SHARC, the Snowshoe Highlands Area Recreation Collaborative, now maintains more than 450 miles of trail across the Monongahela National Forest. In just three years, the organization has expanded to two full trail crews working year round. Trail Crew Lead and Races and Events Director Zen Clements joined Access Appalachia to discuss what that growth looks like on the ground across Pocahontas County and into parts of Greenbrier, Webster, and Randolph counties.
Clements outlined SHARC’s three core areas of focus: trail building and maintenance, wildland fire management, and backcountry emergency response. Through prescribed burns conducted in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, SHARC helps improve forest health while generating funding that supports its trail work. The organization’s newest initiative is backcountry emergency response, with crew members earning specialized certifications to assist first responders in reaching injured riders and hikers in remote areas where cell service is often unavailable.
A major part of the conversation focused on the Monday Lick Trail System in Marlinton, which opened last year with nearly 30 miles of purpose built singletrack connected directly to the Greenbrier River Trail. Clements said the system’s mix of beginner friendly trails and more technical terrain has attracted new visitors while encouraging local investment, including new vacation rentals and Marlinton’s recent designation as a Trail Town. The Monday Lick Enduro, part of the long running West Virginia Enduro Series, returns for its second year this summer.
Clements also discussed the region’s ongoing effort to earn Gold level IMBA Ride Center status, a designation that recognizes destinations with an exceptional mix of trail experiences, accessibility, and rider friendly amenities spread across multiple communities. With an expanding trail network and continued investment in outdoor recreation, SHARC is helping position Pocahontas County as one of the premier mountain biking destinations in the Mid Atlantic.
Access Point: The Mower Basin Trail System in Randolph County
This episode’s Access Point is the Mower Basin Trail System in Randolph County — more than 30 miles of trail reclaimed from a former strip mine within the Monongahela National Forest. The area offers cross-country singletrack, dispersed camping under dark, cell-service-free skies, and access to the Shavers Fork for fishing.
Learn more about: SHARC / Mower Basin Trail System / Pocahontas Trails
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