By dan117 in August, 2011
I have to disagree with some of the information posted about this trail. I have ridden this trail regularly over the past few years. I will agree that only a small portion of it was originally a rail bed then it splits away. However, the terrain is not particularly difficult for a bike. The only moderate grade is where the trail splits from the rail bed. Out of 5 stars of terrain I'd give it a 2. There does tend to be some muddy areas although the land slip was fixed in 2010 and is completely ridable (sp?). The only drawback is that they laid large rock where the slip was which makes riding a little rough.
They have posted signs at either end stating that you are riding at your own risk. They were posted while the airport was actively extending the runway and the slip occurred. I have not seen any additional activity in 2010 or 2011 but the signs are still there. So, in summary, this is more difficult than a traditional rails-to-trail, but it is pretty easy relative to other bike trails.
By Elkhound in February, 2007
"This trail is far too steep for wheelchair access, unless the person had a very strong attendant; parts of it are too steep for all but the strongest cyclist. At one point runoff from the airport created so much mud I had to pick up my bike and walk with it. How someone in a wheelchair would have managed it I don't know. Most of the length is too far from the river for fishing, and it seldom, if ever, snows enough here for cross-country skiing.
It isn't really a rail-trail; there is an abandoned rail line that runs more-or-less paralell, much closer to the river, which would make an excellent railtrail, and I believe that there is a movement to create one.
As it is, I'd only recommend this to hikers and very experienced mountain bikers."
By Bruce Alan Wilson in February, 2007
"Although it is a good backdoor into Coonskin Park from Charleston, it:
1. Is not a RailTrail. There is an abandoned rail line that follows the Elk River, cuts through Coonskin Park, and then goes on to Clendenin and beyond, but it has not (yet?) been turned into a trail.
2. Portions of it are too steep for all but very strong cyclists. It is NOT wheelchair friendly at all.
3. Construction from the adjacent airport has damaged portions of the trail. For example, runoff at one place created a mudhole that made it impassible by bicyle; I had to pick up my bike and wade across. What someone in a wheelchair, or a cyclist with less upper-body strength than I would do, I don't know, besides turn around and go back.
I have heard that the airport people are going to fix the trail, but I'm not holding my breath.
(There is talk of turning a portion of the abandoned rail line into a trail. I hope it goes through.)"