|
Post by stumpbumper on Mar 22, 2011 16:49:45 GMT -5
I have a few questions about the Long Cane Horse Trail. I have a copy of the map from www.greenwoodmtb.com and am wondering if the trails are signed/blazed well enough for someone who has not ridden there to follow fairly easily. I'll probably spend a couple of days and camp overnight and looks like my choices are Parson's Mtn. Rec Area and the Felt Hunt Club camping area. Any recommendations between those two? From what I have been able to determine, PM has showers and FHC does not. Does anyone know if this is correct? Trails are---Falling-off-your-bike easy? Mildly technical? Extremely technical? Lots of tough climbs? All downhill? A bit of each? Anything in particular to keep a watchful eye out for? Crocodiles at water crossings? Hoards of starving fire ants? Vampire bats at night? Punji stick traps left in trail by irate equestrians? I am aware of the ride CSRA has scheduled for June 4, and while I hope to make that one, I want to ride there a bit earlier as well. Many thanks. ;D EDIT: Shortly after posting the above I received information from Ashby Stokes on a group ride every Sunday afternoon at LCHT. Since I will be riding alone on Sat I still need answers to the above questions, though. Ditto on the camping options. Thanks again.
|
|
|
Post by seenvic on Mar 22, 2011 19:38:30 GMT -5
You should be able to follow the map. There are signs out there with the letters from on the map. I'd print that info on Ashby's site, the page with the critique of the trail. They pretty much spell out what is good to ride and what not so much. Pay close attention to what they say about skirting "Land of the Double Wides".
Camp at PM. On a lake, nicer.
Trail is great. If in condition to ride the entire thing, do that. It sounds like what they call "Dead Dog Loop" is recomended right now. The trail is a mix of old school legacy horse trail, stuff we designed and built 8ish years ago and a gravel road that is about 1 mile of the trail. The legacy horse trails are in sections eroded, techy, steep and guillied out, but fun nonetheless. The stuff we did is early day FATS, flowy, and fun. Most of the old stuff is high quality mountain biking. I'd get info from Ashby on the conditions to ride the whole thing. "9Minute Trail" from the routed sign down is a hoot. And a nice climb if going the other way.
I'd guess it climbs about 70-75 feet per mile. That is about half of Pisgah, typically. There are some steep climbs, but they are short. And there are some long climbs, but they aren't steep.
Overall, I'd say the LCHT is the best kept secret on the long cane district (USFS). It may be the best mtb ride on the district.
Ashby's site has all the stuff you need to know.
Let us know what you think after you ride it.
|
|
|
Post by stumpbumper on Mar 23, 2011 19:51:46 GMT -5
Thanks very much.
With your information and what I have learned from Ashby it looks like I am in for a nice ride. I wil not make it this coming weekend after all which is probably just as well since I just learned that Parson's Mt. campground does not open until April 1.
I'll eventually get around to riding LCHT and when I do I will post here.
|
|