FSR 72 Long Run Road

Open and empty. No major holes however they’re multiple “speed bumps” along the way

Had a great run through Ling Run Road. Open in 3 July, great condition.

Closed gate at the bottom. Talked to a contractor for the power line and they have it closed to reclaim the roads they used to rebuild the power line at the top of the mountain. Unsure of when it will reopen. He also said that it is closed at the beginning of Vepco road on the Little Dry River side, so it’s inaccessible from Vepco road as well.

Got the the T intersection and it started raining buckets. Turned into a really run ride with some muddy ruts to go through. Great, easy ride!

Very icy, take it slow around corners and you will be fine with 4x4. Only saw 2 other vehicles the whole time.

Headed up the mountain about 4 pm, snow and ice along the trail, definitely want to take it slow, very doable solo but recommend bringing a buddy to follow or lead.

Very easy trail with a few shallow water crossings. One or two of the water crossings start with a steep descent and end with a steep ascent so a higher clearance vehicle will help to avoid rubbing/scraping. if you enter from the Virginia side you will likely exit in West Virginia with little to no cell service so make sure to download maps from the trail exit.

I ran the entire length of this trail and it was open. There is a gate where it intersects with vepco rd. I called the forest service before I came up and they said this road should be open. This trail goes through a large section of private property which is owned by a hunt club. There is a right of way through this property and as long as you stay on the trail you are perfectly fine. I highly suspect that people from the hunt club sometimes close (but not lock) the gate to discourage others from coming up there. My advice is before coming, call the forest service to confirm that this trail should be open. If you see a gate, check whether it is actually locked or not. If the forest service intends for the road to be closed, they will properly secure it. The western section past vepco rd is a nice level 2 trail with elevation changes, ruts, rocks, mud puddles, etc. but nothing difficult. There are a few campsites especially towards the northern end. I passed a few hunters, and surprisingly a couple cyclists.

Gate is closed on Hopkins Gap rd end.