Last month, we visited Stauffer’s Marsh Nature Preserve in West Virginia, which led me to see that there were four preserves in the Eastern Panhandle, overseen by the Potomac Valley Audubon Society. The Yankauer Nature Preserve sits about 6 miles out of Shepherdstown, WV. It is in Berkeley County, but it is closer to Shepherdstown than Martinsburg.
It’s easy to find with Google Maps, and there are “wildlife viewing” signs at every turn. The roads there are in excellent condition, though Whitings Neck Road doesn’t have a painted center line, so pay attention.
Parking is ample and free. The preserve is animal-free, though it was not signed at the trailhead at this sign; on the website, it is. We did encounter one couple with a dog. They may not have known due to that. There is a second trailhead kiosk, but it is in the woods and easy to ignore.
If going in spring or summer, keep a close eye out for poison ivy. I didn’t see any this late in the year.
Unlike the previous preserve we visited, the Yaunkaker one is real trails, in the forest. There are four trails to choose from, and all of them are loops, or can be made into big loops. At the entrance is the shortest trail, the Cedar Loop, a good choice for those with far less time or little legs for kids. Cedar Loop is .2 miles long.
We chose Kingfisher Loop. It is the longest loop, at 1.1 miles, but it is also a pure loop, not interconnecting along multiple trails. And it offers views above the Potomac River midway.
The preserve is used for education with children, so near the start, find benches, a tee pee made of logs, and an outdoor pavilion.
The trail heads off into the deciduous tree forest. It is fall and the leaves are starting to drop.
There is an emerging cedar forest, but as Kirk showed me, the cedar here is much smaller than the PNW ones.
The forest reminded me of hiking near my old house on Whidbey Island, with the sections of open forest. The wind came through and kept us comfortable (it was warm yesterday and hit 76*).
As typical here, rock seams jutted up from the ground all over.
The trails here are very well marked and easy to follow. It has a mostly gentle up and down profile, no switchbacks. Just enough to get you feeling like this is a real hike, and not a gentle nature walk.
The views of the Potomac River are very pretty. There is a bench there. Kick back and just be. Sit and listen to the wind, as the leaves fall upon you.
Looking downriver towards Shepherdstown. The sound of the trains carries up the river.
As we headed along, we came to a patch of wildflowers above a steep ravine. White Snakefoot, a do-not-touch plant. Every part of it is toxic to humans and animals, and was the cause of “milk sickness” in colonial times. It passes through cow milk and meat to humans if they graze on it. Pretty to look at.
Karst is everywhere. Rock seams are so common here. This spot has a really cool sinkhole.
On the way back, we were looking down and noting what seeds had fallen from the trees. I picked a few up to check out.
Walnut.Att this stage they can look like Osage Orange (when that is rotting). If you step on the walnut, it doesn’t crush. Osage does. I cracked it open, and the nut meat was delicious inside.
Hicory Nuts,which are in the pecan family – and yes, do look like pecan meat when cracked. They were soft, though.
Acorn & lil’ hat. Did you know acorn tops make a cool whistle? The many talents of Kirk, I got a free concert.
The map is online as a PDF, and they had brochures at the trailhead.
There is plenty of trail to hike, and if one did all four trails, they would have a full day. Or a reason to visit once again.
~Sarah