[irishpitbull]

Im thinking oh heading there in june.

Can anyone provide a map of the epic trail?

Is there any other trails I should hit?

Snowshoe is on the list.



Thanks

 

[irishpitbull]

Bump for help

 

[swampboy62]

I waited to answer because I though surely someone would have a mtb route specifically mapped out.

But here's what I found when I was looking for maps when I was planning to ride there this last summer:

http://www.midatlantichikes.com/id146.html

There are a lot of other decent maps on this site as well.

Steve Z

EDIT: Almost forgot about this site - looks like good info:

Spruce Knob Lake Campground - Sinks Of Gandy Loop

 

[CraigCreekRider]

Spruce Knob Loop Mountain Bike Trail in Harman, West Virginia || SINGLETRACKS.COM

I recall Outdoornut speaking highly of those trails, but I have not been there.

 

[Andy FitzGibbon]

As you can see, it's easy to make loops, and there are lots of places to park on Gandy Creek Road (29) and FR112. The north-south trails (Seneca Creek, Allegheny Mountain, Lumberjack, Huckleberry) all follow ridges, so they have pretty gradual elevation change. The east-west trails connect the ridge trails. They are all pretty steep, and get steeper as you get farther north. It helps to look at a topo map when planning your route.
Huckleberry is probably the "epic" trail. It's pretty technical (rocky) and requires riding to the top of the mountain. Huckeberry-Judy Springs-Bear Hunter-Allegheny Mountain-Swallow Rock makes a nice loop. All of the trails up there are really nice, though in the summer some of them get pretty torn up by horse activity.

 

[irishpitbull]

Any what map is that and where can I get one?

 

[Andy FitzGibbon]

It's the "Seneca Creek Backcountry" map that the Forest Service publishes. I think they should have it at all of the ranger district stations. They will have it at the forest headquarters in Elkins for sure.
If you are coming in from the west, Elkins will be on your way. From the east, you'll pass fairly close to either the Cheat-Potomac or Greenbrier district stations (depends where you're coming from).
They probably have copies at the Spruce Knob campground as well, but I'm not entirely sure about that.

Here is a PDF of the current version:
http://www.wvhighlands.org/Maps/usfs_mnf/senecack.pdf

It's a folding map, and the opposite side has descriptions of all the trails.
Andy

 

[irishpitbull]

Andy your the man! Thanks!

 

[irishpitbull]

How are these trails in mid may?

 

[Andy FitzGibbon]

Depends a lot on the amount of horse traffic and how wet of a spring we have, but overall, they should be OK in most places.
Being that it's one of the highest points in the state, make sure you bring some warm clothing along.

 

[irishpitbull]

I was hoping for temps in the 50's as that is prime MTB'ing for me.

 

[cwkrause]

Near Spruce Knob is the not to be missed North Fork Mtn Trail.

pics: North Fork Mountain Trail, WV - Colin Krause's Photos
gps: North Fork Mountain by cwkrause at Garmin Connect - Details

 

[irishpitbull]

I will! Thank you. Looks awesome. How did you get a shuttle?

 

[irishpitbull]

Will be out there the 28th of May and the 30th at North Fork. If anyone whats to join me.

 

[fishnskiwv]

Assuming May isn't a monsoon month, the trails should be in good shape. There are very dry in these parts of WV.

 

[irishpitbull]

Assuming May isn't a monsoon month, the trails should be in good shape. There are very dry in these parts of WV.

Thanks for update.

 

[BigBo]

FYI as of 5/1/12 Allegheny Mountain Trail has a tree down every 10 feet for the entire trail, most miserable mountain biking ever. Huckleberry west of Seneca Creek is pretty bad too.

 

[irishpitbull]

FYI as of 5/1/12 Allegheny Mountain Trail has a tree down every 10 feet for the entire trail, most miserable mountain biking ever. Huckleberry west of Seneca Creek is pretty bad too.

Damn who does the trail work down there?

What about North Fork or Plantation I'm doing those as well

 

[Sofakinold]

Damn who does the trail work down there?

What about North Fork or Plantation I'm doing those as well

Nobody I know of.

It's shame the trails have gone down again. I've been getting this ride in every year. Probably not this year now.

BTW a couple things about riding this area;
The connector from the Falls of Seneca creek and Allegany shown on the map has been gone for years and the Seneca Creek trail below the falls has been impassable for years also.

There are huge creek fords on the Seneca creek Trail betwen Judy Springs and the big Falls of Seneca. They are impossible to ride and difficult to walk. You will get wet. Even after bringing water shoes just for the crossings I slipped and soaked my cell phone.

 

[irishpitbull]

Nobody I know of.

It's shame the trails have gone down again. I've been getting this ride in every year. Probably not this year now.

BTW a couple things about riding this area;
The connector from the Falls of Seneca creek and Allegany shown on the map has been gone for years and the Seneca Creek trail below the falls has been impassable for years also.

There are huge creek fords on the Seneca creek Trail betwen Judy Springs and the big Falls of Seneca. They are impossible to ride and difficult to walk. You will get wet. Even after bringing water shoes just for the crossings I slipped and soaked my cell phone.

I contacted WVMBA about the state of the trails got a attitude filled email basically telling me that if I want the trails clear to come down and work on the trail crew. Regrettably, I canceled my plans to the area and moved my vacation to Pisgah. All I wanted was little info.:madman:


Thanks for the info.