The Spruce Knob Lake Campground - Sinks Of Gandy Loop is a bike loop that first takes you along,
over, down and up
Allegheny Mountain
and then to the
Sinks of Gandy
where you can see Gandy Creek disappear underground.
You can actually follow it underground but that's not part of this ride.
This bike loop is 25 miles long, has a maximum elevation change of over 1300 feet and even comes with it's
own swimmin' hole.
The ride surface is Forest Road, gravel road, dual track and non-technical single track.
Allegheny Mountain is part of the
Allegheny Mountain Range
and lies within the
Spruce Knob - Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area
section of the
Monongahela National Forest.
I do have to warn you that there is a quarter mile long section
where the trail is lined on both sides by
stinging nettles.
There is no way to avoid them.
Just remember if you don't scratch, it will stop itching faster.
It is a nuisance but the ride is still worth it.
The ride begins at the entrance to the
Spruce Knob Lake Campground
(the highest campground in the state).
Get on Forest Road 1 and head east until you get to the trailhead for the
Allegheny Mountain Trail (AMT).
Go north on the AMT as it runs along the eastern edge of Allegheny Mountain.
As you bike on the AMT look to your right and you might get a glimps of
Spruce Knob
through the trees.
Spruce Knob
is the highest point in West Virginia at 4863 feet.
The first few miles of the AMT is somethimes used by authorized vehicles so it begins as dual track.
After seven miles turn off the AMT onto the single track Spring Ridge Trail.
This will take you across Allegheny Mountain and down into the
Gandy Creek
valley.
Near mile 10 is when you hit the aforementioned nettle patch.
At the end of Spring Ridge Trail you turn left onto Whitmer Road/Co Road 29.
This gravel road parallels Gandy Creek for the next 10 miles as it passes through
the Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping Area. This is a popular area for anglers and hikers.
Stay on the road until it ends at the intersection with Forest Road 1 and Glady-Oceola Road.
Go out Glady-Oceola Road to the Sinks Of Gandy. The Sinks sit on private land
so there are no signs but it's easy to
find. After visiting the Sinks backtrack on Glady-Oceola Road
to the intersection with Forest Road 1. Head up Forest Road 1 which takes you past
Spruce Knob Lake (the highest lake in the state)
and then back to the beginning of the loop at the campground entrance.
All information is presented without any assurance of accuracy. Use at your own risk.
Distance measurements are approximate.
All photos © 2008 J. Watson. All rights reserved.
Comments Welcomed. trails@wvbike.org
Last updated 2/7/2008
