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Post by seenvic on Jul 4, 2010 22:19:42 GMT -5
Rode a great loop in Pisgah today that I'd highly recommend to someone looking to go up there.
Park at Turkey Pen Trailhead. We rode up an old double track that quickly turned to single. It had no name. Little climb and descent onto South Mills River Trail. We crossed a swinging bridge or two and eventually turned onto Mullinax Trail. This was a climb for sure, granny was busy today. We took Mullinux to Squirrel Gap and continued the climb. I think we did Squirrel the opposite direction it is usually done, btw.
I'd say the climb was 4-5ish miles long and steep in places. Technical most of the way too. It was great. Several places were hike a bike for me for either steepness, or just my general concern for my life/safety. We got a plateau, and the trail changed sides of the ridgeline and started downhill. The DH was completely out of control, 95% rideable by me and almost certain serious injury if you fall off the left side. Big time exposure on a narrow, steep, rocky, rooty single that is just unrelenting in it's unbelivableness.
Cross Cantrell Creek Trail, stay on Squirrel and climb some more. Then a downhill on Horse Cove that is just classic Pisgah. Steep, fall line, eroded, big step downs, creek crossings, and rocks. We take this to Cantrell Creek Trail which is kinda a creek bed sometimes with water in and sometimes with it not. But it is rocky all over. A trail of rocks, really. this takes us back to South Mills River
This section of SMR is about 5 miles of riding on an old roadbed. It is rocky in places, and wide most of the way. You can ride side by side and fast in places and need to be in single file riding the best line in other places.
SMR takes us back to Turkey Pen and the car. I think it is 15-16 miles long and took us about 3 hours total time. I'd guess about 2.5 hours ride time. This is a great loop for experienced riders looking to challenge themselves.
It may be the best ride in Pisgah. Top 3 for sure.
edit to add: I ran into 2 guys I have met on another mtb forum and recognized one of them from pics he had posted and his bike. Here is a link to some pics they took of today's ride. They did a similar ride as ours and we rode the big DH on Squirrel together. Some good pics.....http://www.f88me.com/showthread.php?t=23155
Park at Turkey Pen Trailhead. We rode up an old double track that quickly turned to single. It had no name. Little climb and descent onto South Mills River Trail. We crossed a swinging bridge or two and eventually turned onto Mullinax Trail. This was a climb for sure, granny was busy today. We took Mullinux to Squirrel Gap and continued the climb. I think we did Squirrel the opposite direction it is usually done, btw.
I'd say the climb was 4-5ish miles long and steep in places. Technical most of the way too. It was great. Several places were hike a bike for me for either steepness, or just my general concern for my life/safety. We got a plateau, and the trail changed sides of the ridgeline and started downhill. The DH was completely out of control, 95% rideable by me and almost certain serious injury if you fall off the left side. Big time exposure on a narrow, steep, rocky, rooty single that is just unrelenting in it's unbelivableness.
Cross Cantrell Creek Trail, stay on Squirrel and climb some more. Then a downhill on Horse Cove that is just classic Pisgah. Steep, fall line, eroded, big step downs, creek crossings, and rocks. We take this to Cantrell Creek Trail which is kinda a creek bed sometimes with water in and sometimes with it not. But it is rocky all over. A trail of rocks, really. this takes us back to South Mills River
This section of SMR is about 5 miles of riding on an old roadbed. It is rocky in places, and wide most of the way. You can ride side by side and fast in places and need to be in single file riding the best line in other places.
SMR takes us back to Turkey Pen and the car. I think it is 15-16 miles long and took us about 3 hours total time. I'd guess about 2.5 hours ride time. This is a great loop for experienced riders looking to challenge themselves.
It may be the best ride in Pisgah. Top 3 for sure.
edit to add: I ran into 2 guys I have met on another mtb forum and recognized one of them from pics he had posted and his bike. Here is a link to some pics they took of today's ride. They did a similar ride as ours and we rode the big DH on Squirrel together. Some good pics.....http://www.f88me.com/showthread.php?t=23155
