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Props Run
14 reviews
3.43 of 5
My vote for most overrated trail. Rated one of ten best downhills in MB magazine, etc. If you like 5-20 mph technical riding down creek beds you'll love it. Myself, I couldn't believe it was the same trail I'd heard so much about. 3 wheels from me.
Summary: Drove from Wisconsin to ride snowshoe mtn and the IMBA Epic trails in Slatyfork. Props is a two-track drainage ditch. We were in WV for 3 days prior and it hadn't rained at all and 90% off the trail was mud. Only a couple small sections of quality singletrack in the places where the trail was really wet and they had to re-route out of the drainage ditch.
Not sure what Imba was thinking....the other Imba epics I've ridden (8 total) have been amazing. This trail does not follow the imba standard.
The other slatyfork trails were disappointing as well, overgrown and not very technical other than they required lots of climbing.
Recommended Route: Go someplace else.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Mountwood Park in Parkersburg (true singletrack with good flow and scenery).
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Summary: Fun, easy, downhill singletrack, 8 miles in length. Rode it 2 weeks ago, and it's in perfect condition. Don't expect any technical challenge, other than what speed brings. It was our final ride on a 5 day bike trip. A great way to finish.
Recommended Route: If you're riding only Props, either ride the single track uphill then down for an out-and-back, or organize a shuttle for the 12 mile gravel road climb to the trailhead. The road is not worth the effort on your bike, unless you're a crushed gravel junkie. More likely, you'll include it in the Gauley Headwaters IMBA epic as your grand finale.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Tea Creek Mountain is the best XC trail I've ridden. If you want real downhill biking, head straight to Snowshoe.
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Summary: My report below is only being modified to let my fellow mountain bikers that ERTC is no longer in my reports. Found out today, 3/1/2008 after reading their testimony in a wilderness case that they are supporting making trails off limits to mountain bikers by supporting wilderness designation in other areas of the state.
Recommended Route: Same as before without ERTC in the mix.
Summary: Hey it's me again.. The trail is in great shape right now. When we rode it the end of May there were several trees down even though ERTC employees worked hard to clear it. We just rode it again on 8/12/07 and it was great. There is only one large tree down that can't be ridden over. Awesome fun trail with a few technical spots. As stated before don't expect a Snowshoe style downhill. It is mostly downhill and you will need to pedal and climb a few spots where they take the trail up off the old rail grade. Good mix of everything.
Recommended Route: I would definately recommend a shuttle. If you only have one vehicle it is well worth parking at ERTC and pay for their shuttle. After riding this trail several times we really liked the route we used on 8/12/07 the best so far.
Park at ERTC and pay for the shuttle to Gauley Mtn. Trailhead on Rt.150 (Scenic Hwy.) Ride Gauley Mtn. Trail past Red Run and Bear Pen,
go left on Tea Creek Connector trail, right on Tea Creek Trail, left on
FR24 (Mine Road), ride it past FR134 and FR135 to a diamond shaped intersection. Stay right on FR24 (cliff on your left in about 100 ft). You will come to an awesome overlook where you can see Slatyfork in valley and Snowshoe on mountain. Keep riding around gate and watch for Props Run in a few more miles. It's 6.4 miles from Tea Creek trail to the Props Run trailhead. Turn right onto Props Run and enjoy the remainder of the ride. You are nearing the new reroute of Props when you cross the second handrailed bridge. Trail will go to the right and do some short climbs. At the fork in the trail, stay to the left through a switchback and downhill to the ERTC. Approx. 19 miles total.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Bear Pen, Boundary Trail, Tea Creek, Tea Creek Mountain, and the others listed in last years post. Awesome area to spend a few days.
Check with ERTC about trail conditions. As of this date Red Run has not been cleared nor has North Mountain. The trail map from ERTC is invaluable. Get one if you plan on riding in this area or ask them about a guide.
Summary: First off, do not pay any attention to the articles in magazines. This is not a fast technical downhill. It is downhill for 8 miles, however on an old railroad grade. The single track does switch back an forth on and has a few water bars near the upper end. They have repaired the trail to have less water on it. In several places they have routed the trail up on the cuts to keep it out of the really wet areas.
We rode this trail during the 2006 Slatyfork Shuffle near the end of June. Even though we had some rain the night before, the trail was in great shape. The Elk River Touring Center has assisted in bringing this trail back in shape. Some rerouting and drainage has eliminated many of the wet spots. However, it still requires you to pedal downhill in some spots. With the creek crossings, climbs onto the cuts, water bars and the new reroute at the bottom which brings you right out at the Elk River Touring Center I would rate this as an eccellent trail to ride. Not extremely technical but worth the ride.
Recommended Route: It would be easier if you had someone to shuttle you up Mine Rd. to the top near the gate and leave your other vehicle at the Elk River Touring Center.
To make it more challenging, leave one vehicle at the ERTC and then drive to Rt.150 (Highland Scenic Hwy.), park at the overlook just past the Gauley Mtn Trialhead. Take Gauley Mtn. Trail all the way to the end on Mine Rd. then take Mine Road and fire roads to the Prop's Run Trail Head. Then Prop's Run to the ERTC.
We parked at the ERTC and rode our bikes down Rt.219 to Mine Rd., rode up the mountain (What a climb) past the gate, stayed to the right at a couple fire road intersections and before we knew it we were staning at the beginning of Prop's Run. Really enjoyed this ride. See the couple posts about the 2006 Slatyfork Shuffle and Shuffle Last Dance for pictures and story.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Gauley Mountain, Bear Pen (technical), Tea Creek, Boundary Trail (very techinical), Red Run (very technical), Right Fork, Tea Creek Mtn. (very technical downhill), Bannock Shoals (fast old railroad grade now singletrack), Pocahontas, Kennison Mtn, South Mountain, many more in Pocahontas County.
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