The Trough
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The Trough is a natural landmark located in the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians of Hampshire and Hardy Counties in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle region. It is a narrow valley bounded by Mill Creek Mountain to its west and Sawmill Ridge (1,716 feet) to its east with the South Branch Potomac River flowing in between them. Both ridges are forested primarily with oaks, hickories and Virginia pine with several rock outcrops visible on both. These two wooded ridges of The Trough make it impenetrable from either side. The only modes of transportation possible into The Trough are by way of the South Branch Valley Railroad along the foot of Mill Creek Mountain and by canoe or boat. The Trough is famous as a habitat for endangered bald eagles, hence its Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad sightseeing train on the SBVR. Visitors can board the train at Wappocomo Station in Romney.
[edit] Course of The Trough
The Trough's opening is located at the southern slopes of Mill Creek Mountain and Sawmill Ridge at McNeill in Hardy County. Mill Creek Mountain on its western edge is made up of steep several ridges and knobs while Sawmill Ridge to its east is one long continuous sharp ridge. River Ridge (1,906 feet) is the first of Mill Creek Mountain's ridges to rise over the South Branch. For canoers, The Trough officially begins at the South Branch Valley Railroad's wooden trestle at Sycamore just after Stony Run empties into the river.
The Trough continues its northwestern track with several bends in the South Branch Potomac and large boulders dislocated from the ridges above dotting its shores. The Trough then passes into Hampshire County at High Knob (2,648 feet) on Mill Creek Mountain followed by a series of knobs separated by spring gaps. It is at the third spring gap where Wickham was once located at on the railroad. Following Wickham, Mill Creek Mountain's Long Knob (1,725 feet) spans the western side of The Trough while Sawmill Ridge remains to its east. Sawmill Ridge ends at The Trough's Mouth where Sawmill Run runs off of it and joins the river. Sector is located at the mouth's western edge with Glebe located to its east. The cement supports of the old bridge that once connected these two communities are still on visible on either sides of the river. For canoers, The Trough's end is at the Harmison's public access site after the old bridge behind The Trough General Store.
[edit] Canoeing The Trough
The Trough General Store in Glebe at The Trough's mouth offers canoe rentals and shuttles canoers and kayakers to The Trough's opening near McNeill in the South Branch Wildlife Management Area.
