Mountain Biking
Tea Creek Wilderness Area
Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia
Mud, muck and mayhem, if that doesn't say mountain biking, I don't know what does.
by Christopher Burk, Outdoor Travels
The Tea Creek Wilderness area is located just northeast of the Cranberry Wilderness just off the Scenic Highway (WV-150) along the Williams River.
There are three main starting points when riding the Tea Creek area. Trailheads for Bannock Shoals, Tea Creek Mountain, Tea Creek, and Williams River trails are located at the campground. Tea Creek Mountain and Gauley Mountain trailheads can also be found across from the scenic overlook east on WV-150. Or you can start you ride from the top of USFS-24 just south of the Elk River Touring Center along Highway 219.
The terrain is typical of the Allegheny Plateau. The mountains are dissected by deep, narrow valleys and elevations range form 2,400 to 4,600 feet. The primary forest cover is mixed Appalachian hardwoods. Pure red spruce stands are common at the highest elevations. Wildlife include black bear, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, grouse, snowshoe hare, cottontail rabbit, mink, bobcat, fox and a wide variety of birds, snakes and amphibians. The naturally acidic water conditions limit fish variety but native brook trout are the most common and the streams are not stocked.
No matter what trail or loop you ride, Tea Creek will definitely test your abilities. Obviously the forest roads make for some easy riding and Gauley Mountain trail is fairly tame for Tea Creek standards. But unless you plan on riding out and back, be ready for some serious challenges. No where is that more evident than on Tea Creek Mountain trail. If you're lucky to survive the climb up and able to navigate the bed of rocks that pass for the trail, you're in for a non-stop downhill adventure that will leave all but the best slightly shaken at the bottom.
The best rule of thumb when planning a ride in Tea Creek is to stick to the edges. As the trails come closer to Tea Creek, they become more difficult to ride. There is actually one section of the Red Run Loop that is literally made up of steps cut into the side of a hill. With enough guts you may be able to ride down it but forget about trying to ride up.
Trail Snapshot
Trail(s): 12 trails and several forest roads can be combined to create a variety of loops ranging from a few miles to almost 15.
Difficulty: Advanced to expert.
Outdoor Travels Rating: 3.5 out of 5 bikes
Trails Reviewed
Nuts & Bolts
Location: Tea Creek is part of the Cranberry Wilderness Area. Located on Forest Road 86 via the Highland Scenic Highway (State Route 150), 1 mile north of the Williams River Bridge turnoff.
Directions: Two state highways that combine to form the Highland Scenic Parkway provide the major vehicle access to the area. WV-150 runs N-S along the eastern edge of the Cranberry Wilderness and WV-39/55 runs E-W along the area's southern boundary. The Cranberry Visitors Center is located at the junction of WV-55/39 and WV-150. From the Washington area, take I-66 west to I-81 south to I-64 west. At Lewisburg, West Virginia take WV Route 219 north. Around Seebert, West Virginia, take 39/55 west to the Cranberry Visitor Center.
Facilities: The Tea Creek campground sites have parking spurs, picnic tables, fire rings with a grill, waste receptacles and a lantern hookups. Several campsites also have a tent pad, although all sites are suitable for tent or trailer camping. Camping fees are $6 per night. Sites are on a first come, first serve basis. Maximum length of stay is 14 days.
Activities: Hiking, biking, hunting and fishing (and trapping) are permitted, subject to West Virginia State Hunting and Fishing Regulations. However, the area is totally within the Black Bear Sanctuary, which is closed to all bear hunting by regulations of the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources.
Contact: Marlinton Ranger District, PO Box 210, Marlinton WV 24954
Phone: (304) 799-4334 or the Gauley Ranger District, HC 80, Box 117, Richwood, WV 26261 Phone: 304-846-2695 Website
Maps & Stuff
Lots of great photos to give you a good idea of what riding here is like!
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