Decker's Creek Trail — Morgantown, WV to Reedsville, WV

Deckers Creek Trail 38-Mile Bike Trail Ride

Come out for a ride! This is part of a trail ride series sponsored by the Ohio River Trail Council (ORTC) intended to bring awareness to the wonderful trails in our quad-state region (Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia). All cyclists are welcome for this rails-to-trails, moderate-paced ride.

Join us, as we visit the Deckers Creek Trail for a 38-mile round-trip beginning at Hazel Ruby McQuain Riverfront Park in Morgantown and then follow Deckers Creek upstream to Reedsville, WV. Outside of Morgantown, the landscape is very scenic with many hardwood trees and rocky outcroppings. This trail offers an 1,000 ft. incline (2% incline) over 19 miles. The trail includes nearly three miles of paved surface travelling through Morgantown and continues south of the City with a crushed limestone surface. 
 
Do not forget your camera!

 

Trailhead

Morgantown TrailheadHazel Ruby McQuain Riverfront Park, 185 Garrett St, Morgantown, WV 26505.
 
GPS: 39.629695,-79.95988
 
 

Features and Points of Interest

The Decker's Creek Trail is a National Recreation Trail built in 1999. The trail follows Decker's Creek from downtown Morgantown to Reedsville, WV. The Deckers Creek Trail was originally the Morgantown & Kingwood Railroad carrying coal and coke, glass, sand, limestone and other items to distant markets. The Deckers Creek Trail travels through rhododendron and hemlock groves, deciduous forests, into more open fields and farmlands in Preston County, WV. The trail provides a close-up view of Greer Limestone, an active limestone mine. Near the communities of Masontown and Bretz, the trail passes an abandoned row of coke ovens, remnants from a large coal-mining industry. The Bretz Coke Ovens are listed as a National Historic Landmark and are currently being considered for restoration & interpretation.

Deckers Creek is a scenic tributary to the Monongahela River in north central West Virginia. From its headwaters outside the historic town of Arthurdale, Deckers Creek meanders through Preston County into Monongalia County where it descends through a steep scenic gorge.  This beautiful section of Deckers Creek is filled with waterfalls, boulders, and rock slides, contains world class kayaking, and is frequented by kayakers, rock climbers, bikers, and swimmers.  From here, Deckers Creek passes through several communities and into Morgantown, where it empties into the Monongahela River. Don't forget your camera!

Social

Following the ride, meet us for a social gathering and dinner in Morgantown, WV.

Map

 

 

Attachments:
Download this file (Mon_River_Caperton_Deckers_Creek_Trail_Map.pdf)Mon_River_Caperton_Deckers_Creek_Trail_Map.pdf[ ]