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West Virginia
0.3 mi
Distance
120 ft
Gain
8 min
Time
No conditions check on file for this trail yet — always verify current conditions before you go.
Why you'll love it
Burnwood Trail Stop 8: Decomposition
AI-suggested draft · review before you go
No permit or access details on file for this trail — check with the local land manager before you go.
<p><strong>Old-Growth Forest Hike Stop 8 - Decomposition</strong></p> <p>There are many different components other than just big, old trees that make up an old-growth forest. Large fallen trees on the forest floor, also called coarse woody debris, are a key feature researchers use to determine if a forest truly is old-growth. When a large tree falls it can take decades if not over a century for the wood to fully decompose. Finding this decomposing debris highlights that humans haven’t altered the forest by taking fallen wood for use. This rotting wood does not go to waste. The decomposition of wood recycles nutrients and carbon back into the forest soils, which act as long-term carbon sinks for greenhouse gases.<br /> <br /> Coarse woody debris provides habitat for many species that grow and feed on moist, decomposing wood such as moss, lichen, mushrooms, and insects. Many species of wildlife rely on the large decomposing wood found in old-growth forests for their habitat. The moisture retained in the shaded forest floor and in the coarse woody debris create the perfect conditions for salamanders to flourish. Coarse woody debris is also used as denning habitat for smaller mammals such as foxes, skunks, and opossums. Dead standing trees called snags are also more common in old-growth forests and provide great habitat for bats, owls, and the cerulean warbler, a declining bird species that relies on mature, deciduous forests.</p>
Burnwood Trail Stop 7: A Forest Giant
~0 min drive
<p><strong>Old-Growth Forest Hike Stop 7 - A Forest Giant</strong></p> <p>This American beech is the largest tree by diameter and volume along the trail. Unfortunately this tree couldn’t be dated due to being hollow, but despite its size it may not be as old as it appears. Som…
Endless Wall Trail
~3 min drive
<p><em>Labeled (3) on the Fayetteville - Lansing Area Trails map</em></p> <h4><strong>Length</strong></h4> <p>2.4 miles/3.86 km (One-way)</p> <h4><strong>Difficulty</strong></h4> <p>Easy to Moderate</p> <h4><strong>Trail type</strong></h4> <p>Hiking only</p> <h4>Total Elevatio…
Kaymoor Miners Trail
~4 min drive
<p><em>Labeled (9) on the Fayetteville - Lansing Area Trails map</em></p> <h4><span style="color:#e74c3c;"><em>NPS crews are working to improve safety and sustainability of the upper section of the Kaymoor Miner's Trail. The upper portion of the trail will be closed from June…
Long Point Trail
~4 min drive
<p><em>Labeled (12) on the Fayetteville - Lansing Area Trails map</em></p> <h4><strong>Length</strong></h4> <p>1.6 miles/1.29 km (One-way)</p> <h4><strong>Difficulty</strong></h4> <p>Moderate</p> <h4><strong>Trail type</strong></h4> <p>Hiking and biking </p> <h4>Trail Descript…
Headhouse Trail
~5 min drive
<p><em>Labeled (1) on the Nuttallburg Area Trails map</em></p> <h4>Length</h4> <p>0.7 miles/1.13 km (One-way)</p> <h4>Difficulty</h4> <p>Moderate</p> <h4>Trail type</h4> <p>Hiking and biking</p> <h4>Trail Description</h4> <p>This gravel trail (administrative road) leads to the…
Tipple Trail
~5 min drive
<p><em>Labeled (6) on the Nuttallburg Area Trails map</em></p> <h4>Length</h4> <p>0.6 miles/0.96 km (One-way)</p> <h4>Difficulty</h4> <p>Easy</p> <h4>Trail type</h4> <p>Hiking and biking</p> <h4>Trail Description</h4> <p>This trail reveals both the industrial and community sid…
Southside Trail
~12 min drive
<p><em>Labeled (2) on the Cunard, Thurmond and Stone Cliff Area Trails map</em></p> <h4>Length</h4> <p>7.0 miles/11.27 km (One-way)</p> <h4>Difficulty</h4> <p>Easy</p> <h4>Trail type</h4> <p>Hiking and biking</p> <h4>Trail Description</h4> <p>This easy seven mile riverside tra…
Hawks Nest Connector Trail
~0 min drive
Point-to-point connector trail through Hawks Nest State Park in West Virginia.
Bridge Buttress Extension Trail
~1 min drive
Short point-to-point trail featuring West Virginia's distinctive rock buttress formations.
Endless Wall Trail
~3 min drive
Point-to-point cliff-base hike featuring dramatic sandstone walls and gorge views.
