Solo Backpacking the CRANBERRY WILDERNESS in Monongahela National Forest

This three day backpacking trip began at the Middle Fork, Little Fork, and County Line Trailheads at the end of Public Road 108 by the Williams River primitive campsites on the West side of the Crannberry Wilderness.
I started on the Middle Fork to Big Beechy, back to Middle Fork, to Laurely Branch to Little Fork and back to my truck, which made for a 26 mile loop.
Some of the gear I used included a Nashville 30L pack, a Zpacks Duplex tent, Nemo Tensor pad, Enlightened Equipment quilt, Fizan Compact 3 trekking poles, Platapus Quickdraw water filter, Helinox Chair Zero, and I wore Altra Olympus 4 shoes with Dirty Girl Gators and Darn Tough socks. I filmed with a Canon G7X Mark 3 and edited with Cyberlink Power Director 365.
0:00-0:58 Intro
0:58-3:47 My pack, gear and route for this trip
3:47-7:49 Finding a campsite and starting a fire
7:49-9:31 Enjoying a campfire and cooking dinner
9:31-15:56 Day 2- breakfast and bad dreams
15:56-23:55 Big Beachy Trail - INCREDIBLE!
23:55-30:06 Lunch, Middle Fork Tail and new plan
30:06-38:27 Middle Fork Trail and numerous campsites
38:27-42:59 Day 2 campsite, fire and dinner
42:59-45:37 Day 3 breakfast around campfire and plan
45:37-47:37 Laurely Branch and North/South Trail
47:37-50:51 Little Fork Trail
50:51-55:19 Closing comments and recommendations

[@kellyohara806]

Jason, my husband and I very much enjoyed this video. We're sure you very much needed a backpacking trip where you could just enjoy where you were without the urgency of competition.

[@jasonwish-]

Thank you so much for watching and glad to hear you guys enjoyed it! That is a great way to put it, a trip to enjoy without the urgency of competition…you nailed it!

[@juliacook8059]

Really loved this Jason! What a beautiful peaceful place. So inviting. Thanks for sharing all of your adventures. I love it that you talk us through it... so enjoyable.

[@jasonwish-]

Thank you Julia, I really appreciate the feedback I get from those watching my videos, it helps me stay motivated to continue filming my outdoor adventures! Glad you found it enjoyable!

[@CampingwithSamBananas]

Appreciate everything you do. Very honest show of what backpacking is like. Thanks Jason!

[@jasonwish-]

Thank you! I do my best to take those watching along for the journey, appreciate the kind words!

[@redshepherdoutdoors7201]

I love those places with the pines or hemlocks and moss covered rocks. So beautiful. I too have those kind of sleep paralysis dreams. I hate em. Had one like that once up on Hansen’s Point. That dang bear stuck his big ole head right in through the vestibule into my tent and I couldn’t do anything even though I was trying like crazy! Enjoyed the video. This looks like a great area.

[@jasonwish-]

Backpacking amongst the pines is my favorite! That was only the second time I've ever had a dream like that, but both times is was bear related...so weird because I never think about bears. The first time was on the Palmetto Trail back in 2022. You know, I can't believe I've never camped out on Hanson's Point before, I've visited numerous times but always just passing through or on a day hike. Thanks!

[@user-dp3ir5nb8h]

That wasnt a dream, it was a nightmare lol. Im glad you talked about bringing a gun and not being afraid of people trying to make you feel like crap. I always carry, just a piece of mind. About 5 years ago by where you live a lady was mauled to death by two pitbulls i believe while hiking. I had a bad experience with dogs long time ago in the woods and its probably my number reason for carrying. You are a badass, keep it up.

[@jasonwish-]

lol, nightmare for sure! Yeah, when I’m solo backpacking out the middle of nowhere I usually carry. I actually was shopping for a nine mil last night to add to the arsenal!

[@JasonDenison77]

Dude. I appreciate the commentary the first night of the bears attacking you in your tent. I’ve had similar dreams of such a situation a few times. The more I hike solo and camp alone the less that happens thankfully, but definitely appreciate your candidness about it! Hike on brother. 💪🏻

[@jasonwish-]

I have no idea why i had a weird/scary dream like that....I've backpacked solo for thousands of miles with hunderds of nights alone, and I'm not really ever worried about bear, lol. Definitely a dream I'll never forget! Thanks for watching and commenting, I appreciate it!

[@joelcarminati7822]

Great video Jason. It’s good when the weather is nice.😀

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks Joel, i’ve had several more trips like this one that are currently in the editing process and more trips coming soon! Weather certainly plays a role in how enjoyable the trip is but as long as it’s not FKT it’s normally still really fun 😁

[@joelcarminati7822]

😂

[@JourneyontheTrail]

Great trip video Jason! Nice to see a positive take on one of my favorite backpacking and fishing spots in WV. Appreciate all the work you put in…definitely adds the mileage to get those shots.

[@jasonwish-]

I will definitely be back to see other areas there, it actually kind of bothers me when I go to a place and can’t experience the whole area, lol. I wish I could get into enjoying fishing again, I think I just burnt myself out on it when I was a kid, but I’m sure the desire will come back as I continue to age and slow down. It was definitely nice for a change to be able to slow down and put a little more thought and creativity into this video, it was so much fun, thanks for watching AJ!

[@JourneyontheTrail]

@@jasonwish- I’d like to do more fishing while backpacking…but I rarely get to my site early enough to do it lol.

[@JoshEbersole]

I bet that place is wonderful in the spring and summer.

[@jasonwish-]

Yeah, I bet it’s absolutely gorgeous, and very busy on the weekends!

[@Maxspeed1998]

Great video Jason, will need to put this trail on my radar.

[@jasonwish-]

Hope to make it back there again next fall for some more exploring, thanks Tom!

[@DMSAdventures]

You didn't say, "I'm wishing you a great time on your next adventure"!!! So many beautiful spots! Too much to comment on. I think that moss area and the campsite with the two waterfalls would have been my favorite! I'd end up just standing there too long soaking it in... which is why i probably would have chosen that campsite. Would have been fun to go explore those waterfalls if you could get over there! Great information as always!!

[@jasonwish-]

hahaha! I quit saying that for most of the vids and just saying " see you again real soon on the next adventure" but i did do about four takes on the outro and one of them was the good ol "wishing you a great time on your next adventure" 😂 Man you talk about solitude! Wow! it was the quiestest place I've ever been! Yeah, I should have stayed at that waterfall campsite, I don't know what i was thinking!! Thanks Mark!

[@robertuffman3041]

most of my young life was spent on US RT 50. Grafton, wv. i have added this to my Gia app. this looks like a great hike. ty

[@jasonwish-]

We visited Audra State Park last fall just a half hour South of Grafton...beautiful area. Hope you get a chance to check out Cranberry!

[@robertuffman3041]

@@jasonwish- we are going to camp in Audra in May. it has been some years since we have seen the Memorial Day parade so we are going to visit my family in Parson/Elkins and watch the Parade.

[@cwdefouw]

Thanks for posting this! I am just in the initial phases of planning a backpack trip in the “Cranberry” and this was very helpful.

[@jasonwish-]

Great! Glad to be of help, enjoy!

[@JayHill615]

Great video. Very well put together. Man. That campsite before coming off of Big Beechy was beautiful. Sucks about the KUIU. 30lbs in the cutaway. Haha

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks Jay! Maybe I mispoke about the weight but I only had about 20-23 lbs in it but that was still maxing it out for sure...I think that pack would be best under 18 lbs. Still like my Lite AF Curve 35 the best. If I go back again someday I hope I can find some great campsites like I saw this time!

[@captxcountry9835]

Another great vid! I always bring a small bottle of Tabasco (learned that back in the Marines) just in case the food is bland or sub-par :)

[@jasonwish-]

That’s a great idea, an easy way to spice things up! thanks!

[@WVWes]

Nice! WV!

[@jasonwish-]

Beautiful in WV!

[@zakkmiller8242]

Love your videos Jason! I went on my first 2 backpack trips last summer and it rained on me both nights lmao. Ill be using your videos to plan my trips this season! Im over here in western KY so im not too far away from alot of the places you hike.

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks so much Zakk! Glad my videos have been helpful and hopefully you’ll have better weather on your next trip! Sounds like you must be fairly close to the PMT and Breaks Interstate Park?

[@TheBane1979]

A lot of people talk about not needing a firearm, and spray working just fine. In a case like you dreamt about spray obviously wouldn't help at all. This is one of my fav areas. I keep trying to do it in the middle of winter (because its always green) and I keep getting caught in serious snow conditions. I'm gonna plan to go again this year when its warm

[@jasonwish-]

The green up on big Beechy was just incredible!! And I bet it is something to behold after a snow! I’ve never carried bear spray and won’t unless I go out west to grizzly territory. I’m all for carrying a firearm but I don’t particularly like having one extra item to carry but definitely feel safer when solo. Thanks!

[@TheBane1979]

@@jasonwish- yea, I drug spray with me on Colorado. I did the north/south trail & looped back with the north fork trail. Other than that it’s just been goofing off a few miles in the snow. I’m gonna head back this year and try the loop you planned

[@WayOffTheTrail]

Great video. I think you were confusing the North-South Trail with FS76, which is where all the shelters are. I've been on many of those trails. The North-South Trail is probably the least used, with few established campsites, but still beautiful. The West trail head is right at the Cranberry campground, which is where I usually start. Heading back there in April, I hope!

[@jasonwish-]

Yeah, I thought maybe I was getting that wrong, thanks for clarifying. Lovely area and hope to get back to see the rest soon. Thanks!

[@teresap.5991]

If u ever get a chance, check out Cooper's rocks state pk in WV very close to Pa border. You will love it. Drive up into the park past the camping area and keep going till you get to the huge parking lot. Park and Follow the path behind the pavilion to get to the huge boulders lookout. Ppl get married out on the humongous boulders. You can see 3 states from the lookout. It's breathtaking in autumn 🍁 9 GREAT VIDEO!!! 💯

[@jasonwish-]

Sounds really great, we will definitely check it out sometime, thanks!

[@fernwogteveril6935]

Jason still backpacks? jkjk love u I recently did a trip to Spruce Knob area... WV and the Mon are beautiful.

[@jasonwish-]

hahaha! Of course....finally back to doing what I love! Spruce knob is on my list!

[@jacobpoucher]

Theres already enough people here i wish less people knew about this place.

[@rosesmith6208]

yea becoming popular can be a dead strike for the area land, animals, and people who are trying to enjoy some solitude and nature. many abuse it and leave trash and noisy, and damage flora, in a park not to far from me they fenced off a whole area because people were going off trail trampling rare and endangered plants.

[@jasonwish-]

That may be true during busy summer and fall weekends but when I was there it was the quietest place I've ever experience in my life...not even an animal or bird! At least it doesn't even compare to RRG, I won't even go there anymore unless its an off season weekday.

[@jacobpoucher]

@jasonwish- i stopped backpacking on weekends years ago. If I'm home on the weekends I just stay home. There's to many people in this country lately. I travel alot.

[@jasonwish-]

@@jacobpoucher yes, fortunately because of farming I can't backpack on weekends or RV camp...you can't even fiind a campsite on weekends at most campgrounds...yes far too many people!

[@Solos420]

had a similer dream before at red river when i was camping in a hamock come to find out that a mama and her cubs walked throught our campsite that same night due to the people on down from our site threw out a bunch of food over the hill next to us because they cooked to much

[@jasonwish-]

people can be so clueless and irresponsible....glad they didn't bother you!

[@johnnyjet3384]

Who is tending my tomatoes?

[@jasonwish-]

lol, fortunately during mid Nov the farm is 100% shut down! But they are growing strong now! Filming the entire growing season on my other channel kzbin.info/door/Nsr5ybNko6KTu4NYYZ7k7A

[@cgriggsiv]

Don't you just love sleep paralysis

[@jasonwish-]

It was terrible, glad it didn't last too long!