MTB WNC Trail Information Tables
Contents
Choose the trails from the list below!
Important Information!
Pisgah National Forest Trails--most often called "Pisgah"
Bent Creek
area trails
Mills River area trails
Davidson River area trails
Coleman Boundary and Other Pisgah National Forest
trails
Other WNC Trails
Nantahala National
Forest trails--includes the Tsali Trails.
South Mountains State Park trails--I Need Your
Help! |
WNC Trail Information Tables
-Coleman Boundary and Other Pisgah National Forest
trails-
PLEASE VISIT www.mtbikewnc.com
to view the rest of this site! The new site is much better than
this one, and this one is no longer updated!
Symbols: -- means not ridden.
* means not shown on map, new trail.
Numbers: Red: number shown on Trails Illustrated
map. Blue: number shown on USGS Quad
maps.
The links in the tables are to one of the Best Rides that includes the
trail or to images of the trail.
About the "Boundary"
The "Coleman Boundary" area, located northeast of Asheville, is actually
the watersheds of Carter and Dillingham creeks in the Pisgah National
Forest. This area is draped across the Great Craggy Mountains and the
westernmost fringes of the Black Mountains, which contain Mount Mitchell,
the highest point east of the Mississippi River. These mountains, bordered
by the Blue Ridge Parkway to the east, are some of the most rugged
and scenic in Western NC. Many large waterfalls and cascades,
notably Walker Falls and 70 foot free falling Douglas Falls, sheer rock
cliffs which draw rock climbers from afar, beautiful streams and
second growth forests, and rare old growth and virgin forests
can be found here. Riding here is made worthwile for the rugged, backcountry
nature of the trails and the incredible natural beauty. Horseback riding
is popular in this area, so be extra aware of horses when riding here.
Coleman Boundary Trails
| Name |
Difficulty |
Length (miles) |
Numbers |
Comments |
| Bear Pen |
More Difficult |
1.4 |
?? |
Rough, technical trail makes a fun downhill
connection between the Laurel Gap trail (gravel road) and FR 74. Lousy
uphill push. |
| Laurel Gap |
More Difficult |
?? |
?? |
A long, grassy old road, running just below the
parkway. Spectacular views abound. High elevation, northern hardwoods
and patches of spruce-fir forest. Rolling hills and no technical sections.
I have never made it to the end of this remote road, but it begins to
fade out past the Bear Pen trail intersection and another connecting logging
road. |
| Staire Creek |
More Difficult |
1.1 |
* 183 |
Recommend to only ride this downhill--the entire
trail is extremely steep! A great but very technical downhill
through beautiful woods. Muddy, rooty. Lower portion follows
the rugged, picturesque creek and levels out some, but becomes extremely
rocky. Several huge rock caves are along the trail--at one point the rushing
water can be heard in stereo as it bounces off a rock face. |
| Walker Creek |
More Difficult |
1.6 |
* * |
-- Lower portion, below Staire Ck. Tr., is muddy,
moderately steep, following the creek and crossing it once. |
The next table outlines trails found in other parts of the Pisgah National
Forest, some within the Pisgah Ranger District (close to the Davidson River
area but technically not in it).
Other Pisgah National Forest Trails
| Name |
Difficulty |
Length (miles) |
Numbers |
Comments |
| Flat Laurel Creek |
More Difficult |
3.7 |
55 346 |
This entire trail is above 5000 feet. Very
scenic--awesome high elevation meadows, very rocky, wet, creek crossings,
waterfalls, pristine waterways, and some elements of spruce-fir forests.
Images of this trail and Flat Laurel
Creek ride. This trail is part of the
Flat Laurel Creek best ride. |
| Ivestor Gap |
Easy |
2.0 |
72 101 |
Out and back, so ride is actually 4.0 miles. A
wide, high elevation trail, all above 5000 feet. Flat, but
extremely rocky. Starts same place as Flat Laurel Creek, Black
Balsam parking area. Great 4wd road when gate is open. Wet sections.
Views. A waterfall. Lots of blue- and blackberries. |
| Laurel River |
Easy |
3.6 |
* |
-- |
| Mill Ridge |
More Difficult |
4.5 |
* |
-- |
| Sleepy Gap |
More Difficult |
1.0 |
118 339 |
-- |
| Summey Cove |
More Difficult |
2.0 |
125 129 |
-- |
| Wilson Ridge |
More Difficult |
14.7 |
269 |
-- |
| Woodruff Branch |
More Difficult |
2.4 |
256 |
-- |
|
