ELKINS, W.Va. (WVDN)— The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service is restricting public access to several roads and trails within the Monongahela National Forest to protect public health and safety during helicopter logging operations. The closure order will go into effect on Monday, December 8, 2025, at 12:01 AM and remain in effect until June 30, 2026, or until rescinded.
Order Number 09-21-26-02 prohibits all members of the public from entering areas in the Hinkle Mountain, Headhunter and Fork Handle timber sales near Richwood in Nicholas County during helicopter logging operations, including the following forest areas:
- Forest Road 99 closed from gate at mile post 1.98 to intersection with Forest Road 900 at mile post 4.06
- Forest Road 99A, 946, and 946A are fully closed
- Fork Mountain Trail (Trail #236) from Route 39 to the intersection of Trail 225
- The Gateway Trail (Trail #205) is fully closed
- All portions of the Hinkle, Headhunter, and Fork Handle timber sale units as depicted in the Closure Order Map.
Please obey all posted signs.
To view the closure order and supporting documents, please visit:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/monongahela/alerts/hinkle-mountain-fork-handle-and-headhunter-helicopter-timber-sale-area
