BRUTAL & Beautiful Backpacking in the Cranberry Wilderness | Monongahela National Forest

Time for the first leg of our West Virginia backpacking extravaganza. We head down to the Cranberry Wilderness, nestled deep in the Monongahela National Forest.
We spent four days, three nights down in this wilderness area. Not only is the Cranberry river a beautiful area to hike around, but the hiking terrain can be unforgiving and BRUTAL at times. We spend almost a full day bushwacking through the northern trail area. Several river-side campsites, and stunning forest vibes made the trip all worth it.
Our route took us along North Fork #272, FSR #76, and the brutal and unforgiving North-South #688 trail. Total trip length was 36 miles.
Overall, Cranberry was a beautiful place to spend a backpacking trip. Next time we think this will be a trout fishing destination :)
Next up - Dolly Sods!
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#CranberryWilderness #MonongahelaNationalForest

[@sgatesman]

That bad trail sounds just right for me 😅 Great video, enjoyed it

[@donmatulevich9411]

I did the North-South, Laurely and Middle Fork. I have to admit that on the North-South I needed the GPS a few times. But hey, it is called a Wilderness area so I couldn't complain too much.

[@jacobamick5745]

I recently did a loop that went through Laurely and it was truely unforgiving lol. Lots of stinging nettle and long switchbacks.

[@donmatulevich9411]

I think I was only on it for a little while to connect to middle fork from North South if I recall. Stinging nettle! Wearing shorts whenever I backpack that plant…words can’t explain it.

[@jacobamick5745]

@@donmatulevich9411 Yep it connects the North South and Middle Fork of Williams. About 3.3 miles. And wow I was getting stung through my pants. You sir have legs of iron 😂

[@natehoover5266]

I'm watching as research. Heading there tomorrow. I was going to park at the Three Forks trailhead and make a loop back to there. I'm excited and a little nervous. I don't have any hiking buddies so I'm solo. Not many backpackers in Northeast Ohio...at least where I'm at. I went to Colorado on my first trip after watching a video of yours.

[@bk6502]

Hey from Indiana Thanks for sharing guys. Awesome trip. My take away was reinforcing even highly experienced outdoorsmen...and women, sometimes have to use the experience to make sound decisions. No trail Weather Technology Gear Not just wandering down a beaten path. Someone with less experience or not prepared could have gotten into trouble on that last 17 mile leg...quick. Good work guys. Enjoyed it.

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Thanks BK!

[@BrerRobot]

It gets gnarly out there in Cranberry. I got lost between District and County line and had to bail down to the road next to Williams river. I've had better luck in Cranberry after the leaves have fallen. It's easy to plan big days, but It gets slow with all the blowdowns, pushing through laurel, and then invisible trails. Notice how the signs are even rotting. The first trip I took out there I saw a deer standing in the middle of the river with a huge wound where a large square of flesh had been ripped off the side of its body. It was a tad unsettling. County Line is one I still want to complete, but it may be the most rugged trail out there. 9 miles of .5-1mph hiking.

[@whatkjsaw4461]

Nice to see a camping video, Thanks guys! Definitely some sweet campsites there! I am looking forward to the Sods upload too, hope you have a nicer time with the trail.

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Thanks Kerri!

[@markcummings6856]

Nice video, great trip. Just catching up on some older videos.

[@tombojustdoes616]

I need to get back out into the wild! Thanks for sharing. Cranberry is now on the list!

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Thanks!!

[@mattbullock1673]

Wow! You guys have definitely stepped up your vids, nice job! Love the podcast too!

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Thanks Matt!

[@dougwalker4947]

Yes the shelters in the Cranberry are first come first serve. There's a local guy that will bring you and your gear in from the lower gate with a wagon and mules and then come and take you back. So yeah it can get pretty crowded down along the river. If you haven't yet you should try the Seneca backcountry at Spruce Knob if you like the Cranberry and Dolly Sods.

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Thanks Doug!

[@martymorissette]

Men that looked like a fun trip! The Shelters by the river looked amazing!!!! Cheers boys

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@Eric_Beatty]

The drone shots made this video for me. Very well done! 👍

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Thanks Eric!

[@Smokeybeesnatural]

Gotta love the hike trash gear explosion! When we went thru Cumberland falls we were using the front lawn to dry our tents, the back patio to dry laundry and our room to hang other gear! We got the oddest looks, but several curious questions.

[@jaimyvoormolen2086]

Awesome video guys. You captured the vibe really well.

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@brianadventures9622]

Beer wier! That's the way to do it! Great looking trip!

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Stole that from Joe R

[@BackpackingWithJason]

Great trip guys!! Love the views around the river. Good to see Sam out there with you. Cool video my friends 👍👍

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Thanks Jason!

[@vinceimp9581]

Reminds me of the Peter's trail in the superstitions wilderness area in Arizona I did awhile back. Navigating was brutal, we didn't have GPS either.. just a map and compass...the weeds were so over grown you literally had to look for the smallest of traces to know where to go. We were so glad to make it to the dutchman's trail right before dark and find a place to camp. The superstitions are no joke, beautiful but rocky and rough at times. Great stuff guys, looked like a great hike in a beautiful area.

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Thanks Vince!

[@Djhikes63]

Freakin love you guys! Thanks for all you do for our community ❤

[@dakta1]

Love this video and it's production value! With out a doubt this is no easy place to hike. Lots of water crossings, tons on downed trees and very easy to get off trail. Yet it is a beautiful place to hike and even better place to fish. Thanks for taking us along.

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Thanks Travis!

[@ronaldrose7593]

Hello Gentlemen, it's good to see you again. Thank you for sharing your Monongahela N.F. outdoor adventure. That was an epic trip. Andy, I like those 70's sideburns. All the best best to you gentlemen and your families. Take care, be safe and stay healthy. 🤗

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Thanks Ronald!

[@michaelbroyer3918]

epic? Not even close!

[@OutLan]

Bodhi FTW!! Nice vid, guys.

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Hell yes!

[@mikemullins8020]

Great job guys! Video was superb. Music was perfect. Injecting the drone and slo-mo footage added good breaks from standard trail footage. Felt like I was with you the whole way. Did catch the double use of one slo-mo clip. Leaf on right shoe. Color and audio balance was great. Just an overall great video. Thanks for the effort and time put in to this! Been with you guys for a while and will continue to follow. Have a fun season. Mike Mullins, Moon Walker Outdoors. Working on my first video. All the best!

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Thank you Mike!! Good luck!

[@bretthikez6567]

Love that ya let your boy use that stuff..i do the same thing with my friends..can never have to many spare sets of gear laying around that's for sure...thats some pretty nice backcountry..cool drone shots guys!

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@WayOffTheTrail]

I've hiked that trail several times, and even when it was well maintained, I never saw another hiker. Very little used, but beautiful nontheless. My old stomping grounds, and there's never a bad day on the Cranberry. Great seeing it again!

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@historian3844]

As much as I love it you there definitely are bad days there lol. It’ll rain a week straight or go snow on you into June. I still love it though!

[@jacobamick5745]

I used to work for this forest when I was in high school, did a lot of stuff with the trail crew. They leave a lot of trails in cranberry seemingly unmaintained on purpose. It is meant to be a truly rugged backcountry. In fact, trail crews are forbidden from using anything more advanced than a crosscut saw in the backcountry area. I would advise anyone who hikes in cranberry to have a gps and be on the lookout for cairns. Awesome video guys keep it up!

[@ScottValler]

Man, that looked like a heck of a rough hike with a lot of great moments. At least you were able to get out and do some new stuff.

[@PumpkinVillage]

Looked like a good hike overall. Take care and stay safe, Al

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Thanks Al!

[@TheSlimpickens83]

I can't believe how many cars were at the trailhead. I've used that trailhead a lot and I typically see no more than 8-10 cars and that includes holidays. I actually like the north-south trail, but I stick to the section between Birch Log trail and the scenic highway. I don't think many people use the trail beyond birch log trail. It seems like covid has increased the foot traffic on the trails in WV. I'm heading up to Dolly Sods this weekend and I know first hand how crowded it gets and I assume it will be more packed than usual. Hopefully we'll find a place to camp.

[@philslates1495]

Very interesting regarding the North South trail because I did that in the same direction last year around Labor Day and had no problem following the trail. I had not been in that area for a while and was shocked how quiet it was and how few people I saw. I remember seeing the start of one trail on the river very overgrown as if never used and walking through cob web everywhere on the Forks of Cranberry trail as if not used.

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Interesting!

[@turtlecrawford6468]

Yay I've been looking forward to this!

[@bobfox2733]

Hope if you packed in you packed it out. Good video.

[@brianphillips3541]

Loved the drone shots!!!

[@notyouraccount9742]

That’s a sweet hike. Very ambitious coming off many months not hiking. Looks like you have b roll for months.

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

So much b roll!!!

[@GatewoodBrown]

Man that’s some brutal trekking. Glad to see you all made it to the other side.

[@adamfrank5705]

Quality job guys. I like your stuff. I’ve been a subscriber for about 2 months. I think your channel will flourish.

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Thank you Adam! Welcome!

[@RyanSchell]

I've heard deer snorting the first night sleeping in the woods next to my house. I expected it, but still off putting. The second time a few weeks later I heard a barn owl screech at night and in the morning. Look that sound up and imagine trying to sleep after that!!!

[@MountainMotoMojo]

Really good trip report. Cool drone footage.

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@DragonRoams]

Beautiful forest with nice looking shelters. It sucks that the 2nd half was so bad. I agree big mental challenge especially days like that. You know you have the ability and gear. Just need to push through having a good group really helps with that.

[@CoolBreeze0432]

Great to see you Guys out there looks like a fantastic hike and camping experience

[@walk-tall-hikes]

That was awesome!, Hey you could always break out the map and compass! But with no defined trail that wouldn't be any easier. But it's always a good idea to carry it as a backup!

[@csamons0935]

Looks amazing!

[@StarrDaniel]

Beautiful hike

[@nolanhanson971]

Looks like a fantastic trip. I'll put this place on my visit list. Thanks for sharing!

[@jefferybyard8429]

Just about all Wilderness trails in WV are a little rough, except for Dolly Sods and that's because there's so many people. So if you want to deal with hoards of people go to D.S. and if you want solitude go one of our Wilderness areas. And for the amount of trails WV has you have to give respect to the trail maintainers, they do a great job for the budget and the short season they work with.

[@jacobpoucher]

but dolly sods IS a wilderness area?

[@jefferybyard8429]

@@jacobpoucher yes it is Wilderness

[@michaelcahill6924]

🤣😂 The hotel room🤣😂

[@allenhatfield4149]

You guys should do some volunteer work on that trail.

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

You're right! at some point we would like to do some volunteer work on some trail system that we love

[@LWilli5]

Nice video guys. (Yes, Cascade sells pole sections)

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Thanks Lisa - good to know!

[@LWilli5]

About $9

[@brannancarrie]

Fellow Banyon Bridge owner here, how did you sleep other than the snorting deer?

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Pretty dang good!

[@mattdubois5520]

I would highly recommend getting to the lean to/fishing area along the service road via Kennison Mountain trail. Its about 11 miles to the river and is a ridgeline hike with boardwalks and was very well maintained.

[@shawnr6117]

" Backpacking is all mental " maybe to go out do all that you have to be mental!! I should fit right in 😀

[@jacobpoucher]

awesome vid! going back to find the cessna 414 crash? need cordinates?

[@kevinwilliams4143]

Waking up to deer snorting is the worst. Like screaming banshees. 😴😱😆

[@johnunruh1086]

Great video! Love watching you guys! So we will definitely be heading to wv for our next trip. Could you recommend what we should have for navigating. We also bikepack so keep that in mind. Keep up the great work! John

[@arcana1973]

Imagine if you had the duplex, you would be screwed with those poles breaking.

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Yep lol!

[@ghostape6481]

Andy- looks like you are loosing weight? Great video, beautiful country

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Yes I am. Thanks!

[@gregwentzel2533]

Love your videos Was disappointed to hear you criticize trail maintenance As a trail maintainer the work we put in to keep trails open is significant It is all volunteer It is all for your benefit Please volunteer to maintain and promote trails

[@brentcoulter4174]

Like to hear about the banyan Thanks

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Lots more stuff coming on the Banyan!

[@mbarr1029]

Seems like a pattern with fires, Maybe we need a vid of Schill Brothers making a fire? Are you up to the task?? Need to use a bow or feral rod to make it interesting.

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

It would be a boring video of heavy duty fire starter and a bic lighter

[@LWilli5]

Schill Brothers Outdoors ...and David’s Therm-a-rest pump.

[@CornStroker]

What app was he using for his navigation?

[@lindahikes2760]

Great video as usual. I really enjoy your channel, especially during these times. PS What trail map system are you using on your phone?

[@Servinghimalwyz]

Late comment, so not sure if you'll see or not, but I was wondering if you guys were going counter-clockwise on the trail?

[@inkblots-life1111]

Looked great. Did u guys all hang food in the same area?

[@inkblots-life1111]

Lol never mind i hadnt gotten to that portion of the video yet. 🤙🏼🌲✌🏼

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

No prob! We hang together

[@douglass69]

Checking out your equipment at the trail?

[@nataliemcleod211]

Planning on backpacking 50 miles in WV next September. Any suggestions?

[@JiuJitsuJournal]

What trails were you going to do in Arizona?

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

A section of the AZT around flag

[@ras0220]

My 2 hiking staffs that I cut years ago are still strong as an ox after 1000+ miles. Not sure how companies can justify charging these ridiculous prices for trekking poles that seem to be disposable.

[@GoneFeralWithSquidly]

1:34 that’s what she said

[@frankenspud3]

Hey how's that Banyan treating ya? I've got my eye on one as my first hammock. That hotel room is ridiculous- you look like a couple of refugees lol. How'd you get your wives to let you take such a long trip?

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

So far so good on the Banyan! As we get more use of it we’ll put out more content

[@shawnr6117]

After this many months of lockdown their wives were probably more than happy to tell them to " Go Take A Hike " 😀

[@safromnc8616]

OK I've got a few minutes left but did you even see a bear ??

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

No bear sadly

[@pdokeegan]

Great video, glad I found your channel :) Just be careful where you fly your drone. Okay in most parts of National Forest, but prohibited in Wilderness areas - like the Cranberry Wilderness.

[@michaelbroyer3918]

Your videography is excellent, Your backpacking is good. your flying drones in a federal wilderness is not cool, read up on regulations.

[@blackrobe1987]

Why bear spray? For black bears? Why not just yell at them?