Loading map...

2019 Map of Upper Tract

Name: 2019 Topographic Map of Upper Tract
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2019
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2019

About this map

The South Branch Potomac River carves a deep path through the heart of the Monongahela National Forest, defining the settlement patterns of this Pendleton County region. The community of Upper Tract serves as a primary hub along US Rte 220, where the Upper Tract Bridge spans the river near several distinct natural springs, including Hermit Island Spring and Eagle Rock Spring. The topography is dominated by parallel ridges and dramatic gaps, most notably the iconic Seneca Rocks and Roy Gap to the west.

Water and terrain dictate the local landscape, from the steep slopes of North Fork Mtn and Cave Mtn to the narrow valleys of Mill Run and Deer Run. Family-named landmarks such as Waggy Farm Spring and Wards Run Spring suggest a long history of agricultural reliance on the area's numerous aquifers. This survey also documents the entrance to the Smoke Hole canyon, a notable geological feature where the river enters a more restricted and limestone-rich environment.