The World Needs More Dale’s Trails

Tucker County, WV is known across the country as a mountain bike destination. With a thriving community of riders, endless miles of trails, and a growing group of local support businesses like bike shops, eateries, and brew pubs, it largely lives up to the hype. However, the abundance of highly technical terrain on expansive public land in the county leaves out one big piece from this could-be mountain biking mecca: beginner trails with access right in town.

New Historic Thomas recognized this gap and worked with Appalachian Dirt, a local trail builder to launch an aggressive fundraising campaign to build a beginner-level loop in the city park that is accessible from town. In late 2017, the new 1.5 mile Dale’s Trail was tied into an existing hiking trail network in the Thomas City Park Trail System and the Allegheny Highlands Trail, a 27-mile long rail trail connecting Thomas, Parsons, and Elkins via the Blackwater Canyon.

Dale, the trail’s namesake, was a very active citizen and retired coal miner who contributed a lot of time, his local connections, and use of his own equipment to establish the city park amenities and help AmeriCorps members cut the initial trails in the system. Dale hoped to continue developing and improving the park and trails but passed away shortly after driving the initial effort. 

The City of Thomas was instrumental in getting this project underway. New Historic Thomas and Appalachian Dirt secured $8,000 in private contributions and fundraising dollars and Woodlands Development Group’s Emily Wilson-Hauger won $22,000 in grants to complete the funding package. 

Along with the new beginner trail construction, the project included additional improvements to the flow of the city trail system. Several small, unmaintained trails were renaturalized and decommissioned. More strategic and intentional linkages were created or maintained to streamline the major trail loops on the property. Additionally, a new system map, kiosk and trailhead area were built, and improved signage and blazing were added to the entire trail system. Appalachian Dirt contracted the project.

The result is a multi-purpose trail that also happens to function as a beginner-friendly mountain bike trail. With properly constructed drainage and grades, this natural surface trail sheds water better than most trails you will come across in the water-logged Allegheny Highlands and is also great for hikers and morning dog walkers. Many area parents have expressed that they are thrilled to have a place to take their kids to help them gain confidence, practice new skills, and learn to enjoy trail riding. 

Dale’s Trail is used year-round by hikers, runners, walkers, bikers, and cross-country skiers, and contributes to the vitality of the town of Thomas. The trail project brought attention to Tucker County’s need for more accessible trails for beginners and children, to lower barriers of entry to mountain biking. Many planning efforts are underway for additional purpose-built mountain bike trails in the county. 

Projects like this are only possible with significant collaboration. Partners and funders included: People for Bikes, City of Thomas, New Historic Thomas, Appalachian Dirt, Woodlands Development Group, Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area, Tucker Community Foundation, Tucker County Parks & Recreation Commission, Oakland Foundation, WVU Adventure Program, Canaan Mountain Bike Festival, Blackwater Bike Association, Heart of the Highlands Trail System, Youth Conservation Corps & U.S. Forest Service-Monongahela National Forest, Highlands Composite Mountain Bike Team (local Middle/High School team), Mountain Laurel Learning Cooperative, community volunteers, individual donors, and local businesses. Woodlands was proud to support this community project.