Tea Creek Wilderness Area Overview
Monongahela National Forest, West VirginiaMud, muck and mayhem, if that doesn't say mountain biking, I don't know what does.
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.
12 trails and several forest roads can be combined to create a variety of loops ranging from a few miles to almost 15. 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.
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.
Lots of trails, mud, rocks, roots, fun and PAIN!
Tea Creek MountainRocks, roots and one wild, long downhill ride. 4.7 miles of rock-strewn, root infested mountain biking excitement.
Red Run LoopRiding Red Run and living to tell about it! The Red Run Loop ride consists of Gauley Mountain Trail, Red Run Trail, and the Right Fork Trail.
