Hellbender’s Wrath

Hellbender’s Wrath is not for the faint of heart but rewards those who dare with a stunning array of landscapes and riding experiences. Starting in downtown Morgantown, West Virginia, this route takes you through rugged terrain, dense forests, and along scenic byways, offering a true taste of Appalachian wilderness. The ideal season for tackling Hellbender’s Wrath is late spring through early fall when the weather is milder, and the trails are in prime condition. Riders can expect a mix of steep climbs, technical descents, and a variety of surfaces, from paved roads to chunky gravel and singletrack. Whether you’re embarking on a grueling one-day adventure or spreading the journey over a couple of nights, this route promises to challenge and exhilarate in equal measure.

The journey begins at the Ruby Amphitheater in Morgantown, where you’ll roll out into a blend of urban trails and scenic byways that quickly transition into more remote, challenging terrain. As you make your way along Deckers Creek towards Masontown, the soothing sound of waterfalls and the lush greenery offer a peaceful contrast to the effort required to conquer the climbs ahead. The route soon takes you to Coopers Rock, where panoramic views provide a rewarding respite. If the weather’s warm, a dip in the Blue Hole or the Big Sandy River will refresh your spirits before the real test begins.

The climb from Blue Hole to Pisgah is relentless, a steep ascent that tests both your legs and your mental fortitude. The exit from Quebec Run towards Mud Pike introduces a stretch of gravel that, while short, demands careful navigation due to its steep incline and loose surface. The gradient descends sharply down Mud Pike before you face Wymps Gap, a paved yet punishing climb that requires every ounce of determination. For those with the right setup, the Sand Springs descent is a thrilling, fast-paced ride over blown-out, chunky terrain, but it can be unforgiving for those underprepared. Make sure your gear is securely fastened to avoid any mishaps.

Throughout the route, cell phone coverage is spotty, so plan accordingly. AT&T offers the best signal in the area, but even then, it’s hit or miss. The route’s proximity to roads at various points provides a safety net, but riders should be prepared for the isolation that comes with venturing into such rugged landscapes. Remember to adhere to Leave No Trace principles, packing out all waste, and maintaining the pristine nature of this beautiful but challenging route.

• Paved: 45%
• Smooth Gravel: 22%
• Rough Gravel: 15%
• 4×4 Road: 11%
• Singletrack: 7%

Parking Options:

There are several designated locations marked on the GPX file, depending on your preferred starting point and level of risk tolerance for parking. The most secure option is a parking garage in town. Multiple garages are marked on the GPX map, and with a variety of options available, the choice is up to the individual. Parking fees vary by location.

For those wishing to avoid parking fees, there are some public, overnight-friendly options; however, parking outside of a garage is at your own risk. The most recommended location is Caperton Trail Park, which is conveniently located along the rail trail and is highly visible. This point of interest is marked on the GPX. Additional suggestions include parking at the Aldi on Monongahela Boulevard or Marilla Park, both of which are a short ride from the amphitheater and considered relatively safe for overnight parking, as others have used these spots (again, at your own risk). Please note: do not park overnight at the amphitheater. For day rides, however, it is a suitable option.

With enough notice, the route creator has parking space close to downtown for those with one or two vehicles. Feel free to reach out to Jacob for details.

More details on parking options and alternative starting locations are provided in the RWGPS route description.

Recommended Bike Type and Services:
Given the diverse and often demanding terrain, a modern bikepacking setup with a hard tail or a 29+ adventure touring bike (ATB) is highly recommended. Tires with a minimum width of 50mm are essential to handle the rough, off-road sections, and anything less could make the ride unnecessarily difficult. Riders should also be prepared with ample food supplies, as opportunities to restock are limited, especially before reaching Route 857. Water is plentiful along the route, primarily from natural sources, so carrying a good filtration system will suffice. Camping options are abundant, with popular spots including Quebec Run Wild Area and Coopers Rock, offering both rugged and more developed sites depending on your preference.

Camping:

• Quebec Run Wild Area: Free, permit less, and first-come, first-served; explore options off Brocker or Rankin Trails, all POIs on GPX. Note that this is a backcountry site with NO FACILITIES
• Coopers Rock State Forest
• Chestnut Ridge Park and Campground
• Sand Springs Campground

Water Sources

This route offers abundant water, primarily from natural sources, so we recommend bringing a way to treat water, especially if you camp in Quebec as it is backcountry camping. With that said, there are not a ton of resupply areas, so if you plan to use gas stations, bring plenty (2L or more) of water.

Swimming Spots

Riders can enjoy waterfalls and swimming holes along Deckers Creek to Masontown. Note the Decker’s Creek Falls POI for the best swimming on the ride! If done right, you can swim every day, multiple times a day! See all spots marked for swimming on the POIs. There are refreshing swims at “Blue Hole” across the Bull Run Bridge and the takeout for Big Sandy Creek. There is a great beach under the Rockville Bridge as well. There are great camping and swim spots along the river in Quebec Run if you look for them (a good one is marked on the POI). Take a dip at Cheat Lake Park and enjoy the beach marked on your POI! While in Coopers Rock, you can hike down the Mon Chateau trail to the falls for a swim.

Safety and Road Considerations

• Exercise caution on Old Rt 73, a road with a history of cyclist incidents. It’s recommended to be as visible as possible to careless drivers and to be mindful of blind hills and corners. Use daytime running lights and be aware of cars behind you.
• You are on Route 857 for a very short spell heading towards Cheat Lake Park after coming down Sand Springs. This is a fast road; please be very visible.

Route creator Jacob Rex is the Founder of Hellbender Bikepacking, a bikepacking community centered on West Virginia Bikepacking. Check out their Facebook Group.

This is the first route in a series of routes named the Hellbender Extinction Tour. Jacob shared a synopsis of the collection:

The collection boasts 5 routes options totaling nearly 950 miles and 100,000 feet of Appalachian climbing, with choices of length from 60 to 310 miles. Explore the region with over 15 swim spots, 11 wild areas, 5 breweries, 3 rivers, 3 states, all on 1 incredible ride!

The namesake: The raddest creature in the river, the Hellbender Salamander (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) or the snot otter, lasagna lizard, devil dog, mud-devil, mud dog, water dog, grampus, Allegheny alligator, and leverian water newt. This bad boy got his name from settlers who thought “it was a creature from hell where it’s bent on returning.” Or because it is so wild looking that its skin reminded people of the “horrible tortures of the infernal regions.” How could it get any sicker than that??? Nature IS metal!

However, this lasagna lizard is nosediving straight for extinction because of us, and let me tell you, he is PISSED about that. I would be, too. So, I figured, while we play in his habitat, the least we could do is get MAD TOO. So, I created these damning routes to fire you up with pure ecologically righteous rage!

Because riding bikes unfortunately isn’t enough, excise your fury and donate to the Hellbender’s various habitat guardians here:

• deckerscreek.org/donate
• cheat.org/donate

These routes would not have been possible without Geoff Patterson (canalbyways.com) and AJ DeLauder (thetinycornerbikeshop.com/general-8). AJ’s Snallygaster inspired this route collection, and I borrowed from it for the southern section of the 260- and 300-mile routes. Geoff, well, he basically rode it all. The 180-, 260-, and 300-mile routes borrow heavily from his work on the Allegheny Crossroads route he has developed. With his permission, I used a lot of the same routes but have attempted to add my own Hellbender “spice” to many areas. For both of their help, I am deeply grateful.

Jacob T. Rex, created and stewards this route. Here is a little about Jacob:

Jacob (he/him, Morgantown, WV) is a native Appalachian, hailing from the Great Smokey Mountains. Bikes began shaping Jacob in college, starting as a means of cheap transportation before eventually becoming the inspiration for his philosophy in everyday life today. Jacob has worked as a professional backcountry guide, bike mechanic, and is currently an outdoor educator and instructor based in the heart of Appalachia, passionate about bringing bikes and their philosophy to the region. While relatively new to bikepacking, Jacob is the founder of West Virginia’s only bikepacking group, Hellbender Bikepacking, and hopes to bring attention to the sport in the Mountain State. 

Jacob has offered to be available to answer questions if you are planning a trip on this route. Please also get in touch with any updates on route conditions that may be relevant to other riders.

Please submit your questions and comments on the route via the contact form below.

• This route traverses the traditional lands of the Shawnee, Massawomeck, and Osage.