Hurry To
Rustic
Cheat Mountain Club
People often tell me that
getting there is half the fun. In most instances, I would have to agree.
However, I knew upon
arriving at Cheat Mountain Club that I took way too long to get here. This
place is relaxing; plain and simple.
Set along the pristine
waters of the Shavers Fork—a trout stream in every sense of the
word—the three story lodge is constructed of hand-hewn giant red spruce
timbers carved from the rugged wilderness in 1887. Cheat was built as a
private club for wealthy railroad and lumber executives for the specific
purpose of offering a place to fish and hunt.
The scenic 183 acre
property is gently cradled in a small valley at about 4,000 feet,
surrounded by the nearly million acre Monongahela National Forest. Nearby
attractions include Gaudineer Knob, which has one the only remaining
stands of virgin timber in the state; Fort Milroy, a historic Civil War
Battle Site; Snowshoe Resort and Cass Scenic Railroad.
Guests come here to relax
by the huge stone fireplace, lounge in the rustic 1940s Cushman Maple
furniture, and to enjoy the outdoors. The outdoor recreational
opportunities at Cheat Mountain Club are endless. Every day of the year
there’s a variety of activities to participate in, including fly fishing
(practically a religion here), mountain biking, cross country skiing,
snowshoeing, hiking, horseback riding, skeet shooting, and yard games.
Miles of maintained trails exist on CMC’s property and in the
surrounding National Forest. Guide service and instruction can be arranged
for all activities. In addition, the lodge maintains a limited amount of
recreational equipment such as mountain bikes, fly rods, canoes, cross
country skis and snowshoes, all of which are free for guest use during
their stay.
The Lodge’s Great Room
provides a rustic, restful atmosphere for visiting, reading a good book or
simply relaxing.
The Lodge sleeps 23 people
comfortably. The Spruce Room is spaciously furnished with a king size bed
and a private bath. There are 8 additional rooms in which 3 queen size and
9 twin size beds are housed. The third floor dormitory room has one king
size and 4 twin size beds. Separate men’s and women’s bathrooms in
gracious country club style are located on the second floor and are shared
by all guests.
Meals are served three
times a day. Specialties include homemade breads and cookies plus hearty
soups and dinners from the grill. CMC also has a lighter, healthier side
to its menu to appease all of the guests’ tastes.
Interestingly, in 1918,
four gentlemen who were on a camping excursion through the Appalachians
stayed at Cheat Mountain Club. According to an entry Thomas Edison made in
the guest register, he and his friends, Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone, and
naturalist John Borroughs found the club to be “a beautiful spot.” I
couldn’t agree more.
Cheat Mountain Club is
located in Randolph County, WV 15 minutes West of Durbin on U.S. 250.
