Morgantown: Otter Creek Trail
Chug 6.2 miles along an old railroad scar and a lively creek to a wetland glade bustling with wildlife and birds in Monongahela National Forest.
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Trail Facts
- Distance: 5.1
Waypoints
OCT001
Location: 38.9411010742188, -79.6687088012695
Venture N over footbridge into the wintergreen perfume of yellow birch
OCT002
Location: 38.9443206787109, -79.6678237915039
Veer L @ Y onto Otter Creek Trail, which follows an old logging railroad
OCT003
Location: 38.9495697021484, -79.6686172485352
Runoff turns trail into impromptu streambed before it drains into Otter Creek
OCT004
Location: 38.9506301879883, -79.6667633056641
Short bushwhack on R through wall of thick rhododendrons to river’s edge where beaver dams create a wetland glade and picturesque spillway; return to trail
OCT005
Location: 38.9520111083984, -79.6640472412109
Black wood frogs hop along trail; pass collapsed
RR truss, then head N and carefully ford streamlet (slick rocks)
OCT006
Location: 38.9534797668457, -79.661262512207
Stay straight as Yellow Creek Trail joins from L
OCT007
Location: 38.9617004394531, -79.6523590087891
Peek through black cherry trees to see river burst through chutes
OCT008
Location: 38.9644088745117, -79.6508712768555
Follow faint side trail on R, and go for a float in one of many whirling swimming holes created in Otter Creek
OCT009
Location: 38.9661903381348, -79.650146484375
Cross stream
OCT010
Location: 38.9700012207031, -79.6466369628906
A flood wiped away trail; follow bend and pick up path 300 ft. later
OCT011
Location: 38.9715690612793, -79.6420135498047
Stop @ Y junction with Mylius Trail. Pitch tent under apple trees, then explore several waterfalls. Return to car