Ice Mountain History & Features
Ice Mountain is an approximately 400-acre site near Slanesville, WV, in Hampshire County. It is an important flora and fauna and old growth area. Nationally rare plant and animal habitats were permanently protected by a joint investment by the non-profit Ice Mountain Association members and the Nature Conservancy. The area is also famous for its ice caves, which make possible the growth of the unique flora. Cool air that flows from nearly 60 vents resulted in a micro climate that supports boreal plants normally found in northern climes. This creates, according to scientific authorities, a Pleistocene Refugium--which is essentially an intact example of plant species from the Pleistocene era over 10,000 years ago. Detailed information can be found at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_Mountain
On Friday, May 18, 2012, the U.S. Department of Interior named Ice Mountain a National Natural Landmark. https://web.ornl.gov/info/news/pulse/no387/feature.shtml
During the 1800s local farmers and Civil War soldiers reportedly stored milk in the Ice Caves. The property later became a vacation destination which advertised itself as "Nature's Refrigerator", with chink-log cabins, picnic sites, hiking and camp facilities.
Today, approximately 230 acres consist of roughly 5-acre lots owned by members of the Ice Mountain Association. Almost all the lots border the North River. There is also a meadow which serves as a common area. Finally, the Nature Conservancy holds the deed to 160-acres, which comprise the The Ice Mountain Nature Preserve. The deeds for all the above-mentioned properties conveyed rights to a perpetual easement for which Association property owners may access The Ice Mountain Nature Preserve and all trails, including those to the Ice Caves along the river and to Raven Rocks at the mountaintop. It is important to stay on the trails as to avoid disturbing any sensitive flora or fauna. Such trail access is most easily accomplished using the first of two swinging bridges that exist on the Association property. The Association was created in 1989 among property owners. Previously, a developer named John Cannon, operated Riverbirch Incoporated, which obtained the 400-acres and developed the site into its present form.
Click on the "Library" tab to read more about Ice Mountain and the Ice Mountain Association.
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On Friday, May 18, 2012, the U.S. Department of Interior named Ice Mountain a National Natural Landmark. https://web.ornl.gov/info/news/pulse/no387/feature.shtml
During the 1800s local farmers and Civil War soldiers reportedly stored milk in the Ice Caves. The property later became a vacation destination which advertised itself as "Nature's Refrigerator", with chink-log cabins, picnic sites, hiking and camp facilities.
Today, approximately 230 acres consist of roughly 5-acre lots owned by members of the Ice Mountain Association. Almost all the lots border the North River. There is also a meadow which serves as a common area. Finally, the Nature Conservancy holds the deed to 160-acres, which comprise the The Ice Mountain Nature Preserve. The deeds for all the above-mentioned properties conveyed rights to a perpetual easement for which Association property owners may access The Ice Mountain Nature Preserve and all trails, including those to the Ice Caves along the river and to Raven Rocks at the mountaintop. It is important to stay on the trails as to avoid disturbing any sensitive flora or fauna. Such trail access is most easily accomplished using the first of two swinging bridges that exist on the Association property. The Association was created in 1989 among property owners. Previously, a developer named John Cannon, operated Riverbirch Incoporated, which obtained the 400-acres and developed the site into its present form.
Click on the "Library" tab to read more about Ice Mountain and the Ice Mountain Association.
-jms-