Tomlinson Run State Park is located in Hancock County in the
northern panhandle of West Virginia. Consisting of 1,401 acres, the
park facilities include a swimming pool with a 182 foot figure
eight-shaped water slide, 100-acre picnic area, 4 bass fishing
ponds, a 29-acre lake with rental row and paddleboats, miniature
golf course, basketball and volleyball courts, 54-site campground,
and several hiking trails.
The Poe Trail is one of these. It is named for Andrew Poe, early
settler and legendary combatant with Big Foot, the Wyandot chief.
For the definitive history of this epic struggle, you might want to
try pafarmboy’s cache, THE POES BATTLE BIGFOOT, :
GCXZVF
After picking up a trail map at the Park Headquarters, park in
the fish ponds parking lot. Marked with white blazes, the Poe Trail
begins just north of the lot. The first stage is a micro located on
a spur of this trail. Although it does not show on the map, this
well- worn path is unmistakable. You will not have to leave the
trail to find the first stage. With the coordinates for the final
in hand, continue on this trail until it rejoins the main trail.
Remain on the trail until the last 50 - 60 feet. The final is a .30
caliber ammo box.
You have several options for returning to your car after
completing the cache. The shortest hike is by returning the way you
came. If you would like a slightly longer hike, continue on the Poe
Trail until you come to a three-way intersection. This intersection
is marked by a signpost reading “No Horses Permitted in
Campground”. The reverse of the signpost points to the Half-King
Trail. The wide grassy path on your left loops back to the parking
area by cutting between the 3rd and 4th fishing ponds. Taking the
middle fork will take you to the Andrew Poe General Store. At this
point you may either take the campground road back to the parking
area, or complete the entire length of the Poe Trail by crossing
the road and locating the trailhead by the Wyandot Campground sign.
Following this trail brings you to the main park road near the
miniature golf area.