Mountain Biking
Two Lick Trail
Monongahela NF, West Virginia
What Goes Up Must Come Down!
6/15/03 - by Jeff Cobb, Outdoor Travels
The Two Lick Trail is one of five hiking/biking trails within a 20 mile radius of the Pocahontas Campground. Others include Middle Mountain Trail, Laurel Creek Trail, Allegheny Trail, and two loops within the Lake Sherwood Recreation Area. The Two Lick Trail is a nice 4.6 mile trail suitable for a day-hike or short biking loop. The picnic area offers picnic tables, an information sign describing the Two Lick Trail and other nearby trails, and a water source. Mountain biking is allowed on all hiking trails, as well as all forest roads.
The Monongahela National Forest has many opportunities to explore its backcountry on over 800 miles of hiking trails. The forest contains much of the rugged terrain of the Appalachians that gives West Virginia its nickname, "The Mountain State." This national forest is located within a day's drive of much of the east coast, but remains secluded and quiet, with ample opportunities for the visitor to escape crowds. Country roads are often gravel and encourage slow driving. Restaurants, motels and other services are found in the many scattered small communities throughout the forest.
The Two Lick Trail offers a nice diversion from my usual local biking spot in the Greenbrier State Forest. I first learned about this trail during our group's Slaty Fork adventure in May 2003. I was pysched to learn that several nice loops were located along the Rt. 92 corridor because of it's proximity to my house it's only a quick 45 minute jaunt from my house, or an hour if I leave from work.
Two Lick Trail offers your typical West Virginia hardwood scenery, mixed in with pine, a couple of bridges, a photogenic little creek meandering its way through the trailhead area, and a very nice trail which is marked with blue diamonds. It's fairly well maintained, and no roots. Very few rocks either, except for a brief 50 yard section near the summit, but lots of logs and limbs laying about to make it interesting.
I've ridden the trail several times now, in both directions. Let's just say there is no easy way to tackle this trail. No matter if you attack it clockwise or counter-clockwise, you're going to face a long, strenuous climb. Riding both directions, I had to bail out and push the bike for a few brief sections. Once I just ran out of steam, and the other time a log stopped my momentum on an uphill so I had to push. It's definitely a lung-buster.
The payoff, of course, is the heart-pounding downhill complete with sharp switchbacks, logs, and narrow single track with leaves and brush close by on either side. There is no precipitous drop off on the side, so this trail is not as hairy as most West Virginia mountain or ridge trails. There is one brief section where the trail parallels an old logging road, and for about 100 yards, you're actually on the logging road. But the rest is pure, West Virginia single track.
The scenery is generally pretty aside from an unexpected clear cut near the summit. It's scars an otherwise scenic area. The trees are making a comeback, but the logs litter the ground and it's it has a generally blotched appearance with only scattered trees and an area that's open to the sun. Because it's a mountain trail, it's a little drier than most of the neighboring trails, and much drier than Cranberry and the Slaty Fork area. Even after a recent rainstorm, I was able to ride without only minimal splatter and muck.
A big bonus to this trail is that there are a total of five trails along the Rt. 92 corridor: Two Lick Trail, Laurel Creek Trail, Middle Mountain Trail, the Allegheny Trail, and two loops in the Lake Sherwood Recreation Area. All these trails are within an hour's drive of each other. If you are planning a trip, you could conceivably camp at Pocahontas Campground or Lake Sherwood, and use that as a base to explore these trails. You could probably hit them all within a long three-day weekend.
Trail Snapshot
Trail(s):Two Lick Trail. Loop approximately 5 miles in length. Mostly technical single track, hard packed soil with many logs and switchbacks. Noticeably absent are the roots and rocks that characterize most of this region's trails.
Difficulty: This is an intermediate ride. The elevation changes are dramatic no matter which direction you ride (clockwise or counter-clockwise). Expect a strenuous climb followed by a heart-pounding descent.
Outdoor Travels Rating: 3 out of 5 bikes
Thumbs Up
-Only 45 minutes from my home.
-Trail is mostly clear of rocks and roots.
-Mostly deserted; two rides and counting and I've yet to see another human being.
-Nice creek runs through the trailhead area, and a water source is next to the parking area.
-Drier than most of the other area trails.
Thumbs Down
-Relatively short ride.
-The climb can be a real lung buster for the uninitiated.
-Clear cut area at the top of the mountain scars an otherwise scenic ride.
Nuts & Bolts
Location: Near Neola and Minnehaha Springs, West Virginia
Trails: Two Lick Trail is located in the Pocahontas Campground. The trail is a five-mile loop which can ridden in either direction. Fairly technical single track through hardwood forests. Trail briefly runs along old timber road. Elevation changes are dramatic.
Directions: The Pocahontas Campground is located on Highway 92, approximately 14 miles south of Marlinton, WV. From Marlinton take US Route 39 south east for 12 miles. Turn right (south) on State Route 92. Proceed two miles to Pocahontas Campground. From White Sulphur Springs take State Route 92 north for 20 miles to Pocahontas Campground.
Activities: Camping, Biking, Hiking, and Picnicking.
Camping: The campground provides a nice rest stop for an overnight stay, or for a longer outing. Open mid-March to mid-December, 9 rustic campsites features a parking spur, picnic table, fire ring with a grill and a lantern hookup. Waste receptacles are provided. Several campsites also have a tent pad, although all sites are suitable for tent or trailer camping. Vault (pit) toilets and a hand pump well are located in the campground. There are no hook-ups available. Camping fees are $6 per night. Sites are on a first come, first served basis. Maximum length of stay is 14 days.
Contact: Marlinton Ranger District, PO Box 210, Marlinton WV 24954
Maps & Stuff
Trail Map
Navigable Driving Map
Trail photos
Lots of great photos to give you a good idea of what riding here is like!
