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2016 Map of Rucker Gap

Name: 2016 Topographic Map of Rucker Gap
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2016
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2016

About this map

Rucker Gap marks a significant crossing point in the Allegheny Mountains, straddling the high border country between West Virginia and Virginia. This rugged forest landscape is shared by the Monongahela National Forest and the George Washington National Forest, where steep ridges like Meadow Creek Mtn and Chestnut Knob define the drainage patterns. The topography is characterized by deep, narrow hollows and drafts, including Big Lick Draft and Rucker Hollow, which channel numerous mountain streams such as Hughes Cr and Big Lick Cr.

Tracing the highland divide reveals a remote area with limited development, anchored by the Watts Chapel Cem in the northwest. Local transportation relies on historic routes like Rucker Gap Rd and Ogle Creek Rd, which navigate the difficult terrain alongside long-distance paths including the Allegheny Mountain Trail #611. Near the northern edge, Lake Sherwood provides a rare concentrated water feature amidst the complex network of mountain runs and lick drafts.