Rattlesnake

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E-Bikes Unknown

The Revenge of the Rattlesnake is a long running, grueling race of approximately 40-miles with its Start/Finish in Davis, West Virginia. Taking advantage of the trail network on Canaan Mountain in the Monongahela National Forest, the race layout changes frequently. It always features remote trail with rocks, roots and mud - the beckoning pain of Canaan.

The course described here (implemented by Todd Romero for the race in 2012) makes for an outstanding long ride that creatively covers many of the trail options. The rider looking for a long ride out of Davis can rest assured of a comprehensive tour of Canaan mountain and a fantastic day in the mountains.

Navigation is not hard as the trails are well marked, but the creative layout and length of this ride means there are many switches from one trail to the next. Many options exist for simplifying, shortening or otherwise altering the loop. Most of the ride is contained within the Canaan loop road, which can be accessed at any time for an easier return to Davis via Town trail at one end or highway 32 at the other. Davis, in Tucker County, bills itself as the highest town in West Virginia. You wont regret visiting the restaurants, cafs, and bike shop. Ditto, regarding the neighboring town of Thomas.

Town Trail. Starting from Davis, cross the bridge on 32 and access Town trail, a dirt road running alongside the Blackwater opposite Davis towards the State Park.

Find Yellow Birch trail on your left. Ride this twisty and rooty singletrack through enchanted forest until the Davis Trail.

Take a left and ascend the Davis Trail. The lower part of the trail is a rhododendron tunnel (amazing in bloom). It then ascends fairly steeply and continues much like a stream bed until Plantation Trail.

Turn right on Plantation Trail, cross a small creek, challenge yourself on the short uphill section and, after over a mile of excellent, if blown out, singletrack look for Lindy Run Trail.

Turn right on the Lindy trail and descend a sometimes gnarly, occasionally overgrown, and always entertaining trail that was reopened by hard work from the local crew.

Turn left onto the Loop road at the Lindy exit looking for the next trail on the left side of the road: Railroad Grade Trail. Ascend the Railroad trail through dense forest on an old grade until you reach Plantation Trail again.

Turn right on Plantation Trail. After a section that climbs a bit, most of the rest is slightly downhill. This end of the trail is often mud, mud and more mud. Plantation Trail will end at Loop road.

Turn right on the Loop road and look for the Mountainside Trail on your left.

Take the Mountainside Trail all the way to its terminus on forest road 30. It is mostly downhill with occasional views off to the right. Dual suspension will be appreciated as your speed increases over the baby head studded trail, which is partly on an old railroad grade. At the terminus, ascend the steep forest road until it meets the Loop road. Turn right on the loop road and continue until you see a trailhead on the opposite side marking the other end of the Railroad Grade Trail.

Ascend Railroad Grade Trail to the Plantation Trail. This is an excellent section of trail (more fun in the opposite direction) that passes a shelter where there is a hike-a-bike creek crossing, except for those with honed trials skills.

Turn right on Plantation Trail, taking it to the junction with Lindy Run Trail. You were at this junction earlier, approaching it from the opposite direction.

Take a right on Lindy Run Trail to ascend to the Loop road. This end of Lindy is much more open than the descent you took earlier, but it has several areas of mud bog and, much like many of the trails on this ride, feels like riding in a creek bed.

Turn left on the Loop road and take it to the next trailhead on your left which will be Fire Trail #6. This is an excellent section being maintained as part of the Allegheny trail. Ride until you meet back up with Plantation Trail.

Turn right on Plantation and ride until you see the Davis Trail again. The junction with Davis trail is well marked and you'll recognize it from earlier in the ride when you saw the signs for the shelter after the ascent from Blackwater Falls State Park. You'll return this way, but you are not quite done yet.

Turn right ascending the Davis Trail back up to the Loop road. Turn left onto Loop road and take it a short distance to Fire Trail #3 on your left. This is a short fun section down some rock-strewn trail returning to Plantation Trail.

Turn left at Plantation Trail and ride to Davis Trail. This section features nice rock gardens and is mostly in good shape. Back at the Davis trail junction for the third and last time you'll begin your descent back to Blackwater Falls State Park.

Turn right on Davis and take the fun descent until you hit Yellow Birch. Turn right and follow the yellow blazes back to the Town Trail.

Turn right on the dirt road that started it all. Ride back to Davis and enjoy a well-deserved celebration.