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My brother and I rode this trail last week (July 14-15). Our trip included not only the Mon River Trail North and South but also the Caperton Trail, a little of the Sheepskin Trail, the MC Trail (Marion County Trail) and few miles of the Deckers Creek Trail. We broke it up in 2 days as we wanted to take enough time to enjoy Prickett’s Fort State Park. I would encourage anyone to visit it as it was enjoyable. The fort is a reconstruction of the original from 1774. It provided a place for settlers to seek refuge from Indian attacks. Also, the original farmhouse built in 1859 by Job Prickett along with the Bray Blacksmith Shop are nearby. The folks explaining about the history were very good. There is a museum with a nice video show and a gift shop.
Day 1 of our trip started at the Van Voorhis Road Trail Head (almost MM4). (Note: The trailhead has additional parking on the other side but be careful as the road is not in good shape). We were staying at a B&B right there so it made things very convenient. Both days were in the 90’s however, we were riding in enough shade. We started south. The Monongahela River was next to us. Within in a few miles or so, the trail becomes the Caperton Trail (MM6). The trail transitions from crushed limestone to a paved surface. There are plackets located around explaining some history about Morgantown and Star City. These are always nice to read. You can see the monorail transit system for West Virginia University (WVU). Also, right off the trail there was an entrance to the Seneca Center where we found history of the old Seneca Glass Company. The center has local shops and restaurants and a bike shop. A branch for the Deckers Creek Trail will be next (MM10) and we rode a few miles of it. The elevation change is a bit steep but we did not encounter that in those few miles. We proceeded back south on the Caperton Trail for a mile or so at which it becomes the Mon River South Trail (MM11+) and crushed limestone again. The next 6 miles the Monongahela River is on one side and some rock formations with small water falls are on the other side. We saw a dam near Hildebrand (1 of 3 for the 2 days) and one train whistle stop stone marker. Mostly shady and at times felt pockets of cooler air coming through which made it better. Around MM17 we decided to stop and return back. Once we were at our starting point, we rode the Mon River Trail North to Point Marion to do a little of the Sheepskin Trail. A point of interest is the Fort Martin (Coal) Power Station which was something to see. (Note: No “Entering Pennsylvania or Entering West Virginia” signs – which we were hoping for). Rode around Point Marion for a bit and returned back to call it a day. 43+ miles.
Day 2, we drove to Prickett’s Fort State Park. The MC Trail (Marion County Trail) starts there and the trail is mainly in the shade and is paved. The enjoyable part is riding through the 1200-foot lighted Meredith Tunnel. The trail is around 3 miles. When we got back, we took time to enjoy Prickett’s Fort State Park. Afterwards, we started our trip riding north on the Mon Rail Trail South section (MM 29) to where we stopped the day before (MM 17). Crushed limestone and again the Monongahela River on one side and interesting rock formations with small water falls on the other. We stopped into The Junction Café (which is located in the state park) for something to eat after our bike ride. Day 2 was 31 plus miles.
Both days were fun with plenty to see especially with Prickett’s Fort State Park. The crushed limestone was small and very easy to ride. No big holes or gullies. We both have hybrids and we average between 8 to 10 MPH to just enjoy ourselves. Note: there were not many portable potties once you were off of the Caperton Trail. There was one at the Van Voorhis Road Trail Head.
About three miles east of Morgantown begins a steady 11-12 mile climb. Lots of shade, no facilities. Great ride but takes effort
I am happy to report that the Allegheny Highlands Trail is 100% open and in great shape. We departed Hendricks not fully knowing if the trail was open, closed or just in very rough shape. We were delighted to find out that the trail was not only open all the way but the smoothest part of the trail was where the bridge construction was. The repair to the trail is complete and there is a nice layer of crushed stone to take you through where the construction site was. From Hendricks to Hambleton, the trail is paved but has quite a few cracks and ridges. Nothing too bad and very passable. The rest of the ride from Hambleton to Elkins is a mix of pavement and crushed stone and the trail is excellent shape the whole way. There a few parts with high grass and vegetation that crowds the trail but again, nothing that hinders passage. The thing I loved most about this trail is the variety of towns and countryside. It is truly a ride through the back yard of Americana culture and a window to way people live in rural America. The town of Parsons had some great little restaurants and be sure to grab a cup off coffee at The Sunrise Coffee Company. Elkins was a great place to stay the night and offered great food and a free concert in the park with Top Shelf performing. Great band!
After finishing this trail I was surprised to see that it received a 2 star review. While this is not a well groomed urban trail nor a remote back country ride, this trail offers a pleasant ride through the back yard of America with wonderful little towns along the way and absolutely beautiful countryside. The wild flowers alone were a spectacular addition and the small towns offered us a place to grab some lunch along the way. The best part of all is that the trail exists for our enjoyment and is absolutely free to anyone who wishes to wander its path. That alone deserves more than 2 stars.
After riding from Elkins to Hendricks, we decided to extend our ride and take on the uphill ride to Thomas. We throughly enjoyed a rainy day ride through the canyon and on into the town of Thomas. The climb is constant but never that difficult. The trail, while rough at times was doable on a Trek FX3 with 40mm tires. However, I would recommend suspension for the downhill ride. Our hands were quite numb from the vibration of the rocky trail with no suspension on our bikes. Overall, the trail was a great addition to our ride that day and added a challenging 10.7 miles up and a very easy coast back to Hendricks. Great scenery along the way with waterfalls, deep canyon ravines, coke ovens and the wonderful town of Thomas. I think in order to fully appreciate this ride you need to start in Hendricks for the ride up the canyon to Thomas to fully deserve the very easy downhill ride back to Hendricks. After traveling from Elkins, we thoroughly enjoyed the remoteness of Blackwater Canyon and constant sounds of the river below. The trail is rocky but well maintained for the most part and high grass was not an issue at all. This trail has been on my list for years and was well worth the wait.
Great segments with bike shop in the middle right on the trail. A few porta potties on the route were nice.
Did all 72 miles from West to East, over 3 days. Some tunnels were dry and others so wet had to walk bikes. 4 miles of pavement but most is gravel, grass, mud or dried dirt. One downed tree we had to lift bikes over. Hybrid bike recommended. Few bathrooms of other riders.
A bit of a steady uphill out of Morgantown. Beautiful sights well maintained. Be careful crossing the roads.
The length, setting and scenery are hard to beat, could be the best trail in the state. However, trail surface badly needs work. We love nature and quiet on this trail, but found the ruts, large stones, branches and horse hoof damage on this trail hard to ignore. There were signs of attempts at repairs, but they weren’t done to pre-damage condition. By day’s end, our wrists, backs and backsides were complaining loudly. Very disappointing after a long drive to get there. Glad we did it, but won’t go out of our way to ride it again, unless we see reports of major improvements.
The length, setting and scenery are hard to beat, could be the best trail in the state. However, trail surface badly needs work. We love nature and quiet on this trail, but found the ruts, large stones, branches and horse hoof damage on this trail hard to ignore. There were signs of attempts at repairs, but they weren’t done to pre-damage condition. By day’s end, our wrists, backs and backsides were complaining loudly. Very disappointing after a long drive to get there. Glad we did it, but won’t go out of our way to ride it again, unless we see reports of major improvements.
When Connellsville to Point Marion is completed, the Sheepskin Trail should be fantastic, but for now the pieces are nice but short and incomplete - just a few miles each. Fayette County should pick up the pace and finish building this trail before we're all too old to bike them!
There are also pieces near Dunbar and Uniontown, but the pieces I biked most recently were around Point Marion. From the WV-PA border there is trail 1.5 miles north along the Monongahela River to Point Marion - this segment has existed in some form for decades, but I think it got a nice surface only in 2018. The newer sections (opened in 2022?) parallel Cheat River and Nilan Rd. There is a 1.2 mile long section starting at the north end of the Route 119 bridge over the Cheat River, continuing eastward. Then a gap of several hundred feet at the little community of Hope Hollow. Then if you go up a slope from Nilan Rd you can get onto another segment of trail, 1 mile long, that continues eastward toward the little community of Lake Lynn, stopping just before the coke ovens. The surface of these trails is crushed limestone. A new trail bridge is planned for construction by 2027 in Hope Hollow: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/penndot/projects-near-you/district-12-projects/sheepskin-trail-nilan-bridge
A really lovely ride. We started at Monongah and rode south. There is a section right before Shinnston that has slipped. The trail maintainers are doing a great job marking it. The section of trail closed to the north was open and we were able to ride the entire length as of mid-March
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