork Mountain Complex. This complex also includes Cheat Mountain to the west and Middle Mountain to the east.
The northern end of Shavers Mountain is near a bend in Dry Fork of the Cheat River, close to the town of Gladwin. Its southern end is at U.S. Route 250. South of this road, the same mountain structure continues as Back Allegheny Mountain.
Highest Point: Gaudineer Knob
The highest point on Shavers Mountain is Gaudineer Knob. It is located just north of US 250. Gaudineer Knob reaches an elevation of 4,432 feet.
History of Shavers Mountain
The mountain was named after Peter Shaver, one of the first people to settle in the area. According to a local historian named E.C. Wyatt, Peter Shaver was killed by Native Americans.
Early Settlers and Community Life
In 1848, Ellis Wyatt, E.C. Wyatt's grandfather, built what is believed to be the first house on Shavers Mountain. Ellis Wyatt was a busy man. He worked as a farmer, merchant, civil engineer, surveyor, constable, deputy sheriff, and a miller.
He was also the only person to vote for the Democratic ticket in the Dry Fork District after the Civil War. There was no Democratic ticket printed, so one had to be written out just for him. Later, in June 1879, Ellis Wyatt became the first postmaster of the town of Alpena. He held this job until 1897.
Forests and Timber Industry
Towards the end of the 1800s, the timber industry in West Virginia grew very quickly. By the early 1900s, almost all the trees on Shavers Mountain had been cut down.
Since then, most of the native trees have grown back naturally. Some non-native Norway spruce trees were planted on top of the mountain in the 1920s.
Protecting and Enjoying Shavers Mountain
Most of Shavers Mountain is located within the Monongahela National Forest. This forest helps protect the natural beauty and wildlife of the area.
Special Forest Areas
The Shavers Mountain Spruce-Hemlock Stand is a 68-acre area of very old red spruce and hemlock trees. Part of this stand is inside the Otter Creek Wilderness. The Otter Creek Wilderness is a natural bowl formed by Shavers Mountain and McGowan Mountain.
The Gaudineer Scenic Area covers 140 acres around Gaudineer Knob. About 50 acres of this area are made up of very old red spruce forest.
Hiking and Recreation
The Shavers Mountain Trail is a popular path for hikers. It is 10 miles long and offers amazing views of the surrounding landscape. While it can be a bit challenging, the views make it worth the effort.
