Take Gauley Mountain Trail off Mine Rd. and ride 1.5 miles, passing Tea Creek Connector Trail at .9 miles, and turning right on Bear Pen Ridge Trail. Take Bear Pen Ridge Trail for 3.5 miles to the bottom of the mountain. When you get to the bottom ride past Tea Creek Trail (one left and one right) and then cross Tea Creek (the stream). Continue on Bear Pen up the bank across the creek for another 1.7 miles to the intersection of Boundary Trail.
Here you need to decide if you feel like another 2 miles of tough, technical riding with a few short tough climbs. If you decide to miss that challenge, a couple beautiful places on the trail and an awesome overlook, go straight past Boundary and continue about another 1/2 mile to FR135. In a few hundred feet you will come to a steep uphill into a strip mine clear cut. Ride down through the clear cut to FR135. WARNING there is a DEEP drainage ditch across the trail in these weeds making it easy to nose dive into. Be alert. Once at FR135 go right to vehicle if you didn't drive past this intersection at the beginning.
To continue the modified, challenging and beautiful loop, take Boundary Trail, ride just over 1 mile to the top of the mountain and the next intersection. There are several signs there and the overlook is on your left. Note, Boundary Trail goes right when you arrive. Don't get confused when you leave and go down Turkey Point/Saddle Loop. After viewing the overlook and taking that much needed break continue down a fun 1/2 mile with a few switchbacks to a plateau that takes you through a tight laurel tunnel and then to a steep, 50 foot drop and hike-a-bike down it. Just a short distance you will come out on a Forest Road. Turn right, noting Bannock Shoals trail on your left. Follow this road to the next intersection and stay right on FR135 and at all major intersections till you reach your truck. About 17.5 miles total. What a blast ! Check out the pics of this trail for example.
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