The Monongahela National Forest’s Otter Creek Wilderness has many trails, mostly for hiking through the scenic landscape of rhododendron, timber and mosses. Biking is prohibited on the trails, but horses are allowed in some areas.
The Otter Creek Trail, the most popular, follows an abandoned logging railroad grade along Otter Creek between Condon Run and the Dry Fork River. The trail is the spine of the system, offering direct connections to seven other hiking trails in the Otter Creek Wilderness.
The rugged trail offers spectacular views and a moderate to challenging hike. You will find yourself following large rock outcrops and peering through trees at roaring waterfalls. There are a number of stream crossings along its path and, depending on the season, some are quite significant, with fast, rushing water. With the exception of a very long, suspended footbridge over the Dry Fork tributary of the Cheat River toward the end of the trail, there are no bridges to aid your stream crossings.
Like all of the trails in the Otter Creek Wilderness, attention has been given to keeping this trail very primitive. There are no signs or blazes. However, confusing sections are marked with stone cairns. This rail-trail is not for the faint of heart, but it is worth the hike if you are up for a challenge.
Horseback riders are urged not to use the segment of the Otter Creek Trail between the Moore Run Trail and Green Mountain Trail; the trail is narrow through here and the drop-off steep. Equestrian users should instead take the Possession Camp Trail to bridge the gap.
Trail Manager Contact
Monongahela National Forest
200 Sycamore Street
Elkins, West Virginia
304-636-1800
http://www.fs.usda.gov/mnf
Notes
This is a single-track and often steep, once a logging railroad.
Otter Creek Wilderness- MNF http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mnf/recreation/recarea/?recid=12369
Horses are not recommended on the section of trail between Moore Run Trail and Green Mountain Trail due to the extreme narrowness and height of trail above the creek.